Dali Zensor 3 Review

The Danish loudspeaker manufacturer DALI has a large number of products. The Zensor series, the more popular entry-level series loudspeakers, has attracted attention from audiophiles worldwide. Don’t underestimate ZENSOR because it is an entry-level product. But this product has a very high-cost performance and a popular and simple design. It has been recognized by many European professional media, such as the British “What Hi-Fi” magazine, German “Stereo” magazine, German i-fidelity.net website, etc. In this post, I will review the Dali ZENSOR 3 speaker.

On the one hand, it is a multi-channel theater system that experiences its surround sound envelopment and live reproduction ability. On the other hand, it is a stereo Hi-Fi system, which includes floor-mounted speakers and bookshelf speakers for listening, and the experience is fascinating.

In the entire ZENSOR series, in terms of the most cost-effective, I still think ZENSOR 3 is the most perfect choice. In the case of a relatively limited indoor environment, daily listening to vocals and string music might be the mainstream. Thus ZENSOR 3 is more suitable for you than ZENSOR 1.

The Zensor series faithfully continues the consistent quality of the Dali high-end perspective and incorporates Dali’s original technology and revolutionary design concepts, and guarantees the pure pedigree of the Danish DALI brand.

The ZENSOR series covers five speaker products, from compact stereo speakers to majestic multi-channel audio systems, which can meet the various needs of music lovers. There are a total of 5 products, including ZENSOR 7 and ZFNSOR 5 floor standing speakers, ZENSOR 3 and ZENSOR 1 bookshelf speakers, and ZENSOR Vokal center speakers.

Users can satisfy multi-channel home theater or two-channel Hi-Fi music listening according to different home space conditions and needs. From the whole series, I feel a little bit more or less the simple design style of Scandinavia in Northern Europe. At present, DALI also integrates this design into the entire product line, integrating contemporary art, classic craftsmanship, and avant-garde fashion.

Each product perfectly integrates the home living environment, bringing users an unparalleled audio-visual experience. For example, in terms of appearance, the aluminum-alloy-style detail decoration highlights fashion and avant-garde.

Design

The front baffle paint surface is smooth and bright, extending naturally along with the cabinet. ZENSOR uses a Textile soft hemisphere tweeter, while the mid-bass woofer uses DALI’s preferred wood fiber diaphragm unit, which has the characteristics of lightweight, toughness, and excellent damping characteristics.

Focusing on the ZENSOR 3 bookshelf speaker’s design, the square shape, the exquisite artistry, and the sound effect of ZENSOR 3 is beyond imagination. You will think that this kind of sound comes from floor-mounted speakers. ZENSOR 3 integrates the tweeter module of ZENSOR 1 and the 7-inch woofer of ZENSOR 7, which can vividly interpret the treble, midrange, and bass.

DALI has carefully designed the cabinet so that it is just right to interpret the powerful and highly controlled bass. On the other hand, it can be easily placed on a desktop speaker stand or floor stand.

The material of the woofer cone is reinforced by wood fiber. This hybrid material is both solid and light, ensuring that every sound signal is faithfully reproduced without any loss. Compared with the 6.5-inch woofer, the surface area of the 7-inch woofer is increased by 15%. That allows the ZENSOR 3 to use a shorter cone stroke to achieve the same sound pressure, making it easy for the ZENSOR 3 to interpret all kinds of music.

At the same time, ZENSOR 3 uses a 4-layer voice coil magnetic circuit system, which can output 17% more power than a speaker with a two-layer voice coil. The copper-plated aluminum wire coil can ensure the perfect performance of the middle and high pitches.

The power of the magnetic circuit system has been strengthened so that the bass is accurate and just right. Facts have repeatedly proved that the soft hemisphere silk treble can reproduce the original sound fully and delicately. The same is true for the tweeter module used in DALI Zensor 3 speaker, which has excellent frequency response, wide acoustic diffusion, and low distortion.

In terms of technical parameters, ZENSOR 3 has a frequency response of 50Hz-26.5kHz and a sensitivity of 88dB. It is basically not an issue with the regular amplifier. The ZENSOR 3 speaker has three optional finishes, including black ash-vinyl, white vinyl, and light walnut-vinyl to choose from.

Sound Performance

The test music was Barbra’s “One Night Only” for vocal and piano tests. The vocals are pure and smooth, with high restoration. The fullness of the mid-frequency is excellent. The performance is relatively pure and smooth, and the vocals in the sound field are also relatively focused. Putting the ZENSOR 3 toe-in slightly, the effect becomes more obvious. The live version of her live recording is more realistic, and Barbra’s emotions are better expressed.

In the piano solo, every keynote is full of flexibility and transparency. Piano, vocals, and other musical instruments have formed a good sense of hierarchy and separation with Barbra’s female voice, making the performance moderate and appropriate. ZENSOR 3 is very good when restored the overall sound field.

Zensor 3 desktop speaker has a relatively strong performance in the sound field and low frequency. The sound is exquisite, the texture is clearly expressed, and the space atmosphere is perfect. The overall sound becomes more relaxed and has potential.

n the low-frequency performance of drumming, it is full of flexibility, the low-frequency performance is moderate, and there is no excessive softness. The details and the amount of information are also rich. The high-frequency range of the female voice has not been concealed by the low rumble frequency, with a clear sense of hierarchy, and the sound field is vast and has a good sense of depth.

Playing “Paganini Caprice no.24” Among this album’s repertoire, it was considered a repertoire that no one can play except Paganini, and its exceptional violin skills made a legend. The high-frequency performance in ZENSOR 3 is very smooth and not harsh, making people feel very comfortable.

The sound performance is also natural. The high-frequency control performance is good, and there will be no harshness and uncomfortable. The violin lines are clear, direct, and smooth. Using the toe-in method of testing vocals, the violin’s image effect is more prominent and cohesive. The sense of the scene is better, as if the performer is standing in front of me. The performance of the sound field is also well-defined.

Conclusion

As an entry-level, cost-effective bookshelf speaker, Dali Zensor 3 speaker is not inferior to the effect when it is matched with a suitable Hi-Fi-level amplifier.

The shape and the simple front baffle design leave room for play with the home environment. The sound is not only good at mid-to-high frequency. The 7-inch caliber and strong magnetic circuit system also ensure sufficient low-frequency energy and the ability to restore the vast sound field.

If what you need is a home theater speaker system, DALI Zensor 3 speaker can also show a better sense of surround envelopment and accurate sound source directivity. Are you still not tempted by such a cost-effective ZENSOR 3 speaker?

DALI Zensor 3 Specs

Frequency Range (+/-3 dB) [Hz]: 50 – 26,500
Sensitivity (2,83 V/1 m) [dB]: 88.0
Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 6
Maximum SPL [dB]: 108
Recommended Amplifier Power [W]: 25 – 125
Crossover Frequency [Hz]: 2,600 Hz
High frequency driver, Quantity: 1 x 25 mm
High frequency driver, Diaphragm type: Soft Textile Dome
Low frequency driver, Quantity: 1 x 7″
Low frequency driver, Diaphragm type: Wood Fibre Cone
Enclosure type: Bass Reflex
Bass Reflex Tuning Frequency [Hz]: 46.0
Connection Input: Single Wire
Magnetic Shielding: No
Recommended Placement: Shelf or stand
Recommended Distance From Wall [cm]: 5 – 30 cm
Dimensions With Base (HxWxD) [mm]: 351 x 205 x 293
Accessories Included: Manual / Rubber Pads
Optional Accessories: White Grille
Weight [kg]: 6.3