In this review, we will be comparing Lumina CI and Oberon Vokal, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Sonus Faber and DALI. Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Sonus Lumina Center I and DALI Oberon Vokal first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
What size room are the Sonus Lumina Center I and DALI Oberon Vokal 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 Sonus Lumina Center I and DALI Oberon Vokal 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
Both Lumina CI and Oberon Vokal are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Sonus Lumina Center I |
DALI Oberon Vokal |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.15-inch
|
1-1/8-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 4.75-inch
|
2 x 5.25-inch
|
Lumina CI features a 1.15" high definition DAD Tweeter and 2 x 4.75" paper cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2000 Hz. On the other hand, the Oberon Vokal features a 1-1/8" ultra-light soft textile Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5.25" Wood Fiber Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2600Hz.
Frequency Response
Lumina CI has a frequency range of 65-24k Hz whereas Oberon Vokal has a frequency range of 47-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 47Hz, the Oberon Vokal can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Lumina CI's min frequency of 65Hz.
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
Lumina CI and Oberon Vokal have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Lumina CI sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Oberon Vokal's is at 89.5 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the DALI Oberon Vokal a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Lumina Center I, 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 Lumina CI and the Lumina CI 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.
Lumina CI can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS from the amp the whereas Lumina CI has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS , 50 watts less than the Oberon Vokal.
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
Lumina CI features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Oberon Vokal has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Sonus Lumina Center I's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
DALI Oberon Vokal's Binding post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Lumina CI and Oberon Vokal have front firing ports. front ported speakers offers more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls&surfaces compared to rear ported speakers.
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 Sonus Lumina Center I's and DALI Oberon Vokal's external dimensions. Sonus Lumina Center I has external dimensions of 169.0 x 524.0 x 213.0mm ( 6.6 x 20.6 x 8.4inch) whereas DALI Oberon Vokal has external dimensions of 162.0 x 443.0 x 294.0mm ( 6-3/8 x 17-7/16 x 11-9/16inch) .
DALI Oberon Vokal is 81mm narrower and 7mm shorter than Sonus Lumina Center I but it is also 81mm deeper.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Sonus Lumina Center I and DALI Oberon Vokal in scale.
Comparison image of Sonus Lumina Center I and DALI Oberon Vokal Size and External Dimensions
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 Sonus Lumina Center I is approximately 1116.1cm2 / 173.0inch2 and base area of the DALI Oberon Vokal is approximately 1302.4cm2 / 201.9inch2. The Lumina CI requires 14% less surface area than the Oberon Vokal 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 Sonus Lumina Center I weighs 7.60kg / 16.7lbs and the DALI Oberon Vokal weighs 7.45kg / 16.4lbs. This makes the Lumina CI 2% heavier than the Oberon Vokal.
Here is a comparison of how Lumina CI and Oberon Vokal'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 Sonus Lumina Center I?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Lumina CI:
1 Center Channel Speaker1 Manual 2 Jumpers1 Grilles 1 Fabric dust guards
What's in the Box of DALI Oberon Vokal?
Here are the items that come with the Oberon Vokal:
Center-channel loudspeaker Grille 8 Rubber feet Manual
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Base Surface Area |
1116cm2 (524x213mm)
vs
1302cm2 (443x294mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
150 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Sensitivity |
90 dB
vs
87 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5.25 inches
vs
4.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
47 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
26k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
162mm
vs
169mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Price per pair* |
599USD
vs
699USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Sonus Faber Lumina Center I |
DALI Oberon Vokal |
| Brand |
Sonus Faber |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
30-100 watts |
25-150 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
89.5 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
65-24k Hz |
47-26k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
4.75" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
paper cone |
Wood Fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.15" |
1-1/8" |
| Tweeter Type |
high definition DAD |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2000 Hz |
2600Hz |
| Firing Direction |
front |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
169.0mm (6.7") |
162.0mm (6.4") |
| Width |
524.0mm (20.6") |
443.0mm (17.4") |
| Depth |
213.0mm (8.4") |
294.0mm (11.6") |
| Weight |
7.60kg (16.7lbs) |
7.45kg (16.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
real multilayer wood |
MDF/Wood-grain vinyl |
| Available Colors |
Black, Wenge, Walnut |
Black Ash, Light Oak, Dark Walnut, White |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |