I have had a pair of these for a couple of years and really enjoy them. Think they do everything very well and just make you enjoy the music. They arent weak in any areas for me, enough bass and good detail with decent dynamics. Good value for money.
I am very happy and impressed with my Oberon 5's. They have a clarity and presence that is surprising. Bill Evans at the Village Vanguard feels like I'm in the room , bass and mids are well articulated. I am using a pretty basic Sony receiver and Audio Technica turntable but the sound is still very impressive. I had some space restrictions so these fit perfectly and the quality of the sound is the real bonus.
Meanwhile i have the Triangle Borea 3 and Ayiama D03,Fossi Audio Bt-20A.. For me(small room;3x4meters,high ceiling) the Borea's i like more, because the Dali's gives to much bass by a lot of tracks. I can play a whole playlist(or Spotify or Tidal) without getting "tired" due the low frequenties. But...i will keep the Dali's anyway. And both small desktop amps; Ayima D03 and Fossi Audio BT-20A(no remote) sounds surprisingly good! I didn't want to believe it at first either. I don't hear a difference between the "traditional" Sansui AU-317(class AB) and the Ayima or Fossi Audio(both class D). But a lot smaller.. Yeahh..1978 versus 2020/2023... And both small amps has only one rca input. No phono or tape input of course. Use Bluesound Node 2i (wired connected with the modem) to stream music. Spotify and Tidal. Love both! Although the user interfce of Spotify i like more. Tidal a little tricky..
Oberon 5 vs the polk R500? Which is more forgiving of placement and poor recordings especially for modern music, alternative, indie rock, pop and metal? Which has better midrange? It will be paired with audiolab 6000a and rose technics rt5000 dac. Would greatly appreciate your input. Regards
Great review! I still might have to come see you guys and buy a pair... Would have checked this review out sooner except that I know it always takes me an hour or more to get through your reviews on account of having to check out a track that you mention and then sliding down a rabbit hole of related tracks.
@@Hifyed far be it for me to offer tracks to people who do this for a living, but some of my favorites to use when testing gear that are also great to listen to are: Ninna Simmone: Sinnerman (not any of the remasters) Avishai Cohen: Teardrop GoGo Penguin: Raven Deadmau5: 4Ware Can: Vitamin C
I live in Cambodia where the selection is nil, and so I'm traveling to Bangkok in early September -- where the selection is better but only just. These are available there, but I have a concern. My living room is only 360cm across by 600cm deep and, like every room in every building in Southeast Asia, it's made out of poured concrete. Based on what you guys said about the bass performance *and* the "need" to turn these up a little, I'm worried about being trapped between an imbalanced sound at low volumes, and overwhelming the room with bass at higher volumes. (Plus I'm a low-volume listener anyway, so I'm a little put off by the "please turn me up" comment.) Do you guys think that perhaps a different product line -- like, say, the Acoustic Energy 109 and 309 -- might make a better fit? Listening habits are low-volume, companionable, lots of off-axis listening to piano jazz trios and quartets.
@@CinemaDemocratica Thank you for your response. I'll have a look at your speakers and see if they are available in New Zealand. I spoke to a hifi guy who said we sell truck loads of Dali 5s and no one has ever complained. We'll see I guess. Have a good one. :)
@@GusMcCrae I don't know if he's in your city but there's a Kiwi audio dealer who did an unboxing of these on TH-cam not too long ago. If you can tolerate him slapping the outside of the box about 60 times before anything happens in the video -- which, um, apparently I could *not* ? -- there's a few interesting observations about them, deeper in.
I've found these need burn in well over the recommended 100 hours. I was really missing the textures before proper burn-in. Also I found that there is a 2 stage bunr in with these - the first thing to improve is openness and bass response in the first couple of weeks - then after some extended use the textures to voices and strings come in nicely and they open up even more with a bigger soundstage. I was honestly considering selling them at first but wow - given some time they really shine!
You know your ears are getting "burned in" a.k.a. adjusted to the sound of the speaker? Everything you hear after thatvis your adjusted ears and imaginary thinking.
Nice video! I have this speakers and enjoy it much. But how does it compare to the Triangle Bro 8?? I use a vintage,fully restored Sansui AU-317(sounds great for my ears), it's a pretty "warm" sounding amp... a '70's amp. Don't need much volume to run the Dali's(88db) by the way. But with some tracks(Spotify and Tidal) it's a bit to much bass, depends on the recording in studio of course. Use Bluesound Node 2i in "aux" and that works very well. The AU-317 gives about 2x50 watts.
Thank you! Both, not to much of a difference as our studio is in a basement and is concrete. Definitely use spikes if possible especially on a wooden floor.
I enjoy your videos . I have a pair of Dali Opticon 2 ' s 1st version . I run them with a Rega Elex r amp .The speakers are not toed in and I keep the covers on to . Sounds great !!
Had the first Opticon 2 as well. Really good microdetails but missing bass and on higher volume not so good. the highs not nice for the ears. Had the oberon 5 too. Like them a lot more. More entertaining and less fatigue
The Opticon 2' s played through my Rega Elex R are a very good combo . Enough bass for me and no harshness . They were recommended to me because they were'nt too bright .
Thank you! It would really good fit with both. I would say with you would probably get the most out of the of it if you go with the opticon. Unfortunately they don’t make a smaller tower speaker in that series.
"Please note: As mentioned in the video the grills are to be kept on" - Yea?..where is write this?? I didn't saw on their site nothing related to this.I mean on Oberon 5 page. Can you give us a link or something official, from them, about Oberon 5 (not other speakers) and their grills?
Great video! I own a pair of the Oberon 5's and love them! I'm feeding them with a Bluesound Node 2i to a Denafrips Ares II into a Rogue Audio Sphinx v3 and finally Morrow Audio SP-6 speaker cables and the sound is beautiful! Thanks for the video! 🇺🇦🇺🇸👊
Great review!! I have just seen this speakers today but I haven’t listen anything, they were unplugged. I have got a pair of BW603 s3 since 2007 and because the furniture we have now, I am thinking about changing them. My main amplifier is a HT amp, Sony STR 1080DN and I love it. Other speaker I am looking for are the 603 s2 anniversary edition but they are much bigger than Dali… and more expensive Thanks a lot, I have to hear a pair soon.
Thank you! The sound of the 603s are quite different that the Oberon 5s especially in the midrange. Definitely give them a listen to see if it suits you.
My livingroom is 35m2. But it is divided with a wall going up halfway to the ceiling, this is a little area where we watch tv, films etc, its all conered off in a way, do you think the 5s will work in that area of the room?
I am confused between Dali oberon 5 and oberon 3 for my front stage. I have marantz cinema 60 and svs pb 1000pro sub. Can you suggest me which one i select their is no live demo available at my location.
You said that they are for small to medium size room. Could you give an estimation in sq. meters? I listen to them in 16 sq. meters room and feel that the bass response is not always enough.
Our room is 250 sq feet and works well. It will really depend how wide your room is where the speakers are placed. The Oberon 5 should be able to fill 16sq m depending on setup and also Ceiling height. If your looking for deep bass extension the Oberon 5s would be to small.
@@Hifyed I’ve been thinking about a sub. However, a number of reviewers say that these Oberons fit rooms of up to 25-30 sq. m size. Maybe I just got used to some excessive bass with my previous speakers (Wharfedale Diamond 9.5)?
Br08 is a much larger speaker and you like bass extension with an open top end end this would be the way to go. The Dalis are punchy with a more “warmish” character. It really depends what suits you the best.
@@Hifyed Thanks 🙏..ill go with triangle then...i got an offer from local dealer for $880 a pair, new..i guess its a fair price considering im from asia
True but irrelevant for this case. As mentioned in the video and description our room is very damped with curtains and acoustics so high frequency won’t be a problem in other environments. If you calculate the coefficient of the absorption of our room and setup toe in by even 10 degrees would increase the high frequencies by .05 db 1db if your lucky. But you know that it’s basic stuff 😉
@@thomasfi1275 Only for this situation, I don’t want people to think that we found the higher frequencies a problem and need to be remedied by toe in especially when dali recommends that you don’t toe in their speakers. You are right, high frequencies are very directional and in general I toe them in.
@@Hifyed Can't wait, especially the Opticon 8 MK2 is said to get up almost to Rubicon level. Damn, gotta have to compare them to find out. The Rubicon sound pretty sick, but they're annihilating my wallet, lol.
I have had a pair of these for a couple of years and really enjoy them. Think they do everything very well and just make you enjoy the music. They arent weak in any areas for me, enough bass and good detail with decent dynamics. Good value for money.
what do you have now?
@@roybrolsbeak PMC Prodigy 1. Brilliant
@@thebingaling1105 what is the difference between the rubicon in your opinion ? might look into that pmc
I am very happy and impressed with my Oberon 5's. They have a clarity and presence that is surprising. Bill Evans at the Village Vanguard feels like I'm in the room , bass and mids are well articulated. I am using a pretty basic Sony receiver and Audio Technica turntable but the sound is still very impressive. I had some space restrictions so these fit perfectly and the quality of the sound is the real bonus.
Got mine for €800 in August 2021 and love them, running them with a rotel a12 mkii , my hifi is in our small living room and they sound brilliant.
Great review, how does it sound compared to q acoustics 3050i? Price to sound ratio?
Meanwhile i have the Triangle Borea 3 and Ayiama D03,Fossi Audio Bt-20A.. For me(small room;3x4meters,high ceiling) the Borea's i like more, because the Dali's gives to much bass by a lot of tracks. I can play a whole playlist(or Spotify or Tidal) without getting "tired" due the low frequenties. But...i will keep the Dali's anyway.
And both small desktop amps; Ayima D03 and Fossi Audio BT-20A(no remote) sounds surprisingly good! I didn't want to believe it at first either. I don't hear a difference between the "traditional" Sansui AU-317(class AB) and the Ayima or Fossi Audio(both class D). But a lot smaller.. Yeahh..1978 versus 2020/2023...
And both small amps has only one rca input.
No phono or tape input of course.
Use Bluesound Node 2i (wired connected with the modem) to stream music. Spotify and Tidal. Love both! Although the user interfce of Spotify i like more. Tidal a little tricky..
Oberon 5 vs the polk R500? Which is more forgiving of placement and poor recordings especially for modern music, alternative, indie rock, pop and metal? Which has better midrange? It will be paired with audiolab 6000a and rose technics rt5000 dac. Would greatly appreciate your input. Regards
Great review! I still might have to come see you guys and buy a pair...
Would have checked this review out sooner except that I know it always takes me an hour or more to get through your reviews on account of having to check out a track that you mention and then sliding down a rabbit hole of related tracks.
Thank you! Always nice to hear new found music 😉. Send some tracks our way!
@@Hifyed far be it for me to offer tracks to people who do this for a living, but some of my favorites to use when testing gear that are also great to listen to are:
Ninna Simmone: Sinnerman (not any of the remasters)
Avishai Cohen: Teardrop
GoGo Penguin: Raven
Deadmau5: 4Ware
Can: Vitamin C
These are a cute, good looking pair of speakers. Thanks for the tips on room size/recommendations!
🙏🙏
I live in Cambodia where the selection is nil, and so I'm traveling to Bangkok in early September -- where the selection is better but only just. These are available there, but I have a concern. My living room is only 360cm across by 600cm deep and, like every room in every building in Southeast Asia, it's made out of poured concrete. Based on what you guys said about the bass performance *and* the "need" to turn these up a little, I'm worried about being trapped between an imbalanced sound at low volumes, and overwhelming the room with bass at higher volumes. (Plus I'm a low-volume listener anyway, so I'm a little put off by the "please turn me up" comment.) Do you guys think that perhaps a different product line -- like, say, the Acoustic Energy 109 and 309 -- might make a better fit? Listening habits are low-volume, companionable, lots of off-axis listening to piano jazz trios and quartets.
Hi, that is my question also.
I have a small space and like to listen at lower volumes.
Did you get these speakers?
Thank you in advance.
@@GusMcCrae I got PSB Alpha T20 Minitowers and I *love* them -- especially at low volumes. They do need to float out in the room, though.
@@CinemaDemocratica Thank you for your response.
I'll have a look at your speakers and see if they are available in New Zealand.
I spoke to a hifi guy who said we sell truck loads of Dali 5s
and no one has ever complained.
We'll see I guess.
Have a good one. :)
@@GusMcCrae I don't know if he's in your city but there's a Kiwi audio dealer who did an unboxing of these on TH-cam not too long ago. If you can tolerate him slapping the outside of the box about 60 times before anything happens in the video -- which, um, apparently I could *not* ? -- there's a few interesting observations about them, deeper in.
Brilliant.
I think I know who you are referring to.
His presentations are indeed difficult to watch.
I'll do some research and give you a heads up.
I've found these need burn in well over the recommended 100 hours. I was really missing the textures before proper burn-in. Also I found that there is a 2 stage bunr in with these - the first thing to improve is openness and bass response in the first couple of weeks - then after some extended use the textures to voices and strings come in nicely and they open up even more with a bigger soundstage. I was honestly considering selling them at first but wow - given some time they really shine!
i agree 100% .. i had a few moments that i thought wow were these that good in the beginning ?
You know your ears are getting "burned in" a.k.a. adjusted to the sound of the speaker?
Everything you hear after thatvis your adjusted ears and imaginary thinking.
Nice video! I have this speakers and enjoy it much. But how does it compare to the Triangle Bro 8??
I use a vintage,fully restored Sansui AU-317(sounds great for my ears), it's a pretty "warm" sounding amp... a '70's amp. Don't need much volume to run the Dali's(88db) by the way.
But with some tracks(Spotify and Tidal) it's a bit to much bass, depends on the recording in studio of course. Use Bluesound Node 2i in "aux" and that works very well.
The AU-317 gives about 2x50 watts.
Great review. I want to know if this test was done on the spikes or rubber feet.
Thank you! Both, not to much of a difference as our studio is in a basement and is concrete. Definitely use spikes if possible especially on a wooden floor.
Thank you for the nice review! May I ask what amplifier(s) you have in the background of the video?
It’s a company called Orelle that I worked for a long time ago. The company is not around so this will always be part of my collection.
@@Hifyed Thanks for the infotmation. I liked the form factor of the amps. Petty they are not around anymore.
I enjoy your videos . I have a pair of Dali Opticon 2 ' s 1st version . I run them with a Rega Elex r amp .The speakers are not toed in and I keep the covers on to . Sounds great !!
Thank you! Opticons are excellent, good match with the rega 😉
Had the first Opticon 2 as well. Really good microdetails but missing bass and on higher volume not so good. the highs not nice for the ears. Had the oberon 5 too. Like them a lot more. More entertaining and less fatigue
The Opticon 2' s played through my Rega Elex R are a very good combo . Enough bass for me and no harshness . They were recommended to me because they were'nt too bright .
What about the Yamaha as301 as a match for these? Thanks
Wow guys I really enjoyed your video and the way you setup the video so now I will subscribe to your channel
And what would their fit in combination with Naim Uniti Atom or Audiolab 6000A Play? BTW another interesting review👌
Thank you! It would really good fit with both. I would say with you would probably get the most out of the of it if you go with the opticon. Unfortunately they don’t make a smaller tower speaker in that series.
Well done guys, very informative and interesting 👍.
Jim 🏴🙂
Thank you! 🙏🙏
"Please note: As mentioned in the video the grills are to be kept on" - Yea?..where is write this?? I didn't saw on their site nothing related to this.I mean on Oberon 5 page. Can you give us a link or something official, from them, about Oberon 5 (not other speakers) and their grills?
Nice review! Want to pair them with Atoll in100. how will be the combo? I like good bass punch and sparkling treble (but not fatigue).
Great video! I own a pair of the Oberon 5's and love them! I'm feeding them with a Bluesound Node 2i to a Denafrips Ares II into a Rogue Audio Sphinx v3 and finally Morrow Audio SP-6 speaker cables and the sound is beautiful! Thanks for the video! 🇺🇦🇺🇸👊
Thank you! You have a great system glad your are happy!
Great review!!
I have just seen this speakers today but I haven’t listen anything, they were unplugged.
I have got a pair of BW603 s3 since 2007 and because the furniture we have now, I am thinking about changing them.
My main amplifier is a HT amp, Sony STR 1080DN and I love it.
Other speaker I am looking for are the 603 s2 anniversary edition but they are much bigger than Dali… and more expensive
Thanks a lot, I have to hear a pair soon.
Thank you! The sound of the 603s are quite different that the Oberon 5s especially in the midrange. Definitely give them a listen to see if it suits you.
My livingroom is 35m2. But it is divided with a wall going up halfway to the ceiling, this is a little area where we watch tv, films etc, its all conered off in a way, do you think the 5s will work in that area of the room?
I am confused between Dali oberon 5 and oberon 3 for my front stage.
I have marantz cinema 60 and svs pb 1000pro sub.
Can you suggest me which one i select their is no live demo available at my location.
You said that they are for small to medium size room. Could you give an estimation in sq. meters? I listen to them in 16 sq. meters room and feel that the bass response is not always enough.
Our room is 250 sq feet and works well. It will really depend how wide your room is where the speakers are placed. The Oberon 5 should be able to fill 16sq m depending on setup and also Ceiling height. If your looking for deep bass extension the Oberon 5s would be to small.
@@Hifyed Previously I used larger speakers and the bass was overwhelming on some records. It seems to me that it is hard to find the right balance.
Finding that balance is difficult. If your open to a high quality sub you will be able to dial the bass in especially if it has Room eq.
@@Hifyed I’ve been thinking about a sub. However, a number of reviewers say that these Oberons fit rooms of up to 25-30 sq. m size. Maybe I just got used to some excessive bass with my previous speakers (Wharfedale Diamond 9.5)?
Which one is better, dali oberon 5 or triangle br08?
Br08 is a much larger speaker and you like bass extension with an open top end end this would be the way to go. The Dalis are punchy with a more “warmish” character. It really depends what suits you the best.
@@Hifyed Thanks 🙏..ill go with triangle then...i got an offer from local dealer for $880 a pair, new..i guess its a fair price considering im from asia
@@muttech16 enjoy! That is a good deal
Triangle here, however the Dali Opticon would most likely surpass the Borea line.
To increase the high frequencies, just toe them in. Why you didn’t mentioned that? Isn’t that basic stuff?
True but irrelevant for this case. As mentioned in the video and description our room is very damped with curtains and acoustics so high frequency won’t be a problem in other environments.
If you calculate the coefficient of the absorption of our room and setup toe in by even 10 degrees would increase the high frequencies by .05 db 1db if your lucky. But you know that it’s basic stuff 😉
@@Hifyed why irrelevant? High frequencies are like „laser beams“. So pointing to the ear gives you the highest energy, SPL
@@thomasfi1275 Only for this situation, I don’t want people to think that we found the higher frequencies a problem and need to be remedied by toe in especially when dali recommends that you don’t toe in their speakers.
You are right, high frequencies are very directional and in general I toe them in.
DALI design their speakers specifically to be set up with no toe in (ie straight out into the room)
Yes tow
Toe in works wonderful for me , creating a bigger sound imaging
how about a review to their step up line Opticon MK2 ? that's where I feel is the sweet spot in price/quality with Dali speakers.
We have a set of opticons on the way! We should have it completed in the next couple of months.
@@Hifyed Can't wait, especially the Opticon 8 MK2 is said to get up almost to Rubicon level. Damn, gotta have to compare them to find out. The Rubicon sound pretty sick, but they're annihilating my wallet, lol.
Excellent
🙏🙏
there were designed not be towed in
Kind of useless information if you don't mention the gear that you're using them with!
I do agree it’s information that should be shared. We are just finishing up videos on our reference gear and why we use it.