Audio T Verdict
The DALI OPTICON 2 MK2 are substantial standmount speakers designed to deliver much of the scale and authority associated with a floorstanding model without requiring a full-height cabinet.
Each speaker combines a 6½-inch paper and wood-fibre bass and midrange driver with DALI's patented Soft Magnetic Composite pole-piece technology. The SMC motor is designed to reduce magnetic hysteresis, eddy currents and uneven distortion as the voice coil moves through the magnetic field.
A lightweight 29mm soft-dome tweeter derived from DALI's CALLISTO C range replaces the smaller tweeter used by the original OPTICON series. Its larger diaphragm provides lower distortion, improved power handling and a broader operating range, allowing it to integrate smoothly with the 6½-inch driver at the 2,000Hz crossover point.
The rear Dual Flare bass-reflex port reinforces low-frequency output while reducing turbulence at the entrance and exit of the vent. The cabinet is tuned to 46Hz and achieves a specified frequency response extending down to 59Hz.
Unlike the smaller OPTICON 1 MK2, the OPTICON 2 MK2 are intended primarily for stand or shelf placement and benefit from room to breathe. DALI recommends positioning them between 10cm and 80cm from the wall behind them.
The cabinets are manufactured, assembled and tested at DALI's production facilities in Denmark. Each stereo pair is built and tested by one technician using components from the same production batch to support close visual and acoustic matching.
A sensitivity of 86.5dB and nominal impedance of 4 ohms mean that amplifier quality matters. DALI recommends between 30W and 150W, but dependable current delivery, power-supply control and clean headroom are more important than wattage alone.
The OPTICON 2 MK2 are particularly well suited to small and medium-sized listening rooms where a compact speaker is required but musical scale, dynamics and bass authority remain important.
DALI OPTICON 2 MK2 Standmount Speakers
The DALI OPTICON 2 MK2 are medium-sized 2-way passive loudspeakers designed for stands, shelves and suitable furniture.
They require connection to a compatible stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, mini system or AV receiver and do not contain built-in amplification, Bluetooth or network streaming.
Each cabinet contains a 6½-inch SMC-equipped wood-fibre bass and midrange driver, a 29mm soft-dome tweeter, a purpose-designed crossover and a rear Dual Flare bass-reflex port.
The cabinets are manufactured and assembled in Denmark, with complete stereo pairs built and tested together by one technician.
A Separate Amplifier Is Required
The DALI OPTICON 2 MK2 are passive loudspeakers and cannot play music directly from a phone, television, turntable or computer.
A suitable amplifier must provide the power required by the speakers and the connections needed by the chosen source components.
- No built-in amplifier
- No Bluetooth
- No Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- No network music services
- No HDMI ARC
- No optical or coaxial digital input
- No built-in phono stage
- No headphone output
A streaming amplifier can combine amplification, digital conversion and network playback within one component, while a conventional integrated amplifier allows separate sources to be selected and upgraded independently.
Medium-Sized 2-Way Standmount Design
The OPTICON 2 MK2 use a true 2-way driver arrangement, with separate drive units handling different regions of the musical spectrum.
The 6½-inch driver reproduces bass, voices and much of the instrumental range, while the 29mm soft-dome tweeter handles the upper frequencies.
A crossover operating at 2,000Hz divides the incoming amplifier signal between the two drivers.
The crossover also controls their relative output and phase so that voices and instruments remain coherent through the transition region.
6½-Inch Bass and Midrange Driver
Each cabinet contains one 6½-inch bass and midrange driver.
The increased radiating area provides greater bass scale, output and dynamic capacity than the smaller 4¾-inch unit used by the OPTICON 1 MK2.
The driver is responsible for reproducing bass, vocals and a large proportion of the instrumental frequency range.
Its cone, voice coil, suspension, chassis and magnet system have been designed to operate together within the OPTICON 2 MK2 cabinet.
Paper and Wood-Fibre Cone
The bass and midrange cone combines fine paper pulp with reinforcing wood fibres.
The material is intended to create a lightweight yet rigid diaphragm with useful natural damping.
The irregular distribution of the wood fibres helps reduce the tendency for one narrow area of the cone to develop a strong resonance as frequency increases.
This contributes to a clear and open midrange while helping bass notes retain definition, timing and pitch.
Patented Soft Magnetic Composite Technology
The driver motor uses DALI's patented Soft Magnetic Composite material within its pole piece.
SMC is a coated magnetic material with high magnetic permeability and very low electrical conductivity.
Its use helps reduce eddy currents and magnetic hysteresis as the voice coil changes position and direction.
