93%
Dali OPTICON 8 MK2
Patented SMC
Our patented SMC magnet motor minimises hysteresis to significantly reduce electro-acoustic distortion.
Reflex Ports
The OPTICON MK2 dual-flare reflex ports minimise turbulence and effectively reinforce low-frequency performance.
Assembled by Hand
DALI stereo pairs are built and tested by one technician using components from the same batch to ensure visual and acoustic matching.
Hybrid Tweeter
Our hybrid tweeter marries the clarity, speed and dynamics of a soft dome with the very high-frequency detail and finesse of a planar.
HIGH-PERFORMANCE AUDIO
Extraordinary detail, purity & rich bass
The OPTICON 8 MK2 is a powerhouse of a floorstander speaker. With a large internal volume and two dedicated bass drivers, it effortlessly reaches down low to provide rich bass to large listening spaces. And with a dedicated midrange driver and our signature hybrid tweeter module, it also has extraordinary detail and clarity in the higher frequencies. As with the MK1 series, the OPTICON 8 MK2 is manufactured at our factory in Denmark using components produced in-house or sourced from the best specialist manufacturers locally and further afield.
AERODYNAMIC REFLEX PORT
Port design in the realm of aerodynamics
As a reflex-loaded speaker, the OPTICON 8 MK2 channels unused acoustic output generated by the woofer to extend low-frequency bandwidth and increase power handling. Using a dual flare shape that minimises turbulence at the entry and exit flares, the OPTICON 8 MK2 brings port design into the realm of aerodynamics.
PATENTED SMC
Reducing distortion with SMC
The OPTICON 8 MK2 driver magnet system consists of a large ferrite ring magnet surrounding a pole-piece manufactured entirely of the unique DALI SMC (Soft Magnetic Composite) material. The use of SMC greatly reduces mechanical distortion caused by hysteresis and eddy currents, resulting in a drastic reduction in third-order distortion for extended listening pleasure, a relaxed midrange and a surprising amount of detailing.
HYBRID TWEETER
The master of wide dispersion
The OPTICON 8 MK2 hybrid tweeter module marries a 29 mm soft dome tweeter with a custom 17 x 45 mm planar element. Both drivers are mounted on a cast aluminium faceplate, which provides a solid platform for the drivers and incorporates dispersion control detailing for optimal delivery of the high frequencies for off-axis listening. Our hybrid tweeter module offers the best of both worlds – the clarity, speed and dynamics of a dome tweeter with the very high-frequency detail and smooth finesse of a planar tweeter.
WOOD FIBRE WOOFER
Low loss, distortion and colouration
The two 8" bass drivers and dedicated 6½" midrange driver have been designed according to our sound design principles of low loss, low distortion and low colouration. The ideal driver plays only what the amplifier supplies... nothing is added, nothing is taken away. Every OPTICON 8 MK2 component is carefully designed to contribute towards this goal, including the paper pulp and wood fibre cone, which ensures minimal break-up resonance for a high resolution midrange and precise, coherent bass.
HIGH QUALITY CABINET
Ensuring the highest quality products
With a 25 mm thick front baffle and extra internal bracing, the OPTICON 8 MK2 cabinet is extremely rigid and practically eliminates panel resonance. To ensure the best possible quality product, we manufacture and test OPTICON MK2 series speakers at our production facilities in central Denmark, carrying out everything from cutting and routing of the wood laminate panels to installing the drivers and crossover.
EXPERIENCE SOUND
Interview with Lars Worre, DALI CEO
Lars Worre shares some of the original thoughts that went into developing the OPTICON MK2 series.
Dealers selling Dali near you
Room-filling, controlled low end and an airy, extended top end define the Dali OPTICON 8 MK2, thanks to its deep bass and hybrid tweeter design. Reviewers Mel Martin and Diego Estan praised the smooth midrange, wide dispersion and near-holographic imaging, making this heavy, well-built floorstander a compelling choice for large rooms and dynamic listening.
Pros
- Deep, tight, distortion-free bass that reaches into usable sub-bass without flabbiness.
- Refined, extended high frequencies and wide HF dispersion from the hybrid dome+ ribbon tweeter for airy detail with low fatigue.
- Very wide, stable soundstage and precise imaging that holds up off-axis, creating a larger sweet spot.
&
Cons
- Large, heavy cabinets (around 77–79 lb each) make unpacking and positioning awkward; two people recommended.
- Transparency is very good but not class-leading—some reviewers heard a slightly thicker midband compared with very high-end rivals.
Sound Quality
94/100
Bass
95/100
Dual 8" woofers and dual-ported cabinets deliver deep, distortion-free low end: reviewers note "dual-ported subwoofers go very deep without distortion" and "real heft in the bass" with fast, disciplined transients. Multiple reviewers described strong sub-bass that never sounded flabby, supporting a top-tier large-tower bass rating.
Mid
93/100
Midrange is consistently described as smooth and realistic for vocals and tonal balance: "mid-range was smooth and played vocals with realism" and "fine tonal balance" with a lack of glare. Cohesion through the crossover region and natural timbre are repeatedly praised.
Treble
94/100
Hybrid tweeter (dome + ribbon) yields extended, refined HF with low fatigue: reviewers reported "high frequencies...excellent", "omnidirectional" HF and a top-end that is "never harsh or fatiguing." The ribbon contribution above ~10 kHz provides detail and air while the dome supplies clarity and dynamics.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
Soundstage is wide, deep and well-layered; imaging described as nearly holographic and physically big: "chorus was stretched between the speakers with an almost holographic image" and "soundstage is physically big and wide, with superb imaging." Imaging remains stable even off-axis.
Dynamics
92/100
Strong micro and macro dynamics with good headroom: reviewers cite "compelling separation and dynamic range" and note that at high volumes the speakers do not wobble or smear. Orchestral and high-resolution material were specifically singled out for dynamic performance.
Show Less
Build Quality
94/100
Robust cabinet and driver engineering: 25mm front baffles, heavy cabinets (~79 lbs each), extra internal bracing and die-cast aluminium driver chassis with SMC magnet tech yield first-rate fit, finish and low resonance. Reviewers confirmed negligible panel resonance and high assembly/testing standards.
Features Connectivity
80/100
Passive tower baseline applied. Gold-plated dual binding posts support bi-wiring/bi-amping (reviewers note dual terminals and bi-amp/bi-wire capability). No DSP/streaming expected or penalized for a passive design.
Value for Money
90/100
Reviewers explicitly call out strong value for the performance — e.g., MSRP cited as $5,000 (HomeTheaterHifi) and £2,599 (StereoNET UK) — and describe the speaker as "very impressive sound for the money" and "value...unquestionable."
Reviews
Online Reviews & Mentions
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
FAST, EASY & NEAR
Find Dali Verified Dealers Near You
Dali dealers in the map