Genesis Advanced Technologies G7 Foxtrot Loudspeaker

Clarity of Musical Intent

At last year's Southwest Audio Fest I was impressed with Genesis Advanced Technology's introduction of its new G7 Foxtrot loudspeaker. I recognized it as one of the notable products in my 2024 SWAF report and quickly made arrangements with Genesis owner and designer Gary Koh to review it. 

Genesis History 

The late Arnie Nudell, a renowned figure in high-end audio founded Genesis Advanced Technologies in 1991. Before establishing Genesis, Nudell co-founded Infinity Systems, a company that significantly influenced the high-fidelity loudspeaker industry. At Genesis, his ambition was to push the limits of audio reproduction, striving for a level of sonic realism that had previously seemed unattainable.

Genesis positioned itself as one of the top-tier high-end speaker manufacturers, competing with brands like Wilson Audio, Magico, and MartinLogan. However, as the high-end audio market evolved, Genesis faced financial and operational challenges, leading to changes in ownership and leadership. 

In 2002, Gary Koh, an entrepreneur and audiophile with a background in engineering and business, acquired Genesis Advanced Technologies. He took on an operational role and in 2006 became the Chief Designer and CEO. Under Koh's guidance, Genesis underwent a significant transformation that included refining designs while maintaining Nudell's foundational work. Koh improved Genesis speakers by incorporating modern materials and advanced engineering techniques.

He implemented enhanced quality control protocols and introduced new manufacturing processes that ensured greater precision and reliability. Gary also introduced new technological solutions, expanding its servo-controlled bass technology, refining its ribbon tweeters and state-of-the-art crossover designs. 

The new Genesis 7 (G7) series features four floor-standing models: the Minuet, at $9,800; the Tango, at $12,600; and the subject of this review, the Foxtrot, priced at $16,999.  (Breaking News: Gary just revealed that Genesis would introduce a servo-powered version of the Foxtrot at the 2025 Southwest Audio Fest priced at $23,000.) 

Gary is embarking on a transformative journey with the launch of his latest G7 product line, representing a significant shift in his approach to the audio market. Historically, his offerings have been firmly anchored in the high-end segment, with price points ranging from $45,000 to an astounding $680,000. This premium pricing strategy predominantly appealed to a niche audience of affluent audiophiles and luxury consumers who prioritize exceptional sound quality and craftsmanship in their audio experiences.

With the G7 series, however, Gary is committed to extending his vision of high-fidelity audio to a more diverse and inclusive audience. This initiative reflects his passion for democratizing audio excellence. By introducing these more affordable options, Gary aims to enhance accessibility and foster a greater appreciation for high-quality audio among consumers who have previously been excluded due to steep prices. 

When Covid hit, Gary seized the unexpected opportunity to focus on developing the more affordable, family-friendly speaker line he had always wanted to create. After four years of hard work, the Genesis series speaker line launched in 2024. 

I first met Gary in the early 2000s when I owned a Genesis G300 system. To truly understand Gary, one must recognize that he is a perfectionist who refuses to compromise. He is committed to finding unique solutions to design problems by thoroughly understanding the root causes rather than simply applying fixes to the symptoms. He often likes to quote that "Discovery consists of seeing what everybody has seen, but thinking what nobody has thought." When talking with him, you will quickly discover that he is, first and foremost, a music enthusiast. He will likely tell you about a particular album or his newest analog music "discovery" rather than engage you with technical information about his products. 

In addition to his impressive work with Genesis, Gary lends his design expertise to various other companies in the audio industry. His most recent collaboration with VPI has produced the upcoming battery-powered VPI Avenger Phono Stage.

Genesis has expanded its offerings to include a complete lineup of audio products, including amplifiers, preamps, turntables, and cartridges, all crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The development of these products stemmed from his desire to create products that not only meet his high standards but also provide the sonic qualities he had long envisioned. These designs represent Gary's commitment to excellence, reflecting his passion for innovation and desire to elevate audiophiles' listening experience everywhere.

Enter the Genesis 7 Foxtrot 

I asked Gary to describe his primary goal in designing the new G7 Foxtrot. 

"I feel like the high-performance audio industry has been in an arms-race over the past couple decades with designers one-upping each other making more and more expensive products. It was reaching the point when things are looking ludicrous. I've also been guilty - my flagship loudspeaker, the Genesis Prime+ is already at $680,000 and my cheapest, the Genesis Maestro was $45,000. Who can afford them? Or $250,000 amplifiers? Or $500,000 turntables? Certainly not most of my friends. 

