In this review, we will be comparing SONIK 1 and LS50 Meta, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from DALI and KEF.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI SONIK 1 and KEF LS50 Meta first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI SONIK 1 | KEF LS50 Meta |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | KEF
United Kingdom · founded 1961 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Uni-Q driver | — | 12th Generation Uni-Q |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.125" Soft-Dome | 1" Hard-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Wood fiber | 5.25" Aluminum |
|---|
| Frequency response | 51-26k Hz | 79-28k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 86 dB | 85 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 8 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 40-100 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 4.10kg / 9lbs | 7.82kg / 17.2lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 10-13/16" x 6-3/8" x 8-13/16"
275.0 x 162.0 x 224.0mm | 11-15/16" x 7.875" x 11-1/16"
303.0 x 201.0 x 281.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both SONIK 1 and LS50 Meta are 2-way speakers.
DALI SONIK 1KEF LS50 Meta
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 SONIK 1 |
KEF LS50 Meta |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.125-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
SONIK 1 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Wood fiber Woofer. On the other hand, the LS50 Meta features a 1" Aluminum Hard-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2100Hz.
Frequency Response
SONIK 1 has a frequency range of 51-26k Hz whereas LS50 Meta has a frequency range of 79-28k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 51Hz, the SONIK 1 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the LS50 Meta's min frequency of 79Hz.
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
SONIK 1 is a 6 ohms speaker compared to the LS50 Meta which has a nominal impedance of 8 ohms.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. SONIK 1 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the LS50 Meta's is rated at 85 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the DALI SONIK 1 a more sensitive speaker compared to KEF LS50 Meta, 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.
Both handle the same maximum of 100 watts RMS, though SONIK 1 is rated 25-100 watts and LS50 Meta 40-100 watts.
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
SONIK 1 features Post type posts and LS50 Meta has a Post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
KEF LS50 Meta's Post terminals
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both SONIK 1 and LS50 Meta have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 SONIK 1's and KEF LS50 Meta's external dimensions. DALI SONIK 1 has external dimensions of 275.0 x 162.0 x 224.0mm (10-13/16inch x 6-3/8inch x 8-13/16inch) whereas KEF LS50 Meta has external dimensions of 303.0 x 201.0 x 281.0mm (11-15/16 x 7.875 x 11-1/16inch).
KEF LS50 Meta is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 39mm wider, 28mm taller and 57mm deeper than DALI SONIK 1.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of DALI SONIK 1 and KEF LS50 Meta in scale.
Comparison image of DALI SONIK 1 and KEF LS50 Meta Size and External Dimensions
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 SONIK 1 is approximately 362.9cm2 / 56.2inch2 and base area of the KEF LS50 Meta is approximately 564.8cm2 / 87.5inch2. The SONIK 1 requires 36% less surface area than the LS50 Meta which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of DALI SONIK 1 and KEF LS50 Meta on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The DALI SONIK 1 weighs 4.10kg / 9lbs and the KEF LS50 Meta weighs 7.82kg / 17.2lbs. This makes the LS50 Meta 91% heavier than the SONIK 1.
Here is a comparison of how SONIK 1 and LS50 Meta's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of DALI SONIK 1?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SONIK 1:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Sef-adehsive rubber feet
- 8 Rubber bumpers
- Quick Start Guide
- Online Registration Card
What's in the Box of KEF LS50 Meta?
Here are the items that come with the LS50 Meta:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Foam port plugs
- 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
- Owners Manual
- Warranty Registration Card
 Sensitivity |
86 dB
vs
85 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Low Frequency Response |
51 Hz
vs
79 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
275mm
vs
303mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
362cm2
vs
564cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
900USD
vs
1600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
6 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 High Frequency Response |
28k Hz
vs
26k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
| General |
DALI SONIK 1 |
KEF LS50 Meta |
| Brand |
DALI |
KEF |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
40-100 watts |
| Sensitivity |
86 dB |
85 dB |
| Impedance |
6 ohms |
8 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
3.5 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
51-26k Hz |
79-28k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
Wood fiber |
Aluminum |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.125" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Hard-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2100Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
275.0mm (10.8") |
303.0mm (11.9") |
| Width |
162.0mm (6.4") |
201.0mm (7.9") |
| Depth |
224.0mm (8.8") |
281.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
4.10kg (9lbs) |
7.82kg (17.2lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Wood-grain laminate |
MDF/Polymer |
| Available Colors |
Black Ash, Natural Oak,White,Walnut |
Carbon Black,Titanium Grey,Royal Blue,Mineral White |
| Mounting Bracket |
Fixed keyhole mount |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
26-28" |
25-30" |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
5 Years |
These sit in different price classes - KEF LS50 Meta costs roughly 1.8x what DALI SONIK 1 does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | DALI SONIK 1 digs deeper - 51Hz against 79Hz. |
| Amplifier needs | evenly matched | Similar sensitivity (86dB vs 85dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match | B | KEF LS50 Meta is the easier load at 8 ohms. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 100W). |
| Size | depends | DALI SONIK 1 is easier to place; KEF LS50 Meta is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Neither adds bi-amping, a sub output or height drivers. KEF LS50 Meta sits in a wider range (10 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | A | DALI SONIK 1 is cheaper - $900 against $1,600, about 44% less; arguably a different class. |
A DALI SONIK 1 B KEF LS50 Meta
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 79Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, KEF LS50 Meta has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, DALI SONIK 1 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.