DALI ZENSOR 5 AX
This year has been a good one for DALI, because this well-known Danish loudspeaker manufacturer has picked up awards not only for the DALI Zensor 5 AX speakers reviewed here (Wireless Stereo Speakers over $2500, bestowed by Sound+Image magazine) but also for its Spektor 6 Speakers (a ‘Best Value’ award from EISA — the European Imaging & Sound Association) and its Phantom S in-wall speaker series (‘Best Product’ EISA award in ‘Home Theatre High-End 2017–2018’).
EQUIPMENT
Active wireless loudspeakers — speakers where the amplifier is built into the speaker itself, and where there’s wireless connectivity so you can stream music from your phone or device — are the hottest products in audio right now.
The only problem is that the vast majority of the units sold are no bigger than a can of soft drink, and are designed for desk-top use or ‘casual’ music playback at picnics and suchlike. Such units sound acceptable only at low volume levels, their sound is often monophonic, and despite sometimes sounding remarkably good considering their price and size, it’s still a long, long way from hi-fidelity.
The lack of fidelity has not gone unnoticed by consumers, but they’ve also noticed the convenience of such systems and, not unreasonably, have asked why home hi-fi loudspeakers aren’t active and wireless. And it’s a good question. One answer is that the great majority of manufacturers of quality loudspeakers are not skilled at building either amplifiers or wireless interfaces. Another is that those manufacturers that could build such
