To stand out from the pack, the Dali will need to be very good indeed.
Does this on paper ability translate to real world greatness?
This range spans from 1,200 for the Rubikore On Wall to 6,000 for the Epikore 8.
This is a fair amount of money but rather less than what Dali is asking for the Kore.
The Rubikore 2 is available in the UK for 2,200.
It is $4,000 in the USA and $4,200 in Australia.
This price does not include a stand and neither does Dali make a dedicated version for the Rubikore 2.
I used a hefty if cosmetically unspectacular Custom Design stands throughout for testing.
One positive attribute is that all four finishes have the same price, with none commanding a price premium.
This is most apparent in the drivers.
This increases the stiffness of the cone as a whole and improves the breakup behaviour.
The Rubikore 2s 1.2 inch (29mm) dome does without this to reduce the mass.
The cabinets are extensively braced and substantial things though and the whole speaker feels usefully solid.
The Dali gives Ben HowardsEvery Kingdoma weight and authority that makes the performance utterly convincing.
Tonally, the Rubikore 2 is a class act.
Across standard challenges like voices, violins, cellos and pianos, it has managed to sound consistently right.
This is not a showy or attention grabbing speaker.
The astonishing Emily King trackForgivenesson herSceneryalbum is presented with King being the absolute focus of your attention.
So far so good, but there are some areas where the Rubikore 2 is less effortlessly composed.
Some of this is a bit of a puzzle because viewed objectively, the Dali isnt doing anything wrong.
When you do give them a bit of level though, the Dali is consistently good fun.
This effect is enhanced by just how well made and finished the Dali is.
Should you buy the Dali Rubikore 2?
Even very talented rivals at this price can struggle to match their abilities in this regard.
Very few rivals can hit as hard while matching the dexterity of the Rubikore 2.
There a very few spaces where at least one of these options wont look good and work well.
If you have less than 40 watts on hand, this probably isnt the best choice for you.
Source equipment took the form of an Eversolo DMP-A8 streamer.
I also made use of not one but two turntables under testing.
The first is a resident Rega Planar 10 using the companys newly released Nd7 moving magnet cartridge.
The second was the newly released Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 for which the Dali acted as a test speaker.
Both turntables used a Cyrus Classic Phono for the phono stage.
