In this review, we will be comparing DALI Spektor Vokal and Monitor XT35, two Passive Center Channel speakers from DALI and Polk Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Spektor Vokal and Polk XT35 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the DALI Spektor Vokal and Polk XT35 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 Spektor Vokal and Polk XT35 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 DALI Spektor Vokal and Monitor XT35 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
DALI Spektor Vokal |
Polk XT35 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
4 x 3-inch
|
DALI 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 Monitor XT35 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 4 x 3" bi-laminate paper cone Woofer .
Frequency Response
DALI Spektor Vokal has a frequency range of 66-26k Hz whereas Monitor XT35 has a frequency range of 57-40k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 57Hz, the Monitor XT35 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DALI Spektor Vokal's min frequency of 66Hz.
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
DALI Spektor Vokal is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Monitor XT35 which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
On the other hand, they have the same sensitivity of 87 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.
DALI Spektor Vokal can handle a max power of 200 watts RMS from the amp the whereas DALI Spektor Vokal has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS , 80 watts less than the Monitor XT35.
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
DALI Spektor Vokal features 5-Way post type posts and Monitor XT35 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk XT35's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both DALI Spektor Vokal and Monitor XT35 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 Spektor Vokal's and Polk XT35'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 Polk XT35 has external dimensions of 107.0 x 621.0 x 142.0mm ( 4-3/16 x 24-7/16 x 5-9/16inch) .
Polk XT35 is 45mm shorter and 62mm less deeper than DALI Spektor Vokal but it is also 186mm wider.
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 Polk XT35 is approximately 881.8cm2 / 136.7inch2. The DALI Spektor Vokal requires 1% more surface area than the Monitor XT35 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 Vokal weighs 5.30kg / 11.7lbs and the Polk XT35 weighs 6.36kg / 14lbs. This makes the Monitor XT35 20% heavier than the DALI Spektor Vokal.
Here is a comparison of how DALI Spektor Vokal and Monitor XT35'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 DALI Spektor Vokal:
Floorstanding loudspeaker GrilleRubber FeetManual
What's in the Box of Polk XT35?
Here are the items that come with the Monitor XT35:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille (attached)4 Self-adhesive rubber feetOwners ManualOnline Product RegistrationWall-Mount Template
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Max Input Power |
200 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
| Number of Woofers |
4
vs
2
|
More woofers |
| Low Frequency Response |
57 Hz
vs
66 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
107mm
vs
152mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
881cm2 (621x142mm)
vs
887cm2 (435x204mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
DALI Spektor Vokal |
Polk Audio Monitor XT35 |
| Brand |
DALI |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Low-profile center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-120 watts |
25-200 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
66-26k Hz |
57-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
4 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
3" |
| Woofer Composition |
Wood Fiber |
bi-laminate paper cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
N/A" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2100Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
152.0mm (6") |
107.0mm (4.2") |
| Width |
435.0mm (17.1") |
621.0mm (24.4") |
| Depth |
204.0mm (8") |
142.0mm (5.6") |
| Weight |
5.30kg (11.7lbs) |
6.36kg (14lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| 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 |