The intended result is lower electro-acoustic distortion, particularly third-order distortion, with a cleaner and more relaxed midrange presentation.
SMC Works as Part of the Complete Driver
Soft Magnetic Composite operates alongside the ferrite magnet, voice coil, wood-fibre cone, suspension and crossover.
The speaker's performance comes from the complete driver and cabinet system rather than one material operating in isolation.
Full SMC Pole Piece
The driver uses a pole piece manufactured from DALI's Soft Magnetic Composite material rather than using SMC only in a smaller insert.
A large ferrite ring magnet surrounds the pole piece and provides the fixed magnetic field required by the voice coil.
Placing SMC throughout the pole-piece structure helps reduce electrical conductivity and magnetic irregularities within the voice coil's working area.
This is a more extensive implementation than the SMC Essential motor used by some more affordable DALI models.
Large Ferrite Ring Magnet
A substantial ferrite ring magnet surrounds the SMC pole piece.
The amplifier sends a changing electrical current through the voice coil, which interacts with this magnetic field and moves the wood-fibre diaphragm.
The strength and consistency of the field influence control, distortion and dynamic response.
The complete motor is designed to retain accurate cone movement during both fine musical details and larger bass transients.
Low-Loss Driver Design
DALI has designed the bass and midrange unit to minimise unnecessary mechanical and electrical losses.
The suspension must allow the diaphragm to respond to small changes in the signal while retaining control during longer excursions.
Excessive resistance can obscure low-level information, while insufficient control can allow the cone to behave inconsistently as output increases.
The low-loss approach is intended to preserve timing, dynamics and musical expression.
Rigid Driver Chassis
The driver chassis holds the magnet system, voice coil and suspension in their correct positions.
A rigid structure helps maintain accurate alignment while reducing unwanted vibration and movement within the driver assembly.
The chassis is shaped to allow air to move freely behind the cone and into the internal cabinet volume.
Reducing restriction behind the diaphragm helps limit compression as the driver moves.
29mm Soft-Dome Tweeter
A lightweight 29mm soft-dome tweeter reproduces high-frequency information.
The tweeter design is derived from DALI's CALLISTO C active loudspeakers and represents a significant update over the original OPTICON series.
Its relatively large dome allows it to operate comfortably towards the 2,000Hz crossover point.
This helps it integrate with the 6½-inch bass and midrange driver while maintaining useful power handling and controlled dispersion.
Low-Mass Textile Diaphragm
The tweeter dome uses a lightweight textile material intended to respond quickly to the incoming signal.
Low moving mass assists the reproduction of percussion, vocal detail, string harmonics and recorded ambience.
The diaphragm is partnered with an appropriate motor and damping system so that its movement remains controlled as the listening level increases.
CALLISTO-Derived Tweeter Technology
The tweeter originates from the design developed for DALI's CALLISTO C series.
DALI specifies lower distortion, improved power handling and a greater ability to operate at lower frequencies than the 28mm tweeter used by the original OPTICON range.
The same 29mm dome is used across the OPTICON MK2 family to support consistent tonal character in a multichannel system.
No Ribbon Tweeter
The OPTICON 2 MK2 use one 29mm soft-dome tweeter rather than DALI's hybrid dome and planar module.
The hybrid module is fitted to larger members of the OPTICON MK2 range, including the OPTICON 6 MK2, OPTICON 8 MK2, OPTICON LCR MK2 and OPTICON VOKAL MK2.
The single-dome arrangement keeps the standmount cabinet relatively compact while still providing output to 25kHz.
Rigid Tweeter Faceplate
The tweeter is secured within a rigid faceplate mounted firmly to the front baffle.
A stable mounting surface helps prevent cabinet or faceplate movement from affecting the tweeter assembly.
The shaped surface also contributes to controlled dispersion and integration with the cabinet.
2,000Hz Crossover Frequency
The electrical crossover operates at 2,000Hz.
Below this region, the wood-fibre driver provides most of the acoustic output. Above it, the soft-dome tweeter progressively takes over.
The precise acoustic transition depends on the crossover filters and the natural behaviour of both drive units.
Correct integration allows voices and instruments to remain coherent rather than sounding as though their upper and lower frequencies originate from separate parts of the cabinet.
Minimalist Crossover Design
DALI designs its crossover networks to work with the natural response of the drive units rather than applying unnecessary electrical correction.
The signal path uses selected low-loss components and is positioned close to the speaker terminals.
Keeping internal signal paths relatively short reduces the amount of wiring and connection through which the amplifier signal must pass.
