Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
Product Strengths
- Compact size makes them suitable for most rooms, never dominating visually
- High level of musical enjoyment, focusing on musical enjoyment rather than clinical detail
- Creates a spacious and well-defined soundstage that draws one into the heart of compositions
- Well-made with excellent build quality and finishing, with great attention to detail and no gaps in the housing or rough finishings
Product Considerations
- The base can be unstable on some surfaces, requiring a flat and even surface for placement
- Some reviewers thought other speakers in this price point have better technical performance
- Some found high frequencies to be smooth, although a bit dry and perhaps a tad shaded
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Bowers & Wilkins 606 S2 Anniversary: Dali had the edge with instrumental texture, separation, micro-dynamics, and pace, Bowers & Wilkins countered with a beautifully balanced tonal response and perhaps even more scale
- Vs Q Acoustics 3050i: The Q Acoustics dig even more deeply into the bass, but lack the sheer expressiveness of these Dalis, particularly through the mid and higher frequencies
- Vs KEF Q550: The sound feels more musical, whereas the Q550 features the KEF's distinctive transparent sound
- Vs Dali Oberon 7: The sound coming from the Oberon 5 is more precise and balanced, with all frequencies blended together more harmoniously
Takeaway: The Dali Oberon 5 speakers are small but mighty, offering a big and fun sound that is enjoyable to listen to for hours. They fit easily into any room and bring music to life with their engaging and well-balanced performance.
All
Oberon 5
reviews
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An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
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Manufacturer's details
Features
Specifications
- Frequency Range [+/- 3] dB [Hz]: 39 - 26,000
- Sensitivity [2.83V/1m] [dB]: 88
- Recommended Amp. Power [Watts]: 30 - 150
- Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 6
- Crossover Principle: 2-way
- High Frequency Driver(s): 1 x 29 mm soft dome
- Maximum SPL [dB]: 108
- Crossover Frequencies [Hz]: 2,400
- Low Frequency/Midrange Driver(s): 2 x 5¼"
Manufacturer product description (from their site)
The DALI OBERON 5 is a compact and elegant floorstanding speaker that surprises with deep, tight bass, well-defined midrange and airy high frequencies. Enjoy natural and lifelike reproduction of any music or movie soundtrack.
The DALI OBERON 5 is a compact and elegant floorstanding speaker that surprises with deep, tight bass, well-defined midrange and airy high frequencies. Enjoy natural and lifelike reproduction of any music or movie soundtrack.Easy to PositionThe wide dispersion pattern of the drivers ensures well-integrated sound that drastically reduces off-axis harmonic distortion.Contemporary DesignThe rounded edges and grille fabric add a lighter and more contemporary look, enhanced by the elegantly shaped aluminium base on the floorstanding models.Wood Fibre ConesThe stiff, lightweight structure of the reinforced wood fibre cone reproduces details that are uncoloured and highly accurate.Patented SMCThe woofer magnet's iron pole-piece includes a patented SMC disc that greatly reduces mechanical distortion for a relaxed midrange and lots of detail.
Overall product release timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
We analyzed reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—and what stands out most is the following:
- The brand utilizes a unique "2.5-way plus half" hybrid driver configuration, blending active and passive crossover elements to optimize performance across the frequency spectrum.
- DALI emphasizes creating speakers that are versatile in placement, suitable for stand, shelf, or even wall mounting, ensuring they integrate easily into diverse listening environments.
- They develop and manufacture their own wood fiber cones and other drivers in-house, allowing for precise control over material composition and sonic characteristics.
- DALI often incorporates their patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) technology in driver construction, aiming to minimize distortion and improve audio clarity.
Select products
Product lineup breakdown
Every DALI shares wood fiber cone drivers and soft dome tweeters with wide dispersion, so sound stays even across the room. The Spektor 1 has a 4½ inch woofer that suits a desk or small room. The Oberon 7 adds two 7 inch woofers, reaching 36 Hz and filling a larger room with fuller bass. The Rubikore adds a planar tweeter to the soft dome, so listeners off to the side still hear clear highs.
- Start here. Pick the Spektor 1 if you are buying your first pair of hifi speakers on a tight budget, since reviewers call it a capable compact speaker.
- Sweet spot. The Oberon 3 gives a buyer who wants stand mount speakers with more bass than the Spektor models a 7 inch woofer, bigger than the Spektor drivers, without stepping up to floorstanders.
