Genelec UNIO Personal Reference Monitoring

9320A SAM Reference Controller

Five audio tools in one – for a boosted workflow
As a professional monitor controller, calibration set, output interface, GLM remote and headphone amplifier, the 9320A integrates tightly with Genelec's UNIO Ecosystem to offer audio engineers seamless bridging of in-room and personal headphone monitoring – from stereo to immersive.

And now, with UNIO Personal Reference Monitoring (PRM), the 9320A can be combined with 8550A Professional Reference Headphones for total accuracy.

Working with any DAW and audio interface system, the 9320A puts flexible connectivity, a reference-grade headphone output and physical control of Genelec'sSmart Active Monitoring (SAM), Genelec Loudspeaker Manager (GLM) and Aural ID Technology at your fingertips, so you can confidently access your studio reference anywhere, anytime – and rapidly create mixes that translate with maximal consistency.

Explore how the 9320A boosts audio workflows

1. Every monitoring option at your fingertips

• Quick control of SAM, GLM and Aural ID - The 9320A provides intuitive and quick-to-access physical control of Genelec'sSAM, GLM and Aural ID Technology – with clear haptic feedback – for a faster workflow and less need to keep software windows open. With control of GLM right at your fingertips, it’s easy to switch between and manage all your SAM Monitoring layouts, from stereo to immersive.
• Easy alignment of additional in-room monitoring - Level alignment and control of any additional stereo monitoring systems connected directly to the high-quality outputs of the 9320A is simple. This enables you to move rapidly between in-room monitoring options and trust each one for reference listening.
• Seamless bridging to headphones - With the 9320A, headphone monitoring can also be quickly and precisely level aligned and controlled – giving you smooth and easy button switching between all your loudspeaker and headphone-based monitoring, with no need to readjust level each time.

2. Professional headphone monitoring

• Reference-grade headphone output - The 9320A aids reference listening by providing the tools needed to calibrate your personal headphone sound character. The headphone output supports impedances from 16 to 600 ohms with incredible linearity (THD+N less than -110 dB) and dynamic range (126 dB), and a maximum RMS output of 6 volts – to offer the best possible performance from any high-quality professional headphones.
• UNIO Personal Reference Monitoring - Genelec's UNIO PRM solution combines the 9320A with a specific factory-calibrated pair of 8550A Professional Reference Headphones, for total accuracy. This uniquely matched system represents a pioneering new active monitoring headphone solution with exceptional sonic reliability, taking seamless bridging of in-room and personal headphone monitoring to a whole new level.

3. Software calibration and greater freedom

• Automatic GLM AutoCal 2 calibration - Working with the GLM software and SAM system elements of Genelec's UNIO Ecosystem, the 9320A provides neutral, carefully aligned audio reproduction over loudspeaker monitors – with correctly calibrated and equalised subwoofer support when needed. Additionally, GLM provides access to detailed GRADE™ Room Acoustic Reports. For this, a factory-calibrated Reference Microphone is included with the 9320A.
• Take your reference beyond the studio - The alignment tools offered by the 9320A enable the smoothest possible transitioning when cross referencing between loudspeaker monitoring and headphones. This gives you the benefit of being able to access a tight match to your studio reference via compact stereo monitoring systems and headphones – for the freedom to work outside your trusted base without compromising your effectiveness.

4. AES/EBU connectivity for the purest signal

• Versatile monitoring options - Stereo and stereo-with-subwoofer monitoring systems connect easily to the 9320A using its analogue and AES/EBU input/output connectivity. The device also works as a USB output interface for high resolution stereo audio from a computer. The balanced analogue outputs and AES output of the 9320A support both fixed line level and adjusted line signals, making it compatible with any professional loudspeaker monitor or headphone set.
• High-quality DAC conversion - Use Genelec's hugely versatile 9320A as a high-quality converter from analogue to AES and AES to analogue – as well as converting USB computer audio to any output – creating an extremely effective hub for your professional monitoring tasks. The maximum level of the analogue balanced line input can be set to +12 dBu or +24 dBu, while USB and AES digital audio is routed to the AES output with an A-weighted dynamic range of 138 dB.

5. Safe listening via noise dose estimation 

• Hearing health support during monitoring - Protect your ears with the help of continuous A, C and Z weighted SPL monitoring shown on the backlit display of the 9320A, which allows quick assessment of listening safety.
• SPL is sampled using the included Reference Microphone for in-room audio – and calculated using headphone sensitivity data for headphone audio. The audio engineer's sound exposure dose is logged, and dose alarms can be set with ease. Combined with the ability to create highly linear monitoring systems – which naturally support minimal hearing fatigue – these listening safety features make the 9320A a key ally for hearing preservation.

How is the 9320A used?

For professional monitoring across fixed and mobile setups
The 9320A is the ideal audio monitoring multi-tool for engineers in stereo and immersive music studios, game audio studios, broadcasting, streaming and AV post-production.

Although at its best when used as part of Genelec's PRM solution alongside SAM Monitors and a computer running GLM and Aural ID software, the 9320A can also be used in independent mode without a computer – and provides support for all professional loudspeaker monitors and headphones.

Powered over its type-C USB data connection, the 9320A is compatible with any computer DAW. If power is not available from the computer, a separate USB type-C power input is available to use with a separate power source.

The audio bandwidth for all input/output combinations extends up to 46 kHz and offers a dynamic range exceeding 120 dB, THD+N lower than -110 dB and minimal input to output latency in the range 2 to 3.2 ms.

Aural ID adds binaural virtual monitoring
Genelec's uniquely tailor-made and accurate Aural ID Technology utilises your highly detailed personal HRTF to render virtual monitors over professional headphones – offering true-to-life access to the experience of in-room monitoring, from stereo to immersive.

In combination with the reference-grade headphone output of the 9320A, Aural ID provides the highest possible standard of spatially correct headphone monitoring.