The network is developed specifically around the impedance and acoustic response of the OPTICON 2 MK2 drivers.
DALI Wide Dispersion Sound Principle
The OPTICON 2 MK2 follow DALI's Wide Dispersion Sound Principle.
The drivers and front baffle are designed to produce a broad and even radiation pattern rather than concentrating sound into one narrow listening position.
This allows more than one person to hear a balanced presentation and helps the speakers work in rooms where everyone cannot occupy one exact central seat.
Reflected sound from nearby walls also retains a more consistent tonal balance when the off-axis response is carefully controlled.
Begin with the Speakers Facing Straight Ahead
DALI generally recommends positioning its speakers parallel with the wall behind them rather than angling them strongly towards the main listening seat.
This supports the intended wide-dispersion behaviour. Small adjustments can still be tried where the room layout or listening distance requires them.
Broad and Stable Stereo Imaging
A correctly positioned pair of OPTICON 2 MK2 speakers can create a soundstage extending beyond their cabinets.
Vocals should appear between the speakers, while instruments and recorded ambience occupy positions across the stereo image.
Matching distances from the listening position, equal tweeter heights and sensible left-to-right spacing help preserve this effect.
Large differences between the furnishings or wall surfaces surrounding each speaker can pull the image towards one side.
Rear Dual Flare Bass-Reflex Port
The OPTICON 2 MK2 use a rear-facing Dual Flare bass-reflex port.
The port redirects acoustic energy generated inside the cabinet to reinforce output around its tuned operating region.
Flared entry and exit profiles reduce abrupt changes in airflow and help limit turbulence, compression and audible port noise.
This allows the cabinet to produce greater low-frequency extension and output than an equivalent sealed enclosure.
46Hz Bass-Reflex Tuning
The bass-reflex system is tuned to 46Hz.
This supports the output of the 6½-inch driver towards the bottom of its operating range and contributes to the specified 59Hz lower frequency limit.
The port, cabinet volume, driver and crossover have been developed to operate as one complete acoustic system.
59Hz Low-Frequency Extension
DALI specifies a frequency range extending down to 59Hz within plus or minus 3dB.
This covers much of the bass information contained in voices, guitars, drums and many acoustic instruments.
The lowest synthesiser notes, pipe-organ fundamentals and large-scale film effects extend considerably below this point.
The OPTICON 2 MK2 should therefore be judged as substantial standmount speakers rather than replacements for large floorstanders or a dedicated subwoofer.
107dB Maximum Output
DALI specifies a maximum sound-pressure level of 107dB at one metre.
This gives the OPTICON 2 MK2 greater output capability than the smaller OPTICON 1 MK2 and allows them to reproduce demanding musical peaks with useful authority.
Maximum sound pressure should not be confused with a recommended continuous listening level.
If the presentation becomes harsh, compressed or distorted, reduce the amplifier volume immediately.
Avoid Amplifier Clipping
A lower-powered amplifier driven beyond its clean operating range can produce a heavily distorted signal containing excessive high-frequency energy.
This can place greater stress on the tweeter than a more capable amplifier operating comfortably at the same listening level.
25mm-Thick Front Baffle
The drivers are mounted within a substantial 25mm-thick front baffle.
The baffle provides a rigid mechanical foundation and helps resist the reaction forces generated as the diaphragms move.
A stable mounting surface reduces unwanted vibration and allows the drive units to reproduce the electrical signal more accurately.
Internally Braced Cabinet
The MDF enclosure uses internal bracing to increase stiffness and reduce panel resonance.
Cabinet vibration can add sound that was not present in the recording, reducing clarity and making bass notes less precise.
The thick front baffle and internal support structure provide a stable platform for the drivers, crossover and reflex system.
Manufactured in Denmark
The OPTICON 2 MK2 cabinets are manufactured and assembled at DALI's production facilities in Denmark.
DALI carries out cabinet cutting, routing, surface finishing, driver installation, crossover installation and final testing within its own manufacturing process.
This allows the company to retain direct control over construction and quality assurance.
Pair-Matched Assembly
Each stereo pair is assembled and tested by one technician.
Components from the same production batch are used to improve consistency between the left and right speakers.
The approach is intended to provide close visual matching and balanced acoustic performance across the pair.
Scandinavian Cabinet Design
The cabinet uses clean surfaces, restrained detailing and a removable front grille.
The design avoids unnecessary decoration and allows the wood-fibre cone and tweeter assembly to become the main visual features when the grille is removed.
