In this review, we will be comparing Menuet SE and Opticon 2 MK2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by DALI.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Menuet SE and DALI Opticon 2 II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI Menuet SE | DALI Opticon 2 II |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Soft-Dome | 1.125" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.5" Wood fibre | 6.5" Wood Fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 59-25k Hz | 59-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 86.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 20-100 watts | 30-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | — | 7.73kg / 17lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9.84" x 5.91" x 9.06"
250 x 150 x 230 mm | 13-13/16" x 7-11/16" x 11-11/16"
351.0 x 196.0 x 297.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Menuet SE and Opticon 2 MK2 are 2-way speakers.
DALI Menuet SEDALI Opticon 2 II
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
DALI Menuet SE |
DALI Opticon 2 II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1.125-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
Menuet SE features a 1.1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Wood fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the Opticon 2 MK2 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz.
Frequency Response
Menuet SE and Opticon 2 MK2 has exactly the same frequency range of 59-25k Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Menuet SE and Opticon 2 MK2 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Menuet SE sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Opticon 2 MK2's is at 86.5 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the DALI Opticon 2 II a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Menuet SE, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Menuet SE and the Menuet SE can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Opticon 2 MK2 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Menuet SE has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Opticon 2 MK2.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Menuet SE features Post type posts and Opticon 2 MK2 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
DALI Opticon 2 II's Post terminals
DALI Opticon 2 II Port
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare DALI Menuet SE's and DALI Opticon 2 II's external dimensions. DALI Menuet SE has external dimensions of 250 x 150 x 230 mm () whereas DALI Opticon 2 II has external dimensions of 351.0 x 196.0 x 297.0mm (13-13/16 x 7-11/16 x 11-11/16inch).
DALI Opticon 2 II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 46mm wider, 101mm taller and 67mm deeper than DALI Menuet SE.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
DALI Opticon 2 II needs about 69% more floor or shelf area. DALI Opticon 2 II is 67mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. DALI Opticon 2 II is 101mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the DALI Menuet SE is approximately 345.0cm2 / 53.5inch2 and base area of the DALI Opticon 2 II is approximately 582.1cm2 / 90.2inch2. The Menuet SE requires 41% less surface area than the Opticon 2 MK2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of DALI Opticon 2 II?
Here are the items that come with the Opticon 2 MK2:
- Bookshelf loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Congratulations Card