In this review, we will be comparing two different types of speakers by DALI. DALI SONIK CINEMA is a Center Channel speaker whereas the SONIK 3 is a Bookshelf speaker.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI SONIK CINEMA and DALI SONIK 3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI SONIK CINEMA | DALI SONIK 3 |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.125" Soft-Dome | 1.125" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 5-1/4" Wood fiber | 7" Wood fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 46-20k Hz | 47-26k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 89.5 dB | 87 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 6 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 25-150 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 9.82kg / 21.6lbs | 6.42kg / 14.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6-3/4" x 22-1/2" x 8-7/16"
172.0 x 572.0 x 215.0mm | 13-13/16" x 7-7/8" x 12-1/16"
351.0 x 201.0 x 307.0mm |
|---|
SONIK CINEMA and SONIK 3 are members of DALI's Sonik series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
DALI Sonik Series
History
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both SONIK CINEMA and SONIK 3 are 2-way speakers.
DALI SONIK CINEMADALI SONIK 3
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 CINEMA |
DALI SONIK 3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.125-inch
|
1.125-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 5-1/4-inch
|
1 x 7-inch
|
SONIK CINEMA features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 5-1/4" Wood fiber Woofer. On the other hand, the SONIK 3 features a 1.125" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 7" Wood fiber Woofer.
Frequency Response
SONIK CINEMA has a frequency range of 46-20k Hz whereas SONIK 3 has a frequency range of 47-26k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 46Hz, the SONIK CINEMA can go slightly deeper then the SONIK 3's min frequency of 47Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel 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 CINEMA and SONIK 3 have the same Impedance of 6 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. SONIK CINEMA sensitivity is rated at 89.5 dB and the SONIK 3's is at 87 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the DALI SONIK CINEMA a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI SONIK 3, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel 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.
SONIK 3 can handle a max power of 150 watts RMS, whereas SONIK CINEMA has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 50 watts less than the SONIK 3.
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 CINEMA features Binding post type posts and SONIK 3 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
SONIK CINEMA has a front firing port whereas SONIK 3 has a rear firing ports. DALI SONIK CINEMA's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to DALI SONIK 3 with its rear-firing port.
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 CINEMA's and DALI SONIK 3's external dimensions. DALI SONIK CINEMA has external dimensions of 172.0 x 572.0 x 215.0mm (6-3/4inch x 22-1/2inch x 8-7/16inch) whereas DALI SONIK 3 has external dimensions of 351.0 x 201.0 x 307.0mm (13-13/16inch x 7-7/8inch x 12-1/16inch).
DALI SONIK CINEMA is 179mm shorter and 92mm less deeper than DALI SONIK 3 but it is also 371mm wider.
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 CINEMA is approximately 1229.8cm2 / 190.6inch2 and base area of the DALI SONIK 3 is approximately 617.1cm2 / 95.7inch2. The SONIK CINEMA requires 99% more surface area than the SONIK 3 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
What's in the Box of DALI SONIK CINEMA?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of SONIK CINEMA:
- LCR loudspeaker
- Grille
- 8 Self-adhesive feet
- Manual
- Quick Start Guide
- Registration Card
What's in the Box of DALI SONIK 3?
Here are the items that come with the SONIK 3:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 8 Sef-adehsive rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- Online Registration Card