Satin Black, Satin White and Tobacco Oak finishes allow the speakers to coordinate with a range of furniture and electronics.
Removable Front Grilles
The supplied front grilles protect the drivers and give the speakers a more discreet appearance.
The OPTICON 2 MK2 can be used with or without the grilles according to personal preference.
Removing them exposes the wood-fibre cone and tweeter assembly.
Handle the grilles carefully and avoid touching the soft tweeter dome or bass and midrange diaphragm.
Designed for Speaker Stands
The OPTICON 2 MK2 are primarily designed for use on suitable loudspeaker stands.
A stand positions the tweeter close to seated ear height and allows the speakers to be placed independently from nearby furniture.
Stand height, mass, top-plate dimensions and floor stability can all affect the final result.
The 7.7kg cabinet should be secured or isolated appropriately so that it cannot be knocked from the stand.
DALI CONNECT E-601 Speaker Stands
The DALI CONNECT E-601 stands are designed for compact and medium-sized DALI loudspeakers.
They provide a suitable listening height and a stable platform while allowing the speakers to be positioned according to the room.
Alternative stands may also be used, provided their height, top plate and load capacity are appropriate for the OPTICON 2 MK2.
Shelf and Furniture Placement
The speakers can also be placed on strong shelves, sideboards and other suitable furniture.
The supplied rubber feet help protect the supporting surface and reduce direct vibration between the cabinet and furniture.
Keep the front of each speaker reasonably close to the front edge of a shelf where possible. Positioning it far inside a deep recess can increase reflections and alter the tonal balance.
Both speakers should sit at the same height and have broadly similar surroundings where stable stereo imaging is required.
10cm to 80cm Rear-Wall Placement
DALI recommends positioning the rear of each OPTICON 2 MK2 between 10cm and 80cm from the wall behind it.
Moving the speakers closer to the wall generally increases perceived bass, while bringing them further into the room can reduce excess weight and improve definition.
The best distance depends on the room, supporting surface, amplifier and preferred tonal balance.
Begin with a practical position and make small adjustments while listening to familiar music.
Keep the Rear Port Clear
Do not press soft furnishings against the rear bass-reflex port or place the speaker so deeply inside furniture that air cannot move freely.
Restricted airflow can reduce bass performance and increase turbulence or unwanted port noise.
Not Intended for Direct Wall Mounting
The OPTICON 2 MK2 are recommended for stand or shelf placement rather than direct wall mounting.
No dedicated wall-mounting bracket or hanging provision is listed as part of the standard design.
Customers requiring a purpose-designed wall speaker should consider the OPTICON 1 MK2 or OPTICON LCR MK2, depending on the required output and system layout.
Do Not Improvise a Wall Installation
Do not drill into the cabinet or suspend the OPTICON 2 MK2 using unapproved fittings.
Use a secure shelf or correctly rated loudspeaker stand capable of supporting each 7.7kg cabinet.
Gold-Plated Single-Wire Terminals
Each speaker provides one pair of gold-plated binding posts.
The terminals accept common loudspeaker-cable terminations, including correctly prepared bare wire, compatible 4mm plugs and spade connectors.
Gold plating helps reduce surface oxidation at the electrical contact point.
The OPTICON 2 MK2 do not provide separate high- and low-frequency terminals for bi-wiring or bi-amplification.
Correct Loudspeaker Polarity
The positive amplifier terminal must connect to the positive speaker terminal, with the negative terminals connected in the same way.
Reversing one speaker places the pair out of phase, weakening bass and making the central stereo image unfocused.
Use the same loudspeaker-cable type and approximately equal cable lengths for the left and right channels.
Switch the Amplifier Off Before Connecting
Switch off the amplifier before connecting, disconnecting or changing loudspeaker cables.
Make sure that no loose strands of bare wire can touch the neighbouring terminal and cause a short circuit.
4-Ohm Nominal Impedance
DALI specifies a nominal impedance of 4 ohms.
A 4-ohm loudspeaker generally asks more current from an amplifier than an 8-ohm design at a comparable output voltage.
The amplifier should therefore be stable with a 4-ohm load and provided with adequate ventilation.
Nominal impedance is an overall rating rather than a statement that the speaker remains exactly 4 ohms at every frequency.
Check Amplifier Compatibility
Do not assume that every miniature amplifier, vintage receiver or lifestyle system is comfortable driving a 4-ohm loudspeaker.
Check the amplifier specification and arrange a demonstration where there is any uncertainty.
86.5dB Sensitivity
The OPTICON 2 MK2 have a sensitivity of 86.5dB for a 2.83V input measured at one metre.
