In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by DALI. DALI Epikore 3 is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Epikore 9 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Epikore 3 and DALI Epikore 9 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI Epikore 3 | DALI Epikore 9 |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 4-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.38" Hybrid dome + planar | 1.38" Hybrid dome + planar |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 6.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 7" Wood fibre | 2 x 8" Wood fibre |
|---|
| Frequency response | 42-34k Hz | 29-34k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 85 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-250 watts | 40-500 watts |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 18.50" x 9.84" x 16.54"
470 x 250 x 420 mm | 51.61" x 16.61" x 21.81"
1311 x 422 x 554 mm |
|---|
Epikore 3 and Epikore 9 are members of DALI's Epikore series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
DALI Epikore Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Epikore 3 is a 3-way design whereas the Epikore 9 is a 4-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
DALI Epikore 3DALI Epikore 9
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
DALI Epikore 3 |
DALI Epikore 9 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
4-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.38-inch
|
1.38-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
1 x 6.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 7-inch
|
2 x 8-inch
|
Epikore 3 features a 1.38" Hybrid dome + planar Tweeter and 1 x 7" Wood fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800 / 12500Hz. On the other hand, the Epikore 9 features a 1.38" Hybrid dome + planar Tweeter, a 6.5" Midrange and 2 x 8" Wood fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 400 / 3100 / 12500Hz.
Frequency Response
Epikore 3 has a frequency range of 42-34k Hz whereas Epikore 9 has a frequency range of 29-34k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 29Hz, the Epikore 9 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Epikore 3's min frequency of 42Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Epikore 3 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the Epikore 9 which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Epikore 9 can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Epikore 3 sensitivity is rated at 85 dB and the Epikore 9's is rated at 88 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the DALI Epikore 9 a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Epikore 3, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Epikore 9 can handle a max power of 500 watts RMS, whereas Epikore 3 has a max power handling value of 250 watts RMS, 250 watts less than the Epikore 9.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Both Epikore 3 and Epikore 9 features dual binding post speaker terminals for bi-amping or bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare DALI Epikore 3's and DALI Epikore 9's external dimensions. DALI Epikore 3 has external dimensions of 470 x 250 x 420 mm () whereas DALI Epikore 9 has external dimensions of 1311 x 422 x 554 mm ().
DALI Epikore 9 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 172mm wider, 841mm taller and 134mm deeper than DALI Epikore 3.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
DALI Epikore 9 needs about 123% more floor or shelf area. DALI Epikore 9 is 134mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. DALI Epikore 9 is 841mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the DALI Epikore 3 is approximately 1050.0cm2 / 162.8inch2 and base area of the DALI Epikore 9 is approximately 2337.9cm2 / 362.4inch2. The Epikore 3 requires 55% less surface area than the Epikore 9 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.