I remember selling Dali when I worked for Sevenoaks. We had a rep come in one day who really wanted us to take them on even though it was against the head office’s ‘approved seller' list at the time. They were an entry level model, retailed at about £200 so B&W DM601 price point and they sounded pretty decent. Of course, the main reason my boss was keen was the markup was about 70% so cost us about £60 a pair where as the majority of hifi is around 40 - 45%.
The reason they have made great inroads into the market is because of a huge “push” by Richer Sounds who will always promote Dali, along with Cambridge Audio amps. Yes, good speakers across the range but I still feel there are better brand offerings around.
I got spektor 2 had them replaced with Yamaha floorstanders ,,,,,,tbh I jus wonder how should dali s high model sound like,,,,the spektor 2 are crazy awsome sweet refined and lively ,,,
Had them, returned them. Happier with older Opticon 1 even if less refined. The Menuet SE was overly refined for the better resolution it offered. Made it sound too dark, omitting some of the sounds which are there in a recording I hear with any other speaker I have had. The Menuet is only suitable for nearfield for those defined edges, separation and density of voice and instruments, past 1.6 meters and it loses its charm pretty quick. A very specialized rather than versatile mini monitor type speaker for music. The Opticon 1 (MK1) is much more versatile giving up a bit of resolution and density in comparison but still vg for its class and size for music and movies. Also, the Menuet is a pig for power. At the current prices of the new Opticon series though, it wouldn't have hurt to use a real wood veneer or painted finish.
I own the standard ones, fantastic speakers for their size. Real wide open sound with my Rega elex r. I love throwing them into my system for a weekend in place of my P3’s.
@@roddersh5396 not at all. I Think the elex-r has a reputation that isn’t warranted. I’ve owned lots of amps and speakers, I don’t like a forward in your face sound. It’s a very open smooth sound with the Menuets, lots of height to the soundstage.
Greetings from India, would it be worth upgrading to the Menuet SE from the Dali Oberon 5 with audiolab 6000A amp? Price difference is around $500. Kindly help as you have experience with both speakers. Regards
I tried a pair last week thinking to upgrade from my similar sized Dali Opticon 1 mk2, for me no completion, the Opticons sound so much better, fuller better midrange. Which I like, and at £700 less, a bargain. I will admit you are probably paying a premium for the wild rosewood veneer.
I do have the Opticon 1 mk2 and compared them to the Menuet (not SE) and found the Opticons to be more open and alive. Which was a BIG upgrade from the original Opticon 1's.
Returned the Menuet SE but picked up the Opticon 1 MK1 older series. Much prefer the Opticon 1 to the Menuet and is easy to drive. About 4 db higher in SPLs for same power. Menuet was overly refined, better resolution and body but alot of detail in recording went missing or highly truncated. Nice attack on piano but you lose these qualities going past 1.6 meters whereas the Opticon 1 are much more versatile and enjoyable to listen to unless you want excessive smoothness. Agree with what you and other s said about Opticon 1. Don't know how the older Opticon 1 differs from newer, a few adjustments in sound perhaps but add a sub and little is missing. At half off, I am happy. The restocking fee was almost as much as the Opticon 1 I bought but for years I had wanted to try a set of Menuets. Live and learn. Menuet is also a pig for power, 4 dB lower in output overall vs Opticons in measured performance. At current Opticon prices, it wouldn't have hurt to add real wood veneer or gloss paint though.
@@martinborn3293 Would like to compare the older to newer Opticon 1s. Maybe down the road I will pick up a set. The older series perform really well too. What specifically do the new Opticons do vs the MK1 series?
I think so. Had the Menuet SE and while it did do some things really amazingly, there were too many areas it didn't perform well in. Only suitable for nearfield, 1.6 meters max, otherwise it lose its magic pretty fast. Overly refined so it lacked detail for its really accomplished resolution. Returned them but picked up Opticon 1 at half off. Opticon 1s for a budget speaker are a good all rounder that also performs well in nearfield but retains much of its qualities in moderately sized rooms as long as you don't expect concert level spl. Still above average resolution and not over refined, much better buy but the new MK2 is pretty expensive for what you get. Could have at least added a real wood veneer. Also preferred my Triangle Zetas to the Menuet SE. But others prefer the high refinement I suppose.
This guy has more waffle than Belgium but I love his videos ! Informative, passionate, yet humble. Keep them coming, fella.
The ‘Menuet’ is a beautiful looking speaker. 👌
Wow they look lovely… I recently bought some Spector 2’s which really impress for the money.
It would be great if all manufacturers offered their speakers with this quality of finish. Even if they charged a premium. Great review once again.
lovely looking speakers.i just purchased the dali oberon 3.fantastic speakers
Just got some pre-owned but barely used Oberon 1s. I intend to use them as fronts on a Denon AVR
I seem to think the material used is some sort of wood pulp resin mix , hence the fibres showing . But I’m not totally sure . Kind regards
I used to own some Zensor 3's - really excellent value for money. The replacement range, the Oberon, are great too.
Zensor 3 was an awful speaker! Uncontrolled boomy bass, shouty treble and midrange gone AWOL
I remember selling Dali when I worked for Sevenoaks. We had a rep come in one day who really wanted us to take them on even though it was against the head office’s ‘approved seller' list at the time. They were an entry level model, retailed at about £200 so B&W DM601 price point and they sounded pretty decent. Of course, the main reason my boss was keen was the markup was about 70% so cost us about £60 a pair where as the majority of hifi is around 40 - 45%.
