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This Is Not the DALI We Expected: Kubik Free Review

ByRonald

A surprisingly serious active speaker that blends bold aesthetics with genuine hi-fi sound.

When DALI unveiled its first active speaker, expectations were understandably cautious. Known for its conservative design language and strong roots in traditional hi-fi, the brand was hardly an obvious candidate for colorful, lifestyle-oriented active speakers. And yet, once the Kubik Free arrived in our listening room, it became clear that this was not merely a stylistic experiment—but a thoughtfully engineered attempt to bring classic hi-fi values into a modern multimedia format.

With its tall, fabric-wrapped enclosure, cube-like proportions, and vibrant color options, the Kubik Free immediately stands out visually. More importantly, beneath its playful exterior lies a surprisingly serious acoustic foundation—one designed to deliver real stereo performance, generous connectivity, and sound quality that challenges expectations for compact active speakers.

Check Out: My DALI Rubicon 2 Review

After extended listening in nearfield and room-based setups, the DALI Kubik Free revealed itself as something rare: a modern active speaker that genuinely respects the principles of classic hi-fi.

A Conservative Brand Steps Into New Territory

Classic hi-fi manufacturers have long sought to expand into new markets. Headphones have become a popular route, but a simpler and more obvious path is the move toward active loudspeakers.

DALI’s entry into this segment was unexpected. The Kubik Free is the company’s first true active speaker, and it arrives with an unusually bold design. The name “Kubik” refers to the speaker’s square cross-section, and its proportions resemble two cubes stacked vertically. Fabric grilles wrap around three sides of the enclosure and are available in a variety of colors. While early versions were offered in black, white, and red, the design concept allows for virtually unlimited color combinations—even complex multicolor schemes.

Despite its contemporary appearance, the Kubik Free remains unmistakably DALI in its engineering philosophy.

Drivers, Amplification, and Cabinet Design

Behind the fabric grille sits a classic two-way driver layout. A 110mm mid-bass driver features DALI’s signature cone made from dense paper reinforced with wood fibers, paired with a 25mm soft-dome tweeter. Each driver is powered by its own dedicated 40-watt Class D amplifier, ensuring optimal control and efficiency.

The cabinet employs a fully sealed acoustic design, eliminating the potential drawbacks often associated with bass-reflex ports. This choice prioritizes clarity, transient accuracy, and controlled low-frequency behavior—qualities that become immediately apparent during listening.

Beneath the bright colors and unconventional form factor, the Kubik Free reveals itself as a thoroughly traditional hi-fi loudspeaker at heart.

Modular Configuration and Stereo Flexibility

The system supplied for review consisted of two speakers, though stereo operation is not mandatory. A single Kubik Free can operate independently in mono mode. For stereo use, DALI offers a companion speaker known as the Kubik Xtra, which connects to the main unit via a thick white cable using a proprietary four-pin connector.

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Although the Kubik Xtra is described as passive, both speakers share identical weight and internal volume—an intentional design choice to ensure consistent acoustic behavior. A switch on the main speaker allows it to be configured as the left or right channel, or as a standalone mono unit.

Connectivity That Covers Every Use Case

Connection ports are discreetly recessed into the bottom of the cabinet, with cables exiting neatly beneath the rear edge. Direct access is limited to the headphone output, located on the side of the active speaker alongside the control buttons.

Connectivity options are impressively comprehensive. Alongside an analog input, there is an optical input—ideal for TV integration. A USB port allows digital audio from a computer or iPad, while built-in Bluetooth 3.0 with AptX support enables high-quality wireless streaming from portable devices.

For a debut active speaker—and even by broader industry standards—this is an exceptionally generous and well-thought-out feature set.

Designed for Desktop, Living Room, and Beyond

DALI intended the Kubik Free to serve multiple roles. It can function equally well as a high-quality computer speaker, a compact TV audio solution, or a wireless music system for everyday listening.

Recognizing the physical limitations of compact enclosures, DALI also included the option to connect an active subwoofer. Without a subwoofer, the Kubik Free is best suited for desktop and nearfield listening, where it performs confidently and convincingly.

Sound Quality: Bigger Than It Looks

At listening distances of approximately 1 to 1.5 meters, the Kubik Free sounds far larger than its dimensions suggest—especially when positioned closer to a wall. The presentation recalls that of a medium-sized bookshelf speaker, with solid vocal presence and a tight, well-defined upper bass.

It is difficult to associate the sound with such slim, compact enclosures. While a subwoofer becomes essential in open spaces, the speakers remain surprisingly self-sufficient on their own.

Wide dispersion is one of the Kubik Free’s strongest attributes. The sound easily escapes the physical boundaries of the speakers, creating a spacious soundstage that expands naturally in all directions. Imaging remains stable and well-proportioned, even beyond the speakers’ physical placement. Volume reserves are respectable, though some compression becomes noticeable at extreme levels.

Resolution, Dynamics, and Musicality

The Kubik Free delivers commendable resolution for its class, but its standout quality lies in its refined microdynamics and extended reverberation. These qualities lend the sound a distinctly luxurious character, with excellent timbral accuracy and natural decay.

Also Read: KEF Q150 Review

Macrodynamics are equally convincing, allowing the speaker to convey emotion and drama that many compact systems struggle to reproduce. Even MP3 files streamed via Bluetooth sound lively and engaging, while CD-quality digital content is reproduced with authority and finesse.

Final Verdict

Without a doubt, DALI’s engineers have achieved their primary objective. The Kubik Free successfully packages classic hi-fi sound into a modern, multimedia-friendly format—without sacrificing quality, musicality, or engineering integrity.

For listeners seeking an active speaker that looks contemporary yet sounds unmistakably traditional, the DALI Kubik Free stands as a confident and refreshing debut.

DALI Kubik Free Specifications:

Type:
Active 2-way loudspeaker (sealed enclosure)

Drivers:

  • 1 × 110 mm mid/bass driver
    • Wood-fiber–reinforced paper cone
  • 1 × 25 mm soft-dome tweeter

Amplification:

  • 2 × 40 W Class D amplifiers
    • Dedicated amplification for each driver

Frequency Response:

  • Approx. 59 Hz – 22 kHz

Enclosure Design:

  • Sealed (closed-box)

Connectivity:

  • Analog line input
  • Optical digital input (TOSLINK)
  • USB (computer / iPad audio)
  • Bluetooth 3.0 with AptX support
  • Subwoofer output

Outputs:

  • Headphone output (side-mounted)

Configuration Options:

  • Mono operation (single speaker)
  • Stereo operation with Kubik Xtra
  • Left / Right / Mono mode selector

Companion Speaker:

  • Kubik Xtra (passive extension speaker)
  • Proprietary 4-pin connection cable

Cabinet & Finish:

  • Fabric-wrapped enclosure (three sides)
  • Multiple color options available

Placement:

  • Desktop/nearfield
  • Bookshelf / TV audio
  • Subwoofer is optional for larger rooms

Dimensions (H × W × D):

  • Approx. 245 × 145 × 145 mm (per speaker)

Weight:

Approx. 4 kg per speaker

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