In this review, we will be comparing Opticon 1 MK2 and Elysian 2, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from DALI and Wharfedale. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Opticon 1 II and Wharfedale Elysian 2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the DALI Opticon 1 II and Wharfedale Elysian 2 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 Opticon 1 II and Wharfedale Elysian 2 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
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Opticon 1 MK2 is a 2-way design whereas the Elysian 2 is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Driver |
DALI Opticon 1 II |
Wharfedale Elysian 2 |
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
Tweeter
|
1.125-inch
|
27x90mm-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6-inch |
Woofer
|
1 x 4.75-inch
|
1 x 8.5-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 Elysian 2 features a 27x90mm" AMT (Ribbon) Tweeter , a 6" Midrange and 1 x 8.5" Coated Fiberglass Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 360Hz and 2900Hz.
Frequency Response
Opticon 1 MK2 has a frequency range of 62-26k Hz whereas Elysian 2 has a frequency range of 35-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 35Hz, the Elysian 2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Opticon 1 MK2's min frequency of 62Hz.
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
Opticon 1 MK2 and Elysian 2 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Opticon 1 MK2 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the Elysian 2's is at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Wharfedale Elysian 2 a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Opticon 1 II, 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 Opticon 1 MK2 and the Opticon 1 MK2 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. 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 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Opticon 1 MK2 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 150 watts less than the Elysian 2.
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
Elysian 2 features Post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Opticon 1 MK2 has a Post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Opticon 1 MK2 has a rear firing port whereas Elysian 2 has a bottom firing ports. Wharfedale Elysian 2's bottom-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to DALI Opticon 1 II with its rear-firing port.
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 Wharfedale Elysian 2'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 Wharfedale Elysian 2 has external dimensions of 700.0 x 334.0 x 462.0mm ( 27.5 x 13.1 x 18.1inch) .
Wharfedale Elysian 2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 181mm wider, 446mm taller and 227mm deeper than DALI Opticon 1 II.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of DALI Opticon 1 II and Wharfedale Elysian 2 in scale.
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 Wharfedale Elysian 2 is approximately 1543.1cm2 / 239.2inch2. The Opticon 1 MK2 requires 77% less surface area than the Elysian 2 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Wharfedale Elysian 2 weighs 30.50kg / 67.1lbs. This makes the Elysian 2 578% heavier than the Opticon 1 MK2.
Here is a comparison of how Opticon 1 MK2 and Elysian 2'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 loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber feetQuick Start GuideCongratulations Card
What's in the Box of Wharfedale Elysian 2?
Here are the items that come with the Elysian 2:
Stand-mount loudspeaker Grille 2 Terminal-jumpers (pre-installed) User Manual
High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Height |
254mm
vs
700mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
Base Surface Area |
359cm2 (153x235mm)
vs
1543cm2 (334x462mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
1099USD
vs
6996USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Woofer Size |
8.5 inches
vs
4.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
35 Hz
vs
62 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
General |
DALI Opticon 1 MK2 |
Wharfedale Elysian 2 |
Brand |
DALI |
Wharfedale |
Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
Power Range |
25-100 watts |
25-250 watts |
Sensitivity |
86 dB |
89 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
62-26k Hz |
35-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
Woofer Size |
4.75" |
8.5" |
Woofer Composition |
Wood Fiber |
Coated Fiberglass |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Foamed Rubber |
Tweeter Size |
1.125" |
27x90mm" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
AMT (Ribbon) |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
6" |
Crossover Frequency |
3000Hz |
360Hz and 2900Hz |
Firing Direction |
rear |
bottom |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
254.0mm (10") |
700.0mm (27.6") |
Width |
153.0mm (6") |
334.0mm (13.1") |
Depth |
235.0mm (9.3") |
462.0mm (18.2") |
Weight |
4.50kg (9.9lbs) |
30.50kg (67.1lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-veneer |
Available Colors |
Satin Black, Tobacco Oak, Satin White |
Piano Black, Piano Walnut,White |
Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
16-22" |
Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 years |
Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 years |