- All in. The Rubikore is an extension of the line below it, priced in the same bracket as the Menuet SE, and its hybrid tweeter gives clearer highs to listeners seated off to the side.
All products from this brand
Avg. Product Price
$1,001-$2,500
Used For Sale
116
Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
21
of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
83
Founding Year
1983
Our take on the brand
DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
Look inside the brand
Brand Page
Our interview with the brand
What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?
What's your approach to customer support?
What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?
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From our interview with
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Brand page
Used
DALI
All the brand's used products, not just this one
What if you spend more?
DALI
Opticon 8 Mk2
5000
5000
/
3
Reviews
DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- First-rate build quality of components and enclosure
- Deep bass without distortion
- Very smooth and widely dispersed high frequencies
- Smooth midrange with realistic vocals
- Physically big and wide soundstage, with superb imaging
Product Considerations
- Speakers are heavy at 79 lbs each, and require two people to unbox
- Some may mark these down for not being the most modern looking
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Dali Loudspeakers series 7 from the seventies, the Opticon 8 MK2 uses advancements in technology to stay ahead of the competition
Takeaway: The DALI OPTICON 8 MK2 speakers sound wonderful with deep bass and smooth highs, creating a stable and realistic sound image. The value of these speakers is unquestionable, and they make music sound magical.
Video review
Our take on the brand
DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
Product Page
Product Page
GoldenEar
T66
3450
3450
/
23
Reviews
Introducing the T Series The T66 is the first model in GoldenEar’s new T Series. While it boasts several significant refinements of our time-tested design concepts, the T66 is undeniably a GoldenEar loudspeaker, placing beautiful sound and music before all else. Honoring the Triton Series The T66 honors the critically acclaimed Triton Series, sharing a similarly tall, slender profile; built-in DSP-controlled subwoofer amplification; and a driver complement comprising GoldenEar’s High-Velocity Folded Ribbon AMT tweeter, cast-basket mid/bass units, quadratic planar radiators, and long-throw powered sub-bass section. Onward and Upward Several important cosmetic and sonic refinements distinguish the new T66 from previous GoldenEar speakers. These include a dramatically augmented crossover design, high-quality internal wiring, a new cast-aluminum base and metal grille, and, in addition to GoldenEar’s Gloss Black cabinet finish, a vibrant Santa Barbara Red.
GoldenEar is an American speaker company, launched in 2010 by Sandy Gross. Its signature driver is the High-Velocity Folded Ribbon tweeter, and reviewers hear fine, dynamic treble that stays smooth. Many of its towers are semi-active, with a DSP-controlled powered subwoofer built into the cabinet, so the bass needs no extra amplifier and placement is more flexible. The T66 works this way and is on our Best Floorstanding Speakers list, while the Triton Five uses four side-mounted bass radiators.
Expand Details
Our summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent bass performance is a defining feature, providing tight, smooth, even, solid, and tangible bass extension into the 20 Hz range, eliminating placement issues associated with separate subwoofers
- Balanced overall sound, coherence, and ability to present music in a natural and effortless way is consistently praised
- High levels of detail come through with the High-Velocity Folded Ribbon AMT tweeter and cast-basket mid/bass units
- A holographic image over the seating area of a typical sofa is capable with excellent imaging and a wide and open soundstage, even when not seated in the exact sweet spot
- The Santa Barbara Red finish option receives high marks for its visual appeal
Product Considerations
- Still a significant investment, especially the Santa Barbara Red finish
- The metal grille covering the drivers is not designed to be easily removed
- Care should be taken with system matching, due to a slightly hot high-end
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The T66 offers more refinement and a more 'of-a-piece' sound than the Triton One.R
- Has internal structural improvements that make it even more stable and rigid than previous generations
Takeaway: The GoldenEar T66 delivers audiophile-grade sound and aesthetics, with powerful bass and exceptional detail. These speakers are easy to incorporate into nearly any environment, and have the power to let the listener appreciate all the nuances in favorite songs or movies.
Video review
Our take on the brand
GoldenEar is an American speaker company, launched in 2010 by Sandy Gross. Its signature driver is the High-Velocity Folded Ribbon tweeter, and reviewers hear fine, dynamic treble that stays smooth. Many of its towers are semi-active, with a DSP-controlled powered subwoofer built into the cabinet, so the bass needs no extra amplifier and placement is more flexible. The T66 works this way and is on our Best Floorstanding Speakers list, while the Triton Five uses four side-mounted bass radiators.
