The PHANTOM S-280 is a very powerful built-in speaker with two 8” mid/bass range drivers, two 10” passive radiators and a rotating hybrid tweeter module. It delivers a clean, coherent, powerful and detailed sound that fills the entire room. And it also includes a slim casing that can be recessed into virtually any standard wall.

DALI PHANTOM S-280 keys

• Thin housing: One of DALI's objectives for the Phantom S range has been to create a high-end recessed speaker with a reduced width to allow maximum flexibility when installing them. They achieved this by creating built-in speakers that are only 103 mm wide, allowing them to be installed on practically any standard wall.

• SMC Technology: The advanced Soft Magnetic Compound (SMC) eliminates the variation of flux intensity in the magnet gap. This reduces distortion to a minimum compared to traditional drivers. 

• Wide dispersion: All DALI speakers are designed for wide dispersion. This means an optimization of off-axis audio reproduction and is a perfect technology for installing speakers, embedding them inside or on the wall. 

• 10" passive radiator: includes a 10" passive bass reflex woofer made of carbon fiber – inherited from the DALI SUB P-10 DSS' high-end subwoofer.

DALI PHANTOM S-280, in depth

DALI PHANTOM S-280 built-in speakers offer the latest reproduction for custom installations – without sacrificing valuable room space. Using proven sound technology such as DALI's signature wood fiber cones, low-loss rubber damping, solid MDF front baffle and superior magnet design – coupled with the Danish firm's latest innovations including the SMC polarizing piece and the unique, authentic hybrid tweeter module – it delivers unprecedented audio reproduction.

The two 8” primary woofers are optimized to handle both bass and midrange, and to enhance lower-end sounds, DALI has paired them with two 10” passive woofers. This achieves a full frequency response, equivalent to that of a tower speaker, which ensures that PHANTOM S-280 stands out among other built-in speakers. 

The ultra-thin housing design is compatible with virtually any standard wall. All models are built around a rotating hybrid tweeter module, making it easy to set up to enjoy any type of audio – be it stereo, center channel or surround.

PHANTOM S-280 case design

The PHANTOM S-280 features a slim housing that fits on virtually any standard wall. Building a narrow speaker was a challenge for DALI in many ways. With a depth of only 103 mm they have achieved the perfect internal volume for the woofers in width and height, but also inside. 

The front of the PHANTOM S-280 integrates elegantly with the wall using the extruded aluminum frame. The design of the frame ensures that there is sufficient contact surface between the speaker and the wall without imposing an imposition on aesthetics.

The magnetic front grille shapes the aesthetic presence of PHANTOM S-280. Discreet, simple and modern, it is non-intrusive, almost invisible. 

The housing is made of solid MDF that holds the stud mounting system and terminals. The MDF rear camera is completely wrapped in a high quality black vinyl to complete the look of the painted front baffle. The entire casing has been designed to be thin, but solid enough to prevent resonance.

SMC

Due to its superior precision and marginal distortion, DALI has chosen to base the PHANTOM S-280 woofers on the SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) magnetic system, originally developed for EPICON 8.

The SMC has the unique ability to offer very high magnetic conductivity, but low electrical conductivity, which drastically reduces the effects of hysteresis and eddy currents around the polarized part. In Christian: it reduces distortion to a beast. At the same time, it offers all the qualities necessary in a good magnetic system.

By wrapping the SMC magnet piece with aluminum rings and a 1.5" four-layer voice coil, DALI achieves optimal control, low distortion and high power output. The low-loss damping and cone structure have been optimized for mid-range reproduction, as has the dust cover. The smaller-than-usual dust cover arches outward as part of the woofer depth optimization.

Together, all of this delivers high-bandwidth playback with stunning detail and the ability to deliver well-controlled bass and midrange.

