In this review, we will be comparing Opticon VOKAL MK2 and HDI-4500, two Passive Center Channel speakers from DALI and JBL. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Dali Opticon VOKAL II and JBL HDI-4500 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Dali Opticon VOKAL II and JBL HDI-4500 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 Opticon VOKAL II and JBL HDI-4500 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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through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Opticon VOKAL MK2 is a 3-way design whereas the HDI-4500 is a 2-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Driver |
Dali Opticon VOKAL II |
JBL HDI-4500 |
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
2-way
|
Tweeter
|
17 x 45 mm ribbon + 1.125-inch
|
1-inch
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
4 x 5.25-inch
|
Opticon VOKAL MK2 features a 17 x 45 mm ribbon + 1.125" Soft-dome + ribbon Hybrid Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400Hz and 14.000Hz. On the other hand, the HDI-4500 features a 1" horn-loaded high-frequency compression Tweeter and 4 x 5.25" Advanced Aluminum Matrix cone Woofer .
Frequency Response
Opticon VOKAL MK2 has a frequency range of 47-30k Hz whereas HDI-4500 has a frequency range of 50-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the Opticon VOKAL MK2 can go slightly deeper then the HDI-4500's min frequency of 50Hz.
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
Opticon VOKAL MK2 and HDI-4500 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Opticon VOKAL MK2 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the HDI-4500's is at 90 dB. This 2 dB difference makes the JBL HDI-4500 a more sensitive speaker compared to Dali Opticon VOKAL II, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Opticon VOKAL MK2 and the Opticon VOKAL MK2 can provide this impedance level.
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.
Opticon VOKAL MK2 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Opticon VOKAL MK2 has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS , 100 watts less than the HDI-4500.
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
Opticon VOKAL MK2 features 5-Way post type posts and HDI-4500 has a 5-Way post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Opticon VOKAL MK2 has a front firing port whereas HDI-4500 has a rear firing ports. Dali Opticon VOKAL II's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to JBL HDI-4500 with its rear-firing port.
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 Opticon VOKAL II's and JBL HDI-4500's external dimensions. Dali Opticon VOKAL II has external dimensions of 202.0 x 435.0 x 313.0mm ( 7-15/16 x 17-1/8 x 12-5/16inch) whereas JBL HDI-4500 has external dimensions of 197.0 x 842.0 x 310.0mm ( 7-3/4 x 33-1/8 x 12-3/16inch) .
JBL HDI-4500 is 5mm shorter and 3mm less deeper than Dali Opticon VOKAL II but it is also 407mm 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 Opticon VOKAL II is approximately 1361.6cm2 / 211.0inch2 and base area of the JBL HDI-4500 is approximately 2610.2cm2 / 404.6inch2. The Opticon VOKAL MK2 requires 48% less surface area than the HDI-4500 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 Opticon VOKAL II weighs 9.23kg / 20.3lbs and the JBL HDI-4500 weighs 20.15kg / 44.3lbs. This makes the HDI-4500 118% heavier than the Opticon VOKAL MK2.
Here is a comparison of how Opticon VOKAL MK2 and HDI-4500'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 Opticon VOKAL II?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Opticon VOKAL MK2:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille6 Rubber bumpersQuick Start GuideCongratulations Card
What's in the Box of JBL HDI-4500?
Here are the items that come with the HDI-4500:
Center-channel loudspeakerGrille2 Jumper-straps (pre-installed)Owners Manual
Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
50 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
Base Surface Area |
1361cm2 (435x313mm)
vs
2610cm2 (842x310mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
Price per pair* |
1199USD
vs
1925USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
Max Input Power |
250 watts
vs
150 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
Number of Woofers |
4
vs
1
|
More woofers |
Height |
197mm
vs
202mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
General |
Dali Opticon VOKAL MK2 |
JBL HDI-4500 |
Brand |
DALI |
JBL |
Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
Power Range |
30-150 watts |
20-250 watts |
Sensitivity |
88 dB |
90 dB |
Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
Frequency Response |
47-30k Hz |
50-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
Woofer Quantity |
1 |
4 |
Woofer Size |
6.5" |
5.25" |
Woofer Composition |
Wood Fiber |
Advanced Aluminum Matrix cone |
Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
Tweeter Size |
17 x 45 mm ribbon + 1.125" |
1" |
Tweeter Type |
Soft-dome + ribbon Hybrid |
horn-loaded high-frequency compression |
Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
Midrange Driver |
No |
N/A" |
Crossover Frequency |
2400Hz and 14.000Hz |
n/a |
Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
Height |
202.0mm (8") |
197.0mm (7.8") |
Width |
435.0mm (17.1") |
842.0mm (33.1") |
Depth |
313.0mm (12.3") |
310.0mm (12.2") |
Weight |
9.23kg (20.3lbs) |
20.15kg (44.3lbs) |
Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
n/a |
Available Colors |
Satin Black, Tobacco Oak, Satin White |
Walnut |
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 |