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Sonus faber
Lumina V
2999
2999
/
10
Reviews
Slender Speakers with Surprising Performance.Lumina V takes inspiration from Sonus faber’s core designs and technologies, packaged in a sleek and minimalistic floorstanding speaker.LUXURY, SIMPLIFIED.Lumina V is the flagship three-way floor standing model in the collection. A slender speaker with high-power handling and fast transient response, Lumina V produces a natural, generous, and emotional sound for an immersive listening experience.LIGHTING THE WAYThe Lumina collection ushers in exciting changes while preserving the history and values core to Sonus faber. Centered on simplicity, Lumina provides an immersive and musical experience to a broader audience.SIGNATURE SONUS FABER MATERIALSLumina V incorporates multilayer wood on the front baffle and wood veneer, available in multiple finishes. The sides and top of the speaker cabinet are hand-covered in black leather.SIMPLICITY AND STYLELumina takes note of Sonus faber’s iconic natural materials.
Sonus Faber builds speakers like string instruments, with lute-shaped cabinets in solid walnut and other woods, finished in leather, and every finished speaker tuned by ear. The Italian company, founded in 1983 and based outside Vicenza, puts modern drivers inside those cabinets, and the Sonetto VIII carries the cork midrange chamber first used in the Suprema flagship. The house sound is rich and full without being tiring over a long evening. The Lumina series opens the range, and the Sonetto and Olympica ranges cover the middle.
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Product Strengths
- Elegant design with a combination of wood and leather that gives a classy appearance
- Impressive bass output, with some reviewers noting deep and tuneful bass
- The midrange is articulate and expressive, delivering vocals with palpability and detail
- Smooth and detailed high-end reproduction, thanks to the Damped Apex Dome (DAD) tweeter
- Relatively easy to drive with a sensitivity of 89-90dB
Product Considerations
- Requires careful placement to achieve the best balance, especially regarding toe-in
- The bass can sometimes be perceived as boomy depending on the room acoustics
- Some reviewers mention the included binding posts are cheap
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Q Acoustics Concept 50, the Lumina V has a more live sound, but the Concept 50 is more neutral, and more inert
- Compared to the Polk R700, the Lumina V is sonically similar to the R700, but with slightly less bass and a smaller cabinet—with better aesthetics; the R700 is more full range and warmer
- Compared to the Spendor A4 or ProAc Response DT8, the Lumina V is not as precise, but offers a natural sonic grace
Takeaway: The Sonus Faber Lumina V is an elegant speaker that delivers detailed sound and impressive bass. It is a great option if you want speakers that look as good as they sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Sonus Faber builds speakers like string instruments, with lute-shaped cabinets in solid walnut and other woods, finished in leather, and every finished speaker tuned by ear. The Italian company, founded in 1983 and based outside Vicenza, puts modern drivers inside those cabinets, and the Sonetto VIII carries the cork midrange chamber first used in the Suprema flagship. The house sound is rich and full without being tiring over a long evening. The Lumina series opens the range, and the Sonetto and Olympica ranges cover the middle.
Product Page
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Perlisten
R7t
4995
4995
/
9
Reviews
You wanted a flagship R-Series to fill larger rooms based on the trickle-down technology from the S-Series. The second-best two-channel system in our line-up still rivals most competitor's flagship. Employing the same DPC array and long-excursion woofers for extremely low distortion and our beam forming controlled directivity down to 500Hz make this a full-range masterpiece only rivaled by our own award-winning S7t.
Designed as a stand alone 2ch high fidelity speaker with the versatility to be used as part of multi-channel systems. Sharing "trickle-down" technology from our flagship S-Series, the DPC-Array here based on three 26mm domes, guarantees excellent directivity control and timbre matching with all R-Series speakers.
The Silk diaphragms developed ground up, chosen specifically their smooth, effortless representation of midrange and treble. The 165mm woofers are made from our proprietary HPF pulp, two years in development, bringing new technology to one of the oldest materials used in loudspeaker design.
The R7t can be aligned as bass reflex or acoustic suspension depending on specific tastes. Rich, dynamic bass matched with advanced mid/treble directivity pattern control and silky highs offer best in class performance.
