The Genelec 9402A System Management Device connects Dante, AES67 and ST2110-30 audio networks to Genelec Smart Active Monitoring systems. It receives multichannel audio over Gigabit Ethernet and provides up to 16 channels of AES/EBU output for SAM monitors, with dedicated connections for subwoofers and auxiliary stereo monitoring. The system supports immersive layouts up to 9.1.6 when an LFE channel is used.
For studios, post-production rooms and broadcast facilities moving toward networked audio, the 9402A provides a direct route from an Audio-over-IP infrastructure to a calibrated Genelec monitoring system. It keeps the main signal path digital and integrates routing, clocking, bass management and system calibration into a practical 1U rackmount device.
Sixteen Channels of AES/EBU Output
The main DB25 connector carries eight AES/EBU signals, providing 16 channels of digital audio. Genelec specifies the output as a bit-perfect copy of the incoming stream, preserving the original audio data without processing or level conversion in the main output path.
The connector follows the AES59 pinout, commonly known as the Tascam analogue pinout. An eight-channel DB25 to male XLR fan-out cable can therefore be used to distribute the signals to individual monitors. Genelec recommends proper 110-ohm AES/EBU cabling rather than standard analogue microphone cable.
A separate AES/EBU Subwoofer Link carries the summed main-channel signal and the selected LFE channel to compatible Genelec 7300 Series SAM subwoofers. Additional subwoofers can be daisy-chained from the digital output of the first subwoofer, while GLM handles timing and alignment across the complete system.
The auxiliary stereo AES/EBU output can feed another monitor pair, a digital-to-analogue converter or a headphone monitoring chain. Its source channels are assigned through GLM.
Dante, AES67 and ST2110-30 Support
The 9402A accepts Dante, AES67 and ST2110-30 audio through two Gigabit Ethernet ports. The unit uses a 64 by 64 channel matrix internally, allowing network streams to be routed to the 16 main outputs, the Subwoofer Link and the auxiliary stereo output.
Routing is managed through Dante Controller, Dante Domain Manager or Dante Director. AES67 compatibility mode can be enabled in Dante Controller when the system receives AES67 streams. A single AES67 stream can contain up to eight channels, so two streams are required for all 16 output channels.
Supported digital audio specifications include
• Sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
• Maximum sample rate of 96 kHz in AES67 and ST2110 modes
• Word lengths from 16 to 32 bits at the network input
• AES/EBU output word lengths up to 24 bits
• Minimum latency of 0.25 milliseconds
• End-to-end latency below 3 milliseconds, depending on buffer settings
• Sample-accurate clock synchronization
• AES/EBU cable runs up to 100 metres
The 9402A can operate as an IEEE 1588-2008 PTPv2 clock source or follow another network clock. Hardware PTP timestamping on the computer network interface is recommended when the lowest possible latency is required.
Redundant Network Operation
Two Ethernet ports allow the 9402A to support ST2022-7 network redundancy. In a redundant configuration, the primary and secondary ports connect to separate networks. Audio can continue by switching to the secondary path if the primary network is interrupted.
The secondary port operates in switched mode by default, allowing another network device to connect without a separate switch when redundancy is not required. Both Ethernet interfaces support zero-configuration addressing, DHCP and static IP operation.
A managed Gigabit switch is the preferred choice for larger systems. Support for QoS, DiffServ packet prioritization and multicast management can improve reliability when audio, control and other network traffic share the same infrastructure. Wireless networking is not suitable for the low-latency, uncompressed audio transport used by the 9402A.
GLM Control and Acoustic Calibration
The Genelec 9402A is configured through Genelec Loudspeaker Manager software. GLM recognizes the 9402A alongside SAM monitors and subwoofers, allowing the complete monitoring system to be organized, calibrated and controlled from one interface.
GLM is used to set the monitoring group to digital input mode, assign the LFE channel, select the channels sent to the Subwoofer Link and associate the connected 7300 Series subwoofer with the 9402A. The software also manages the optional 10 dB LFE gain setting used by many multichannel production standards.
Automatic calibration measures the room and aligns monitor levels, delays and frequency response at the listening position. Once calibration is complete, settings can be stored in the 9402A, monitors and subwoofers for operation without a continuously connected computer. The quick setup guide specifies GLM version 5.2 or later and shows integration with either a Genelec 9320A Reference Controller or a standard GLM adapter.
Designed for Professional Installation
The 9402A fits a standard 19-inch rack and occupies one rack unit. It measures 483 mm wide, 43 mm high and 105 mm deep, with a weight of 2 kg. No minimum ventilation clearance is required, although the unit should be operated indoors between 15 and 35 degrees Celsius.
The power supply accepts 100 to 240 VAC at 50 or 60 Hz. Normal operating consumption is rated at 12 watts, while Genelec Intelligent Signal Sensing can reduce consumption to 4.5 watts when no Audio-over-IP stream is present. The waiting time before entering the power-save state can be adjusted in GLM.
Front-panel indicators show power status and signal availability for the auxiliary and eight main AES outputs. The power indicator also identifies when GLM is adjusting the device or when the unit has entered its power-save state.
A Practical Bridge Between Network Audio and SAM
The Genelec 9402A is aimed at facilities that need to connect modern network audio systems to a multichannel Genelec SAM installation without converting the main monitoring path to analogue. Its combination of 16 AES/EBU output channels, redundant Ethernet, dedicated subwoofer routing, auxiliary stereo monitoring and GLM calibration makes it suitable for immersive mixing rooms, broadcast control rooms and larger production environments.