What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Seemingly tuned with budget kit in mind, the Dalis remain solid upgrade speakers
Pros
- +
Smart looks
- +
sweet treble, plenty of bass
- +
beautiful midrange
Cons
- -
Not the last word in transparency
- -
could be more dynamic
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Everyone has a friend whom everyone likes; partners, pals, parents all take to them in an instant. You probably have funnier friends, cleverer friends, friends who can do that thing with their tongue, but they're not as instantly and universally liked. The Dali Lektor 2 is just that friend in the world of £300 speakers.
Dali tends to concern itself with more expensive speakers, so it's no surprise that attention to detail in terms of build and design has trickled down to the more affordable Lektor 2s.
The furniture-grade, light-walnut finish complements the black soft-dome tweeter and 5in paper mid/bass driver for a smart package.
Down to business, and that tweeter delivers a seriously smooth treble, with Florence and the Machine's eponymous singer sounding as if she's been swallowing a steady stream of syrup, such is the sweetness of the swooping vocals on You've Got The Love.
There's less of a sugar-coating on lower frequencies, with Moderat's A New Error delivered with the required drive and power thanks to a bass delivery that's all too happy to stick its head above the parapet. We'd be wary of putting these too close to a wall: get good stands and give them room.
A stunning midrange
Likable though these characteristics may be, they are certainly colouring the sound – arguably helping to make the most of bright, lightweight, budget kit – in a way the best speakers don't.
Nothing dissuades the casual listener from immersing themselves in a prolonged listening session, but a more transparent sound can be found elsewhere.
Switch to The Road's brooding score and you don't quite get the dynamic reach that can be heard elsewhere, with the Lektor 2s working their socks off to hit the peaks and troughs required.
But listen to that midrange and you'd forgive most of these faults. The XX's Night Time sounds stunningly intimate and emotive thanks to detailed vocals effortlessly breathed into the room.
If you want a dependable speaker, the Dali Lektor 2s surely can't fail. We could find a sound that's more faithful and revealing, perhaps a little more exciting and with a more balanced tone, but no matter what you throw at the Lektor 2s they won't let you down. A friend indeed, then.