Perlisten is an American speaker and subwoofer maker, founded in 2016. Its speakers are built around the DPC (Directivity Pattern Control) array, a computer-modeled waveguide and driver arrangement that controls how sound spreads into the room, which reviewers credit for precise imaging. S-Series models pair a beryllium dome tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm drivers. In 2020 Perlisten had the first products certified to THX Dominus, a standard for high output at low distortion in large rooms. The S5t is the tower for slightly smaller rooms, and the S7t is on our Best Floorstanding Speakers list.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Remarkably coherent and balanced sound profile, resulting from well-engineered and matched drivers and cabinet
- An uncanny ability to 'disappear' in the listening room
- The DPC array design contributes to a wide horizontal dispersion, allowing a broader sweet spot for multiple listeners
- Accurate sound reproduction and neutral enough for studio use
- A high level of dynamic ability, good low-end control, and a cavernous soundstage
Product Considerations
- Only available in gloss black and gloss white finishes, which might not suit all tastes or home décor
- The price point is a significant investment, placing it beyond the reach of many
- Some reviewers noted a mild treble roll-off, or smooth character that was overly kind on poor recordings and might lack the sparkle and excitement some listeners prefer
- Setting up requires assistance, due to the weight
- The lower bass extension may not satisfy deep bass enthusiasts, with extension starting to drop below 40Hz
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the Perlisten S7t, the S7t offers more overall weight, bottom-end reach, resolution, and dynamic speed, but the R7t shines brightly on its own
- Compared to the EgglestonWorks Oso, the Oso presented a more muscular version of the music with more bottom end oomph, while the R7t conveyed music's finer points with more apparent resolution
- Compared to the KEF Reference 3, the KEF may yield deeper bass extension due to greater cabinet volume, and the scale of the soundstage may also be improved, but the Perlisten offers a superior disappearing act
Takeaway: The Perlisten R7t are well-built speakers that provide a detailed and immersive listening experience, with their advanced design and unique driver array creating a spacious soundstage. Their cutting-edge design creates a great listening experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Perlisten is an American speaker and subwoofer maker, founded in 2016. Its speakers are built around the DPC (Directivity Pattern Control) array, a computer-modeled waveguide and driver arrangement that controls how sound spreads into the room, which reviewers credit for precise imaging. S-Series models pair a beryllium dome tweeter with thin-ply carbon diaphragm drivers. In 2020 Perlisten had the first products certified to THX Dominus, a standard for high output at low distortion in large rooms. The S5t is the tower for slightly smaller rooms, and the S7t is on our Best Floorstanding Speakers list.
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What competes at this price?
DALI
Opticon 6 MK2
1250
/
Released
2021
The slim, floorstanding OPTICON 6 MK2 is the entry point in the OPTICON MK2 series for the renowned DALI hybrid soft dome and planar tweeter. Assembled at our own factory in Denmark.
DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Hybrid tweeter module delivers a wide dispersion of high frequencies with a near unmatched level of detail
- Able to create sounds outside the speakers themselves, at different points in space and depth
- Bass is punchy and authoritative
- Easy to drive, and sound natural and smooth
- Quality and design are good
Product Considerations
- May not be suited for big rooms
- Could be livelier through the mids and highs
- Bass is not the deepest
- Highs are slightly on the understated side
- Can get a little messy with complex recordings
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Focal Aria 926: The Focal Aria 926 is more generous in the lows, with more powerful and deeper bass, while the Dali Opticon 6 Mark II is mellower, with greater softness in the high frequencies and a more extensive soundstage
- Vs Elipson Heritage XLS 15: The Elipson Heritage XLS 15 provides deeper, better defined and more powerful bass due to its 12" driver, but the Dali Opticon 6 Mark II is able to be integrated more easily into any living room
- Vs Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2: The Bowers & Wilkins 603 S2 provides even more texture and presence in the lower midrange, and more substance in the bass, but the Dali Opticon 6 Mark II is more dynamic and comes through with a more subtle and realistic musical performance
- Vs Opticon 6 (Mark I): Opticon 6 Mark II is more neutral
- Vs Opticon 6 (Mark I): Opticon 6 Mark II had the bass and trebles tightened up
Takeaway: The Opticon 6 Mark II is a well-built speaker with refined sound and can bring excitement to both music and movies, with a clear delivery of sound. If one desires speakers that look good and sound detailed, they might be a good fit.
Video review
Our take on the brand
DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
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DALI
Oberon 7
1360
/
Released
The floorstanding DALI OBERON 7 speaker delivers the very best in deep bass and large room performance. The OBERON 7 also belies its physical size with a surprisingly delicate, natural and lifelike performance.
DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Delectably refined sound quality with a transparency and openness not generally found in a loudspeaker at a compelling price
- Warm and natural tonal balance that is non-fatiguing
- Excellent and non-fatiguing mid-treble balance, keeping you unaware of the smooth driver transitions throughout its frequency range
- Good soundstage depth and width
- A feel of premium and well-made quality in look and design
Product Considerations
- Slight inaccuracies in stereo imaging
- The speaker's grille retention system uses old fashioned unsightly recesses to take the grille fasteners, which is a bad choice of design
- Rear bass reflex port requires proper distance from walls to avoid resonance
- While being transparent, the DALI OBERON 7 does not feature extremely detailed sound
- Cannot pressurize the air as good or as much as a dedicated subwoofer can
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The KEF Q750 offers a more neutral tonal balance and a slightly more compact design, though its soundstage is less expansive than the Oberon 7
- The Monitor Audio Bronze 500 excels in deep bass reproduction, but is less refined in the midrange
- The Q Acoustics 3050i provides excellent bass and midrange performance, though its highs are less delicate compared to the OBERON 7
Takeaway: The DALI Oberon 7 is an outstanding choice for people who want really good sound without spending too much. It plays all kinds of music well and sounds great in most rooms.
Video review
Our take on the brand
DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
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DALI
Oberon 9
1200
/
Released
2021
The largest in the DALI OBERON range, the OBERON 9 is a true high-end Hi-Fi speaker that combines ultimate refinement and startling detail with effortless power to bring genuine concert and cinema experiences into any listening space.
DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Immense sound pressure, especially in the bass
- Bass hits like a truck and may eliminate the need for a subwoofer
- Wide soundstage and a very large sweet spot
- Delivers a sound of huge scale and authority
- Relatively sensitive speakers, and so deliver quite a loud sound for a given signal input
Product Considerations
- Needs a large listening room to work properly and for the lows not to become overbearing
- Soundstage isn't as 'out-of-the-box' as some rivals manage
- Lack a little dynamic subtlety
- Does not go very deep, 35 Hz with a linearity of -3dB, however this also makes it work better in smaller rooms
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Dali Concept 10: Reminds the reviewer of the huge Dali Concept 10 speakers because of their size
- Vs Klipsch R51PM: The sound of the Oberon 9 reminds the reviewer a little bit of the Klipsch R51PM, but the Dali has more spark in the high range and bass
- Vs Audiovector QR3: Oberon 9 cannot be erased as easily, and those are more nuanced and 'correct' speakers, however at more moderate sound levels they all sound better than the Dali
- Vs KEF Q950 and the Klipsch RP-8000F: Oberon 9 sounds more nuanced than KEF predecessor Q900
Takeaway: If you want speakers that can play loud, hard and physical, and still maintain sober, musical qualities, the Oberon 9 is a great choice. They deliver a high-end full-range speaker experience that rivals that of any speaker costing three times as much.
Video review
Our take on the brand
DALI's idea is wide dispersion, with speakers designed to spread sound evenly across the whole listening area. The Danish company, founded in 1983, makes its own drivers in-house, including its wood fiber cones, and uses its patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) material to lower distortion. Many models pair a soft dome with a ribbon tweeter in a hybrid module. The Oberon 1 C is an active wireless speaker that needs no separate amplifier, and the range climbs through Rubikore and Epikore to the Kore flagship.
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Q Acoustics
Concept 50
2199
/
Released
2022
A sonic step-up from the Concept 30, this elegant floorstander takes everything great about its standmount brother but delivers more powerful audio, a deeper soundstage and increased bass extension through its leading-edge, low resonance cabinet.
