Stereoindex Picks: Speakers for Every Kind of Listening Space

The DALI EPIKORE 11 is a substantial 4½-way floorstander that brings technology associated with the flagship DALI KORE into a natural-wood-veneer cabinet.

Four 8-inch bass drivers and a 6½-inch midrange driver use DALI’s second-generation SMC magnetic material, while the EVO-K hybrid module covers high frequencies.

Paper-and-wood-fibre cones are employed to combine low weight with rigidity. Its scale and driver complement make it a model to consider for a spacious, carefully planned passive system.

Designed as a replacement for conventional computer speakers, the Leviathan V2 Pro combines a 600 mm-wide desktop soundbar with a downward-firing bass driver.

Its infrared camera tracks the listener’s head so that the THX Spatial Audio processing can adapt its directional output and simulate a 7.1-channel presentation from stereo or multichannel content.

USB handles the computer connection, while Bluetooth 5.0 and a 3.5 mm analogue input broaden its source compatibility.

The Wharfedale Diamond 12 3D is a Dolby Atmos module created to complement the Diamond 12 range visually and acoustically.

It can sit on top of Diamond 12.1 or Diamond 12.3 speakers, while integrated wall-mounting provisions offer an alternative installation route.

Its 10 cm polypropylene-and-mica composite driver follows the same general design approach as the drivers in the matching Diamond models. Black, white, walnut and light oak finishes help it blend into an existing system.

SeaWave Acoustics takes a large-scale four-way approach with the AM45.

Two horns serve the high- and ultra-high-frequency ranges, using a 2-inch titanium-dome driver and a 1-inch Korean Hanji paper-cone supertweeter.

A 6-inch Hanji paper-cone midrange operates in an open-baffle arrangement, while separate 8- and 11-inch drivers handle bass. Each 1.36 m-tall enclosure weighs 125 kg, so room planning, delivery access and floor support are essential considerations. SeaWave states a 20 Hz to 35 kHz response within ±2 dB and 94 dB sensitivity.

The Børresen C2 and C3 expand the Danish company’s C series with two floorstanding formats positioned between its O and X ranges.

Both employ the DCC5 Neo woofer/midrange driver, whose neodymium motor uses dual copper caps intended to reduce electromagnetic resonance and induction.

The three-layer cone combines an aramid honeycomb core with a carbon-fibre exterior, while the internally developed RP94 planar ribbon tweeter has a quoted sensitivity of 94 dB and a moving mass of 0.01 grams. Their upgraded crossovers support both bi-wiring and bi-amping.

The AVID Evo Two is a UK-manufactured 3.5-way floorstander positioned above the Evo Three.

Its driver array consists of a 28 mm Acuflex soft-dome tweeter, two 16 cm midrange drivers with 75 mm titanium voice coils and a 25 cm woofer.

The drivers are secured to a substantial anodised aluminium panel, while the crossover uses ClarityCap capacitors to reduce resistance in the signal path. At 42 kg per speaker, the Evo Two also warrants forethought about placement and handling. AVID claims enhanced bass, wider dynamics and a more expansive soundstage relative to earlier models.

LG’s two XBOOM GO models address different kinds of portable listening.

The XG2T weighs less than 500 grams, includes an adjustable attachment cord, offers up to 10 hours of playback and carries an IP67 dust-and-water-protection rating.

The larger XG8T takes a party-oriented approach with app-controlled coloured lighting, an adjustable carrying strap and up to 15 hours of playback. LG also states that the range was tested against military standards for exposure to demanding conditions such as heat, rain and sand.

The DALI Rubicon 6 C converts the company’s familiar floorstanding format into an active system.

Each speaker contains two 250-watt Class D amplifiers and uses a hybrid crossover arrangement, with digital processing applied in the low-frequency region and an analogue filter retained for the midrange and treble.

The bass and mid-bass drivers use cellulose cones reinforced with wood fibres, along with DALI’s SMC magnetic material. This configuration removes the need to choose a separate power amplifier while retaining key elements of the passive Rubicon design.

The Cabasse Santorin 25 is a powered subwoofer designed to complement the company’s iO3 home-cinema system.

A downward-firing 25 cm driver creates 360-degree sound propagation and uses a cellulose-fibre composite cone.

Its TS190 D amplifier is rated at 200 watts, with 400-watt peak capability, while the adjustable 40–180 Hz crossover helps integrate the subwoofer with partnering speakers. Cabasse specifies a 30 Hz lower cutoff and says the model is suitable for rooms of up to 50 square metres. Connection is through an unbalanced RCA input.

Triangle’s Capella is an active two-way wireless system built around an included Stereo Hub.

The hub accepts streaming through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi services, along with HDMI ARC, USB-B, coaxial, optical and analogue sources, then sends audio wirelessly to the speakers through WiSA.

Each driver has its own 50-watt amplification circuit, giving the system a total output rating of two times 100 watts. Digital crossover processing and automatic room calibration complete a package designed to centralise source switching without running signal cables to both speakers.