94%
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.
WATT RECOMMENDS
Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.
Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.
Professional Reviews 94/100
Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
94/100
Value for Money
92/100
The Dali OPTICON 8 MK2 delivers deep, disciplined bass, a smooth vocal band and spacious, fatigue-free treble on an exhilarating full-range scale. Its hybrid tweeter and wide-dispersion design create a holographic soundstage that stays stable beyond the central seat, while StereoNET United Kingdom found it impressively composed at high volume. A commanding, refined choice for large-room music listening.
What Reviewers Are Saying
Pros
Deep, controlled bass combines genuine sub-bass weight with fast transients and no flabbiness.
Wide, precise imaging remains convincing off-axis, creating a generous sweet spot for more than one listener.
Smooth, detailed hybrid-tweeter treble stays clean and unfatiguing, even with demanding high-frequency material.
Rigid, well-finished enclosure and driver components resist audible cabinet resonance.
&
Cons
At 79 lb each, the speakers are awkward to unpack and position, making setup a two-person job.
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers found the OPTICON 8 MK2 to be a notably complete, large-scale performer, combining deep and disciplined bass with a smooth midrange and an open, unfatiguing top end. Its particularly expansive imaging, stable off-axis presentation and composure at high volume make it well suited to both serious stereo listening and larger rooms.
Bass
96/100
Both reviews praise the low end for combining real weight and sub-bass reach with control. StereoNET heard fast, disciplined transients and rumble without flabbiness, while HomeTheaterHifi found the bass deep, distortion-free and absent when the recording contained no low-frequency content.
Mid
93/100
The midrange was described as smooth, well articulated and realistically voiced, especially on vocals. StereoNET also noted fine tonal balance, convincing acoustic detail and a lack of glare that let dense productions breathe.
Treble
94/100
Reviewers consistently found the treble spacious, detailed and easy to listen to. HomeTheaterHifi praised excellent high-frequency performance even off-axis, while StereoNET reported that cymbals and processed high-frequency effects remained smooth rather than harsh or fatiguing.
Soundstage Imaging
95/100
StereoNET heard a physically large, wide soundstage with superb placement of individual elements, and said the speaker images unusually well for its price. HomeTheaterHifi similarly reported an almost holographic presentation with convincing width and depth, plus a stable image well away from the central listening position.
Dynamics
93/100
The OPTICON 8 MK2 remained composed when played loudly, where StereoNET said lesser designs would begin to wobble or distort. HomeTheaterHifi also found it did a very good job conveying the wide dynamic range and orchestral colour of high-resolution recordings.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
94/100
HomeTheaterHifi judged the components and enclosure to be first rate, highlighting the substantial weight, thick front baffle and braced cabinet that resisted audible panel resonance. StereoNET adds that each matched pair is built and tested by one technician, with rigid die-cast driver chassis and carefully engineered motor systems.
Value for Money
92/100
At £2,599 in the UK and $5,000 per pair in the reviewed US pricing, this is a substantial but not ultra-luxury investment. HomeTheaterHifi called its value unquestionable, while StereoNET described it as a very impressive-sounding speaker for the money and praised its broadly capable performance.
Reviews
Online Reviews & Mentions
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
All Dealers
Zoom out the map to see more dealers
Authorized dealers for Dali OPTICON 8 MK2
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- Aalen Hifi — in-store — Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany (website)
- Acton Gate Audio — online and in-store — Cymru, United Kingdom (website)
- Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
- Adventures in HiFi — in-store — Chester, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Alen Audio — in-store — Extramurs, Comunidad Valenciana, Spain (website)
- Alex Audio Video — in-store — Sofia, Sofia City Province, Bulgaria (website)
- Alpha Audio Pte — online and in-store — Singapore, Singapore (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
and 191 more verified dealers