Q Acoustics is a British speaker maker that has been designing loudspeakers since 2006. Its cabinets use point-to-point bracing and Helmholtz Pressure Equalizers, which reduce internal air pressure and unwanted resonance. Many of its mid/bass drivers use the Continuous Curved Cone, or C3, which helps the bass blend smoothly into the midrange. Reviewers hear warmth balanced with detail that stays easy to listen to. The 3030i tops our Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $1,000 list, the M20 is a powered pair that needs no separate amplifier, and the Concept 500 is the flagship.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Fit and finish plus performance that is a bargain for around $3k/pair
- Gelcore cabinet construction minimizes unwanted sound energy from resonance and vibrations
- A tweeter that is hermetically sealed and mechanically isolated (floating) from the baffle provides lower distortion
- Size, weight, and richness of tone belies their size, with a wider baffle to each loudspeaker pointing at you
- A mild sound throws emphasis back to the midrange that in itself seems almost holographic, as well as deeply insightful in a gentle but revealing manner
Product Considerations
- A medium to large size room is required to shine, otherwise the bass will dominate
- Flaws in poor recordings can be revealed due to their detail and accuracy—warts and all performance
- The top-end is a little soft and gentle—classic BBC like—which may require amps with some zing to compensate
- Listeners seeking absolute detail or transparency might not be satisfied because of Q Acoustics' house sound that massages treble and plumps up bass and lower mid
- They don't go sub-40Hz deep, frequency response is rated at 42 Hz – 30 kHz (-6dB)
Takeaway: The Q Acoustics Concept 50 offers excellent value with its blend of innovative design and high-quality sound, making it a great choice for enjoying music with a sense of depth and engagement. The Concept 50s are easy to listen to and fun.
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Our take on the brand
Q Acoustics is a British speaker maker that has been designing loudspeakers since 2006. Its cabinets use point-to-point bracing and Helmholtz Pressure Equalizers, which reduce internal air pressure and unwanted resonance. Many of its mid/bass drivers use the Continuous Curved Cone, or C3, which helps the bass blend smoothly into the midrange. Reviewers hear warmth balanced with detail that stays easy to listen to. The 3030i tops our Best Bookshelf Speakers Under $1,000 list, the M20 is a powered pair that needs no separate amplifier, and the Concept 500 is the flagship.
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KLH
Model Five
1249
/
Released
2021
Model Five acoustic suspension speakers are known as one of the finest and most sought-after speakers for audiophiles, both new and seasoned. Our updated version of this classic speaker has real wood veneers, cast aluminum baskets, and uses acoustic suspension design principles made famous by founder Henry Kloss. The KLH Model Five vintage speaker is offered in three gorgeous finishes (English Walnut, West African Mahogany, and Nordic Noir), allowing the loudspeaker to blend with all home decor.
KLH is an American speaker maker, founded in 1957 and now based in Denver. Co-founder Henry Kloss developed the acoustic suspension loudspeaker, which uses the air sealed inside the cabinet as a spring for the woofer, and today's Model Five and Model Three are built on that design, with a mid-century look. A three-position Acoustic Balance Control switch lets owners adjust the output to their room. The Kendall series uses anodized aluminum drivers and a titanium tweeter. The Model Five is on our Classic Speakers Still in Production list.
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Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Retro aesthetics reminiscent of vintage speakers, with a well-applied veneer and woven front panel
- Balanced sound with clarity in the midrange and treble, creating an immersive listening experience
- Good sensitivity makes them relatively easy to drive with a range of amplifiers
- Acoustic suspension design provides tight bass and allows for flexible placement near walls
- Three-position attenuation switch allows for adjustment to different room acoustics
Product Considerations
- Can sound a bit bright out of the box, requiring a break-in period
- Sound can harden a little when provoked by poor or bright recordings, and they are finicky about upstream electronics
- Bass might not be punchy enough for some listeners, potentially requiring a subwoofer or EQ adjustments
- Lack of provision for spikes to fasten the speakers to the carpet
- Grilles need to be off for best sound, according to one reviewer
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the JBL L100, the Model Five is better balanced and more enjoyable to listen to
- Compared to the NHT C3, the Model Five is an upgraded variant, offering deeper, wider sound and more resolution
- Compared to the Buchardt S400, the Model Five sounds more open, brighter, and more detailed—with better instrument placement
- Compared to the Aurender S5W, the Model Five reaches lower frequencies and has better overall resolution and detail
- Compared to the Graham LS6, they perform on par, albeit via a different approach, trading in some refinement for a more direct—in-your-face sound
Takeaway: The KLH Model Five is a speaker with retro style and balanced sound. They are versatile and can be used in different listening spaces.
Video review
Our take on the brand
KLH is an American speaker maker, founded in 1957 and now based in Denver. Co-founder Henry Kloss developed the acoustic suspension loudspeaker, which uses the air sealed inside the cabinet as a spring for the woofer, and today's Model Five and Model Three are built on that design, with a mid-century look. A three-position Acoustic Balance Control switch lets owners adjust the output to their room. The Kendall series uses anodized aluminum drivers and a titanium tweeter. The Model Five is on our Classic Speakers Still in Production list.
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