However, we had developed some great technologies along the way. The carbon-fiber constrained-layer damped sandwich I developed for the cabinet of the Genesis Prime is fabulous. But crazy expensive in both materials and manpower to put it together. With the Maestro (and the Genesis Tribute) I had refined the servo-control technology to make the bass more musically coherent with the midrange so that the band felt more "in the pocket" and you danced easier to the music. 

I wanted to trickle-down all this to something ordinary people can afford. If we don't broaden our market, and audiophiles age out, our industry will die."

When asked about some of the design challenges he had to overcome in designing the new G7 series he told me: 

"I was not willing to give up the musical, accurate and dynamic bass that we have been delivering with the expensive servo-controlled amplified bass. So, I needed to figure out some way to do that while still making it easy to drive.

I don't like the sound of ports - but another problem with ports is that it wastes a lot of power and you need big amps to get that bass. Have a look at the impedance plot of a ported loudspeaker. Below the tuning frequency of the port, the impedance drops down, which means that the amplifier is delivering a lot of power below the -3dB point of the loudspeaker for no effect. So, I turned to technologies developed when a "monster amp" was 100W - the isobaric loaded bass.

The midrange is where the magic is, and the high-end Genesis designs use a ribbon (planar magnetic) midrange. For the G7-series, I wanted that same magic. The 5.5-inch solid titanium midrange cone took nearly a year to perfect. Then, we needed a crossover to not mask the magic. And for that, I worked with Jupiter Condensers to design and manufacture new capacitors that preserved the emotion and sweetness of real, live music."

The G7 Foxtrot features several unique engineering innovations I want to briefly touch on before I get into the sound of this speaker.

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Ring Radiator Ribbon Tweeters 

The same Genesis 1-inch ring radiator ribbon tweeter is used in every Genesis speaker, from the 680k Genesis Prime to the new G7 series. This tweeter is a planar-magnetic design constructed from an exceptionally thin membrane, with a photo-etched voice coil measuring 0.0005 inches thick. This design excels at reproducing high frequencies with exceptional clarity and dispersion.

With a 3mm-wide ring radiating surface with less mass than the air in front of it, the tweeter can accurately produce frequencies beyond 40,000 Hertz, maintaining a true point source dispersion pattern. The Foxtrot model includes two tweeters per channel—one front-firing and the other rear-firing—each controlled by separate crossovers. The rear tweeter is out of phase, creating a dipole effect that enhances soundstage depth and adds a sense of "air" to the speaker.

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Titanium Midrange Driver 

The Foxtrot uses a proprietary 5.5-inch solid titanium coned driver designed by Genesis. This driver employs one of the lightest and stiffest materials available, contributing to excellent transient response and accurate micro and macro dynamics reproduction. Notably, Genesis opts not to use damping materials on drivers, believing that doing so may hinder performance. The company believes that such materials cannot distinguish between distortion and musical content, potentially leading to an unnecessary dampening of both the music and the cone's natural distortion and resonance. By avoiding damping, Genesis aims to preserve the integrity of the sound and enhance the overall listening experience. 

·  Isobaric-Loaded Subwoofers 

A key feature of the Foxtrot is its inclusion of two 8-inch ribbed aluminum woofers in an isobaric configuration first introduced in the 1950s. It utilizes two identical woofers working together—typically magnet to magnet or cone to cone. This design effectively reduces the required cabinet size for producing low frequencies. Genesis opted for this approach to achieve deeper and more powerful bass from a compact, family-friendly cabinet, avoiding the need for the costly electronic servo bass system found in their higher-end speakers. Gary added this detail.

"The usual recommendation for isobaric is cone to cone or magnet to magnet and then wire the woofers out of phase. The usual reason is for out-of-phase cancellation of the inherent distortion when using cheaper woofers. With my woofers, I tried both, and also cone to magnet (with cone facing out) and magnet to cone (with magnet facing out) and I found that the most pleasant and musically coherent sounding was with the cone facing out."

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Crossover 

When asked for some details about the crossover Gary provided the following story.

"When Arnie retired in 2005, I spent the first 6 months of 2006 flying around meeting potential replacements for him as the Chief Designer of Genesis. One particular designer even came prepared with a proposed replacement for the Genesis 1 - a 4-tower system based on his current flagship model. When I asked him what was the crossover point between the woofer tower and the midrange/tweeter tower, his confident answer was "250Hz". I said, "You know that middle C is 262Hz right? That means that when I'm playing a piano recording, the right hand is going to come from here (pointing at the midrange/tweeter) and the left hand is going to come from way over there (pointing at the woofer tower."

