With the new SONIK series, unveiled by DALI at IMACUSTICA in Lisbon, the Danish brand is opening a new chapter in its affordable hi-fi lineup.
Hificlube attended the presentation, led by David from Sound&Pixel and João Paulo from IMACUSTICA-Lisbon, although the full range will be on display and available for listening at IMACUSTICA in Lisbon and Porto.
From the full range, only the following were showcased: Sonik 1, Sonik 3, and Sonik 5, all on static display; and the Sonik 7 in demonstration with the following associated equipment:
- Copland CSA70 Amplifier – €3,590
- Michael Engineering Gyro SE – €3,950
- Sumiko Rainier Cartridge – €219
- Lindemann Limetree Network II Streamer – €995
But first, let’s introduce the components from the range present in the room in a video with images captured at Imacustica. Readers who like to know everything will find below the complete list of specifications for each model.
Note: watch in 4K
Test Drive
Finally, we conducted a brief listening session of several music tracks selected by João Paulo and Pedro Henriques, with a recording made in the auditorium itself using a Nagra SD (courtesy of Ajasom).
Note: The images are for illustrative purposes only. Audio and video recording were done independently. The excerpts comprising the soundtrack were recorded directly from the Sonik 7, with the microphone positioned at the sweet spot, approximately 3 meters from the speaker plane, without any post-processing.
Soundtrack (excerpts)
- Tell Me About the Forest (You Once Called Home) (Remastered) - Dead Can Dance
- Bird - Dead Can Dance
- Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1) (Acoustic) - AURORA
- Nola - José James
Note: watch in 4K with headphones
DALI Sonik Series
The range consists of seven models—Sonik 1, Sonik 3, Sonik 5, Sonik 7, Sonik 9, Sonik On-Wall, and Sonik Cinema—and is based on solutions inherited from the higher-end series, namely the KORE.
All models in the range feature:
- SMC™ magnetic system, which reduces the amount of iron in the motor;
- Clarity Cone™ cones made of paper and wood fiber;
- CNC-machined MDF cabinets with internal reinforcements;
- Dual Flare reflex ports;
- Magnetic grille;
All models are available in four finishes: Black Ash, White, Walnut, and Natur.
DALI SONIK_1
SONIK 1
The SONIK 1 is the entry point to the range: a compact speaker designed for small rooms, shelves, stands, or wall mounting, yet already with genuine hi-fi ambition.
Key features
- 2-way speaker
- Tweeter: 1 x 29 mm low-loss soft dome
- Low/Mid Frequency Driver(s): 1 x 5¼ inch
- Frequency Range [+/- 3 dB] [Hz]: 51 – 26,000
- Sensitivity [2.83V/1m] [dB]: 86
- Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 6
- Maximum SPL [@ 1m] [dB]: 106
- Crossover Frequencies [Hz]: 2,800
- Recommended Amp. Power [watts]: 25 – 100
- Price: €498
- Ideal for small rooms, shelves, stands, or wall mounting
- Combines SMC™ and Clarity Cone™ technology for lower distortion and a more natural midrange
DALI SONIK_3
SONIK 3
The SONIK 3 takes on the role of the range’s “adolescent” monitor: compact in appearance, but with more body than the Sonik 1, along with greater scale and a fuller presentation.
Key features
- 2-way speaker
- Tweeter: 1 x 29 mm low-loss soft dome
- Low/Mid Frequency Driver(s): 1 x 7-inch
- Frequency Range [+/- 3 dB] [Hz]: 47 – 26,000
- Sensitivity [2.83V/1m] [dB]: 87
- Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 6
- Maximum SPL [@ 1m] [dB]: 108
- Crossover Frequencies [Hz]: 2,300
- Recommended Amp. Power [watts]: 25 – 150
- Price: €598
- Can be used on stands, shelves, or in furniture
- Promises the clarity of a monitor with the tonal richness of a larger speaker
DALI SONIK_5
SONIK 5
The SONIK 5 brings the SONIK philosophy to a slim floorstanding format: an elegant, domestically friendly, easy-to-integrate speaker, yet with enough authority to fill the room.
