DALI Spektor 2 bookshelf speaker: A hi-fi experience in a small package

These versatile speakers sound great whether you use a stand or put them on a shelf.

- JAMES BARBER

The DALI Spektor 2 compact speakers deliver a powerful punch for their size and price ($399 for the pair). Many listeners will find them a perfect listening option for a small space, even though they can easily get loud enough to annoy the neighbors.

They have remarkable low end for speakers this size, and while they offer exceptional detail at low volumes, they can shake the rafters without distorting when the volume gets cranked up.

Designed and engineered in Denmark, the speakers are part of Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries’ Spektor series. The company suggests them as the rear speakers in a surround-sound setup anchored by its Spektor 6 floor-standing speakers ($849 a pair) and Spektor Vokal center-channel speaker ($249). It also offers the smaller Spektor 1 compact speakers (fave.co/3tfxsIa; $279 a pair).

DALI says the Spektor 2’s powerful volume capabilities come from the increased surface areas of the 5.25-inch woofer and 25mm soft dome tweeter, as the greater size increases overall sound pressure levels. They also demonstrate remarkably wide sound dispersion for speakers this size. Put these on a stand and you’ll get performance that comes remarkably close to that of many far larger floor speakers.

THE TECHNICAL DETAILS

The speakers measure 11.50 high by 6.69 wide by 9.37 inches deep and weigh 9.26 pounds. They’re available with cabinets in walnut or black ash veneer.