 My crossover points are, I like to say, musically coherent and appropriate. They are in a place which would best utilize the transducer, and not break up a note. On the Foxtrot, the low/mid crossover point is over an octave below middle C, and the mid/high crossover point is over 3 octaves above middle C."       

Crossover design begins with computer modeling combined with years of experience. The inductors are custom-designed for Genesis and utilize OFC (Oxygen-Free Copper) windings. The capacitors are also tailor-made for Genesis, featuring high-quality polypropylene film and tin foil, while others incorporate proprietary low-time constant metalized film. Final adjustments to the design and sound tuning of the speakers are done by ear. Gary often notes that while there are certain aspects he can measure, there are many elements he can hear but has yet to learn how to measure. In addition to considering tolerances in capacitors and inductors for component matching, which Genesis certainly does; they go a crucial step further by matching the crossovers used in a pair of speakers. This meticulous, time-consuming, and costly process ensures that the customer recieves a well-matched pair of speakers.

 Adjustable Soft/Bright Control 

You can tailor the sound to your preference using the built-in Soft/Bright adjustment control, which allows you to adjust the high-frequency response by +/—6 dB above 3,200Hz. This feature is particularly useful in rooms with challenging acoustics and will enable you to compensate for various room acoustics. This control only affects the front tweeter.

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Ply-Boo Cabinet 

The speaker utilizes a bamboo-plywood and MDF composite, which closely resembles the properties of a constrained layer sandwich while being more cost-effective and lighter. This material provides consistent hardness, density, and rigidity and effectively manages vibration damping and resonance control. The cabinet is asymmetrically braced internally to reduce standing waves. Skilled craftsmen in the United States assemble the cabinet at a facility near the Genesis workshop in Washington State, where the final assembly of the speaker and calibration takes place. 

With dimensions of 42 inches in height, 12 inches in width, and 14.5 inches in depth, the Foxtrot is a relatively compact floor-standing design that suits medium to large rooms. Its slim profile does not overwhelm the visual space, and, to my eye, it possesses an understated beauty and calmness, making it a suitable addition to a family room environment.

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 Suspension system 

Instead of using mass loading and spikes to couple the speaker to Middle Earth, common with many speakers, the Foxtrot features a unique suspension system. I asked Gary about his decision to include this system.

 "I've had a White Paper on loudspeaker coupling/decoupling on my website for the past 15 years or more. I recommend you read it even if you are not a loudspeaker designer. The idea came from my experience racing cars. You needed different suspension setups for different race tracks. In my father's civil engineering handbook was the design principles for suspension design applied to skyscrapers in earthquake zones. 

With loudspeakers, you need different coupling/decoupling depending on the floor you put the loudspeaker on. The speaker when coupled to a wooden floor with a large crawl-space under would sound completely different when placed in the basement directly on a concrete slab. The suspension system is designed to minimize that difference. I can't expect that you will have the same floor as I do in my design lab and I wanted the Foxtrot to sound great in your room too. 

An additional benefit is that with the suspension frame, you can use the top-adjustable spikes to change the azimuth, tilt and yaw of the loudspeaker. So that you can align your speakers for pin-point imaging. 

I've noticed lately that more and more accessory and tuning companies are selling after-market loudspeaker decoupling devices, and audiophiles are noticing that these can make a huge improvement in the sound of their loudspeakers. We've been doing that for the past 20 years."

I will note that Genesis also uses tuned suspension systems on their electronics.

 

·  The Owners Manual 

Why mention an owner's manual as a "feature"?

Although it might seem trivial, the 15-page manual accompanying the Foxtrot speakers is one of the best-written speaker setup manuals I've encountered. It is a valuable resource for anyone setting up speakers, not just Genesis owners. Here is a link to it:  

It offers step-by-step guidance that the typical consumer can easily follow to improve the sound in their room. Speaker manufacturers often neglect this documentation. I want to give a "shout-out" to Genesis for creating a detailed manual that helps customers maximize their purchase potential. I knew I was in for a good read when I read the opening paragraph.

"Sound is a pressure wave, not a beam directed into the listener's ears. The two loudspeakers work together to recreate the recorded sound in the medium of air. Therefore, the placement of the two speakers in relation to each other and to the room is critical for sound reproduction." 

