DALI Epikore 9 Review
DALI? Isn’t that the world-famous artist and flamboyant self-promoter? Essentially yes, but here we are talking about the exclusive DALI Epikore 9 floor-standing speaker, a true sound artist.
The flagship model of the Epikore series, the Epikore 11, was already extensively and successfully tested by 7Review in their editorial listening rooms. Now its slightly smaller sister, the Epikore 9, is here to demonstrate its talents.
30 cm less? Still looks great
Although the Epikore 9 shows a high degree of visual and technical similarity to its bigger sibling, its 30 cm reduced height makes it noticeably more compact without compromising its harmonious proportions. Instead of 160 cm, it’s now 130 cm high with the same width and depth, which will likely make it more appealing and easier to integrate into many living rooms.
Looking for the missing 30 cm in the 9, you’ll notice two absent bass drivers. Instead, you can now see more of the impeccably crafted cabinet and its mirror-smooth, flawless high-gloss finish, looking even better than many modern cars.
Strict quality control at their own factory and the combination of craftsmanship with a modern paint line result in a level of perfection rarely seen. It fits perfectly that you won’t spot any visible screws on the front, and the hybrid tweeter module, taken 1:1 from the dream speaker Kore, also comes without any visible fasteners.
Overall, the visual appearance has improved further compared to the previous top series, the Epicon 8, even with about 9 cm more in height and overall greater volume.
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Contributing to this are fine details like the outriggers with smoothly adjustable spikes. They are magnetic, so the included heavy-duty washers stick perfectly. This small detail makes it much easier to move the speakers while finding the optimal position.
The bi-wiring terminals for the speaker cables also feel solid and trustworthy. Instead of the usual side-by-side arrangement, they are placed one above the other. Manufactured by DALI, they accommodate banana plugs, bare wire, and spade connectors. They are generally easy to grip but quite sharp-edged, which can be uncomfortable when tightening them firmly.
However, this detail hardly matters in daily use since the cables won’t be changed frequently. In our listening tests, where cable swapping is common, it’s more noticeable. As compensation for the effort at the otherwise high-quality terminals, it’s a pleasure to handle the stable, magnetically attached grille, which we preferred to remove during testing.
Placement and seating position
Preferring to listen with the grille at home doesn’t mean you lose sound potential just for aesthetics. The difference with or without the grille is barely perceptible under ideal conditions and far less significant than small changes in seating position.
Your seating position can significantly impact sound quality. Not only the speaker’s distance to the rear and side walls, the placement width, the angle, the leveling, and the cable connections influence the sound, but also ensuring equal listening distance on both sides. The finishing touch is to move your chair or sofa a few centimeters forward or backward until the bass is powerful without booming. A generous distance from the listening spot to the reflective rear wall, especially in untreated rooms, can work sonic wonders.
Successful technology transfer
To ensure that following these guidelines leads to thoroughly enjoyable listening sessions, the developers at DALI’s headquarters in Nørager, Denmark, used proven insights and components from the top model Kore, which have already shown their worth.
The technology is almost entirely produced in-house and is expensive. However, since the development costs were already incurred for the Kore and the necessary machinery and expertise are now available, the Danes, for example, adopted the hybrid tweeter module unchanged from the flagship model. It consists of a tweeter with a very large 35 mm fabric dome and a magnetostatic ribbon above it for the highest frequencies. It was developed to ensure that even two or three people sitting on a sofa receive a nearly perfect high-frequency spectrum.
DALI calls this a hybrid module because it combines two different operating principles on a single solid aluminum mounting plate.
EVO-K module and SMC Gen-2
The EVO-K unit is a significantly more advanced version of the module found in the Epicon 8. The main difference is the use of DALI’s second-generation magnet material, Soft Magnetic Composite (SMC Gen-2).
This magnet material reduces distortion and increases the speaker’s dynamic capabilities. The trick is that this powder ensures the voice coil responds even better to impulses. First used for the Kore, this technology is now found in every Epikore-series driver. It combines extremely high magnetic flux density with minimal electrical conductivity.
Other special driver features include a titanium voice coil, a specially stiffened and embossed cone material for midrange and woofers, and crossover components originally developed exclusively for the Kore. Even some components in the crossover housed in the speaker’s base benefit from SMC technology. It makes sense because reducing distortion is always good. Although the lab measurements did not show sensationally low distortion values, it was clearly audible across the entire frequency spectrum that the Epikore 9 is undoubtedly among the exceptionally clean-sounding speakers.