This provides a useful improvement over the smaller OPTICON 1 MK2 but still places importance on amplifier quality and clean headroom.
Listening distance, room size, musical material and preferred volume all affect how hard the amplifier must work.
A capable amplifier can provide greater bass control, dynamic freedom and composure as the listening level increases.
Recommended Amplifier Power
DALI recommends amplifier power between 30W and 150W.
The wattage range provides a useful starting point rather than a guarantee of compatibility or performance.
Amplifier current delivery, power-supply quality, distortion behaviour, room size and listening distance also matter.
A clean and controlled amplifier is generally safer than a lower-powered model driven repeatedly into clipping.
Choose the Amplifier by Listening
Two amplifiers carrying the same published power rating can behave very differently with a 4-ohm loudspeaker.
A demonstration with the intended amplifier provides a better indication of bass control, tonal balance, scale and available volume.
Adding an Active Subwoofer
A compatible active subwoofer can extend the system below the OPTICON 2 MK2's natural low-frequency range.
The subwoofer requires a suitable connection from the amplifier, such as a dedicated subwoofer output, variable pre-amplifier output or another supported method.
Careful crossover, level, phase and placement adjustment are required so that the subwoofer extends the speakers without sounding detached or overpowering them.
A subwoofer can be particularly useful for electronic music, pipe organ, television and home cinema where content extends well below 59Hz.
Small and Medium-Sized Rooms
The OPTICON 2 MK2 are designed for small and medium-sized listening rooms where their larger standmount cabinet has sufficient space to operate correctly.
They provide greater bass scale and output than a miniature bookshelf speaker while remaining easier to accommodate than a floorstanding model.
In a very large open-plan space, they may not provide the effortless low-frequency scale expected from a larger floorstander.
Choose the speaker according to the actual room, listening distance and required volume rather than cabinet type alone.
Stereo Music Systems
The OPTICON 2 MK2 can form the main loudspeaker pair within a high-quality stereo system.
Suitable sources may include a turntable, CD player, network streamer, television or computer, provided that the amplifier offers the required inputs.
A streaming amplifier can create a simple system by combining network playback, digital conversion and speaker amplification in one component.
A conventional integrated amplifier allows source components to be selected and upgraded independently.
Television Sound
The OPTICON 2 MK2 can improve television sound considerably when partnered with a suitable amplifier.
An amplifier with HDMI ARC provides a straightforward control arrangement with many modern televisions, while optical digital input is another common option.
The speakers themselves cannot connect directly to an HDMI or optical output.
Set the television to a compatible stereo audio format where required by the amplifier.
Home Cinema Use
The OPTICON 2 MK2 can be used as front or surround channels within a suitable home cinema system.
An AV receiver must provide sufficient power and remain stable with their 4-ohm nominal impedance.
Bass management should normally redirect the deepest frequencies to an active subwoofer rather than asking the standmount speakers to reproduce full-range film effects.
The shared 29mm soft-dome tweeter used throughout the OPTICON MK2 range helps maintain consistent tonal character between channels.
Running In
Like other mechanical loudspeaker systems, the OPTICON 2 MK2 may continue to settle during their initial period of normal use.
The driver suspension and other moving parts gradually reach their intended operating behaviour through ordinary music playback.
No special test signal or exaggerated listening level is required.
Use familiar music at sensible volume and allow the speakers to develop naturally.
Cleaning and Care
Clean the cabinets with a soft dry cloth.
A slightly damp, well-wrung cloth may be used for stubborn marks, but moisture must not enter the drivers, rear port or terminals.
The driver diaphragms are fragile and should not be touched or wiped unnecessarily.
Fabric grilles can be cleaned gently with a soft clothes brush.
Avoid Strong Direct Sunlight
Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight can cause cabinet and grille finishes to fade or change colour.
Position the speakers away from intense direct sunlight where possible.
OPTICON 2 MK2 or OPTICON 1 MK2?
Choose the OPTICON 1 MK2 When
- The smallest possible OPTICON cabinet is required
- Shelf, desktop or wall placement is important
- The room is small
- A 62Hz lower frequency limit is sufficient
- 25W to 100W amplifier matching is appropriate
- You want the lower purchase price
- A compact surround speaker is required
Choose the OPTICON 2 MK2 When
- You want a larger 6½-inch driver
- Greater bass scale and output are required
- You want the deeper 59Hz lower frequency limit
- 86.5dB sensitivity better suits the system
- The room is small or medium sized
- 30W to 150W amplifier matching is appropriate
- You can accommodate stands or a strong shelf
The DALI OPTICON 1 MK2 are easier to accommodate and include wall-placement flexibility.
