In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by DALI. DALI Rubikore 2 is a Bookshelf speaker whereas the Rubikore 8 is a Floor-standing speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI Rubikore 2 and DALI Rubikore 8 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI Rubikore 2 | DALI Rubikore 8 |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.14" Soft-Dome | 1.14" Hybrid dome + planar |
|---|
| Woofer | 6.5" Wood fibre | 3 x 6.5" Wood fibre |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-26k Hz | 38-34k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 90.5 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-150 watts | 40-250 watts |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 13.78" x 7.68" x 13.19"
350 x 195 x 335 mm | 43.31" x 8.66" x 17.48"
1100 x 220 x 444 mm |
|---|
Rubikore 2 and Rubikore 8 are members of DALI's Rubikore series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
DALI Rubikore Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Rubikore 2 and Rubikore 8 are 2-way speakers.
DALI Rubikore 2DALI Rubikore 8
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
DALI Rubikore 2 |
DALI Rubikore 8 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.14-inch
|
1.14-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 6.5-inch
|
3 x 6.5-inch
|
Rubikore 2 features a 1.14" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 6.5" Wood fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2800Hz. On the other hand, the Rubikore 8 features a 1.14" Hybrid dome + planar Tweeter and 3 x 6.5" Wood fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 500 / 800 / 2400 / 14000Hz.
Frequency Response
Rubikore 2 has a frequency range of 50-26k Hz whereas Rubikore 8 has a frequency range of 38-34k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 38Hz, the Rubikore 8 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Rubikore 2's min frequency of 50Hz.
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
Rubikore 2 and Rubikore 8 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Rubikore 2 sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the Rubikore 8's is at 90.5 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the DALI Rubikore 8 a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI Rubikore 2, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Rubikore 2 and the Rubikore 2 can provide this impedance level.
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.
Rubikore 8 can handle a max power of 250 watts RMS, whereas Rubikore 2 has a max power handling value of 150 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Rubikore 8.
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 Rubikore 2 and Rubikore 8 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 Rubikore 2's and DALI Rubikore 8's external dimensions. DALI Rubikore 2 has external dimensions of 350 x 195 x 335 mm () whereas DALI Rubikore 8 has external dimensions of 1100 x 220 x 444 mm ().
DALI Rubikore 8 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 25mm wider, 750mm taller and 109mm deeper than DALI Rubikore 2.
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 Rubikore 8 needs about 50% more floor or shelf area. DALI Rubikore 8 is 109mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. DALI Rubikore 8 is 750mm 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 Rubikore 2 is approximately 653.2cm2 / 101.2inch2 and base area of the DALI Rubikore 8 is approximately 976.8cm2 / 151.4inch2. The Rubikore 2 requires 33% less surface area than the Rubikore 8 which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.