Additional informative white papers covering various topics can be found on the Genesis site. I encourage you to visit it.

The Setup 

Gary Koh and his lovely wife, Fiona, graciously spent several days with my wife and me, dedicating their time to help set up the Foxtrots in my listening room. Their visit was a delightful blend of audio and culinary exploration, as Gary has a deep passion for good food, especially gumbo. What better place to pursue that dish than in Louisiana? 

Driven by my SMc Audio VRE 1C preamp and GT21 amplifier, we began the setup procedure, which lasted about two hours, during which Gary positioned the speakers. Using a carefully curated selection of familiar songs, each chosen to highlight specific sound characteristics, he followed a methodical and practiced procedure to achieve the best audio quality possible in my room. He began by honing the bass response, adjusting the distance of the speakers from the front wall until the low frequencies filled the room with a tonally rich, resonant warmth. Next, his focus shifted to the tonal balance and center density, altering the width between the speakers. This adjustment created a sense of unity and fullness that enveloped the space. 

Turning his attention to the soundstage's height and depth, he sculpted the audio landscape by adjusting the spikes beneath the speakers—sometimes making barely perceptible adjustments of less than an eighth of a turn. The last step was fine-tuning the tweeter level and carefully listening to the strings' tone in a violin recording. As I sat there, immersed in the process, the sound gradually sharpened and coalesced in front of me, much like a photograph coming into focus, revealing layers of detail and clarity.

At the end of his careful setup, the speakers were approximately 45 inches (± 1 inch) from the front wall and 65 inches (± 2 inches) from the side wall and just under 8 feet apart with no toe in. The listening position was a bit over 9 feet back. The distances were not identical on each speaker because Gary believed the "acoustical center" of the room was slightly to the right of the center.   

Time to Listen

Soundstage & Imaging 

The Foxtrot is not a speaker that will immediately catch your attention upon installation. Unlike a bold Cabernet Sauvignon or an Islay Scotch, which command your attention from the first taste, the Foxtrot presents more like a beautifully balanced Merlot or a carefully crafted Highland Scotch. While it may not be as striking at first, it leaves you wanting a second taste—and then another—as it gradually reveals its depth and complexity. 

This speaker excels in revealing fine details and micro-dynamics, enhancing the emotional conveyance and artistry of the performer, offering transparency and coherence that captivates you while listening. I found the subtle dynamics it retrieves to be transfixing. 

For instance, in the last 30 seconds of the "Mama Look a Boo Boo" cut from my Classic Records reissue of Belafonte at Carnegie Hall, he brings the song to a close. He repeats the refrain twice and adds a slight laugh, lowering his voice to almost a whisper the second time he sings it. I never lost my connection to him, especially when he misses his intro on the third verse and chuckles, prompting the crowd to swell with laughter. The Foxtrot speakers convey that moment with lifelike emotion. This combination of micro-dynamics and detail gave me a more authentic sense of what happened on that remarkable night in 1959.

What a great hobby we immerse ourselves in, and how blessed we are to have a "time machine" at our disposal through our audio systems. 

On a different note, the rendition of "Danny Boy" captivated me as the Foxtrot speakers transmitted Belafonte's solo vocal's rich, warm tones with striking clarity. Each word resonated with purity and deep emotional weight. The nuanced inflections in his voice conveyed a profound sense of longing and nostalgia, drawing me into the heartfelt narrative of the song. Combining the speakers' sound quality and Belafonte's masterful interpretation created a memorable auditory experience. 

Last but certainly not least is the delightful and infectious track "Matilda." This lively song has served me well over the years of testing different audio components. It weaves together a tapestry of elements that allow you to assess the performance thoroughly: the expansive soundstage, the vibrant crowd noise, the resounding applause, the captivating hall ambiance, the whimsical whistling, and the authentic emotions of laughter and joy from the audience. 

As I listened to the Foxtrots, I became immersed in the experience. When Belafonte encouraged the audience on the floor to sing the refrain, followed by a call to the audience in the balcony to do likewise, I could detect the differences in location, distance, and tonal quality between the two groups. The contrasting dynamics and spatial variations heightened the overall experience and enhanced the performance's intimacy. Belefonte's whistling to halt the orchestra was, at times, quite startling.

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Bass Response and Midrange Purity

 

The Foxtrot's isobaric-loaded woofers deliver an articulate bass response and a well-controlled low end that balances depth and clarity. This speaker is versatile enough to handle everything from the rich, resonant notes of orchestral double basses to the invigorating beats of bass-heavy electronic tracks. The bass provides substantial impact and nuanced texture, ensuring it complements rather than overwhelms the frequency range.

