DALI Oberon 1 Bookshelf Speaker (Pair)

The DALI OBERON 1 is a ultra compact bookshelf speaker. The cabinet size enables an optimal balance between inner volume for bass performance and a compact appearance for easy integration - suited for smaller rooms, discreet audio setups or wall mounting. It features the same oversized 29 mm ultra-lightweight soft dome tweeter as its floor-standing siblings, and a SMC based 5.25" wood fibre woofer to handle lower midrange and bass. The OBERON 1 is based on the most innovative DALI ideas, traditions and inventions - united in a sleek compact design.

Given its ultra-compact size, the OBERON 1 is the smallest addition to the OBERON line-up. The cabinet size enables an optimal balance between inner volume optimised for bass performance, and a compact cabinet design suited for smaller rooms, discreet audio setups or wall mounting.

Like its larger siblings, the OBERON 1 makes use of the oversized 29 mm ultra light-weight soft dome tweeter to handle the highs and detailed mids, while the SMC based 5.25" wood fibre woofer renders the lower midrange and well-timed bass. With the launch of the DALI OBERON loudspeaker series, we have picked the best elements from our current speakers and brought them together in a series that delivers on audio quality, looks and versatility.

The compactness of the OBERON 1 makes it easy to integrate into any room. To achieve a wide dispersion pattern in the listening area, the driver materials and geometry applied in the OBERON 1 have been carefully selected. The same principles have been applied in the design of the crossover.

As result, you will experience a well-integrated sound, even when listening at a significant off-axis angle. This is important as you are rarely seated directly in front of your loudspeakers when listening to music. An added benefit is seriously reduced harmonic distortion and diffractions causing frequency distortion, as these will always be stronger in an on-axis response. This is also the reason why all DALI speakers are not designed to be toed-in.

The 5.25" low-loss woofer used in the OBERON 1 has been optimised with a new wood fibre structured cone. It is dedicated to reproduce the delicate midrange and bass frequency area - like every other driver made by DALI. It is constructed from a blend of fine grain paper pulp and reinforced with wood fibres, which creates a stiff, light-weight and well-behaving structure. In combination with a low-loss surround and spider suspension, this cone reproduces the micro details in the signal - unfiltered and with high accuracy.

The membrane terminates in a rubber surround that is chosen for its soft and very flexible properties. This gives the membrane free movement with a very low dampening effect, and leaves the magnet motor to control the membrane movement.

With the use of SMC in the OBERON 1 woofer, mechanical distortion caused by hysteresis and eddy currents is greatly reduced. This improvement in the magnet motor system results in a lowering of the third order distortion. This allows the OBERON 1 to present longer listening pleasure with a relaxed midrange and a surprising amount of detailing for the class.

The magnet motor itself consists of a large ferrite magnet that sorrounds a pole piece made with a unique combination of iron and SMC. The iron ferrrite forms the lower base of the pole cylinder, topped of with 10 mm SMC disk to crown the pole piece. This combination minimizes the negative effects of the iron, while placing the SMC disk right in the main working area of the 4-layer voice coil. This placement ensures the maximum effect from the SMC on the voice coils environment, resulting in a greatly improved constant flux field.

The 29 mm ultra-light soft dome tweeter used in the OBERON 1 is manufactured by DALI and has been developed specifically for the OBERON series - combining well proven technologies from our existing DALI ranges with new features.

The large size of the membrane lets the tweeter generate higher sound pressure with less excursion, keeping the voice coil motion to a precise minimum.

The oversized 29 mm membrane is constructed based on an ultra-light wave weave fabric and is additionally optimised for a larger bandwidth in its lower frequency area. This ensures the optimal handover from the midrange woofer to the tweeter, creating a well-balanced, unforced and very coherent upper midrange. Compared to most soft dome tweeters in the market, the DALI dome material is less than half the weight (0.060 mg/mm2).

The tweeter front plate near the dome has been designed with similar geometry as the OPTICON and RUBICON tweeters to create the optimal working conditions for the soft dome. The aim is to combine an extended frequency response with wide dispersion and low coloration.

The cabinet construction of the OBERON 1 is composed from high-density CNC machined MDF board - dressed in carefully selected high-grade vinyl. The very rigid construction of the OBERON 1 cabinet is due to solid bracings across the inside of the cabinet for reinforcement. This improves the stiffness and practically eliminates resonance within the cabinet.

We have optimised the timing by fitting the speakers with acoustic damping material internally along the sides, top and bottom. This creates a more direct contact between woofer and bass port. The audible result is a more precise bass and increased ‘attack’ in the midrange.

The bass ports are placed on the rear of the OBERON 1, optimising room integration by utilising the wall for improved bass performance. Above the bass port, we have integrated a key hole for on-wall mouting.

With the OBERON range, we introduce a brand new front grille design. The new rounded front grille adds a lighter and more contemporary visual look to the speaker series. 'Mountain Grey' is the standard grille supplied with the light finishes (White and Light Oak), while 'Shadow Black' is standard on the dark finishes (Black Ash and Dark Walnut). For an all white look, 'Marshmallow White' is also available as an accessory.