DALI PHANTOM E Series

Introduction

The DALI PHANTOM E series marks a new era for DALI's custom install loudspeaker line. Building on the reputation for high-quality in-wall and in-ceiling speakers established by the DALI PHANTOM range, DALI is expanding the series with new models featuring updated designs and additional sizes. The DALI PHANTOM E series serves as an excellent starting point for high-quality in-ceiling audio. Available in three sizes (5", 6½", and 8"), the PHANTOM E-50, E-60, and E-80 provide a quick and easy audio installation solution. Drawing on the technologies and materials from the highly acclaimed DALI PHANTOM KOMPAS 6M, the new PHANTOM E series elevates these products in terms of both performance and design. Key improvements include an updated, user-friendly dogleg mounting system for simpler and more precise installation, updated front grilles to meet modern aesthetic demands, and the introduction of two new sizes to enhance placement flexibility and the ability to fill even large rooms with high-quality sound.

Background

In-ceiling speakers offer an attractive alternative to traditional box speakers, enabling music playback in rooms where floor space is limited or where the visual impact of standard speakers is undesirable. However, many in-ceiling speakers compromise sound quality for convenience. DALI believes that in-ceiling speakers and true Hi-Fi can coexist. The PHANTOM E Series delivers both stylish design and exceptional sound. When designing in-ceiling speakers, two critical factors must be considered: the mounting surface and the cavity space behind the speaker. The mounting surface, often a wall or ceiling, can potentially enhance bass reproduction but may not match the acoustic properties of dedicated speaker cabinets. Therefore, a rigid mounting system and front baffle are essential. The cavity space behind the speaker can either be dampened, absorbing lower frequencies, or undampened, potentially causing standing waves that negatively affect bass reproduction. Open-back in-ceiling speakers must be engineered to perform well in both scenarios. DALI's 30 years of experience in designing traditional loudspeaker cabinets and driver units has been instrumental in developing the PHANTOM E series, ensuring these open-back in-ceiling speakers adhere to DALI's core sound principles.

Design

The PHANTOM E Series features updated front grilles designed to seamlessly integrate into any interior. The front baffle design has been enhanced with increased thickness around the outer edges, ensuring a tighter and more secure fit against the mounting surface, which also contributes to the speaker's overall strength and rigidity. The dogleg mounting system simplifies installation into a single step: insert the speaker into the prepared opening, then tighten the dedicated screws from the front to swing out the dogleg brackets, securing them against the back of the mounting surface. The system can be reversed to accommodate thicker mounting surfaces, up to 70mm.

Visual Description: The front of the speaker features a round, perforated grille. A close-up view shows the speaker's internal structure, highlighting the orange dogleg mounting brackets being deployed against a surface.

Wide Dispersion

All DALI speakers are engineered with a focus on wide dispersion, optimizing audio reproduction off-axis. This principle ensures that music and movie audio reach the largest possible area of the room. This characteristic is particularly beneficial for install speakers, which are typically flush-mounted into walls or ceilings. Wide dispersion creates a large "sweet spot" for perfect soundstage reproduction, while maintaining high sound quality even for listeners positioned away from the primary listening area. The PHANTOM E Series, utilizing this principle, delivers a broad sweet spot and fills the room with high-quality sound.

Visual Description: A diagram illustrates sound waves emanating from two ceiling speakers, depicted as green cones spreading widely across a room, indicating broad sound coverage.

Tweeter

The 25mm soft dome tweeter module is mounted within a composite housing on an aerodynamic, airplane-wing-profile wishbone bracket. This design minimizes the speaker's overall footprint. The placement of the tweeter over the woofer, combined with the bracket's design, helps eliminate the "coaxial colouration" often associated with coaxial drivers. This arrangement also facilitates a smoother blend between mid-range, low, and high frequencies, resulting in precise and natural overall performance, even at high sound pressure levels. A circular marking, resembling a compass rose, on the outer edge of the speaker baffle assists in directing the speaker for optimal soundstage positioning.

Visual Description: A close-up image shows the 25mm soft dome tweeter mounted on a distinctive wishbone-shaped bracket. The bracket is described as aerodynamic. A circular marking resembling a compass rose is visible on the outer edge of the speaker baffle.

