In this review, we will be comparing Spektor 2 and Spektor 1, two Passive Bookshelf speakers by DALI.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Spektor 2 and DALI Spektor 1 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI Spektor 2 | DALI Spektor 1 |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 0.8" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Wood Fiber | 4.5" Wood Fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 54-26k Hz | 59-26k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 84.5 dB | 83 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 40-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.20kg / 9.2lbs | 2.60kg / 5.7lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11.5" x 6.7" x 9"
292.0 x 170.0 x 228.0mm | 9.3" x 5.5" x 7.7"
237.0 x 140.0 x 195.0mm |
|---|
Spektor 2 and Spektor 1 are members of DALI's Spektor series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
DALI Spektor Series
History
What size room are the DALI Spektor 2 and DALI Spektor 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:
| Listening Environment* |
DALI Spektor 2 |
DALI Spektor 1 |
| Near-field |
Average |
Average |
| Small Room |
Good |
Good |
| Mid-size Room |
Average |
Average |
| Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
| Very Large Room |
Bad |
Bad |
(* 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.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Spektor 2 and Spektor 1 are 2-way speakers.
DALI Spektor 2DALI Spektor 1
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
DALI Spektor 2 |
DALI Spektor 1 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.8-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
Spektor 2 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz. On the other hand, the Spektor 1 features a 0.8" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2100Hz.
Frequency Response
Spektor 2 has a frequency range of 54-26k Hz whereas Spektor 1 has a frequency range of 59-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 54Hz, the Spektor 2 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Spektor 1's min frequency of 59Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Spektor 2 and Spektor 1 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Spektor 2 sensitivity is rated at 84.5 dB and the Spektor 1's is at 83 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the DALI Spektor 2 a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Spektor 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. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Both handle the same maximum of 100 watts RMS, though Spektor 2 is rated 25-100 watts and Spektor 1 40-100 watts.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Spektor 2 features Binding post type posts and Spektor 1 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Spektor 2 and Spektor 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
The size of a speaker can sometimes be 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 Spektor 2's and DALI Spektor 1's external dimensions. DALI Spektor 2 has external dimensions of 292.0 x 170.0 x 228.0mm (11.5 x 6.7 x 9.4inch) whereas DALI Spektor 1 has external dimensions of 237.0 x 140.0 x 195.0mm (9.3 x 5.5 x 7.7inch).
DALI Spektor 2 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 30mm wider, 55mm taller and 33mm deeper than DALI Spektor 1.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
DALI Spektor 2 needs about 42% more floor or shelf area. DALI Spektor 2 is 33mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. DALI Spektor 2 is 55mm taller.
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 Spektor 2 is approximately 387.6cm2 / 60.1inch2 and base area of the DALI Spektor 1 is approximately 273.0cm2 / 42.3inch2. The Spektor 2 requires 42% more surface area than the Spektor 1 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Spektor 2 weighs 4.20kg / 9.2lbs and the DALI Spektor 1 weighs 2.60kg / 5.7lbs. This makes the Spektor 2 62% heavier than the Spektor 1.
Here is a comparison of how Spektor 2 and Spektor 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 Spektor 2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Spektor 2:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- Grille
- Rubber Feet
- Mounting Bracket
- Manual
What's in the Box of DALI Spektor 1?
Here are the items that come with the Spektor 1:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- Grille
- Rubber Feet
- Mounting Bracket
- Manual
 Sensitivity |
85 dB
vs
83 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
54 Hz
vs
59 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
237mm
vs
292mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
273cm2
vs
387cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
DALI Spektor 2 |
DALI Spektor 1 |
| Brand |
DALI |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
40-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
84.5 dB |
83 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
54-26k Hz |
59-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Wood Fiber |
Wood Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.8" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2600Hz |
2100Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
292.0mm (11.5") |
237.0mm (9.3") |
| Width |
170.0mm (6.7") |
140.0mm (5.5") |
| Depth |
228.0mm (9") |
195.0mm (7.7") |
| Weight |
4.20kg (9.2lbs) |
2.60kg (5.7lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black Ash, Walnut, White |
Black Ash, Walnut, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
Keyhole |
Keyhole |
| 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 |
Siblings in DALI's Spektor series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | DALI Spektor 2 digs deeper - 54Hz against 59Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | DALI Spektor 2 is more sensitive (85dB vs 83dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | DALI Spektor 1 is easier to place; DALI Spektor 2 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
A DALI Spektor 2 B DALI Spektor 1
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
DALI Spektor 2 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 59Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, DALI Spektor 2 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, DALI Spektor 1 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.