Recording, Mixing and Mastering

Footprint Gen2: Barefoot performance redefined in a compact format

Published on 09/12/2025

Introduction

Barefoot Sound's Footprint series has always represented the company's entry into a segment of compact yet professional studio monitors - balancing respectable size with high performance. With the announcement of the new "Gen2" generation for the Footprint®01 and Footprint®02 models, the company says it has carried out a "complete rewrite" of the design, aiming to improve accuracy, power and transparency.

✅ What changes with Gen2: evolution from Gen1

Dedicated Tri-Amplified architecture for each driver

The Gen2 models (01 and 02) adopt a tri-amplified 3-way system, with dedicated amplifiers for tweeter, midrange and woofer. This structure ensures better efficiency, superior headroom, lower distortion and more balanced reproduction across the frequency spectrum.

New and improved drivers + better cabinets

Tweeter: 1" dual-ring radiator, greater detail and thermal control.
Midrange: 5" aluminum, improved rigidity and sensitivity.
Woofers: dual aluminum with Dual-Force™ technology (8" for FP01 Gen2, 6.5" for FP02 Gen2).
Cabinet: new MDF construction, less resonance and better damping.

DSP, analog crossover (SPOC™) and MEME™ flexibility.

Gen2s introduce SPOC™ (SPectrally Optimized Conversion), which enables analog crossover before digital conversion, improving dynamics, noise and latency. The MEME™ function allows emulation of different monitors, ideal for controlling mix translation.

Performance: power, response and headroom

FP01 Gen2: 36Hz-40kHz, SPL ≥113dB
FP02 Gen2: 38Hz-40kHz, SPL ≥111dB

Compared with Gen1, they improve headroom, transients, imaging and dynamics.

📊 The Footprint line: features of FP-01 / FP-02 / FP-03 (03C)

Footprint®01 Gen2

Top-of-the-line nearfield monitor, woofer 8", mid 5", tweeter 1", sealed cabinet, SPL up to 113dB.

Footprint®02 Gen2

More compact version of 01, 6.5" woofer, SPL up to 111dB, perfect for small to medium studios.

Footprint®03 / 03C

Smaller, 6.5" or 3.5" woofers, designed for confined spaces or immersive systems.

Model	Type / Configuration	Driver / Woofer	Frequency Response / SPL / Key Notes
Footprint®01 Gen2	Tri-amplified 3-way, nearfield monitor (top-of-the-line model).	Dual woofer 8″ (Dual-Force™), mid 5″, tweeter 1″ dual-ring radiator.	36 Hz - 40 kHz, SPL ≥113 dB. Sealed cabinet, big bass, high headroom.
Footprint®02 Gen2	Tri-amplified 3-way, compact version for small/medium studios	Dual woofer 6.5″ (Dual-Force™), mid 5″, tweeter 1″ dual-ring radiator.	38 Hz - 40 kHz, SPL ≥111 dB. Excellent balance between compactness and sound output.
Footprint®03 / 03C	Smaller nearfield monitors - FP03C center/immersion version	Single 6.5″ woofer, 3.5″ mid, 1″ tweeter (three-way) - same 'compact' Footprint design.	Response ~45 Hz-40 kHz (or 42 Hz-40 kHz), SPL max ~105-104.5 dB. Ideal for very small rooms or immersive setups.

🚀 When to choose which model.

Large studio, mixing/mastering, maximum headroom: FP01 Gen2
Medium studio, excellent balance: FP02 Gen2
Small spaces, narrow nearfield: FP03 / FP03C
Control over different types of listening: all models with MEME™

🔍 Conclusion: the Gen2 marks a generational leap

The Footprint Gen2 line represents a real evolution. New architecture, drivers, SPOC™ DSP, and MEME™ flexibility make these monitors suitable for demanding professionals and enthusiasts. Barefoot reaffirms its leadership in the compact studio monitor segment.

Technical Specifications.