WHAT WE LISTENED TO
It plays big even at low volume
Even at low volumes, it reveals an almost unbelievable wealth of detail. Conversely, at volumes just below what might cause neighbor disputes, it doesn’t lose even a tiny fraction of that information. Instead, with every tone, it shows that it not only masters a fast and dynamic pace but also takes pleasure in demonstrating it, sending sound into the room with the precision of a perfectly rehearsed orchestra, evoking joy and enthusiasm.
A quick word about the cabinet: Maximum care is taken to ensure mechanical stability. Multiple layers of birch wood are bent and glued under high pressure. Additionally, damping material is placed at spots identified through measurements and listening tests. The two large openings in the rear, known as bass reflex ports, are not decorative but carefully designed to allow noise-free airflow. They are tuned to different frequencies and remain free of airflow noise even at extreme volumes, a problem that plagues many speakers.
TEST EQUIPMENT
CD Player: T+A MP 3100
Streamer/DAC: Eversolo DMP-A8
Integrated Amplifier: T+A PA 3100 HV
Preamplifier: Audio Research Reference 6SE
Power Amplifier: Accustic Arts Amp VI
Speakers: B&W 801 D4
Worth the extra cost
Now, let’s move to the highlight: the listening test. As indicated, a difference from most other speakers we know became apparent right from the first notes of Cuban jazz pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. The Epikore 9 reproduced even the finest keystroke nuances and subtle dynamic gradations at just above a whisper, leaving us speechless. At the same time, it defined the contours of the piano and the surrounding space.
All of this with a clarity we’ve rarely experienced. This wonderful transparency was certainly related to the high sensitivity of 92 dB and a low-frequency range that, while powerful and present when needed, remained essentially lean and fast, always sounding clean and never hindering other frequency ranges.
In fact, the lowest registers felt hardly weaker than what we know from the Epikore 11. The Epikore 11 can provide a few more decibels of sound pressure and, thanks to double the number of bass drivers, feels even more effortless and relaxed with large orchestras or choirs like Verdi’s “Nabucco.” With the additional driver at the top and bottom, the 11 generates less cone movement and interacts differently with the room. Thus, it feels a touch more authoritative at the limits of reason, but otherwise cannot distance itself from the 9. Tonally and in terms of resolution, the two Epikore models are remarkably similar, making their family resemblance undeniable.
To confirm that the sound quality truly reaches rare heights, we didn’t even need to compare it directly to other speakers. From the very first notes of familiar pieces, such as Ben Webster and Oscar Peterson’s “The Touch Of Your Lips,” it became clear: something out of the ordinary was happening here. Anyone who doubts technical progress should treat themselves to a listening session at a trusted hi-fi dealer.
If you’d like to find out how big the differences to the Epicon 8 are: some dealers still have the Epicon 6 and 8 in stock and ready for demonstration. To deepen your initial impressions, it’s worth revisiting Little Feat’s “Fat Man In The Bathtub” from the grandiose live album “Waiting for Columbus.” It can almost bring tears of joy to your eyes when enjoyed through the Epikore 9. Finally, is it worth spending 10,000 dollars more on the larger Epikore 11? If you have the space and your listening room is over about 35 square meters, we’d say yes. Otherwise, buy the 9, enjoy, and consider your speaker search done.
DALI Epikore 9 Tech Specs
| Category / Price Class | Floor-standing speaker (passive) / Over $20,000 |
|---|---|
| Website | www.dali-speakers.com |
| Price in Euros | €30,000 (approximately $32,000) |
| Dimensions (W x H x D in cm) | 42.5 x 130 x 55 |
| Weight in kg | 64 kg |
| Distributor in Germany | DALI |
| Contact Phone Number | +49 6251 8079010 |
| Principle | Dynamic, 4-way, bass reflex |
| Terminals | Bi-Wire |
| Recommended Setup Info | At least 50 cm from rear and side walls, angled; base width approx. 2.5 m |
Performance Evaluation
Sound (60%)
- Sound Quality: 1.6 (equivalent to 9.4/10)
“Extremely airy and balanced sound even at low volumes, with natural tonal colors and large dynamic reserves.”
Measurements (15%)
- Frequency Response: Satisfactory
- Sensitivity (Decibels): Very good (92)
- Impulse Response: Very good
- Minimal Impedance: Very good (3.6 at 82 Hz)
- Distortion at 63 Hz / 3 kHz / 10 kHz (in %): Satisfactory
- Compatibility: Very simple
Features & Handling (25%)
- Placement: Simple
- Manual Quality: Very good
- First Use: Simple
- Tone Adjustment: Not possible
- Cabinet Finishes: Black Gloss; Walnut Gloss; Maroon Gloss (3 finishes available)
- Accessories Included: Grille, spikes, magnetic washers
- Build Quality & Touch: Very good
- Upgradability: No
- Warranty (Years): 5
Verdict
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