In this review, we will be comparing SONIK 1 and Oberon 1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by DALI
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI SONIK 1 and DALI Oberon 1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
DALI SONIK 1 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 5.25" Wood fiber Woofer
- 51-26k Hz Frequency Response
- 86 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:25-100watts
- Weight:4.10kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 275.0" x 6-3/8" x 8-13/16"( 275.0 x 162.0 x 224.0mm )
DALI Oberon 1 Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 5.25" Wood Fiber Woofer
- 51-26k Hz Frequency Response
- 86 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:25-100watts
- Weight:4.18kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 275.0" x 6-7/16" x 8-15/16"( 275.0 x 164.0 x 228.0mm )
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the DALI SONIK 1 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 SONIK 1 and Oberon 1 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
DALI SONIK 1 |
DALI Oberon 1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.125-inch
|
1.125-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
SONIK 1 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Wood fiber Woofer . 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
SONIK 1 and Oberon 1 has exactly the same frequency range of 51-26k Hz.
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
SONIK 1 and Oberon 1 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms and their sensitivity is also same at 86 dB.
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.
SONIK 1 and Oberon 1 has the same power range of 25-100 watts.
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
SONIK 1 features Post type posts and Oberon 1 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 SONIK 1 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.
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 SONIK 1's and DALI Oberon 1's external dimensions. DALI SONIK 1 has external dimensions of 275.0 x 162.0 x 224.0mm ( 10-13/16inch x 6-3/8inch x 8-13/16inch ) 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 SONIK 1 is 2mm narrower and 4mm less deeper than DALI SONIK 1 but they have the same height of 275.0mm.
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 SONIK 1 is approximately 362.9cm2 / 56.2inch2 and base area of the DALI Oberon 1 is approximately 373.9cm2 / 58.0inch2. The SONIK 1 requires 3% less surface area than the Oberon 1 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 SONIK 1 weighs 4.10kg / 9lbs and the DALI Oberon 1 weighs 4.18kg / 9.2lbs. This makes the Oberon 1 2% heavier than the SONIK 1.
Here is a comparison of how SONIK 1 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 SONIK 1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SONIK 1:
2 Bookshelf loudspeakers 2 Grilles 8 Sef-adehsive rubber feet 8 Rubber bumpers Quick Start Guide Online Registration 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
 Base Surface Area |
362cm2
vs
373cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
DALI SONIK 1 |
DALI Oberon 1 |
| Brand |
DALI |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
25-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
51-26k Hz |
51-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
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 |
n/a |
2800Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
275.0mm (10.8") |
275.0mm (10.8") |
| Width |
162.0mm (6.4") |
164.0mm (6.5") |
| Depth |
224.0mm (8.8") |
228.0mm (9") |
| Weight |
4.10kg (9lbs) |
4.18kg (9.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain laminate |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black Ash, Natural Oak,White,Walnut |
Black Ash, Light Oak, Dark Walnut, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
Fixed keyhole mount |
Keyhole |
| Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
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 |