The OPTICON 2 MK2 provide a larger bass and midrange driver, greater sensitivity, deeper reflex tuning and increased maximum output.
OPTICON 2 MK2 or SONIK 3?
Choose the SONIK 3 When
- You want the newer and more affordable DALI range
- A larger 7-inch driver is preferred
- You want a deeper 47Hz published response
- 87dB sensitivity is useful
- 6-ohm nominal impedance better suits the amplifier
- Clarity Cone technology is important
- You want a choice of four contemporary finishes
Choose the OPTICON 2 MK2 When
- You want full SMC pole-piece technology
- Danish manufacture and pair matching are important
- You want the substantial 25mm front baffle
- You prefer the more established OPTICON design
- You are using more ambitious amplification
- Cabinet construction and crossover refinement take priority
- You prefer Satin Black, White or Tobacco Oak
The DALI SONIK 3 use a larger 7-inch SMC Essential and Clarity Cone driver and provide deeper published bass extension at a lower price.
The OPTICON 2 MK2 offer a more extensive SMC motor implementation, Danish manufacture and more substantial cabinet construction.
OPTICON 2 MK2 or RUBIKORE 2?
Choose the OPTICON 2 MK2 When
- You want the more affordable Danish-made speaker
- The OPTICON SMC motor meets your requirements
- A 59Hz lower frequency limit is sufficient
- 30W to 150W amplification is appropriate
- You want excellent performance without flagship pricing
- The system uses strong mid-range electronics
- You prefer the established OPTICON finishes
Choose the RUBIKORE 2 When
- You want KORE-derived Clarity Cone technology
- You want the latest low-loss tweeter design
- Deeper 50Hz published extension is important
- 87dB sensitivity better suits the system
- You want a Continuous-Flare bass-reflex port
- Premium cabinet finishes and construction take priority
- The complete system justifies the additional expenditure
The DALI RUBIKORE 2 sit significantly further up the range and introduce technologies inspired by DALI's flagship KORE loudspeaker.
The OPTICON 2 MK2 remain the more accessible choice for a high-quality Danish-made standmount system.
System Matching
Well Suited To
- Small and medium-sized rooms
- Premium standmount stereo systems
- Suitable loudspeaker stands
- Strong shelves and furniture
- High-quality streaming amplifiers
- Traditional integrated amplifiers
- Turntable and CD-based systems
- Network music streamers
- Television systems
- Home cinema front channels
- Suitable surround-channel installations
- Systems using an active subwoofer
Check Before Buying
- A separate amplifier is required
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- The amplifier should be stable into 4 ohms
- 30W to 150W recommended amplifier range
- 59Hz bass extension cannot replace a subwoofer
- No bi-wire or bi-amplifier terminals
- Not intended for direct wall mounting
- The rear bass-reflex ports must remain clear
- 10cm to 80cm rear-wall distance is recommended
- Speaker stands are not included
- Speaker cables are not included
- No built-in Bluetooth or streaming
Connection and Setup Guidance
- Switch off the amplifier before connecting or disconnecting the speakers.
- Confirm that the amplifier is suitable for a 4-ohm nominal loudspeaker load.
- Connect the amplifier's positive terminal to the positive speaker terminal.
- Connect the amplifier's negative terminal to the negative speaker terminal.
- Use the same polarity for both the left and right speakers.
- Use the same loudspeaker-cable type and approximately equal lengths for both channels.
- Secure bare wire, 4mm plugs or spade connectors correctly.
- Make sure that no loose wire strands can short the amplifier terminals.
- Use strong stands or furniture capable of supporting each 7.7kg cabinet.
- Begin with the speakers facing straight ahead.
- Position both tweeters reasonably close to seated ear height.
- Keep the rear Dual Flare ports unobstructed.
- Begin within DALI's recommended 10cm to 80cm rear-wall range.
- Use the supplied rubber feet on shelves and suitable furniture.
- Reduce the amplifier volume if the sound becomes compressed, harsh or distorted.
- Consider an active subwoofer where deeper bass extension is required.
Finish Options
Satin Black
Satin Black provides the most traditional Hi-Fi appearance and coordinates naturally with black amplifiers, source components and television equipment.
The cabinet is partnered with a dark Shadow Black front grille.
Satin White
Satin White gives the speakers a lighter and more contemporary appearance.
