DALI Opticon 6 MK2 Review

Dali Opticon 6 Mk2 review

We simply could not miss another update of the popular line of DALI Opticon speaker systems. After all, the brand itself is always heard, and the Opticon line is highly appreciated by lovers of high-quality audio. At the end of last year, the Danes introduced the Opticon line with the MK2 index. It includes six models of acoustics: Opticon 1 and 2 shelf units, Opticon 6 and 8 floor standing units, Opticon LCR wall speakers and Opticon Vocal center channel acoustics.

I would love to cover the entire update, but it certainly does not fit into the framework of one test. Therefore, let's focus on the "golden mean" - or mid-budget segment - and turn our attention to the small DALI Opticon 6 MK2 floor standing units. The predecessor of this acoustics - Opticon 6 MK1 - is not popular. I suppose that the updated version will also cause a lot of wiretaps, ratings, questions and, as usual, opponents and fans.

MK2 design

The update we deserve. I don’t know how many of us are fans of minimalism, but if they are present here - gentlemen, I have good news for you. If we leave aside the currently considered "opticons" in the color "dark oak" (or "tobacco oak", if translated literally), the remaining two models - matt white and matte black - look very refreshed and modern. The dark oak finish looks more classic in my opinion.

In design - no unnecessary elements that attract attention. Consistently matte black speaker and tweeter surrounds in all three colors. In our example, the entire bezel is also matte black.

There is not much to consider on the side and top panels - except, in our case, to admire the texture of dark oak. The junction of the top and front panels has a partly beveled edge, on which caring designers wrote a message in a foreign language for their adherents.

Below, on the front panel, is the hybrid tweeter unit, which consists of two radiators. The first is a fabric dome with a diameter of 29 mm, which is rumored to be borrowed from the Callisto line. This tweeter, like the Opticon 6 MK1, operates from 2,200 to 14,000 Hz. The second is a 17x45 mm tape emitter, which picks up the baton after 14 kHz.

Based on such a clever design of two tweeters, one can decide that HF-fobs should pass by right away: now a cunning "harmonica" paired with a dome will show everyone how to play high frequencies! But only listening will put everything in its place.

Below the tweeters, on the bezel, are two 6.5-inch paper / wood fiber drivers. It uses speakers, new to the Opticon line, with an SMC magnetic system and a proprietary compound. Rumor has it that the same technologies are used in the Epicon line.

The lowest driver is cut by the filter at 800 Hz, and the frequency at which the top driver gives way to the dome tweeter is 2,200 Hz. So we can assume that acoustics has two and a half bands at its disposal.

The rear panel houses two relatively small reflex-type bass-reflex ports (Dual Flare), and at the bottom there are two pairs of terminals for acoustic wires.

Also, the manufacturer claims that the changes have also affected the crossover. Therefore, the tonal balance of the acoustics did not remain the same, but was deliberately adjusted to emphasize all the advantages that were obtained as a result of the innovations. This is alarming.

The production of all components and the final assembly of the speaker system takes place in Denmark, which for DALI fans has long been the norm, and for many other brands it is a guide.

The dimensions and weight of the Opticon 6 MK2 remain identical to the first iteration. The only thing that we managed to notice was that a millimeter was added to the MK2 height. It is difficult to judge what this is connected with, so we will not focus on this.

Bass bet

Testing took place in the Moscow showroom Pult.ru. The DALI Opticon 6 MK2 includes two components from Cambridge Audio: the CXN V2 streamer and the CXA81 amplifier . Our bass bet is fixed, the Tidal track roulette has already been rolled out. All that remains is to observe.

The first track from which we can understand whether our bet played or not was "Blues For Angels" by Raphael Imbert. Here, starting from the intro and throughout the track, you can feel the low-frequency kicks of the kick. They are not clearly expressed - and not every acoustics can show them on the scale of the composition.

As it turned out, the DALI Opticon 6 MK2 is on the list of those speakers that are capable of this. Moreover, to my surprise, the "opticons" made it possible to feel this bass tactilely, which, given their small size, is simply outrageous. And all this - while maintaining control and intelligibility of the rest of the low-frequency parts. It seems that the innovations were not in vain.

On the other side of the bass spectrum - midbass - I listened to the famous track "The Chain" by Fleetwood Mac. An excellent test for the ability of acoustics to show dynamics in compositions. The result was not as pleasing as with the previous track, but still remained at an acceptable level.

The dynamics of the snare drum remained somewhat restrained and academic - at a time when more punch and drive were wanted. On the whole, in my opinion, “The Chain” and the Opticon 6 MK2 did not become friends. And not only because of the lack of punch, but also for a number of other indicators, which will be discussed a little later.

