Dali Zensor 5 AX
FOR Excellent, rhythmic sound; good timing; functionality AGAINST Need careful positioning and partnering “It’s a credit to the 5 AXS just how transparent they are to every single component in your system”
Sometimes in hi-fi, you need perseverance to get the best results. But like most things that take a little effort, the rewards you’ll reap when you do are absolutely worth it.
The Dali Zensor 5 AXS are a bit like that. A powered pair of floorstanders, it’s in their nature to be plug and play – to be up and running with minimum fuss. And that’s what they do – but take care with set-up and these speakers will shine.
Hidden wonders
At a glance, the speakers themselves look just like their passive siblings, save for a small LED on the left master speaker to inform you which input is selected. This master speaker holds the brains of the set-up, including the 50W-per-channel Class D amplifier, a choice of physical inputs and the wireless components for Bluetooth.
Just this left speaker needs to be connected to mains power, and then to the right speaker – essentially a standard Zensor 5 – by a single (included) cable.
Since the crossover remains passive, this is a powered set-up rather than truly active, splitting the amplified signal to the 13cm wood-fibre cone woofer and 25mm soft-dome tweeter in each cabinet.
There isn’t the biggest choice of inputs – just 3.5mm aux, digital optical and apt-x Bluetooth – but that’s probably enough. It means you can hook up portable devices or a laptop via the mini jack, and a CD player or even your TV via the optical.
Crucial adjustments
We set the Dalis up, connect our Cyrus CDI CD player and place them in our standard speaker position, well away from the rear wall of our testing room.
They are unmistakably Dali. Fast, detailed and enthusiastic, they offer a bigger, better sound than any one-box solution at this price. But the bass lacks some punch and definition and the treble isn’t the most refined either.
We try them close to the back wall of our testing room, with no toe-in. Immediately the previously soft bass shapes up and sounds more solid. Leading low notes have more definition to their edges and there’s more confidence in the lower register overall. There could still be a touch more kick to the lower bass notes, but it’s an improvement to our first listen, with improved solidity and richness across the board.
Though the treble is calmer with the new placement, we still find it a touch too lively, so we switch out the included speaker cable for a better quality one – we’d recommend the Award-winning Chord Clearway at £10/m – and the difference is undeniable. The White Stripes song that had previously sounded hard and unrelenting still sounds suitably manic, but is better expressed.
Give them the best
It’s a credit to the 5 AXS just how transparent they are to every single component in your system, but also a consideration. You’re going to want to feed them the best source and cabling you can to get the best from them.
As we listen further, voices sound warm, natural and filled with expression, and there’s loads of detail. These aren’t the biggest-sounding floorstanders we’ve heard at this level, but they handle dynamics with verve and have a strong sense of timing, even with complex rhythmic patterns.
Over Bluetooth we hear a smaller sound with some loss of detail and refinement, but it’s still a hugely enjoyable listen. We wouldn’t think twice about using it.
The Dali Zensor 5 AXS are a strong reminder that you can’t always judge hi-fi by its first listen. Running in, system matching, placement and accessories can make a huge difference. We liked the Zensor 5 AX when we first heard them, but by the end of our time with them we loved them. They’re a real success, delivering all the convenience of a one-box solution in something altogether more hi-fi.