Dali Ikon6

the_eleven -- Fri, 07/21/2006 - 20:02

Anyone have experience with this speaker?

Some reveiwers have praised the speakers extension, but panned the warm mid-bass, which is a problem for me.

I am using an AR tube preamp, and VTL power amps.

Thanks in advance!!

Robert Harley -- Mon, 07/24/2006 - 13:38

The DALI IKON 6 is reviewed in TAS Issue 164, which ships from the printer one week from today. We also reviewed the IKON 6 as part of a multichannel system in The Perfect Vision Issue 69. We also mention the speaker in our CES report as appearing to be an outstanding value, offering nearly all the performance of the Helikon at a fraction of the price.

Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Absolute Sound
The Perfect Vision

Chris Martens -- Tue, 07/25/2006 - 15:37

the_eleven,

I just recently revisited Neil Gader's review of the DALI Helicon 400s (from TAS 155) and found several passages that you might find interesting.

First, Neil wrote that the Helicons were "rich and majestic in the bass," adding that "the Helicon projected a yin-like warmth with a fully-fleshed mid- and upper-bass structure..."

Later, Neil observed that "In my room, the 400s had a bass peak in the 40-50Hz range that thickened the sound of certain orchestral material."

My point, here, is to speculate that perhaps a touch of mid-bass warmth is part of the Helicon/Ikon's sonic persona. It it too much warmth, or just the right amount? That's your call.

One way to find the happy medium might be go with a speaker whose bass presentation is a little (not a lot) tighter or more "lean" than that of the DALIs. Two reasonably-priced candidates might be the Paradigm Reference Studio 100 v3s or the Magnepan MG1.6QRs. The Paradigms go lower than the Maggies, and with very good control. The Maggies, however, offer dipole bass, which can sound delightfully taut and expressive (if you get their positioning right).

But an alternative approach might be to go with the DALIs, and then to use an amplifier that offers really superb woofer control. Some amps that offer great bass power and control are the Channel Islands Audio D-200s and the NuForce Reference 9s. The NuForce, in particular, has impressive bass "grip" and "traction."

'Just some thoughts on possible ways to get the results you seek.

Best,

Chris Martens
TAS/TPV

Chris Martens
Editor, Avguide.com/Playback/The Perfect Vision

the_eleven -- Sat, 07/29/2006 - 11:57

Mr Harley

Can I have a few hints on the nature of the upcoming review? Glowing, Enhusiastic with Reservations, Generally Positive, Middling, Disparaging?

Mr Martens,

Well thought out response! Although I have always thought that the early VTL stuff has superb woofer control, you are definately on to something.
I generally prefer low power tube amplification, so am not sure that the Maggies or Paradigms are a good solution. But I will check it out.

Both of youse,

Also looking at Definitive Technology 7002 or Gallo Acoustics 3.1's. Any thoughts?

thanks again,

Tim

Robert Harley -- Mon, 07/31/2006 - 09:54

Tim:

You can read the full review in Issue 69 of The Perfect Vision. If you don't have the print magazine, you can download it from our site. The review in The Absolute Sound (which focuses on the IKON 6 in a two-channel setting) appears in the next issue, which mails from the printer today.

Robert Harley
Editor-in-Chief
The Absolute Sound
The Perfect Vision

Barry Willis -- Wed, 08/02/2006 - 01:54

Tim,

I'm one of the staffers who reviewed the Dali Ikon. I think it offers exceptional performance for the money. Please read the reviews in TPV 69 and in the new issue of TAS.

thanks

Barry Willis