DALI Opticon Vokal MK2 Center Speaker, Black (Each)

The DALI Opticon Vokal MK2 is a center speaker for home cinema and TV sound that cleanly separates dialogue from music and effects – here in the Black Ash finish.

It's the center of the Danish Opticon MK2 series and blends seamlessly, tonally, with every model in the range, from the compact Opticon 1 MK2 to the large Opticon 8 MK2. The dark Black Ash keeps a low visual profile under a black TV – exactly the role a center should play: heard, not seen.

Why the Opticon Vokal MK2?

Because it puts an end to the eternal "what did he just say?". The hybrid tweeter made of a 29 mm fabric dome and a 17 × 45 mm ribbon radiates broadly, so even the seat at the edge of the sofa gets intelligible voices. Add a 165 mm wood fibre driver with SMC magnet system that keeps the midrange from turning harsh even after two hours of film. Both bass reflex ports fire forward – so the Vokal MK2 can go into a furniture niche without the bass booming.

What you hear

Intelligibility, without anyone artificially boosting the voice. The Vokal MK2 reaches down to 47 Hz and covers the vocal range completely instead of handing it off to the subwoofer. At the top end it runs up to 30,000 Hz, which renders sibilants smoothly rather than sharply. And because all Opticon MK2 models share the same signature, a voice moving across the front during a camera pan doesn't change character along the way. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we plan fronts like this regularly – the jump from "any old center" to a matched center is bigger than the jump from 5.1 to 7.1.

Who is the Opticon Vokal MK2 suited to?

Plain talk: at 43.5 cm wide and 9.2 kg, it's no dwarf. If you only have a narrow shelf under the TV, measure twice – squeezed in, it looks like a piece of furniture that lost its way. For a front made of Opticon 6 or 8 MK2, though, it's the logical middle. And if you only turn on the TV for the news, a soundbar is the more affordable option; honesty is honesty.

Our verdict

A center that doesn't want to stand out, but to work: broad dispersion, calm midrange, front-vented and therefore furniture-friendly. In Black Ash it's the most discreet of the three finishes and the obvious choice next to a dark TV cabinet; the black front grille is included from the factory. If your front is already from the Opticon MK2 line, there's hardly a reason to keep looking. Tell us about your room, and we'll work out whether your receiver delivers the recommended 30 to 150 watts cleanly.

Technical data

• Principle: 2½-way, bass reflex with two forward-firing ports
• Frequency range: 47 – 30,000 Hz (±3 dB)
• Sensitivity: 88 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)
• Nominal impedance: 4 Ω
• Maximum SPL: 109 dB
• Recommended amplifier power: 30 – 150 W
• Midrange/woofer: 1 × 165 mm (6½ inch), wood fibre cone with SMC magnet system
• Tweeter: hybrid – 29 mm fabric dome + 17 × 45 mm ribbon
• Crossover frequencies: 2,400 / 14,000 Hz
• Bass reflex tuning: 44 Hz
• Connection: one pair of binding posts, single-wiring (no bi-wiring)
• Dimensions (H × W × D): 201 × 435 × 312 mm (incl. feet and front grille)
• Weight: 9.2 kg
• Finishes: Black Ash, White Satin Matte, Tobacco Oak
• What's included: center speaker, black front grille, rubber feet, user manual

Frequently asked questions

Does the Opticon Vokal MK2 fit into a TV cabinet?

Yes, it fits well into an open niche. Both bass reflex ports sit at the front, so it doesn't need clearance behind it. Reckon on 43.5 cm width, 20.1 cm height and 31.2 cm depth, plus a little room for cables and plugs.

How much amplifier power does the Vokal MK2 need?

DALI recommends 30 to 150 watts. With 88 dB sensitivity and 4 ohm nominal impedance, it's no special case: a solid mid-range AV receiver drives it effortlessly. What matters more than the wattage is that your receiver runs stably at 4 ohms and levels the center cleanly.

Can the Vokal MK2 be connected in bi-wiring?

No, it has a single pair of terminals and runs in single-wiring. DALI only offers bi-wiring in the Opticon MK2 series on the Opticon 6 MK2 and Opticon 8 MK2. For the center, a decent speaker cable to your receiver's center output is entirely sufficient.

Can I combine the Vokal MK2 with speakers from other series?

Technically yes, tonally it's a compromise. It plays most homogeneously with Opticon MK2 models, because the tweeter and cone material are identical. If your front comes from a different brand, voices will audibly shift character during a pan. We're happy to take a look at your combination beforehand.

Is the Opticon Vokal MK2 sold individually?

Yes, individually. A center by definition stands alone in the middle, so you get exactly one speaker including front grille and rubber feet. For front and surround channels you'll need additional speakers; which ones make sense depends on room size, seating distance and your existing system.

Why buy the DALI Opticon Vokal MK2 from HD Zürisee?

Because a center is only as good as its tuning to the rest of the system. As an authorised DALI dealer, we plan the complete front with you, deliver to your home and install on site if you like; our technician Mauri is there if something's stuck. Call: 044 680 22 00.

Goes well with

You'll find the matching front under Floorstanding speakers, the surround channels under Bookshelf speakers and the deep bass under Subwoofers. How a complete set works together is shown in the Home cinema overview; all the brand's models are in the DALI overview.