Dali Kubik One

Dali has come up with some great things over the years. Most of them have been stereo and surround speakers but this soundbar is just as good.

Dali says the Kubik One is not exactly a soundbar – it’s a system in its own right, rather than a mere extension of your TV. Whatever the appropriate nomenclature, one thing is for sure: we think it’s brilliant. Award-winning brilliant, in fact.

We dive straight into Guardians Of The Galaxy, and it’s hard not to notice the size of the sound. It’s a wide, spacious soundstage, giving jets and spaceships ample room to manoeuvre.

It’s accurate too, and that’s what separates the wheat from the chaff. It manages to ping effects around meticulously, and with an impressive clarity. It also makes the most of speech; voices are detailed, maintaining their textures, but never sounding harsh.

There’s ample low-end heft to thicken the sound, but it’s nicely controlled. Add good timing and agility and you have yourself a punchy, dynamic sound bar that wipes the floor with its rivals.

Dali hasn’t focused just on the sound – the exterior is just as appealing. Soundbars don’t tend to be particularly attractive, but we think this one is quite pretty. Those grilles are removable: red, white or black are standard, but you can also choose from six other colours. It’s heavy and solidly built, with a finish luxurious enough to match that price tag.

It’s not just a pretty face though. Inside, you'll find two 25mm soft-dome tweeters and two 13cm wood-fibre cones, while at the back the inputs include two optical, and one analogue RCA. We’re pleased to see a micro USB input too, to hook up a Mac or PC. Three cheers if you’ve got hi-res tracks stored on there – the Dali can handle tracks up to 24-bit/96khz. There’s also aptx Bluetooth plus an output for a subwoofer. You shouldn’t need one of those though…

Your TV will need to be tall to avoid having the bottom blocked off – at 16cm high, the Dali might justify its own shelf.

Whether it’s a soundbar or a sound system, the Dali Kubik One is a massive success. The design and features impress us, and we love the way it sounds.