DALI Rubikore 6 Floorstanding Speaker Review

Erin's Audio Corner
16 Dec 202411:15

Summary

TLDRIn this review, the speaker takes a deep dive into the Dali Rubicon 6, a high-end speaker priced at $88,000 per pair. The review covers the unique design and specifications, such as the 2.5-way configuration, which includes overlapping woofers and a super tweeter. Pros include impressive bass extension and low distortion, while cons highlight a recessed mid-range and slightly excessive treble. The speaker’s performance is analyzed with EQ adjustments, and tips are offered for optimal setup, including off-axis positioning and sidewall absorption. The reviewer discusses how to improve the speaker's sound, offering practical advice for listeners.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The Dolly Rubic Cor 6 speakers are priced around $88,000 per pair, and they were loaned for review by a viewer.
  • 😀 These speakers feature a unique 2.5-way design, with two bottom woofers overlapping up to about 800Hz, a top woofer extending to around 2600Hz, and a super tweeter that starts at 14kHz.
  • 😀 The speakers are available in multiple finishes including maroon, cherry, walnut, gloss black, and gloss white.
  • 😀 Pros include strong bass extension down to 40-45Hz, clear high frequencies with noticeable sizzle, and low harmonic distortion.
  • 😀 A downside is the recessed mid-range, which the reviewer felt made the speaker sound laid-back. Equalization was used to bring out the mid-range by boosting 2-2.5kHz by 2dB.
  • 😀 The speakers sound more balanced when pointed 30° off-axis rather than directly facing the listener, reducing treble lift and providing a more linear sound.
  • 😀 The speaker's distortion is very low, particularly with third harmonic distortion being much lower than second harmonic distortion, contributing to its clean sound.
  • 😀 With an average sensitivity of around 86 dB, the speaker performs well, but it might benefit from EQ adjustments to tame the high frequencies.
  • 😀 The speaker is bi-ampable, which could be an option for those wanting to address the treble level through separate amplifiers for the tweeter and woofer sections.
  • 😀 Recommended setup includes placing the speakers about a foot or a meter from the wall behind them, which helps mitigate the mid-range dip and improves overall sound quality.
  • 😀 The speaker has good dynamic range and linearity but may need sidewall absorption to address the elevated 4-5kHz frequency range. It's suggested not to position the speaker directly at ear level with the super tweeter, as it causes an unnatural sound.
  • 😀 For those wondering if a subwoofer is necessary, the reviewer advises trying the speaker on its own first, as it reaches down to mid-40Hz in room response, which may be sufficient for most music.

Q & A

  • What are the main features of the Dali Rubicon 6 speakers mentioned in the script?

    -The Dali Rubicon 6 speakers are a 2.5-way design, with the two bottom woofers overlapping up to about 800 Hz, and the top woofer extending to about 2600 Hz. A tweeter takes over from there, with a super tweeter starting at 14 kHz. The speakers come in various finishes, including maroon, cherry, walnut, gloss black, and gloss white.

  • What issue does the reviewer mention regarding the mid-range of the Dali Rubicon 6 speakers?

    -The reviewer finds the mid-range to be too recessed or laid-back, making vocals sound distant. To address this, they used EQ to boost the 2.2 kHz range, which helped bring the mids out more.

  • How does the speaker's design affect its high-frequency response?

    -The high-frequency response is slightly lifted, with a notable peak around 4 kHz. This can make the treble stand out more than the mid-range, leading to a 'hot' treble, which the reviewer felt was too intense without EQ adjustments.

  • What EQ adjustments does the reviewer recommend for better sound performance?

    -The reviewer recommends boosting around 2.2 kHz by 2 dB with a wide Q (0.5) to bring the mid-range vocals forward. They also suggest using a high-shelf EQ to reduce the tweeter level by about 3 dB to balance the overall sound.

  • What effect does the speaker's positioning have on its sound quality?

    -Positioning the Dali Rubicon 6 speakers directly at the listener's ears results in a treble-heavy sound. The reviewer recommends pointing the speakers 30° off-axis to achieve a more linear sound, with a more balanced high-frequency response.

  • Does the Dali Rubicon 6 require a subwoofer?

    -The reviewer mentions that the Dali Rubicon 6 reaches about 40-45 Hz in-room, which is generally sufficient for most music. They suggest trying the speakers first before purchasing a subwoofer, as it may not be necessary.

  • How does the speaker's directivity impact its performance in different rooms?

    -The Dali Rubicon 6 has a relatively wide directivity, radiating at about 75° horizontally. This can lead to more reflections in a reflective environment, making the soundstage slightly diffuse. A narrower directivity, around 60-70°, would provide better imaging and focus.

  • What is the harmonic distortion performance of the Dali Rubicon 6?

    -The Dali Rubicon 6 shows very low harmonic distortion, especially the third-order harmonic distortion, which is much lower than the second-order. This indicates that the speakers can maintain clear and accurate sound without introducing much distortion even at higher volumes.

  • What is the manufacturer's recommendation for speaker positioning?

    -The manufacturer recommends positioning the speakers off-axis and parallel to the wall behind them. The ideal placement should have the speakers about one foot away from the wall to optimize their sound performance.

  • What does the reviewer suggest about using sidewall absorption for the Dali Rubicon 6?

    -The reviewer recommends using sidewall absorption to tame the elevated treble response around 4-5 kHz. This can help reduce sibilance and make the speaker's sound more balanced in a reflective room environment.

Outlines

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Transcripts

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