Dali Helicon 400 or Acoustic Zen Adagio?

Dcstep, this is not intended as some sort of challenge, but perhaps you're asking the Helicons to reproduce sounds they're not really designed to reproduce. Do you know the frequency you're focusing on?

If that frequency range is especially important to anyone, then unless they have a true full-range speaker, the would likely be well served by adding a subwoofer.

I too have been impressed with the Helicon 400s from top to bottom, though perhaps not quite bottom bottom...

05-07-08: Steidlguitars said:
"Dcstep, this is not intended as some sort of challenge, but perhaps you're asking the Helicons to reproduce sounds they're not really designed to reproduce. Do you know the frequency you're focusing on?

If that frequency range is especially important to anyone, then unless they have a true full-range speaker, the would likely be well served by adding a subwoofer.

I too have been impressed with the Helicon 400s from top to bottom, though perhaps not quite bottom bottom... "

Thanks for your comment.

I haven't brought both my tuner and SPL meter into the room to figure out the exact frequencies, but yes they are very low, like 30-40 hz. I've got a test CD with sine waves and these seem in that range, without using instruments to absolutely verify that.

Yes, you're right, these speakers may not be designed to go that low and one may want to try the 800s if they otherwise like the DALIs but need more depth. However, I would point out that there are speakers that are smaller than these and cost much less that do play those notes, which is probably the source of my surprise.

Dave

Dcstep, you're a good sport, thanks.

My point was that every speaker design represents trade offs, especially those that are priced within reach of many listeners. For me, 30 hz would be nice, but it is never my principal focus; if that is especially important to you or anyone else, then you'd be better served looking elsewhere.

But to get those low lows--and to hold price constant--you'd trade away something else. For me, it is a speaker that gets the mids right -- vocals and guitar -- everything else is a little less important.

With a tube amp, the Helicons do the mids quite well (not perfectly by any means) and they excel in detail, soundstage, and imaging where I have found them as good as some excellent monitors. Their ribbon tweeter gives them a bit more air then typical, almost like an electrostat to some degree. Their lower mids can be a bit congested, but a change in speaker cables cleared that up for me.

All of that is to say that it's all about trade-offs and knowing what you're after. Like flavors of ice cream!

Dcstep and Steidlguitars,
We will probably be more aligned after this post. I re-read the thread and realise that there may be some miscommunication, and I have to apologise.
I owned the Helicon 400 for about 18 months, and upgraded to the 800 mk2, so all my comments regarding recent testing of the deep base are with respect to the 800 mk2 which I own currently.
I would say this - the 400 is a superb speaker which I would recommend to anyone in a heartbeat. It comes extremely close to being a full range speaker, and I would say it is one of the best in it's class. Perhaps there are some compromises in the deepest base notes. I dont recall this ever being an issue, and I cant go back to test again. So I have to accept Dcstep's comments, and maybe it is asking too much of the speaker.
The 800 mk2 is even better and is most definitely a full range speaker. The deep base is outstanding. There is a reason why they produce an 800 and dont just stop the range at the 400, but of course, they cost more :-)
Sorry for the confusion.

Well Mike60, the OP started out talking about the 400, but somewhere along the way we DID indeed start talking about both. I've never heard the 800, so I can't comment on it.

Anyway, we certainly seem to agree on the strengths of the DALIs, their mids and highs. The DO demand good amplification because they're very revealing. I heard them with some very transparent amps, so the guitars and vocals where very nice.

Dave