As the entry ticket to the prestigious Rubikore range, the Dali Rubikore 2 bookshelf speaker inherits cutting-edge technologies inaugurated with the ultimate Dali Kore and Dali Epikore 11 speakers. 6.5” SMC drivers, a Continuous Flare port and a 1.14” tweeter are combined in this 2024 model to ensure a no-compromise hi-fi and home theater listening experience.
A rich heritage
In 2022, Dali revealed its crown jewel: the Dali Kore. This exceptional speaker, measuring 1.70m tall and weighing over 140kg, is the culmination of several years of intensive research. Thanks to its acoustic innovation, it stands out as the Danish manufacturer’s most powerful and prestigious model, with a price tag of €80,000 per pair. At the 2023 Paris Audio Video Show, Dali took the opportunity to introduce a “light” version: the Dali Epikore 11. Despite being more modest, it is still impressive with a weight of 75kg, a height of 1.60m and a price of €40,000 per pair. With the new Dali Rubikore range, the brand’s goal is to make these technological innovations accessible to a wider public.
Presentation of the Dali Rubikore 2
Design
Like the other four models in the range (Dali Rubikore 6 and Dali Rubikore 8 floorstanders, Dali Rubikore Cinema center speaker and Dali Rubikore On Wall speaker), the Dali Rubikore 2 bookshelf speaker is entirely designed and handmade in the brand’s Danish workshops. Its thick MDF cabinet benefits from reinforcements to maximize rigidity and reduce internal resonance and vibrations. The outer panels feature a beautiful lacquer finish that is available in walnut, black, white or cherrywood.
The assembly is exemplary, with no screws or joints, except for those of the midbass driver and tweeter. This is a very beautiful object, reminiscent of a luxury car. However, to preserve all its splendor, it’s best to limit handling, as the lacquer finish is very prone to fingerprints.
At the rear, the Dali Rubikore 2 speaker adopts a double pair of terminals, enabling bi-wiring or bi-amping. Inherited from the gold-plated terminals of the prestigious Dali Epicon speaker range, they are compatible with pre-mounted speaker cables equipped with spade connectors and banana plugs, as well as gauge cables up to 4mm². Their sturdy construction and excellent grip make them easy to handle.
These terminal blocks are combined with an audiophile-grade crossover featuring SMC-KORE cross-coupled inductors with SMC technology to reduce distortion. Resistance is also limited, and the signal path reduced to maximize transparency and fine detail.
Acoustic design
The Dali Rubikore 2 bookshelf speaker inherits the principles and technologies inaugurated with the top-of-the-range Dali Kore. It features a 6.5″ midbass driver with a Clarity Cone. The latter uses paper and wood fibers to ideally combine rigidity and lightness. It is mounted on a flexible rubber surround for optimum excursion. To move this driver efficiently, Dali uses a double magnet to better control the magnetic flux. This moving element benefits from Dali’s proprietary SMC (Soft Magnetic Compound) technology to limit distortion and deliver a natural sound.
To extend the bass response, this driver is bass-reflex loaded via a circular port. The port is designed according to the principles of Continuous Flare Port technology, again inspired by the Dali Kore. Its shape is carefully sculpted to optimize bass extension without generating distortion, resonance or unwanted noise. What’s more, the port is firmly screwed into the cabinet, rather than simply glued, to prevent vibration. As a result, the Dali Rubikore 2 speaker is capable of going down to 50Hz. However, because of its rear port, care should be taken to leave a space of a few dozen centimeters between the speaker and the wall, unless you wish to artificially amplify the bass.
High-frequency reproduction is entrusted to a dome tweeter directly derived from the model used on the Dali Kore. It uses a 1.14″ soft dome, a larger-than-average size. This provides better power handling and a wider diffusion zone. As a result, the sweet spot effect is reduced, ensuring a balanced perception of music and micro-details, even outside the axis of the speakers. This tweeter is capable of performing up to 26kHz, ensuring more precise reproduction of the various harmonic frequencies. As a result, the sound becomes richer and more precise.
