The Dali Opticon Series in Our Showrooms

As the successor of the Ikon series from Danish loudspeaker manufacturer Dali introduced the new Opticon in summer of this year. From now on the technical and tonal advantages of the super-class series Epicon and Rubicon seems to have translated as well ass possible without compromising the its mid-price counterpart. Whether the Opticon speakers this task to do justice, we want to take this opportunity to check again.

Overview

With a total of seven models, consisting of the compact loudspeakers Opticon 1 and Opticon 2, the floor standing speakers Opticon 5, Opticon 6 and Opticon 8 and the home theatre specialists Opticon Vocal and Opticon LCR, the series kicks almost seamlessly the bridge of the cheaper Zensor up to the great Rubicon speakers. While Dali at the censor-line but still consistently dispense with the use of such distinctive hybrid tweeter, the contrast is then no longer indispensable at the Rubicon models, the manufacturer chooses in the middle ground in this new series and equipping at least the home theatre speakers from using this technology. In addition, of course, came the best woofers and mid-range made of wood fibre paper composite used, so it is therefore without doubt is the best speaker in Dali tradition of Opticon series. In this context, the way also worth mentioning that the entire production of Opticon series takes place in Denmark and the majority of the components used are manufactured in-house.

Technology

Without going into all the technical aspects in painstaking detail, we would like to at least mention some essential elements of the loudspeaker designs developed by Dali. First would be the already mentioned hybrid tweeter, and a quasi mention the hallmark from Dali. The combination of the spherical and ribbon tweeter distributes the work in the high frequencies to two drivers and enables the display of a particularly far-reaching frequency spectrum as well as a particularly fine resolution. In addition, it allowed this concept to depict the transition from the upper mid frequencies to the heights extremely uniform. Thus the dome tweeter is already on at about 2000 Hz and reaches above 20 kHz, while the ribbon-driver is responsible for frequencies from 10 KHz and far enough up on the 30 KHz limit. Furthermore it is possible with this construction Dali way to generate a broad sweet spot, so that loss of sound in a relatively large area around the optimal listening position around are hardly an issue.

Der Hybrid-Hochtöner der Dali Opticon 6Not less refined the design of the woofer, mid-range and woofer. The cone diaphragm of the driver is as already mentioned of a special wood-fibre paper mix – Dali’s tried and tested answer to the recurring question of how do you design a simultaneously light and unreceptive for unwanted resonances membrane. In addition, the developers have paid special attention to an optimally active magnetic drive. Within the annular ferrite magnet works as a counterpart of a pole piece of so-called “Soft Magnetic Compound” (SMC), a particular magnetic granulate which, although having an excellent magnetic permeability but a low electrical conductivity. This, inter alia, the so-called eddy currents is counteracted successfully that arise with increasing speed of the cone excursion and would carry out its braking effect on the movement of the voice coil and the resulting increased heat generation to undesirable distortions of the play signal. In addition, the driver systems are naturally matched in terms of their specific application area. Since the Opticon series is composed of very different models  it requires both an adjustment of driver sizes, as well as their functional areas as woofers, midranges, or midbass

Tief-bzw. Tiefmitteltöner bei Opticon 2 und Opticon 6We would aslo like to say a few words about the housing design. The development team sets here particular importance to a stable construction, which is achieved by carefully positioned bracing inside the enclosure approximately at the level speakers, but without affecting the naturally occurring air movement within the speaker negative. The consistent implementation of this ideal finds expression for example in the millings for the middle and low-frequency driver in the enclosure, which favor targeted recesses between the screw fastenings to unobstructed airflow behind the chassis.

Dali Opticon 2 und Opticon 6 aus der Rückansicht

Das Anschlussterminal der Dali Opticon 6

Assessment

Altogether the quality of Opticon series has convinced us both in terms of sound characteristics as well as in terms of processing and all models definitely have their place. The vote of each speaker is excellent and they all deliver in combination with a matching audio chain of a noble sounding, balanced sound. Grandstanding by artificial frequency increases in height or bass range has the Opticon Series not necessary at all. It is striking that the supposedly “small” Opticon 2 already relatively mature plays and therefore the shelf or directly on the wall is rather out of place. Instead, it is advisable to use two tripods and then to find a favorable position with reasonable wall clearance according to the viewing environment. Very good we like the Opticon 6 as a more playful and balanced tower speaker in a compact format. To fill larger spaces with sound, is finally the top model Opticon 8 the drug of choice.

Das kleinste Modell: Die Dali Opticon 1

Conclusion

Mission accomplished. The new middle class in the portfolio of the Danish manufacturer Dali wins the ear and heart of the listener through a successful aural tuning and flawless workmanship. Thanks to the wide range of different models the Opticon series does in a variety of settings in both the hi-fi and home cinema area and provides a result of fair calculation extremely much sound at an absolutely reasonable price.



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