In this review, we will be comparing SONIK CINEMA and Oberon Vokal, two Passive Center Channel speakers by DALI
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI SONIK CINEMA and DALI Oberon Vokal first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
DALI SONIK CINEMA Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 2 x 5-1/4" Wood fiber Woofer
- 46-20k Hz Frequency Response
- 89.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 6ohms
- Power Range:25-100watts
- Weight:9.82kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 172.0" x 22-1/2" x 8-7/16"( 172.0 x 572.0 x 215.0mm )
DALI Oberon Vokal Key Specs
- 2-way Design
- 1-1/8" Soft-Dome Tweeter
- 2 x 5.25" Wood Fiber Woofer
- 47-26k Hz Frequency Response
- 89.5 dB Sensitivity
- Impedance: 4ohms
- Power Range:25-150watts
- Weight:7.45kg
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 162.0" x 17-7/16" x 11-9/16"( 162.0 x 443.0 x 294.0mm )
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the DALI SONIK CINEMA and DALI Oberon Vokal 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 CINEMA and Oberon Vokal are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
DALI SONIK CINEMA |
DALI Oberon Vokal |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.125-inch
|
1-1/8-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-1/4-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
SONIK CINEMA features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5-1/4" Wood fiber Woofer . On the other hand, the Oberon Vokal features a 1-1/8" ultra-light soft textile Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz.
Frequency Response
SONIK CINEMA has a frequency range of 46-20k Hz whereas Oberon Vokal has a frequency range of 47-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the SONIK CINEMA can go slightly deeper then the Oberon Vokal's min frequency of 47Hz.
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 Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
High Frequency
Center Channel 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 CINEMA is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Oberon Vokal which has a nominal impedance of 4 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 Oberon Vokal can provide this impedance level.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 89.5 dBdB.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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 CINEMA can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas SONIK CINEMA has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the Oberon Vokal.
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 CINEMA features Binding post type posts and Oberon Vokal has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
DALI Oberon Vokal's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both SONIK CINEMA and Oberon Vokal have front firing ports. front ported speakers offers more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls&surfaces compared to rear ported speakers.
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 CINEMA's and DALI Oberon Vokal's external dimensions. DALI SONIK CINEMA has external dimensions of 172.0 x 572.0 x 215.0mm ( 6-3/4inch x 22-1/2inch x 8-7/16inch ) whereas DALI Oberon Vokal has external dimensions of 162.0 x 443.0 x 294.0mm ( 6-3/8 x 17-7/16 x 11-9/16inch) .
DALI Oberon Vokal is 129mm narrower and 10mm shorter than DALI SONIK CINEMA but it is also 79mm deeper.
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 CINEMA is approximately 1229.8cm2 / 190.6inch2 and base area of the DALI Oberon Vokal is approximately 1302.4cm2 / 201.9inch2. The SONIK CINEMA requires 6% less surface area than the Oberon Vokal 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 CINEMA weighs 9.82kg / 21.6lbs and the DALI Oberon Vokal weighs 7.45kg / 16.4lbs. This makes the SONIK CINEMA 32% heavier than the Oberon Vokal.
Here is a comparison of how SONIK CINEMA and Oberon Vokal's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of DALI SONIK CINEMA?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SONIK CINEMA:
LCR loudspeaker Grille 8 Self-adhesive feet Manual Quick Start Guide Registration Card
What's in the Box of DALI Oberon Vokal?
Here are the items that come with the Oberon Vokal:
Center-channel loudspeaker Grille 8 Rubber feet Manual
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Low Frequency Response |
46 Hz
vs
47 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Base Surface Area |
1229cm2
vs
1302cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
|
Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
5-1/4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
162mm
vs
172mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
DALI SONIK CINEMA |
DALI Oberon Vokal |
| Brand |
DALI |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
25-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
89.5 dB |
89.5 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
46-20k Hz |
47-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
5-1/4" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Wood fiber |
Wood Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.125" |
1-1/8" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2600Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
172.0mm (6.8") |
162.0mm (6.4") |
| Width |
572.0mm (22.5") |
443.0mm (17.4") |
| Depth |
215.0mm (8.5") |
294.0mm (11.6") |
| Weight |
9.82kg (21.6lbs) |
7.45kg (16.4lbs) |
| 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 |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |