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
- Immersive sound quality
- Can handle a lot of dynamics
- Impressive shallow installation depth (approximately 10cm) despite its size
- Solid construction using high-quality aluminum, steel, and MDF to counteract resonances
- Easy to install with clamps and a supplied Allen key
Product Considerations
- Standard white covers may need repainting to match specific wall colors
- Some users may desire a little deeper bass for movies
Takeaway: The DALI Phantom 280S offers immersive sound and dynamic performance while being relatively easy to install within a wall. Its solid construction and good finish make it a worthwhile consideration for a home theater or high-end audio setup.
What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.
All
Phantom S-280
reviews
[{"title":"Review DALI Phantom 280S","link":"https://www.alpha-audio.net/review/review-dali-phantom-280s-in-wall","source":"alpha-audio.net","datePublished":""}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
Video Review
Manufacturer details
Features
Specifications
- Frequency Range [+/- 3] dB [Hz]: 44 - 25,000
- Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 8
- Maximum SPL [dB]: 112
- Recommended Amp. Power [Watts]: 40 - 350
- Crossover Frequencies [Hz]: 3,000 / 15,000
- High Frequency Driver(s): 1 x 29 mm soft dome, 1 x 17 x 45 mm planar
- Low Frequency/Midrange Driver(s): 2 x 8"
- Sensitivity [2.83V/1m] [dB]: 89
Description
The PHANTOM S-280 is our no-compromise in-wall powerhouse of a speaker with two 8" bass/mid-range drivers, two 10" passive radiators and a rotatable hybrid tweeter module. It delivers clean, coherent, detailed, room-filling sound and is slim enough to fit into almost any standard wall.
Release Timeline
Manufacturer Site
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—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
Select product comparisons
DALI Oberon 9
- Positioning: The largest model in the DALI Oberon series, designed for high-end Hi-Fi experiences.
- Description: Offers a refined sound with a wide dispersion pattern that reduces distortion, making it ideal for large rooms. Its wood fibre cones and patented SMC technology provide a relaxed midrange and detailed sound, distinguishing it from the Opticon 8 MK2, which focuses more on dynamic accuracy.
DALI Opticon 8 MK2
- Positioning: The flagship model of the Opticon MK2 series, suited for large listening spaces.
- Description: Known for its dynamic accuracy and rich bass, features a hybrid tweeter and SMC technology for reduced distortion. Compared to the Oberon 9, it offers a more detailed high-frequency response.
DALI Rubikore 8
- Positioning: A high-end model in the Rubikore series, designed for ambitious home Hi-Fi and theatre systems.
- Description: With its Clarity Cone Technology and SMC-KORE inductors, delivers powerful sound with natural warmth. It stands out from the Epicon 8 by offering a wider bandwidth and is better suited for larger spaces due to its enhanced bass integration.
DALI Epicon 8
- Positioning: The pinnacle of the Epicon series, offering a rich and detailed sound.
- Description: Features patented SMC technology and a hybrid tweeter, providing a smooth and wide dispersion of sound. It differs from the Rubikore 8 by focusing more on reducing distortion and providing a more intimate soundstage.
DALI Kore
- Positioning: The flagship model of DALI, representing the culmination of 40 years of loudspeaker design.
- Description: Features Balanced Drive SMC technology and an EVO-K Hybrid Tweeter for exceptional fidelity and clarity. It is the most advanced in the lineup, offering the highest level of performance and is best for those seeking the ultimate in sound quality and are willing to invest in the best.
See All Products
Avg. Product Price
$5,001-$10,000
Used For Sale
75
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 is a speaker brand known for its unique hybrid tweeter module that combines a soft dome and planar ribbon tweeter, along with proprietary Soft Magnetic Compound technology that reduces distortion. Their speakers feature distinctive wood fiber cones and are designed to be used without toe-in, which creates a broader, more even spread of sound across the listening area.
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?
What other products pair best with yours?
From our interview with
.
Brand Page
Used
Dali
All of the Brand's Used Products
What if you spend more?
No items found.
What competes at this price?
Focal
1000 IWLCR Utopia
7999
/
Released
2021
The icon of the 1000 Series range, the Utopia 1000 IWLCR bi-amplifiable in-wall speaker sensitively reveals the finest sonic details of films. Thanks to its Focal technologies and numerous speaker settings, installation customization is total. For the ultimate home cinema system, the Utopia 1000 Series subwoofer can be combined with the speaker to deliver exceptional bass.
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Expand Details
.svg)
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- True audiophile performance with pinpoint imaging and a huge soundstage from an in-wall footprint rivaling free standing speakers
- Reference-grade materials such as inverted beryllium dome tweeter and W Cone sandwich drivers
- Utopia models feature a slick, modular, expandable design to fit a variety of installations
- LFE signals can be sent to the IWLCR Utopia when used in conjunction with the IWSUB-Utopia
Product Considerations
- Dog ears are finicky and may have issues when installing multiple sheetrock layers near max thickness rating
- Connection plates adhering to the joints and ends of the grilles don't always sit completely flat
- An equally capable processor with advanced EQ and amplifier stable into low impedance loads is required to maximize performance potential
- IWSUB Utopia models lack a vibration damping suspension system
Takeaway: The Focal Utopia offers audiophile-grade sound with flexible installation, making it a great choice for those who want top-notch performance without taking up floor space. With its advanced features and high-quality components, it delivers an immersive audio experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Focal is a French hifi brand that makes their own drivers in-house, including their highly-regarded beryllium tweeters and unique slatefiber mid/bass drivers made from recycled carbon fiber. Their speakers and headphones feature distinctive technologies like their "W" sandwich cone design for optimal driver performance and Mimi Sound Personalization that adapts audio to individual hearing profiles.
Product Page
Product Page
.png){kind=logo}
Fonica
Flag M
7766
/
Released
FLAG M speakers guarantee excellent acoustic performance in medium-large rooms. The isodynamic technology allows to obtain a very uniform sound diffusion in the listening room. In the active digital version, equipped with remote control and digital inputs, the speakers become a complete audio system and you just need to connect a music source to enjoy your music.
Fonica International uses isodynamic technology in their speakers, which involves a thin Mylar membrane vibrating with neodymium magnets to create an ultra-slim design without internal resonance issues. Their handcrafted speakers are known for creating a large, dynamic soundstage with excellent sound diffusion, and they offer customization options to match various aesthetic preferences.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Very slim, making them convenient to place in a room
- With no acoustic enclosure, they are free from colouration caused by internal resonances
- High and mid frequencies are clean, detailed, yet not fatiguing
- They can handle a variety of music genres, including Western Classical, Modern Pop, Hard Rock, Jazz, and Vocal based Music
- They create a large picturesque sound stage with placement of musicians across the stage
Product Considerations
- The aesthetic may not be for everyone
- Care is required when handling the speakers, especially with regard to children and animals
- The lower frequencies may take some time getting adjusted to, compared to the coloration of cabinet speakers
- The instruction manual is not so helpful, due to literal translation
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Vs Traditional Box Speakers–the Flag Ms offer a non-traditional approach to high-end quality listening
- Vs Traditional Box Speakers–the Flag Ms at the price point may be a worthy option when considering traditional box speaker competition
Takeaway: The Fonica International Flag M loudspeakers offer a unique listening experience with a sleek design and impressive soundstage. For those looking for a different approach to high-end audio, the Flag Ms are worth a listen.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Fonica International uses isodynamic technology in their speakers, which involves a thin Mylar membrane vibrating with neodymium magnets to create an ultra-slim design without internal resonance issues. Their handcrafted speakers are known for creating a large, dynamic soundstage with excellent sound diffusion, and they offer customization options to match various aesthetic preferences.
Product Page
Product Page
Monitor
Cinergy 300
6500
/
Released
2022
The largest speaker in the range, providing the biggest sound. The Monitor Audio Cinergy 300 uses our latest mid-range driver technology for the purest possible audio.
Monitor Audio is an independently owned hifi brand that has earned multiple Editors Choice awards for their Silver Series speakers, which feature proprietary driver designs. Their speakers are distinguished by unique technologies like the MPD tweeter and C-CAM drivers, which provide exceptional clarity while resisting distortion and listener fatigue.
Expand Details
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Huge soundstage that expands beyond the confines of the room
- Incredible flexibility regarding placement and orientation, including in-wall, on-wall, and floor-standing options
- Speakers reveal a level of detail that few other systems can match
- THX Ultra certified and built to achieve true cinema reference volume levels
Product Considerations
- System should be installed by a professional
- The HFT drivers that make the sound so revealing could appear a little bright if not correctly tuned
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Monitor Audio Cinergy comes dangerously close to dethroning Perlisten in terms of movie sound
Takeaway: The Cinergy series is a fantastic option for home cinema fans, giving the best possible sound quality with a design tailored to home theater needs. A well-planned and executed Cinergy system can rival many commercial cinemas, offering a truly immersive sound experience.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Monitor Audio is an independently owned hifi brand that has earned multiple Editors Choice awards for their Silver Series speakers, which feature proprietary driver designs. Their speakers are distinguished by unique technologies like the MPD tweeter and C-CAM drivers, which provide exceptional clarity while resisting distortion and listener fatigue.
Product Page
Product Page
How to buy
Speakers
Search all hifi products
Explore our database of 10,000+ new and 25,000+ used hifi products.
