In this review, we will be comparing Opticon 2 MK2 and Oberon 1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by DALI Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Opticon 2 II and DALI Oberon 1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the DALI Opticon 2 II and DALI Oberon 1 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 2 II and DALI Oberon 1 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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Drivers
Both Opticon 2 MK2 and Oberon 1 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
DALI Opticon 2 II |
DALI Oberon 1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.125-inch
|
1.125-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
Opticon 2 MK2 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000Hz. On the other hand, the Oberon 1 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz.
Frequency Response
Opticon 2 MK2 has a frequency range of 59-25k Hz whereas Oberon 1 has a frequency range of 51-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the Oberon 1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Opticon 2 MK2's min frequency of 59Hz.
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 2 MK2 is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the Oberon 1 which has a nominal impedance of 6 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 2 MK2 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Opticon 2 MK2 sensitivity is rated at 86.5 dB and the Oberon 1's is rated at 86 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the DALI Opticon 2 II 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.
Opticon 2 MK2 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Oberon 1 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the Opticon 2 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 2 MK2 features Post type posts and Oberon 1 has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
DALI Opticon 2 II's Post terminals
DALI Oberon 1's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Opticon 2 MK2 and Oberon 1 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.
DALI Opticon 2 II 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 2 II's and DALI Oberon 1's external dimensions. 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) whereas 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) .
DALI Opticon 2 II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 32mm wider, 76mm taller and 69mm deeper than DALI Oberon 1.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of DALI Opticon 2 II and DALI Oberon 1 in scale.
Comparison image of DALI Opticon 2 II and DALI Oberon 1 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 2 II is approximately 582.1cm2 / 90.2inch2 and base area of the DALI Oberon 1 is approximately 373.9cm2 / 58.0inch2. The Opticon 2 MK2 requires 56% more surface area than the Oberon 1 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:
Size Comparison image of DALI Opticon 2 II and DALI Oberon 1 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 2 II weighs 7.73kg / 17lbs and the DALI Oberon 1 weighs 4.18kg / 9.2lbs. This makes the Opticon 2 MK2 85% heavier than the Oberon 1.
Here is a comparison of how Opticon 2 MK2 and Oberon 1'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 2 II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Opticon 2 MK2:
Bookshelf loudspeakerGrille4 Rubber feetQuick Start GuideCongratulations Card
What's in the Box of DALI Oberon 1?
Here are the items that come with the Oberon 1:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers2 Grilles8 Rubber bumpersManual
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
86 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Low Frequency Response |
51 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
275mm
vs
351mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
373cm2 (164x228mm)
vs
582cm2 (196x297mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
1500USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
DALI Opticon 2 MK2 |
DALI Oberon 1 |
| Brand |
DALI |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
30-150 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86.5 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
59-25k Hz |
51-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Wood Fiber |
Wood Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.125" |
1.125" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000Hz |
2800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
351.0mm (13.8") |
275.0mm (10.8") |
| Width |
196.0mm (7.7") |
164.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
297.0mm (11.7") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Weight |
7.73kg (17lbs) |
4.18kg (9.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Satin Black, Tobacco Oak, Satin White |
Black Ash, Light Oak, Dark Walnut, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
24-26" |
26-28" |
| 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 |