In this review, we will be comparing Oberon 1 and 3020i, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from DALI and Q Acoustics. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Oberon 1 and Q Acoustics 3020i first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the DALI Oberon 1 and Q Acoustics 3020i speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the DALI Oberon 1 and Q Acoustics 3020i compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Oberon 1 and 3020i are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
DALI Oberon 1 |
Q Acoustics 3020i |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.125-inch
|
0.9-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
Oberon 1 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz. On the other hand, the 3020i features a 0.9" decoupled Tweeter and 1 x 5" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400Hz and 2400Hz.
Frequency Response
Oberon 1 has a frequency range of 51-26k Hz whereas 3020i has a frequency range of 64-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the 3020i can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Oberon 1's min frequency of 51Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Oberon 1 and 3020i have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Oberon 1 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the 3020i's is at 88 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 3020i a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Oberon 1, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. While using an amplifier within this range ensures the nominal performance , inputting a power that is higher than the max wattage can result in a damaged speaker.
Oberon 1 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas 3020i has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 25 watts less than the Oberon 1.
Keep in mind that a higher max power handling value doesn't necessarily make that a louder speaker
compared to a lower max handling speaker. Loudness or the sound level is also impacted by parameters
such as Impedance, sensitivity and system efficiencies.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Oberon 1 features Post type posts and 3020i has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
DALI Oberon 1's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Oberon 1 and 3020i have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
Physical Specs
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 Oberon 1's and Q Acoustics 3020i's external dimensions. DALI Oberon 1 has external dimensions of 275.0 x 164.0 x 228.0mm ( 10-13/16 x 6-7/16 x 8-15/16inch) whereas Q Acoustics 3020i has external dimensions of 278.0 x 170.0 x 282.0mm ( 10.9 x 6.6 x 11.1inch) .
Q Acoustics 3020i is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 6mm wider, 3mm taller and 54mm deeper than DALI Oberon 1.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of DALI Oberon 1 and Q Acoustics 3020i in scale.
Comparison image of DALI Oberon 1 and Q Acoustics 3020i Size and External Dimensions
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 Oberon 1 is approximately 373.9cm2 / 58.0inch2 and base area of the Q Acoustics 3020i is approximately 479.4cm2 / 74.3inch2. The Oberon 1 requires 22% less surface area than the 3020i which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of DALI Oberon 1 and Q Acoustics 3020i on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The DALI Oberon 1 weighs 4.18kg / 9.2lbs and the Q Acoustics 3020i weighs 4.80kg / 10.6lbs. This makes the 3020i 15% heavier than the Oberon 1.
Here is a comparison of how Oberon 1 and 3020i's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of DALI Oberon 1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Oberon 1:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber bumpersManual
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3020i?
Here are the items that come with the 3020i:
2 x 3020i bookshelf speakers 2 x Foam Bungs 2 x Speaker Grilles 1 x User Manual 1 x Handling Gloves 8 x Rubber Speaker Grips
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
275mm
vs
278mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
373cm2 (164x228mm)
vs
479cm2 (170x282mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
| Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
51 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
DALI Oberon 1 |
Q Acoustics 3020i |
| Brand |
DALI |
Q Acoustics |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
25-75 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
51-26k Hz |
64-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Wood Fiber |
Coated paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.125" |
0.9" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
decoupled |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2800Hz |
2400Hz and 2400Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
275.0mm (10.8") |
278.0mm (10.9") |
| Width |
164.0mm (6.5") |
170.0mm (6.7") |
| Depth |
228.0mm (9") |
282.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
4.18kg (9.2lbs) |
4.80kg (10.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black Ash, Light Oak, Dark Walnut, White |
Walnut, Black, White, Grey |
| Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
4 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
4 Years |