Can a Bookshelf Speaker Sound This Good? My DALI Rubicon 2 Review
The Danish company DALI (Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries) is known for offering a wide range of speakers, each refined, updated, and tuned to perfection. What makes DALI unique is its ability to maintain a consistent sound signature and excellent price-to-performance ratio across all models.
For many audiophiles, the Rubicon series is where the pursuit of perfection meets reality.
Traditions and Technologies That Define the Sound
DALI engineers achieve their distinctive house sound using the same core materials and design philosophies across all their speakers. The difference between each series lies in the number and sophistication of the applied technologies, and Rubicon stands near the top of that hierarchy.
Wood-Fiber Cone Drivers
The mid/bass driver of the Rubicon 2 features DALI’s signature dark red paper cone a mix of cellulose pulp and wood fibers. This blend enhances cone rigidity while maintaining low internal resonances, ensuring the driver operates in pure piston motion with minimal coloration.
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Low-Distortion Magnet System
A ring ferrite magnet, combined with a soft magnetic compound (SMC) and a perforated copper cap, helps control magnetic flux. The result?
Exceptionally low distortion and clarity at all volume levels.
Smooth, Natural High Frequencies
The 29mm soft dome tweeter handles the highs with ease. Its slightly larger diameter allows it to reproduce lower treble frequencies more convincingly, ensuring perfect integration with the 165mm woofer.
Timeless Danish Design
The Rubicon 2’s design is both elegant and functional. Its curved front and rear panels not only look refined but also help disperse reflections, enhancing soundstage depth.
The speaker’s visual DNA draws from DALI’s legacy, combining the graceful lines of the Mentor series and the polished minimalism of the Epicon 2, but at a more accessible price.
Available finishes include Walnut, Mahogany, High-Gloss Black, and High-Gloss White, each exuding sophistication. The walnut veneer version tested here looked especially striking, seamlessly blending with any high-end interior.
Build and Details That Matter
- Magnetically attached grilles integrate cleanly with the cabinet design.
- The DALI logo, polished and tastefully placed, adds a touch of prestige.
- Rubberized flanges around the drivers minimize unwanted vibrations.
- Solid terminals and a bolted rear port emphasize that this is serious audiophile gear.
Listening Impressions: On the Brink of Perfection
Test Setup
The Rubicon 2s were paired with the Quad Artera Solus, an integrated amplifier known for its neutral tone and powerful dynamics.
Soundstage and Imaging
The Rubicon 2 disappears into the room. The soundstage feels three-dimensional and spacious, with instruments placed precisely in their respective positions.
There’s no artificial coloration, just pure, transparent sound.
Bass Response
Bass performance is impressive for a bookshelf speaker.
While the upper bass is tight and articulate, the lower extension kicks in dynamically when the rear bass-reflex port comes into play. On Josefine Cronholm’s “In Your Wild Garden,” the double bass was full-bodied and immersive, though a touch looser in the deepest registers.
For more demanding genres like metal or electronic music, adding a sealed subwoofer or using bass-reflex plugs can enhance balance and impact.
Midrange and Treble: Emotional and Engaging
The midrange is where Rubicon 2 truly shines.
Vocals on David Bowie’s “Blackstar” were rendered with intimate detail and emotional weight, while LP’s “Muddy Waters” showcased impressive separation without sounding clinical.
DALI manages to combine analytical precision with musical warmth, a rare feat in this class.
The highs are open, silky, and never fatiguing. Cymbals shimmer naturally, and micro-details emerge effortlessly without breaking musical cohesion.
Dynamics and Volume Handling
The Rubicon 2 maintains composure at both low and high listening levels. It reveals subtle nuances at quiet volumes and handles crescendos like the symphonic bursts in classical recordings with poise and control.
Tracks like “Hedonism” by Skunk Anansie and “Fever” by Elvis Presley demonstrate their impressive ability to shift from silence to explosive energy without distortion.
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My Verdict:
The DALI Rubicon 2 embodies everything that makes DALI beloved:
balanced tonality, refined dynamics, lifelike imaging, and premium craftsmanship.
Once you experience them, it’s hard to go back. They truly represent that Rubicon line between good sound and genuine high-fidelity artistry.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Balanced, expressive, and emotionally engaging sound
- Excellent detail retrieval with natural tonality
- Elegant Scandinavian design and multiple finishes
- Strong dynamic range and spatial imaging
Cons:
- Bass could use a touch more weight on heavy genres (subwoofer recommended)
DALI Rubicon 2 Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | 2-way bookshelf, bass-reflex |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz–26kHz (±3dB) |
| Tweeter | 29mm soft dome |
| Woofer | 165mm wood-fiber reinforced paper cone |
| Crossover Frequency | 3100Hz |
| Sensitivity | 87dB |
| Nominal Impedance | 4Ω |
| Recommended Power | 40–150W |
| Dimensions (H×W×D) | 353 × 195 × 335 mm |
| Weight | 8 kg each |
Official Site: DALI Rubicon 2