Woofer

Flexibility was a key consideration in the design of the PHANTOM E series, enabling their use in spaces unsuitable for traditional DALI speakers. Polypropylene was chosen for the cone material to achieve a balance between durability and excellent audio reproduction. The woofer is tilted and angled within the front baffle to enhance directionality and sound staging, allowing for better positioning of the sweet spot. The cone, surround, and magnet motor system are designed according to DALI's low-loss principles, making the PHANTOM E series easy to drive and capable of delivering high-quality audio experiences even with smaller amplifiers.

Visual Description: A close-up image displays the speaker's woofer cone, constructed from polypropylene. The woofer is shown angled within the speaker baffle.

Crossover

Every component within the crossover is meticulously selected for its audiophile quality and is specifically designed for each PHANTOM E model. All PHANTOM E series models incorporate a PTC (Polymeric Positive Temperature Coefficient) safety function. This feature safeguards the driver components from overheating during prolonged periods of very loud playback. Install speakers are often used to fill entire rooms, and if the volume is accidentally turned up excessively by a listener in another room, it can permanently damage the speakers. The PTC system acts as a fuse, preventing such damage by interrupting the current when it becomes too high. Internal wiring is optimized for the speaker design and secured to prevent rattling. The terminals are positioned directly on the crossover to ensure the shortest possible signal path, and spring-loaded grips provide a secure and long-lasting connection for speaker wire.

Visual Description: A close-up view of the speaker's crossover board reveals electronic components and gold-plated spring-loaded speaker terminals, connected to wiring.

Distribute Sound and HF Tilt

The PHANTOM E series offers two audio settings to adjust speaker performance:

• Focus/Distribute: This toggle allows the tweeter to disperse high frequencies more effectively. The 'Focus' setting is recommended for listening positions close to the speaker (within 25 degrees off-axis) for the best experience. The 'Distribute' setting is for listening positions beyond 25 degrees off-axis, enhancing high-frequency dispersion and improving the audio experience at wider angles.
• Normal/HF Tilt: When speakers are placed at a significant distance from each other, achieving a cohesive soundstage can be challenging. The 'HF Tilt' option adds +3dB to the high-frequency output, helping the sound travel further and improving the soundstage, especially under demanding conditions.

Visual Description: A close-up shows control knobs labeled "Normal", "HF+Tilt", "Focus", and "Distrib.". Below this is a diagram illustrating sound dispersion patterns for "Focus" (blue/violet) and "Distribute" (green/yellow) settings, demonstrating their impact on sound coverage.

Application

With three models in the PHANTOM E series, DALI has significantly enhanced the installation and performance of its in-ceiling speakers. The flexibility of these speakers makes them an ideal choice for customers seeking quality audio in compact living spaces, larger areas, or public venues.

PHANTOM E-50

This compact in-ceiling speaker delivers exceptionally clear and well-defined audio, producing impressive bass for its size. It is perfect for stereo setups in small rooms or as rear speakers in larger surround sound systems.

PHANTOM E-60

The PHANTOM E-60 is a versatile, all-round speaker that is easy to position and provides a full, complete audio experience. It is suitable for stereo setups in kitchens or family rooms, or as side or rear speakers in large surround sound systems. The E-60 can also be fitted with an optional backbox, which provides an optimal acoustic environment and helps insulate backward sound projection, preventing disturbance to other rooms or neighbors.

PHANTOM E-80

The PHANTOM E-80 is designed for significant sound output, utilizing its 8" woofer to fill even very large rooms with high-quality audio while maintaining bass control. It is the ideal choice for main speakers in living room setups, whether for stereo or surround sound.

Visual Description: Three diagrams show the dimensions and cut-out sizes for the DALI PHANTOM E-SERIES 5", 6.5", and 8" speakers.

Available Accessories

The PHANTOM E series is complemented by several accessories:

• Square front grille for PHANTOM E-50, E-60, and E-80.
• PHANTOM Pre-construction kit.
• PHANTOM Universal 25 backbox.

Visual Description: Images display a square speaker grille, a pre-construction bracket kit, and a white rectangular backbox.