In this review, we will be comparing Opticon 1 MK2 and S 801, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from DALI and Jamo.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Opticon 1 II and Jamo S 801 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI Opticon 1 II | Jamo S 801 |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | Jamo
Denmark · founded 1966 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.125" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.75" Wood Fiber | 4" Aluminized Polyfiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 62-26k Hz | 76-26k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | up to 60 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.50kg / 9.9lbs | 2.70kg / 5.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 10" x 6" x 9-1/4"
254.0 x 153.0 x 235.0mm | 11.2" x 6.1" x 6.4"
285.0 x 156.0 x 163.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the DALI Opticon 1 II and Jamo S 801 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:
| Listening Environment* |
DALI Opticon 1 II |
Jamo S 801 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Good |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
No way |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Opticon 1 MK2 and S 801 are 2-way speakers.
DALI Opticon 1 IIJamo S 801
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 Opticon 1 II |
Jamo S 801 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.125-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.75-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
Opticon 1 MK2 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.75" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 3000Hz. On the other hand, the S 801 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Aluminized Polyfiber Woofer.
Frequency Response
Opticon 1 MK2 has a frequency range of 62-26k Hz whereas S 801 has a frequency range of 76-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 62Hz, the Opticon 1 MK2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the S 801's min frequency of 76Hz.
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
Opticon 1 MK2 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the S 801 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Opticon 1 MK2 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Opticon 1 MK2 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the S 801's is rated at 85 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the DALI Opticon 1 II a more sensitive speaker compared to Jamo S 801, 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Opticon 1 MK2 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS, whereas S 801 has a max power handling value of 60 watts RMS, 40 watts less than the Opticon 1 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
Opticon 1 MK2 features Post type posts and S 801 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
DALI Opticon 1 II's Post terminals
Jamo S 801's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Opticon 1 MK2 and S 801 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
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 Opticon 1 II's and Jamo S 801's external dimensions. DALI Opticon 1 II has external dimensions of 254.0 x 153.0 x 235.0mm (10 x 6 x 9-1/4inch) whereas Jamo S 801 has external dimensions of 285.0 x 156.0 x 163.0mm (11.2 x 6.1 x 6.4inch).
DALI Opticon 1 II is 3mm narrower and 31mm shorter than Jamo S 801 but it is also 72mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of DALI Opticon 1 II and Jamo S 801 in scale.
Comparison image of DALI Opticon 1 II and Jamo S 801 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 Opticon 1 II is approximately 359.6cm2 / 55.7inch2 and base area of the Jamo S 801 is approximately 254.3cm2 / 39.4inch2. The Opticon 1 MK2 requires 41% more surface area than the S 801 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is 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 Opticon 1 II and Jamo S 801 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 Opticon 1 II weighs 4.50kg / 9.9lbs and the Jamo S 801 weighs 2.70kg / 5.9lbs. This makes the Opticon 1 MK2 67% heavier than the S 801.
Here is a comparison of how Opticon 1 MK2 and S 801'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 Opticon 1 II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Opticon 1 MK2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Congratulations Card
What's in the Box of Jamo S 801?
Here are the items that come with the S 801:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- User Manual
- Important Safety Instructions
- Warranty Information
 Max Input Power |
100 watts
vs
60 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
4.75 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
62 Hz
vs
76 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
254mm
vs
285mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Base Surface Area |
254cm2
vs
359cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
174USD
vs
1099USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
DALI Opticon 1 MK2 |
Jamo S 801 |
| Brand |
DALI |
Jamo |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
up to 60 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
62-26k Hz |
76-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.75" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Wood Fiber |
Aluminized Polyfiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.125" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
254.0mm (10") |
285.0mm (11.2") |
| Width |
153.0mm (6") |
156.0mm (6.1") |
| Depth |
235.0mm (9.3") |
163.0mm (6.4") |
| Weight |
4.50kg (9.9lbs) |
2.70kg (5.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Satin Black, Tobacco Oak, Satin White |
Walnut, Black, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
28-31" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - DALI Opticon 1 II costs roughly 6.3x what Jamo S 801 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | DALI Opticon 1 II digs deeper - 62Hz against 76Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 85dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | Jamo S 801 is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | DALI Opticon 1 II takes more power (100W vs 60W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Jamo S 801 is easier to place; DALI Opticon 1 II is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Jamo S 801 is cheaper - $174 against $1,099, about 84% less; arguably a different class. |
A DALI Opticon 1 II B Jamo S 801
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
DALI Opticon 1 II is ahead, but only on 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 6.3x the price. That is a lot of money for a narrow margin on paper - Jamo S 801 looks like the sensible buy unless something else about the DALI Opticon 1 II appeals to you. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 76Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Jamo S 801 much easier to justify. Match it to your room: we rate Jamo S 801 the better fit for near-field listening; elsewhere the two are rated the same.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.