Dali speakers - Page 5

Gloss Rosenut speakers are the stuff that dreams are made of. We will definately need some pics soon.

I have Helicon 400s for front L and R and Helicon C200 for center, in cherry finish; Ikon On-Walls for side surrounds; Ikon 2s for rear surrounds; and a Velodyne DD-12 sub. PrePro is Integra Research RDC 7.1, amp is a Sherbourn 7/2100, and sources are a Pioneer DV-59AVi and SA8300 HD-STB.

The Dalis are gorgeous sounding and gorgeous looking. I'm very glad I chose them.

Footnote- The C200 is 40 pounds and fairly large, and presented a bit of a challenge for mounting atop my RPTV as the front of my TV screen is 30" out from the back wall. Ended up having a local shop custom fabricate a wood shelf, using cherry veneer over hardwood plywood, 30" deep, mounted securely to the studs in the back wall. The shelf supports are tapered so that my Samsung 71" TV, sitting on top of a Salamander Designs Triple 20, fits snugly under the front edge of the shelf.

Bruce

Here are some unprofessional photos (as you can tell) of the Rose Nut finish if anyone is interested. The gloss is difficult to photograph.

Charles
Thank you for all the photos.
Jim

Greetings,

I would appreciate user comments on Dali Concept series. The setup I have in mind is Concept 8 for main, Concept 6 for surrounds with center and sub from the same series.
I am planning on using mostly for stereo, some for movies and some multichannel music.
Thanks in advance.

WOW. These are dead sexy looking speakers. Im jealous!

Have you tried or considering any other amps out of curiousity. What made you choose the Sherbourn?

AudioArchitect,

I bought the Sherbourn when I owned an M&K S-150 based system. I was reconfiguring my layout and needed 7 channels of amplification in one box (previously had three boxes worth of Aragon and Acurus). The Sherbourn was slightly used, or is that slightly previously owned, and got it for an attractive price.

I've always wondered if a different amp would improve the sound of my system. I once thought about trying a Gemstone, but the depth of that amp is problematical in my cabinet.

Were you going to recommend a different amp?

Thanks
Bruce

I was just more curious than anything. IMO Simaudio Aurora and Titan are the best 7 channel amps I have heard and used. They are super high current, double into 4 ohms, fully balanced, and 6db of dynamic headroom! They are one of the few solid state amps that dont sound "digital" or "mechanical".

But they arent cheap of course.

Anyway, thanks for the info.

Just curious with this question.

Comparing the Sim Aurora and Titan with your experience to the McIntosh MC207, Classe' CA-5200 or the BAT VK6200? I am just curious how they would compare to the Sim Audio's product line.

How do you think they would compliment the Dali's?

As you write, they are NOT cheap by any stretch of the imagination. I've got sticker shock at this price point, but...

The Gemstone is somewhat long - but works very well with the Dalis. I use one with a 7 speaker Euphonia system.

The RoseNut finish is awesome....I'm jealous too!!

How the hell could you be jealous with those Euphonia's?

I don't know what finish you have, but the Cherry finish is wonderful. I've seen that one in person. The Alpi finish which I've never seen in person must be awesome!!!

davkj, and all,
I currently run a EX442 with AV9 and eight year old B&W CDM 7's. The recent addition of the Arcam AV9 and CD192 has really gotten me back into listening to music! I briefly auditioned the Ikon 6 two month ago and remeber being blown-away by the wide soundstage and reproduction of female vocals.

Will I be dissapointed using the EX442 with the Ikon 6, and do you think I would be even more dissapointed by "loose bass" if paired with Helicon 400?

JJToma, I've seen pics of the other Dali Helicon finishes but never real world photos of the rosenut and those are fantastic. I maintain that the Dali's have the prettiest cabinetry and finish of any brick and mortar speaker line. Huge WAF factor with those beauties!

I don't think you will be disappointed at all. I liked the BelCanto better, but I could easily live with the B&K; it has a great tube like warmth that is really fantastic. It is a great amp.

Reproduction of the female voice is what sold me on the Ikon 6 also, Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work" did me in :-)

I've spoken with Casey at Dali quite a few times about ampplification and he considers the Dali's in general to be amp friendly. I mentioned various brands (not B&K) and every amp I suggested he was receptive and assured me the results would be positive.

You might want to give them a call at their US number and discuss your concerns.

That RoseNut finish is beautiful!! I love my Euphonias though!!

For female vocals try Eva Cassidy rendition of 'Fields of Gold'!!

I've just read this entire thread since I have been shopping for many of the speakers mentioned here in comparison to the Helicons. I listen to plenty of music, but am primarily into 7.1 movies. So here is my concern, or rather question:

The c200 sounds like it matches great with the 400, how about the 800? Will it be outshined and can it keep up with center channel dialogue and sound fx or will it sound wimpy when dialogue and effects switch to the L and or R channels?

And man have the $ come down on Helicon since this thread started.

Thanks E.

E.

The center channel with my system is seamless and does an excellent job. Dialog is crisp, easily discernible and has not let me down in my short time spent with the Dali's. The 800's IMO are designed for larger rooms. That is one of the reasons besides cost why I opted for the 400 series. My room is only 1500 CF.

The differences according to Dali's website are:

"Basically, the H400 is a 2½ way bass reflex speaker with 2 x 6.5" bass/midrange woofers and the proprietary DALI ribbon/soft dome hybrid tweeter module."

"Essentially, the 800 is a three-way bass reflex speaker with 2 x 8" bass woofers, 1x 6.5 midrange driver and DALI´s proprietary ribbon/soft dome hybrid tweeter module."

"The C200 is basically a horizontal Helicon 400 - the same drivers and Hybrid Tweeter Module."

Also, you may want to read this review if you haven't from Perfect Vision.

Dali 400 Review

The difference's between the Helicon 800's and 400's should not be an issue. It's a very good center speaker. It's not a wimp by any means, but my suggestion if you have concerns is to attempt a demo at your local Dali dealer.

AudioArchitect,

Wow, the 7 channel Titan is huge. Its even heavier than the Sherbourn and way too deep to fit in my Salamander Designs Triple 20 cabinet. Even the Aurora 7 channel would slightly hang out the back of my cabinet.

Just for grins, what are the MSRPs for the 7 channel versions of each?

Thanks
Bruce

Bruce,

MSRP price's are: (As far as I know, we can post MSRP pricing on AVS)

Moon Titan 2 to 7 channel 200 w/channel amplifier.
3-channel $5,500.
5-channel $7,500.
7-channel $9,000.

Moon Aurora multichannel 200 w/channel amplifier.
5-channel. $5,000.
7-channel. $5,850.

I found these MSRP prices yesterday at this web site:

MSRP Prices

Terrific! The B&K "sound" has always been a pleasing match for the rest of my components and eclectic musical taste. After hearing the Ikon 6, I would love to audition the Helicon 400... but fear the increased size will greatly increase odds for WAF denial.

Causa,

The Ikon 6 measurements are:

H 39.4
W - 7.5
D - 13

Helicon 400's are"
H - 40.4
W - 8.6
D - 18

No need to explain your decision whatever you purchase in any speaker brand, but there is not much of a difference is size except perhaps depth (5). However, everyone's situation is unique. Sometimes inches makes a big difference!!!

In the quest for audio nirvana... and WAF, does anyone have impressions to share of Dali Helicon 400 compared to the Revel F32 or Paradigm S60?

Right, not so much the inches as the aesthetics. Something with a subtle (non-gloss) finish would work best. We have B&W in black oak now, which works best with current and future furniture/great-room needs. The Ikon-6 is less deep than the Helicon 400, and comes in "neutral" black.

Thanks Mozvz. I would like to ask what audible differences I could expect to hear in my system between the Sherbourn and Aurora, but I don't want to act as a lightening rod in this thread to the debates over whether there are audible differences in amps!

Bruce

Cajun_Mike

Those photos were provided to us by Mozvz.

Charles, thanks again, great job.

I guess, I went off the deep end over the weekend. Just picked up
a used pair Euphonia MS4's in the Alpi finish. Still would like to hear
if someone has a Helicon C200 with the Euphonias. I guess cherry
finish for the C200 would be the closest match?
Need to figure what surround speaker Phantom or W200(on the wall)

Always happy to help!!!

You are quite welcome Jim. Let us know how those Euphonia's sound. Also, maybe you could post some photos of the Alpi finish if you have the time. I can post them if you'd like. Just email me if you go that route. You should still have my email address.

Charles

The C200 matches perfect for both the 400's and 800's. They all use the same tweeter midrange. The C200 is NOT a wimpy center. If you have to power to drive it, it will shine just like the 400's/800's.

I would not think of replacing the 400's and c200 for a loooooooooooong time. They are really that good.