 A prime example of the Foxtrot speakers' bass capabilities can be found in Jacqueline du Pré's powerful performance of the Elgar Cello Concerto. These speakers were able to capture her raw intensity and sweeping dynamics. Many speakers in this price range struggle to reveal the intricate nuances of such a complex performance, often homogenizing the cello's sound and failing to distinguish its rich variations in intensity and tone. However, the Foxtrots efficiently handled this performance, unraveling and revealing Jacqueline's athletic cello work. Bass performance is a particular focus for Gary, who has spent decades perfecting the servo-controlled bass system found in his upper-tier speakers. His work with the isobaric-loaded woofers in the Foxtrot has paid off. 

As for the midrange, the 5.5" titanium driver produces a very natural timbre with no identifying characteristic of being a metal driver, unveiling the intricacies of voices and instruments alike. Whether it's the nuances in a singer's inflection or the resonant tones of a piano, the speaker delivers clarity without any excessive coloration. The midrange is smooth and exceptionally well-balanced, rendering both male and female vocals with a lifelike presence.

Celeste's rendition of "Hear My Voice," used in the film "The Trial of the Chicago Seven", was a notable listening experience. Sounding like a cross between Adele and a polished Macy Gray, the Foxtrot handled the swelling crescendos of her notes, effectively capturing the song's nuances, which brought forth not only the meaning but also the very humanity of the piece, allowing me to appreciate the emotions woven into her performance.

My favorite version is from the 2021 Oscars.

  

High-Frequency Reproduction 

The Foxtrot's innovative ribbon tweeters deliver airy and extended high frequencies. The highs are rendered smooth and detailed, maintaining brilliance without crossing into hardness.

If your priority is achieving the ultimate resolution of detail, there's no need to worry—the detail is present. However, it is not as prominently highlighted, nor does it become the focal point of the listening experience as with some speakers; instead, it has a natural balance with a nice touch of "air" that allows extended listening without fatigue.

An example is listening to Spanish guitarist Pablo Villegas's album Americano, released on the Harmonica Mundi label. The album takes you through various musical styles, from Venezuela, Brazil, and Spain, to compositions by John Williams and American bluegrass—what a diverse array of music! 

On October 24, 2019, I had the privilege of attending a concert where Villegas performed, sitting just 12 rows away. In many ways, the Foxtrot speakers replicated that live experience. The music I heard that evening emphasized tone and musicianship more than the intricate details like finger movements on the strings. While I can appreciate those details on the album, I found myself more drawn to the tone and emotional depth of the guitar work. This is a speaker that places you in the audience and not at the mixing board. 

  Low-Level Listening 

Lastly, I want to note that I consistently listened at lower volumes during my three-month audition than I typically use. I did not need to increase the volume to achieve meaningful emotional engagement with the speaker or to hear subtle details. This quality makes it an excellent choice for everyday home use, where you may find yourself in situations where a volume limitation exists due to family considerations. However, rest assured, when alone in the house, you can unhesitatingly turn up the volume without any issues.

 Conclusion 

At the core of its design, the G7 Foxtrot is a speaker that communicates and clarifies the musical intent of the artist. They elevated my understanding of music and made me a more informed listener. Unlike many speakers that announce their presence with a forceful display by highlighting a particular aspect of the sound, the G7 Foxtrot invited me into a nuanced auditory experience that unfolded in layers, unveiling its true essence over time.

Over my three-month journey, the speaker revealed a wealth of emotion, rendering each listening session a distinctive exploration of sound and sentiment. 

Whether creating a dedicated listening room or searching for speakers that fit well within your living space, the G7 Foxtrot offers a unique blend of qualities that are often hard to come by. With audiophile-level precision, cutting-edge technology, low-level listening engagement, and a form factor that suits everyday living, these speakers could provide a solution that allows you to enjoy high-quality sound without compromising your home environment. The G7 Foxtrot may be the speaker that lets you "have your cake and eat it too."

I have been in this field long enough to understand that rating audio experiences are subjective and personal. Each of us connects with sound in different ways. My role here is to emphasize that if you are interested in a speaker in this price range, the G7 Foxtrot deserves your attention and effort to seek out and evaluate. It has the potential to enhance your listening experience significantly.

 Genesis 7 Foxtrot speakers in hand-rubbed natural Bamboo

Priced as tested  $16,999 / pair