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DALI Opticon 1 II vs Klipsch R-41M Comparison

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Speaker to replace
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DALI Opticon 1 II

Passive Bookshelf | 62-26k Hz

DALI Opticon 1 MK2
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Klipsch R-41M

Passive Bookshelf | 68-21k Hz

Klipsch Reference R-41M
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DALI Opticon 1 II DALI Opticon 1 II
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Klipsch R-41M Klipsch R-41M
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DALI Opticon 1 II
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Klipsch R-41M
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DALI Opticon 1 II vs Klipsch R-41M Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing Opticon 1 MK2 and R-41M, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from DALI and Klipsch.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of DALI Opticon 1 II and Klipsch R-41M first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

DALI Opticon 1 II Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 4.75" Wood Fiber Woofer
  • 62-26k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 4ohms
  • Power Range:25-100watts
  • Weight:4.50kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 254.0" x 6" x 9-1/4"( 254.0 x 153.0 x 235.0mm )

Klipsch R-41M Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter
  • 4" Copper-spun IMG Woofer
  • 68-21k Hz Frequency Response
  • 90 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:50watts
  • Weight:3.20kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 287.0" x 5.7" x 7.8"( 287.0 x 146.0 x 200.0mm )

What size room are the DALI Opticon 1 II and Klipsch R-41M 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 Klipsch R-41M
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.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the DALI Opticon 1 II and Klipsch R-41M compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


Drivers

Both Opticon 1 MK2 and R-41M are 2-way speakers.

Driver DALI Opticon 1 II Klipsch R-41M
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 R-41M features a 1" Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1730Hz.

Frequency Response

Opticon 1 MK2 has a frequency range of 62-26k Hz whereas R-41M has a frequency range of 68-21k 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 R-41M's min frequency of 68Hz.

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

Opticon 1 MK2
R-41M
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

DALI Opticon 1 II
Klipsch R-41M
Min
Average
Max

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

Opticon 1 MK2 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the R-41M 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 R-41M's is rated at 90 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Klipsch R-41M a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Opticon 1 II, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

Opticon 1 MK2
R-41M
Min
Average
Max

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.

Opticon 1 MK2 can handle a max power of 100 watts RMS from the amp the whereas R-41M has a max power handling value of 50 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Opticon 1 MK2.

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

Opticon 1 MK2 features Single Gold Plated Binding Posts type posts and R-41M has a Single Gold Plated Binding Posts type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

DALI Opticon 1 II Terminals
DALI Opticon 1 II's Post terminals

Klipsch R-41MSingle Gold Plated Binding Posts Terminals
Klipsch R-41M's Single Gold Plated Binding Posts terminals

Cabinet Type and Port Position

Both Opticon 1 MK2 and R-41M 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 Opticon 1 II's and Klipsch R-41M'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 Klipsch R-41M has external dimensions of 287.0 x 146.0 x 200.0mm ( 11.2 x 5.7 x 7.8inch) .

Klipsch R-41M is 7mm narrower and 35mm less deeper than DALI Opticon 1 II but it is also 33mm taller.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of DALI Opticon 1 II and Klipsch R-41M in scale.

DALI Opticon 1 II vs Klipsch R-41M Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of DALI Opticon 1 II and Klipsch R-41M 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 Klipsch R-41M is approximately 292.0cm2 / 45.3inch2. The Opticon 1 MK2 requires 23% more surface area than the R-41M which gives it a small disadvantage 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:

DALI Opticon 1 II vs Klipsch R-41M Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of DALI Opticon 1 II and Klipsch R-41M 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 Klipsch R-41M weighs 3.20kg / 7lbs. This makes the Opticon 1 MK2 41% heavier than the R-41M.

Here is a comparison of how Opticon 1 MK2 and R-41M's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
DALI Opticon 1 II
Klipsch R-41M
Min
Average
Max

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 Klipsch R-41M?

    Here are the items that come with the R-41M:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles (installed)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Quick Setup Guide
  • Important Safety Instructions
  • Warranty Information

  • Reasons to choose DALI Opticon 1 MK2 over Klipsch Reference R-41M
    Max Input Power 100 watts vs 50 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Woofer Size 4.75 inches vs 4 inches Larger woofer
    Low Frequency Response 62 Hz vs 68 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 26k Hz vs 21k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 254mm vs 287mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces

    Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R-41M over DALI Opticon 1 MK2

    Sensitivity 90 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 4 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Mounting Bracket Yes vs No Allows mounting on walls
    Base Surface Area 292cm2 vs 359cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 229USD vs 1099USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
    DALI Opticon 1 II vs Klipsch R-41M Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General DALI Opticon 1 MK2 Klipsch Reference R-41M
    Brand DALI Klipsch
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Power Range 25-100 watts 50 watts
    Sensitivity 86 dB 90 dB
    Impedance 4 ohms 8 ohms
    Frequency Response 62-26k Hz 68-21k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 4.75" 4"
    Woofer Composition Wood Fiber Copper-spun IMG
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber Rubber
    Tweeter Size 1.125" 1"
    Tweeter Type Soft-Dome Tractrix Horn
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Crossover Frequency 3000Hz 1730Hz
    Firing Direction rear rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 254.0mm (10") 287.0mm (11.3")
    Width 153.0mm (6") 146.0mm (5.7")
    Depth 235.0mm (9.3") 200.0mm (7.9")
    Weight 4.50kg (9.9lbs) 3.20kg (7lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex Bass Reflex
    Finish MDF/Wood-grain vinyl MDF/Wood-grain vinyl
    Available Colors Satin Black, Tobacco Oak, Satin White Black
    Mounting Bracket No Keyhole
    Recommended Stand Height 26-28" 26-31"
    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

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