The pale cabinet is partnered with a Mountain Grey front grille and can blend particularly well with light walls, shelving and modern furniture.
Tobacco Oak
Tobacco Oak provides a warmer wood-effect appearance while retaining the clean Scandinavian styling of the OPTICON MK2 range.
The cabinet is partnered with a dark Shadow Black front grille.
All finishes use the same drivers, crossover, cabinet construction and acoustic specification. Availability may vary, so confirm the required finish when ordering.
DALI Products and Audio T Hi-Fi Guides
These Audio T links provide useful comparisons and further guidance on DALI loudspeakers, amplifiers and standmount stereo systems.
Key Features
- Medium-sized passive standmount loudspeakers
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- Designed for small and medium-sized rooms
- 2-way crossover design
- One 6½-inch bass and midrange driver per speaker
- Paper and wood-fibre cone material
- DALI patented Soft Magnetic Composite technology
- Full SMC pole-piece construction
- Large ferrite ring magnet
- Reduced magnetic hysteresis
- Reduced eddy-current distortion
- Reduced third-order distortion
- Low-loss driver design
- Rigid driver chassis
- One 29mm soft-dome tweeter per speaker
- CALLISTO-derived tweeter technology
- Lightweight textile tweeter diaphragm
- Improved tweeter power handling
- Extended tweeter low-frequency operation
- Rigid tweeter faceplate
- 2,000Hz crossover frequency
- Minimalist crossover topology
- Selected low-loss crossover components
- Short internal signal paths
- DALI Wide Dispersion Sound Principle
- Straight-ahead placement recommended
- 59Hz to 25kHz frequency response
- 86.5dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 107dB maximum sound-pressure level
- 30W to 150W recommended amplification
- Bass-reflex enclosure
- Rear-facing bass-reflex port
- Dual Flare port profile
- 46Hz bass-reflex tuning frequency
- 25mm-thick front baffle
- Internally braced cabinet
- Manufactured in Denmark
- Assembled and tested in Denmark
- Matched stereo-pair production
- One technician builds and tests each pair
- Gold-plated speaker terminals
- Single-wire connection
- No bi-wire terminals
- Stand placement
- Shelf placement
- Furniture placement
- Recommended rear-wall distance from 10cm to 80cm
- Removable front grilles
- Supplied rubber feet
- 351mm cabinet height
- 195mm cabinet width
- 297mm cabinet depth
- 7.7kg weight per speaker
- Satin Black finish
- Satin White finish
- Tobacco Oak finish
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the DALI OPTICON 2 MK2?
They are medium-sized 2-way passive standmount speakers designed for small and medium-sized listening rooms.
Are they sold as a pair?
Yes. The standard product contains two loudspeakers.
Where are they made?
They are manufactured, assembled and tested at DALI's production facilities in Denmark.
Are the two speakers matched?
Yes. DALI builds and tests each stereo pair through one technician using components from the same production batch.
Do they contain an amplifier?
No. They require a suitable external stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, mini system or AV receiver.
Do they have Bluetooth?
No. Bluetooth must be provided by the connected amplifier or a separate source component.
Do they have Wi-Fi or network streaming?
No. A separate network streamer or streaming amplifier is required.
Can they connect directly to a television?
No. The television must connect to a suitable amplifier, which then powers the speakers.
Can they connect directly to a turntable?
No. A turntable requires a suitable amplifier and, where necessary, a moving magnet or moving coil phono stage.
What size is the bass and midrange driver?
Each speaker contains one 6½-inch driver.
What is the cone made from?
The cone combines paper pulp with reinforcing wood fibres.
What is SMC technology?
Soft Magnetic Composite is used within the driver pole piece to reduce eddy currents, magnetic hysteresis and uneven electro-acoustic distortion.
Does it use a complete SMC pole piece?
Yes. The driver uses an SMC pole piece surrounded by a large ferrite ring magnet.
What size is the tweeter?
Each speaker uses one 29mm soft-dome tweeter.
Where does the tweeter design come from?
It is derived from the soft-dome tweeter developed for DALI's CALLISTO C range.
Does the OPTICON 2 MK2 use a ribbon tweeter?
No. It uses one 29mm soft dome. The hybrid ribbon module is fitted to larger OPTICON MK2 models.
What is the crossover frequency?
The crossover operates at 2,000Hz.
What is the frequency response?
DALI specifies 59Hz to 25kHz within plus or minus 3dB.
How sensitive are they?
DALI specifies 86.5dB for 2.83V measured at one metre.
What is the nominal impedance?
DALI specifies 4 ohms.
