DALI Rubikore 6 Floorstanding Speaker Review

Summary

In 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.