The reason they have made great inroads into the market is because of a huge “push” by Richer Sounds who will always promote Dali, along with Cambridge Audio amps. Yes, good speakers across the range but I still feel there are better brand offerings around.
Good to see SF sorrow being used for scale ! - superb album.
I have the Rubicon 2 speakers. They are really good.
The woofer is a 'Wood Fiber' item. Also, check out the Brilliant Spektor 1's and 2's ... . They are GR8 'Entry 'Level' Speakers.
I got spektor 2 had them replaced with Yamaha floorstanders ,,,,,,tbh I jus wonder how should dali s high model sound like,,,,the spektor 2 are crazy awsome sweet refined and lively ,,,
Had them, returned them. Happier with older Opticon 1 even if less refined. The Menuet SE was overly refined for the better resolution it offered. Made it sound too dark, omitting some of the sounds which are there in a recording I hear with any other speaker I have had. The Menuet is only suitable for nearfield for those defined edges, separation and density of voice and instruments, past 1.6 meters and it loses its charm pretty quick. A very specialized rather than versatile mini monitor type speaker for music. The Opticon 1 (MK1) is much more versatile giving up a bit of resolution and density in comparison but still vg for its class and size for music and movies.
Also, the Menuet is a pig for power.
At the current prices of the new Opticon series though, it wouldn't have hurt to use a real wood veneer or painted finish.
Great cd shown there
Dali Specktor 1's are very very very good in near field for $300 USD. Handsome also.
Thirteen hundred quid is a lot but they’re looking special…
I own the standard ones, fantastic speakers for their size. Real wide open sound with my Rega elex r. I love throwing them into my system for a weekend in place of my P3’s.
couldn't agree more, i have gloss white std version and love them, needed a speaker to work close to a back wall and I am very happy with them
@@GrandslamTim1 who sells them in the us?
You mention you pair your Menuet with Elex R... Isn't the pairing too forward sounding?
@@roddersh5396 not at all. I Think the elex-r has a reputation that isn’t warranted. I’ve owned lots of amps and speakers, I don’t like a forward in your face sound. It’s a very open smooth sound with the Menuets, lots of height to the soundstage.
I wonder if Cheshire audio did try to pair the SE with Elex as well
Greetings from India, would it be worth upgrading to the Menuet SE from the Dali Oberon 5 with audiolab 6000A amp? Price difference is around $500. Kindly help as you have experience with both speakers. Regards
I tried a pair last week thinking to upgrade from my similar sized Dali Opticon 1 mk2, for me no completion, the Opticons sound so much better, fuller better midrange. Which I like, and at £700 less, a bargain. I will admit you are probably paying a premium for the wild rosewood veneer.
I do have the Opticon 1 mk2 and compared them to the Menuet (not SE) and found the Opticons to be more open and alive. Which was a BIG upgrade from the original Opticon 1's.
Returned the Menuet SE but picked up the Opticon 1 MK1 older series. Much prefer the Opticon 1 to the Menuet and is easy to drive. About 4 db higher in SPLs for same power.
Menuet was overly refined, better resolution and body but alot of detail in recording went missing or highly truncated. Nice attack on piano but you lose these qualities going past 1.6 meters whereas the Opticon 1 are much more versatile and enjoyable to listen to unless you want excessive smoothness.
Agree with what you and other s said about Opticon 1. Don't know how the older Opticon 1 differs from newer, a few adjustments in sound perhaps but add a sub and little is missing. At half off, I am happy. The restocking fee was almost as much as the Opticon 1 I bought but for years I had wanted to try a set of Menuets. Live and learn.
Menuet is also a pig for power, 4 dB lower in output overall vs Opticons in measured performance. At current Opticon prices, it wouldn't have hurt to add real wood veneer or gloss paint though.
@@martinborn3293 Would like to compare the older to newer Opticon 1s. Maybe down the road I will pick up a set. The older series perform really well too. What specifically do the new Opticons do vs the MK1 series?
I didn't realise how small they were until you showed the terminals!
Id agree with that, like monitor audios, very similar and don't sound much different.
You can buy bowers and wilkins 607 mk 2s for that and definitely a high end monitor audio.
I know you said it was not a review but you really did not explain the way they sound you usually have much more information to Tell us
My Triangle Esprit Titus EZ will sound better than these
I think so. Had the Menuet SE and while it did do some things really amazingly, there were too many areas it didn't perform well in. Only suitable for nearfield, 1.6 meters max, otherwise it lose its magic pretty fast. Overly refined so it lacked detail for its really accomplished resolution. Returned them but picked up Opticon 1 at half off. Opticon 1s for a budget speaker are a good all rounder that also performs well in nearfield but retains much of its qualities in moderately sized rooms as long as you don't expect concert level spl. Still above average resolution and not over refined, much better buy but the new MK2 is pretty expensive for what you get. Could have at least added a real wood veneer.
Also preferred my Triangle Zetas to the Menuet SE. But others prefer the high refinement I suppose.
Rubbish .. can't remember....haven't dealt with Dali for years...etc etc