Are they easy to drive?
Their 86.5dB sensitivity is reasonable, but the 4-ohm nominal impedance means that a capable amplifier with dependable current delivery is advisable.
Will my amplifier drive 4-ohm speakers?
Check the amplifier specification or speak to Audio T. Compatibility should not be assumed with every miniature amplifier or older receiver.
What amplifier power does DALI recommend?
DALI recommends between 30W and 150W.
Can I use an amplifier rated above 150W?
A higher-rated amplifier may be suitable with sensible volume control, but compatibility depends on amplifier behaviour, room size and listening habits.
Can a small amplifier damage the speakers?
Yes. An underpowered amplifier driven into clipping can send a heavily distorted signal to the tweeter. Reduce the volume if the sound becomes harsh or compressed.
What is the maximum sound-pressure level?
DALI specifies 107dB at one metre.
Are they bass-reflex speakers?
Yes. Each cabinet has a rear-facing Dual Flare bass-reflex port.
What is the bass-reflex tuning frequency?
The enclosure is tuned to 46Hz.
What does Dual Flare mean?
The port is flared at both its entry and exit to reduce airflow turbulence, compression and audible port noise.
How close can they be placed to a wall?
DALI specifies a recommended range between 10cm and 80cm.
Can they go on a bookshelf?
Yes, provided that the shelf is strong enough and the rear port remains unobstructed.
Can they be used on speaker stands?
Yes. Stand placement is the preferred arrangement and allows the tweeter to be positioned close to seated ear height.
Are speaker stands included?
No. Suitable speaker stands are available separately.
Can they be wall mounted?
Direct wall mounting is not listed as a recommended placement method. The OPTICON 2 MK2 are intended for stands or shelves.
Should they be angled towards the listener?
DALI generally recommends beginning with the speakers facing straight ahead to support its Wide Dispersion Sound Principle.
Can the front grilles be removed?
Yes.
Are rubber feet included?
Yes.
Can they be bi-wired?
No. Each speaker provides one single-wire terminal pair.
Can they be bi-amplified?
No separate high- and low-frequency terminals are provided.
Are the speaker terminals gold plated?
Yes.
Do they need a subwoofer?
Not necessarily, but an active subwoofer is worthwhile where deeper bass, greater scale or more powerful film effects are required.
Can they be used for home cinema?
Yes. They can be used as front or surround speakers with a suitable AV receiver and active subwoofer.
Are they suitable for a large room?
They are designed primarily for small and medium-sized rooms. A larger standmount or floorstanding speaker may suit a large open-plan space better.
How thick is the front baffle?
DALI specifies a 25mm-thick front baffle.
What are their dimensions?
Each cabinet measures 351mm high, 195mm wide and 297mm deep.
How much do they weigh?
Each speaker weighs 7.7kg.
Which finishes are available?
Satin Black, Satin White and Tobacco Oak are available, subject to stock.
Should I choose the OPTICON 1 MK2 or OPTICON 2 MK2?
Choose the OPTICON 1 MK2 for maximum compactness and wall-placement flexibility. Choose the OPTICON 2 MK2 for greater bass scale, sensitivity and output.
Should I choose the OPTICON 2 MK2 or SONIK 3?
Choose the SONIK 3 for its lower price, larger driver, deeper published response and 6-ohm impedance. Choose the OPTICON 2 MK2 for its full SMC pole piece, Danish manufacture and more substantial cabinet construction.
Should I choose the OPTICON 2 MK2 or RUBIKORE 2?
Choose the OPTICON 2 MK2 for strong Danish-made performance at a lower price. Choose the RUBIKORE 2 for KORE-derived drivers, deeper extension, premium finishing and higher-end system performance.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Demonstrations with suitable stereo and streaming amplifiers
- Direct comparison with other premium standmount speakers
- Advice choosing between OPTICON 1 MK2 and OPTICON 2 MK2
- Comparison with DALI SONIK and RUBIKORE models
- Amplifier power and 4-ohm compatibility checks
- Speaker-cable and termination guidance
- Speaker-stand matching and demonstrations
- Shelf and furniture placement advice
- Rear-wall positioning guidance
- Television and HDMI ARC system setup
- Turntable and phono-stage system matching
- CD player and network-streamer matching
- Active-subwoofer matching and setup
- Home cinema and surround-channel guidance
- Home demonstrations may be available
- Part exchange may be available on suitable existing equipment
- Ongoing setup and system support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration or discuss matching the DALI OPTICON 2 MK2 to your amplifier, stands, room and listening requirements.