Key features
- 2-way speaker
- Tweeter: 1 x 29 mm low-loss soft dome
- Low/Mid Frequency Driver(s): 2 x 5¼ inch
- Frequency Range [+/- 3 dB] [Hz]: 39 – 26,000
- Sensitivity [2.83V/1m] [dB]: 88
- Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 6
- Maximum SPL [@ 1m] [dB]: 108
- Crossover Frequencies [Hz]: 2,200
- Recommended Amp. Power [watts]: 30 – 150
- Price: €998
- A slim floorstander intended for small to medium-sized rooms
- Fuller, more controlled bass without losing visual elegance
DALI SONIK_7
SONIK 7
The SONIK 7 is the model where the series truly begins to breathe rarefied air. Designed for medium to large rooms, it combines scale, dynamics, and refinement for both music and movies.
Key features
- 2 + ½-way speaker
- Hybrid Tweeter: 1 x 17 x 45 mm planar magnetostatic tweeter + 1 x 29 mm low-loss soft dome
- Low/Mid Frequency Driver(s): 2 x 7-inch
- Frequency Range [+/- 3 dB] [Hz]: 36 – 30,000
- Sensitivity [2.83V/1m] [dB]: 88.5
- Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 6
- Maximum SPL [@ 1m] [dB]: 110
- Crossover Frequencies [Hz]: 2,300 / 14,000
- Recommended Amp. Power [watts]: 30 – 180
- Price: €1,498
- Intended for medium to large rooms
- This is where the Hybrid Tweeter enters the picture in this price class, bringing greater extension, air, and dispersion
Models not shown at Imacustica (but also available)
SONIK 9
At the top of the range sits the SONIK 9, the flagship of the SONIK family: greater scale, more dynamic headroom, and a presence designed for large rooms and more ambitious systems.
Key features
- 2½ + ½-way speaker
- Hybrid Tweeter: 1 x 17 x 45 mm planar magnetostatic tweeter + 1 x 29 mm low-loss soft dome
- Low/Mid Frequency Driver(s): 3 x 7-inch
- Frequency Range [+/- 3 dB] [Hz]: 34 – 30,000
- Sensitivity [2.83V/1m] [dB]: 90
- Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 4
- Maximum SPL [@ 1m] [dB]: 111
- Crossover Frequencies [Hz]: 400 / 2,100 / 14,000
- Recommended Amp. Power [watts]: 50 – 300
- Price: €2,398
- Exclusive woofers with powerful double magnets and greater dynamic headroom
- Intended for large rooms, high-level stereo, and multichannel home theatre
SONIK ON-WALL
The SONIK ON-WALL proves that DALI did not think only about floorstanding speakers. It is a slim, discreet on-wall speaker, but with clever engineering to preserve weight, extension, and sonic presence.
Key features
- 2-way speaker
- Tweeter: 1 x 29 mm low-loss soft dome
- Low/Mid Frequency Driver(s): 1 x 5¼ inch
- Frequency Range [+/- 3 dB] [Hz]: 55 – 26,000
- Sensitivity [2.83V/1m] [dB]: 87
- Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 6
- Maximum SPL [@ 1m] [dB]: 107
- Crossover Frequencies [Hz]: 2,400
- Recommended Amp. Power [watts]: 25 – 100
- Price: €650
- Can be placed vertically or horizontally
- Down-firing bass port, using the wall as part of the tuning
- Ideal for stereo or surround when space is limited
SONIK CINEMA
The SONIK CINEMA rounds off the range in style. It has a clear home-cinema vocation, without losing tonal coherence with the rest of the series. It was designed to work as LCR or surround, horizontally or vertically.
Key features
- 2-way speaker
- Tweeter: 1 x 29 mm low-loss soft dome
- Low/Mid Frequency Driver(s): 2 x 5¼ inch
- Frequency Range [+/- 3 dB] [Hz]: 46 – 26,000
- Sensitivity [2.83V/1m] [dB]: 89.5
- Nominal Impedance [ohms]: 6
- Maximum SPL [@ 1m] [dB]: 109
- Crossover Frequencies [Hz]: 2,200
- Recommended Amp. Power [watts]: 25 – 150
- Price: €499
- Flexible use as Left / Centre / Right or surround
- Horizontal or vertical placement
- Designed to ensure clear dialogue, precise effects, and tonal integration with the whole SONIK series.
SONIK is a comprehensive, cohesive range clearly designed to bridge the gap between affordable hi-fi and DALI’s more ambitious solutions. From the compact SONIK 1 to the powerful SONIK 9, including the ON-WALL and the versatile CINEMA, the goal remains the same: to bring more technology, better build quality, and a more refined sound to a segment where, until now, too many compromises were accepted.
All Hificlube readers are invited to come listen to the Sonik speakers at IMACUSTICA. And then, if you’d like, purchase the one that best suits your taste, your needs, and your budget.