In this review, we will be comparing Spektor Vokal and ES35, 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 ES35 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI Spektor Vokal | Polk ES35 |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | Polk Audio
United States · founded 1972 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Soft-Dome | 1" High-res dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 4.5" Wood Fiber | 6 x 3" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
|---|
| Frequency response | 66-26k Hz | 66-40k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 89 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-120 watts | 20-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 5.30kg / 11.7lbs | 6.36kg / 14lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6" x 17.1" x 8"
152.0 x 435.0 x 204.0mm | 4-3/16" x 24-7/16" x 6-1/16"
107.0 x 621.0 x 154.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the DALI Spektor Vokal and Polk ES35 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 Vokal |
Polk ES35 |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Average |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Average |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Poor |
(* 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.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both Spektor Vokal and ES35 are 2-way speakers.
DALI Spektor VokalPolk ES35
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 |
Polk ES35 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.5-inch
|
6 x 3-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 ES35 features a 1" Terylene High-res dome Tweeter and 6 x 3" mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance Woofer.
Frequency Response
Spektor Vokal has a frequency range of 66-26k Hz whereas ES35 has a frequency range of 66-40k Hz.
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 ES35 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 ES35's is rated at 89 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the Polk ES35 a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Spektor Vokal, 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.
ES35 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas Spektor Vokal has a max power handling value of 120 watts RMS, 30 watts less than the ES35.
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 ES35 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Polk ES35's 5-Way post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Spektor Vokal and ES35 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.
Polk ES35 Port
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 Polk ES35'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 ES35 has external dimensions of 107.0 x 621.0 x 154.0mm (4-3/16 x 24-7/16 x 6-1/16inch).
Polk ES35 is 45mm shorter and 50mm 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 ES35 is approximately 956.3cm2 / 148.2inch2. The Spektor Vokal requires 7% less surface area than the ES35 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 Polk ES35 weighs 6.36kg / 14lbs. This makes the ES35 20% heavier than the Spektor Vokal.
Here is a comparison of how Spektor Vokal and ES35'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 Polk ES35?
Here are the items that come with the ES35:
- LCR loudspeaker
- Grille (attached)
- 4 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Wall-mount template
- Owners Manual
- Online Product Registration
 Woofer Size |
4.5 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Base Surface Area |
887cm2
vs
956cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
350USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
120 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
89 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Number of Woofers |
6
vs
2
|
More woofers |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
107mm
vs
152mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
| General |
DALI Spektor Vokal |
Polk Audio Signature Elite ES35 |
| Brand |
DALI |
Polk Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Low-profile center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-120 watts |
20-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
89 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
66-26k Hz |
66-40k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
6 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
3" |
| Woofer Composition |
Wood Fiber |
mica-reinforced polypropylene Dynamic Balance |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
High-res dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| 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") |
154.0mm (6.1") |
| Weight |
5.30kg (11.7lbs) |
6.36kg (14lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
MDF, Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black Ash, Walnut, White |
Black, Walnut, White |
| 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 |
A generation apart: Polk ES35 is the newer design, against a 2017 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (66Hz vs 66Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Polk ES35 is more sensitive (89dB vs 87dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Polk ES35 is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | B | Polk ES35 takes more power (150W vs 120W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | Polk ES35 is easier to place; DALI Spektor Vokal is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. Polk ES35 sits in a wider range (12 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | DALI Spektor Vokal is cheaper - $350 against $399, about 12% less. |
A DALI Spektor Vokal B Polk ES35
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?
Polk ES35 leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. DALI Spektor Vokal is the one to take if it does not. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Polk ES35 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.