At the same time, if we turn to the hard genres, then "Valkiria" by Amon Amarth sounded appropriate. Both the speed in the lower register and intelligibility were enough for the "optics" - and the dynamics remained acceptable. But the drive to shake the hair and wear down a couple of Camelot is not enough.

In general, we can state that the bass bet played rather than not. General impressions of the game are positive: the bass does not attract too much attention, has no accents and is delivered smoothly.

The emphasis is more on the quality of elaboration, the nuances and details of this register are not masked by excessive mass. I think this low frequency setting will be less of a hassle when integrated into a listening room.

High frequency bet

We can start where we left off - "Valkiria". In the introduction, percussion is perfectly spelled out, and the "opticons" are really happy to show it. Saturation, purity and crystal. When it comes to percussions that were mixed by a sound engineer who has no idea about the existence of Hi-Fi - oddly enough, their sounding by "optics" does not cause much rejection.

Although, it would seem, tweeters were supposed to crush the listener, spraying in his direction with all their power and potential some of the most unpleasant sounds of inanimate nature. Apparently, a pair of tweeters also do not have particularly noticeable peaks in frequency response, which, in particular, allows the listener to easily investigate where and in what place one or another cymbal of a drum kit is hiding, cleverly hidden by an inept sound engineer.

Vocals within the range of the hybrid tweeter receive extremely airy shades and light overtones, which generally refreshes the sound canvas.

According to general impressions, the high frequencies are still accented - that is, there is a certain amount of dominance. And if we compare HF with the mid-frequency range, then the dominance of HF tends to zero, but not equal to it. But the dominance of treble over bass is beyond doubt. But the limits of decency are respected - and it does not feel like a "skewed tonal". So, light flirting.

Vocal bet

The vocals and all the instruments included in the mid-frequency range made it clear during the previous stages that this bet will definitely not pass without a win. This range is filled with life and detail - it has both completeness and sophistication at the same time.

Looking at specific examples, you can use Toni Braxton with "Un-Break My Heart". Tony's vocals are well balanced, making certain amplitudes between octaves throughout the track. The DALI Opticon 6 MK2 shows this well - both at the moment the vocals plunge to the lower part of the range, and during the takeoff into space at the upper (here is the hybrid tweeter). Emotionality, you guessed it, is present in due measure.

If we pay attention to the orchestral recordings - "Vivaldi, The Four Seasons - Spring" performed by Max Richter and company - the abundance of violins, both first and second plan, did not confuse the "opticons" MK2. All of them remained readable, divided according to plans and parties. For my taste, the "Hi-End audacity" of the main violin, which periodically takes off above the others, lacked a little. But this is already nit-picking and taste.

Saxophone parts do not leave the listener indifferent. With a wide range, they immerse themselves in the already partly discussed live - "Blues For Angels" by Raphael Imbert. Applause and lively speech - very clear and natural.

A few words should be said about the construction of an imaginary scene. I think it turned out to be typical for DALI acoustics in this segment: it does not amaze with depth, but it is built quite spacious and wide, with good positioning. The images in the scene are large and full, as befits self-respecting floor makers.

Conclusions

We can say that at the end of the game we "went into a plus". DALI have successfully upgraded their popular small floor standing speaker - and the Opticon 6 MK2 is now ready to compete in this segment for a place in our listening rooms.

The Opticon 6 MK2's music presentation setting, which has received a rather vocal-midrange orientation, nevertheless remains acceptable for most other genres - and leaves a pleasant listening experience. Considering the modern design and small dimensions, I think that it will not be difficult to repeat the success of its predecessors for the Opticon 6 MK2.

PROS

Detailed high end

Balanced mid-range

Lovely design

Nice evolution over previous Opticons

Punchy and authoritative bass performance

Musical cohesion

Play loud with ease

CONS

Not suited for big rooms

Could be livelier through the mids and highs

No magnetic grilles

Not the deepest bass

Get a little messy with complex recordings

OFFICIAL SITE

www.dali-speakers.com

PRICE

Dali's revised Opticon 6 floorstanders deliver a cultured yet powerful sound Tested at £1499 / $2499 / AU$3399

DALI Opticon 6 MK2  Featuers

Acoustic design: 2 bass reflexes Dual Flare on the rear panel

Frequency range: 49-30,000 Hz (± 3dB)

Woofer: 2 x 6.5 inches, wood-pulp cone, SMC magnet system

Tweeter: 29mm Soft Cloth Dome + 17 x 45mm Belt Super Tweeter

Crossover Frequency: 800/2 200/14,000 Hz

Impedance: 4 ohm

Sensitivity: 88dB

Dimensions (WxHxD): 195x1 001x330 mm