What Hi-Fi? Verdict
Titchy speakers that still sound great, these Menuets are something of a gem
Pros
- +
Tiny in all but sound
- +
an expressive, engaging listen
Cons
- -
Can’t cope with aggressive low frequencies like bigger rivals can
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Even in a group of compact standmounters, the Dalis look frivolously small.
The cabinet is a smoothly curved affair, but there’s not much of it. And the mid/bass driver is just 10cm in diameter.
There’s nothing trivial about the way the Dalis go about their business though.
Timing, detail levels and frequency-range integration all impress, but it’s their sheer musicality that marks these out as five-star performers.
Adept at more-or-less anything
They’re achingly articulate through the midrange, giving character and expression to instruments and voices alike, and are just as urgent or as soothing as is required.
Add a frankly unlikely dynamism and considerable scale, and you’ve a speaker adept at more-or-less anything. They’ll even have a stab at shuddering basslines, though some port noise is audible under such sonic duress.
All the ‘quart/pint-pot’ and ‘midget gem’ clichés apply. If you want small speakers with full-size ability, here they are.
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