This design enables the Dali Rubikore 2 speaker to offer an extended frequency response from 50Hz to 26kHz, with an impedance of 4 ohms and sensitivity of 87 dB. With a power handling capacity of 40 to 150W, it can be easily used with a wide range of hi-fi amplifiers or AV receivers.
Test conditions
For this test, we paired the Dali Rubikore 2 compact speakers with the Marantz Model 40N and Yamaha R-N2000A connected amplifiers, as well as with the Cayin Soul 170i tube amp. The latter was coupled to the Eversolo DMP-A8 network player, used here to play Hi-Res music in FLAC and DSD shared over the local network, as well as our Qobuz playlists.
Listening impressions
The Dali Rubikore 2 demonstrated a strong dynamic character and excellent bass response for bookshelf speakers. On Sade’s Slave Song, the bass was dense, taut and impactful. It punctuated the music with great energy and infused the listening experience with a pleasant depth. In our 25m² auditorium, the Dali Rubikore 2 speaker proved to be perfectly balanced, leaving no sense of frustration in the lower end of the spectrum.
Spaced about 2.5m apart in our setup, the pair of Dali Rubikore 2 speakers delivered a very fine stereo image, with a real sense of width and depth. The soundstage was ample, allowing each piece of information to breathe and find its place. All instruments were clearly and naturally distinguishable. On the track Sweetheart Like You, Bob Dylan’s raspy voice was perfectly positioned in the center. The Dali Rubikore 2 were like magnifying glasses, effectively highlighting every texture and grain of the vocals The piano that accompanies the song had a remarkable presence, thanks to the breadth of the soundstage. The guitar was extremely clear, its notes resonating with remarkable precision and transparency.
The 1.14″ tweeter fitted to these Dali speakers brought transparency and clarity to the sound, without ever showing the slightest sign of sibilance. On the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack played by Hans Zimmer during his concert in Prague, the Dali Rubikore 2 speakers revealed all their mastery. Violins were smooth and agile. Each bow stroke was reproduced with great finesse, ensuring that the slightest variations in dynamics were easily perceived. The electric guitar was reproduced with crystalline clarity, while brass instruments were textured to perfection. These small Dali speakers effectively captured all the beauty and complexity of the orchestral composition.
Dali Rubikore 2 vs Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2
Offered for €100 less, the Sonus Faber Sonetto II G2 also shine with their exemplary finish and cutting-edge technologies. Equipped with a 6.5″ midbass driver and a 1.1″ DAD tweeter exclusive to the brand, these speakers offer a slightly rounder, richer reproduction in the midrange, which will appeal to lovers of warm tones. More analytical, the Dali Rubikore 2 retains a notable advantage in terms of clarity, dynamism and generosity in the bass, offering a more realistic experience.
Who are Dali Rubikore 2 for?
Audiophiles who dream of the Dali Kore (€80,000 for 140 kg) or Dali Epikore 11 (€40,000 for 75 kg) but have neither the budget nor the space for these behemoths will find solace in the Dali Rubikore 2. More modest and affordable, these speakers are no less musical thanks to the integration of technologies shared with their larger siblings. They infuse music with remarkable clarity, dynamics and depth, bringing each musical register to life with great realism. These beautiful bookshelf speakers will also appeal to lovers of fine objects, who will be able to add a real touch of luxury to their interiors.
Conclusion
Like rubies, the Dali Rubikore 2 are true gems that shine with a thousand virtues. Their crystalline sound and luxurious lacquer finish recall the perfection of these finely cut gemstones. By incorporating the best elements of its flagships, Dali has created an exceptional model that is unanimously acclaimed. The openness and depth of the soundstage, the richness of the timbres and the generosity of the bass – everything is perfectly harmonious!
We liked:
- The exemplary lacquer finish
- The depth of the low frequencies
- The dynamic, energetic reproduction
- The openness and depth of the soundstage
- The rich tones
We would have liked:
- A finish that was less prone to fingerprints?