DALI Phantom S-280 tweeter

The PHANTOM S-280 rotating hybrid tweeter module is the solution for perfect high frequencies. DALI has a long tradition of using hybrid tweeter modules, which combine a soft dome tweeter with a ribbon tweeter. This ensures impressive high-frequency performance and treble dispersion that surpasses any other tweeter technology.

Both the soft dome and ribbon tweeters are free of faults – such as resonances and high EQ peaks – throughout their frequency range. The hybrid tweeter module features extremely smooth and wide horizontal dispersion – one of DALI Speakers' acoustic signatures. Even the tweeter faceplate has been designed to obtain the greatest possible dispersion.

The characteristics of the soft dome tweeter are a low resonance frequency, high supported power, extreme excursions and excellent vacuum for high pressure treble. The magneto-static ribbon tweeter is the true master of horizontal high frequency dispersion, and an ideal partner for the soft dome tweeter's unique ability to reproduce frequencies from 2kHz and up.

DALI Phantom S-280 Woofer

The two primary 8" woofers have been designed and developed specifically for the PHANTOM S-280 and optimized for bass and midrange reproduction. The SMC magnetic system developed for the EPICON range was chosen as the core of this woofer for its unique ability to dramatically reduce distortion.

With 70% surface area, 8” woofers can move more air and deliver higher pressure levels at very low frequencies compared to a traditional 6½” woofer. All without interfering with the deep level of detail, rich midrange and a full frequency response worthy of a tower speaker.

To ensure the best possible bass reproduction from the PHANTOM S-280, DALI has integrated two 10” passive bass reflex woofers – based on the passive radiator of the 'DALI SUB P-10 DSS' high-end subwoofer.

While using its own aluminum housing, soft damping and high-performance carbon fiber cones, passive radiators let the Phantom S-280 dive into the lower frequencies to deliver the sound you'd expect.

from a very bulky acoustic box, only from an ultra-thin casing.

Phantom S-280, DALI wide dispersion

By designing the drivers themselves for wide dispersion, DALI makes its speakers easy to integrate into any room, delivering smooth, coherent sound over a wider area.

This technology is perfect for the PHANTOM S-280 when embedded in a wall.

Working with off-axis optimization, DALI ensures that the listener has a wider sweet spot from which to enjoy a perfect soundstage, but also guarantees high-quality sound beyond the optimal listening point.

By optimizing the audio signal for off-axis distribution, both the direct and reflected signals have the same high quality. This means high sound quality over a much wider area.

Even dispersion over a larger listening area ensures smooth, energetic distribution throughout the room, another crucial factor for consistent, well-balanced tonality.

DALI PHANTOM S-280 specifications

Product series: PHANTOM BUILT-IN SPEAKERS
Frequency range (+/-3 dB) [Hz]: 48 - 25,000
Sensitivity (2.83 V/1 m) [dB]: 89.0
Nominal impedance [ohm]: 8
Maximum SPL [dB]: 112
Amplification power recommended W: 40 - 400
Filter crossover frequencies (Hz): 3,000 / 15,000
Hybrid tweeter module, high frequency driver figure: 1 x 17 x 45 mm
Hybrid tweeter module, high frequency driver diaphragm type: Ribbon
High frequency driver, quantity: 1 x 29 mm
High frequency driver, diaphragm type: Textile soft dome
Low frequency module, quantity: 2 x 8"
Low frequency module, diaphragm type: Wood fiber cone
Low frequency passive driver, quantity: 2 x 10"
Low frequency passive driver, diaphragm type: Carbon fiber cone
Enclosure type: Closed with dual passive radiators
Input connection: Simple wiring
Recommended placement and use: Recessed, built-in; Central / Sound Bar
Dimensions (WxHxD) [mm]: 1,527 x 527 x 110
Recessed "cutout" dimensions (WxHxD) mm: 1,495 x 495 x 103
Weight [kg]: 35.0
Accessories included: Manual, Cut-out template, 3mm Allen key
Finishes: aluminum (Aluminum Frame) and white grille (White Laquer Grille)