Dali Opticon 8 MK2 Floorstanding Loudspeaker

The DALI OPTICON MK2 series includes six models. Within the product family of passive loudspeakers from the house of DALI, it represents a milestone both in terms of reproduction quality and technical ambitions: This is unmistakably a hi-fi product of the high-end class. The features of the OPTICON MK2 include the well-known DALI hybrid tweeter, die-cast aluminum chassis, SMC pole pieces and the housing manufactured entirely by DALI.

Each model of the OPTICON MK2 series is equipped with the subwoofers manufactured by DALI itself on SMC2. The OPTICON MK2 series basis equipped. They are supported by either a DALI fabric dome tweeter or the hybrid fabric/ribbon tweeter that has made DALI so famous. The OPTICON MK2 models are available in three new finishes: Satin White, Satin Black and Tobacco Oak.

The speaker covers are black for the two darker housing options and light gray for the white housing option – in upholstered furniture quality, of course.

Opticon 8 MK2

The large floorstanding speaker OPTICON 8 MK2 is the conspicuous "powerhouse" of the new OPTICON MK2 series and its only three-way system. The equipment here includes two woofers with SMC magnets and 8-inch wood fiber membranes and a 6½-inch midrange driver, again with an SMC magnet system and a wood fiber membrane.

The OPTICON 8 MK2 has the option of bi-wiring, so that its woofers, mid-range drivers and high-frequency module can be connected independently of one another. In the driver array of the OPTICON 8 MK2, there are midrange drivers and hybrid tweeters between the two woofers, which are far apart. On the one hand, this means that the midrange and tweeter are positioned at about the height of the typical ear level when listening to music while seated. On the other hand, the greater distance between the woofers results in a more balanced bass reproduction. The driver arrangement of the OPTICON 8 MK2 facilitates positioning in the listening room. A DALI hybrid tweeter is located above the midrange driver of the OPTICON 8 MK2. It incorporates the new 29mm diameter fabric dome tweeter inherited from the CALLISTO series and the 17 × 45mm ribbon element.

Inside the OPTICON 8 MK2, non-parallel partitions separate the individual chassis from each other. They reduce internal resonances and ensure a significantly higher rigidity of the housing. Each woofer section has its own dual-flare bass reflex tube. Thanks to its size and three-way design, the OPTICON 8 MK2 offers playback quality and performance unmatched by any other OPTICON model.

It combines a powerful bass foundation, plenty of reserve even for high playback levels and dynamic precision with the extraordinary attention to detail and clarity that results from the use of a dedicated midrange driver. The hybrid tweeter, on the other hand, pleases with a detailed and three-dimensional, but at the same time soft and pleasing sound.

Innovations of the OPTICON MK2 series at a glance

• Fresh and elegant aesthetics with new finishes (Satin White, Satin Black and Tobacco Oak) complemented by speaker covers in furniture fabric quality.
• New woofers and mid-range drivers with SMC technology and wood fiber cones inherited from the DALI EPICON loudspeakers.
• New larger diameter tweeter designed and manufactured by DALI based on the DALI CALLISTO tweeter.
• Hybrid tweeters (fabric dome and ribbon) in the OPTICON 6, 8, LCR and VOKAL MK2 models.
• New die-cast aluminum tweeter faceplates.
• DALI Dual Flare bass reflex openings reduce turbulence and background noise.
• Redesigned crossovers with improved, low-loss components.
• Optional bi-wiring connection possible with OPTICON 6 MK2 and OPTICON 8 MK2.
• Sonic tuning for the revised MK2 to optimize perceived playback quality.