In this review, we will be comparing Spektor Vokal and SX-70, two Center Channel speakers from DALI and Cambridge Audio.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Spektor Vokal and Cambridge Audio SX-70 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI Spektor Vokal | Cambridge Audio SX-70 |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | Cambridge Audio
United Kingdom · founded 1968 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.5" Wood Fiber | 2 x 4" treated-paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 66-26k Hz | 65-22k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-120 watts | 10-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.30kg / 11.7lbs | 4.00kg / 8.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6" x 17.1" x 8"
152.0 x 435.0 x 204.0mm | 5-7/16" x 14-1/4" x 9-3/4"
139.0 x 362.0 x 248.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Spektor Vokal and SX-70 are 2-way speakers.
DALI Spektor VokalCambridge Audio SX-70
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 Vokal |
Cambridge Audio SX-70 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
2 x 4-inch
|
Spektor Vokal features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 4.5" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2100Hz. On the other hand, the SX-70 features a 1" Silk dome Tweeter and 2 x 4" treated-paper Woofer.
Frequency Response
Spektor Vokal has a frequency range of 66-26k Hz whereas SX-70 has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the SX-70 can go slightly deeper then the Spektor Vokal's min frequency of 66Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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 Vokal is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the SX-70 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Spektor Vokal sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the SX-70's is rated at 85 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the DALI Spektor Vokal a more sensitive speaker compared to Cambridge Audio SX-70, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
Spektor Vokal can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas SX-70 has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 watts less than the Spektor Vokal.
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 Vokal features 5-Way post type posts and SX-70 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 Vokal's and Cambridge Audio SX-70's external dimensions. DALI Spektor Vokal has external dimensions of 152.0 x 435.0 x 204.0mm (6 x 17.1 x 8inch) whereas Cambridge Audio SX-70 has external dimensions of 139.0 x 362.0 x 248.0mm (5-7/16 x 14-1/4 x 9-3/4inch).
Cambridge Audio SX-70 is 73mm narrower and 13mm shorter than DALI Spektor Vokal but it is also 44mm deeper.
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.
Near-identical footprints. Cambridge Audio SX-70 is 44mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. DALI Spektor Vokal is 13mm 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 Vokal is approximately 887.4cm2 / 137.5inch2 and base area of the Cambridge Audio SX-70 is approximately 897.8cm2 / 139.2inch2. The Spektor Vokal requires 1% less surface area than the SX-70 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 Spektor Vokal weighs 5.30kg / 11.7lbs and the Cambridge Audio SX-70 weighs 4.00kg / 8.8lbs. This makes the Spektor Vokal 33% heavier than the SX-70.
Here is a comparison of how Spektor Vokal and SX-70'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 Spektor Vokal?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Spektor Vokal:
- Floorstanding loudspeaker
- Grille
- Rubber Feet
- Manual
What's in the Box of Cambridge Audio SX-70?
Here are the items that come with the SX-70:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- Grille
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Installation Guide
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
4 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
22k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Base Surface Area |
887cm2
vs
897cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
66 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
139mm
vs
152mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
189USD
vs
350USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
DALI Spektor Vokal |
Cambridge Audio SX-70 |
| Brand |
DALI |
Cambridge Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker (Matte Black) |
| Power Range |
40-120 watts |
10-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
66-26k Hz |
65-22k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Wood Fiber |
treated-paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2100Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
152.0mm (6") |
139.0mm (5.5") |
| Width |
435.0mm (17.1") |
362.0mm (14.3") |
| Depth |
204.0mm (8") |
248.0mm (9.8") |
| Weight |
5.30kg (11.7lbs) |
4.00kg (8.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black Ash, Walnut, White |
Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
n/a |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - DALI Spektor Vokal costs roughly 1.9x what Cambridge Audio SX-70 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (66Hz vs 65Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | A | DALI Spektor Vokal is more sensitive (87dB vs 85dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Cambridge Audio SX-70 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (120W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Sealed. Sealed is tighter and happier near a wall; ported digs lower but wants space behind it. |
| Price | B | Cambridge Audio SX-70 is cheaper - $189 against $350, about 46% less; arguably a different class. |
A DALI Spektor Vokal B Cambridge Audio SX-70
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. Match it to your room: we rate DALI Spektor Vokal the better fit for a mid-size room and a large room, and Cambridge Audio SX-70 for near-field listening and a small room. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, DALI Spektor Vokal is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
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.