DALI SPEKTOR 2

These Dalis offer a degree of entertainment their rivals struggle to match

Dali’s Spektor 2 stick to the classic budget standmounter formula like Superglue sticks to fingers. There’s everything we would expect from a typical ₹35k box here, from two-way driver configuration and ported bass tuning through to the 25mm dome tweeter and 13cm mid/bass driver. But as with any dish, culinary or acoustic, the list of ingredients tells you only so much – and those familiar with Dali will know it has something of a talent for budget boxes.

The Spektor 2 are pretty compact at just 29cm high and are nicely made with good general fit and attention to detail. Let them run in over a couple of days and supply them with a good system, and these speakers sparkle. Their rated sensitivity is a little on the low side – just over 84dB/ W/m – and nominal impedance is 6 ohms, so it wouldn’t hurt to partner them with an amp packing a decent amount of poke.

Mounted on solid stands – Atacama’s Moseco 6 are recommended – these speakers display a breadth of talent few similarly priced alternatives can match.

The big hitters in this part of the market are the Elac Debut B5.2 and the Q Acoustics’ 3010i. Both are superb performers – the Elacs excel at clarity and precision, while the 3010i offer an enviable combination of refinement and build quality. These Dalis tread the middle path between these rivals brilliantly, while adding greater verve and involvement.

Finesse, precision and energy