{"id":741461,"date":"2026-08-18T03:36:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-18T03:36:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/741461\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T03:36:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T03:36:19","slug":"dali-sonik-1-review-talented-versatile-standmounters-that-pack-oodles-of-expression-into-their-compact-design","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/741461\/","title":{"rendered":"Dali Sonik 1 review: talented, versatile standmounters that pack oodles of expression into their compact design"},"content":{"rendered":"

\nWhy you can trust What Hi-Fi?<\/p>\n

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.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n

We recently tested Dali\u2019s Sonik 5<\/a> floorstanding speakers, which so impressed us that we awarded them a five-star review. So, when the opportunity arose to test the entry-level standmounter speakers from the same range, the Dali Sonik 1, we jumped at the chance.<\/p>\n

Sonik<\/a> is Dali\u2019s newest entry-level speaker range. The series also includes a larger standmounter, the Sonik 3 (\u00a3599 \/ $1200 \/ AU$1199) as well as wall-mounted, home-cinema and floorstander options, which top out at the Sonik 9 floorstanders, costing \u00a32199 \/ $4500 \/ AU$4099.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dali says the Sonik series has been designed to replace the discontinued Oberon range. In practice, this makes the Sonik 1 the successor to the five-star Oberon 1<\/a>. Not insignificant shoes to fill. Notably, although they are currently in the process of being replaced, the Oberon 1 are still available for a price of around \u00a3400 \/ $550 from certain retailers.<\/p>\n

Latest Videos FromWhat Hi-Fi?<\/p>\n

But, returning to the present, the crucial question is, will the baby of the bunch uphold the Sonik family name, or see to their fall from grace?<\/p>\n

Dali Sonik 1 (Brown) at Amazon for $900<\/a>Price<\/p>\n

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\"Dali\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

The Dali Sonik 1 are currently priced at \u00a3449 \/ $900 \/ AU$849, which places them among the cheaper speakers that Dali makes.<\/p>\n

At this price, their main rival is the former Award-winning B&W 607 S3<\/a>, which cost \u00a3599 \/ $1000 \/ AU$1149, although we have seen these available for as low as \u00a3449 in the UK during sales events. We also have the older Oberon 1 and the smaller, even more affordable Dali Kupid<\/a> (\u00a3299 \/ $599\/ AU$599) in our test rooms, so we used all three speakers for sound comparisons during testing.<\/p>\n

Build<\/p>\n

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\"Dali\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

The Dali Sonik 1 are the smallest standmounters in the Sonik range, measuring just 27.4 x 16.2 x 23.1cm (hwd), meaning they will have no trouble looking at home, even in smaller rooms.<\/p>\n

The latest hi-fi, home cinema and tech news, reviews, buying advice and deals, direct to your inbox.<\/p>\n

Dali Sonik 1 tech specs<\/p>\n

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\"Dali\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: Dali)<\/p>\n

Type Standmounters<\/p>\n

Drive units 29mm soft dome tweeter, 13cm pulp\/wood fibre mid\/bass drivers<\/p>\n

Ported? Yes (rear)<\/p>\n

Bi-wire? No<\/p>\n

Sensitivity (dB\/w\/m) 86dB<\/p>\n

Impedance 6 ohms<\/p>\n

Dimensions (hwd) 27.4 x 16.2 x 23.1cm (hwd)Weight: 4.1kg<\/p>\n

Finishes x 4 (natural oak, white, walnut, black ash)<\/p>\n

While the Sonik 1 are small and will fit on a bookshelf, we suggest placing them on dedicated speaker stands to make the most of their sonic capabilities. Dali has tried to make these speakers as flexible as possible by also including rear brackets for wall mounting, which will be a welcome addition for anyone running low on floor space.<\/p>\n

The MDF cabinets are clad in a smooth laminate and are available in four finishes: natural oak, white, walnut and black ash. Our test pair\u2019s walnut finish looks classy for laminate, lending an air of aesthetic finesse when paired with the tweeter\u2019s aluminium surround and clean front panel.<\/p>\n

The speakers feature a 13cm mid\/bass driver, tuned with a rear port, and the same 29mm lightweight woven fabric soft dome tweeter as featured on the Sonik 5 floorstanders. The mid\/bass diaphragms use Dali\u2019s proprietary mix of fine-grain paper pulp reinforced with wood fibres, which the company says provides rigidity, improved damping and light weight.<\/p>\n

The mid\/bass drivers across the Sonik range use Dali\u2019s patented SMC (Soft Magnetic Composite) technology in the motor system to reduce distortion, optimising detail and dynamic performance. Both drivers are connected through a single-wired crossover.<\/p>\n

The Sonik 1 have a sensitivity of 86dB\/w\/m and a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. These figures are fairly conventional for a pair of standmounters at this level, so these speakers are unlikely to present any system-matching problems when paired with price-compatible amplifiers.<\/p>\n

Compatibility<\/p>\n

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\"Dali\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

Ideally, speakers of this price should be fairly unfussy, and could see themselves partnered with a budget streaming amplifier such as the WiiM Amp Ultra<\/a> (\u00a3499\/ $529\/ AU$899). They can also be used in an affordable separates system, featuring the Rotel A8<\/a> amplifier (\u00a3399 \/ $449 \/ AU$649) paired with a Cambridge Audio MXN10<\/a> network player (\u00a3399 \/ $499 \/ AU$799), Marantz CD 70<\/a> CD player (\u00a3499 \/ $750 \/ AU$1000), or a Rega Planar 2<\/a> turntable (\u00a3525 \/ $895 \/ AU$1149).<\/p>\n

During our testing, we tried the speakers with both the Rotel A8 and the step-up Arcam A5+<\/a> amplifiers (\u00a3749 \/ $1200 \/ AU$1595), and we are pleased to confirm that they work well in both cases, providing more than enough punch and expression. Notably, however, the Soniks are talented enough to really come to life when paired with even more expensive amplifiers, such as the Arcam A15+<\/a> (\u00a31199 \/ $1099 \/ AU$2295), which provides an extra portion of textural detail and dynamic nuance.<\/p>\n

For our music sources, we stream hi-res music from our reference Naim Uniti Atom Headphone Edition<\/a> music streamer and play CDs from our Cyrus CDi <\/a>player. Both of these are more capable than the sources that would typically be used with these entry-level speakers, but we have chosen them in order to really put a spotlight on the Dali speakers\u2019 performance.<\/p>\n

Falling in line with Dali\u2019s suggestion, we find that the Sonik 1 sound most well-balanced when facing straight ahead with a gap of around 20cm between the back of the speakers and our testing room\u2019s rear wall. When angling the speakers in towards the listening position, as might conventionally be expected, we found that the stereo image narrowed and high frequencies became too prominent.<\/p>\n

Bring the Sonik 1 further into the room, and we find they begin to lose out in terms of bass authority, which is what we would expect for such a small speaker. Up against our test room\u2019s wall, bass increases and the speakers stay nicely controlled, but we prefer the more articulate balance that leaving a little space provides.<\/p>\n

Sound<\/p>\n

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\"Dali\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

We had every hope that these standmounters<\/a> would echo the performance of the five-star Sonik 5 floorstanders, and that certainly appears to be the case. Much like the Sonik 5, these standmounters impress us immediately with their intricate and expressive sound.<\/p>\n

Their capacity for scale, both sonic and emotional, comes as a welcome surprise given their dainty stature.<\/p>\n

Beginning with Norah Jones\u2019 Don\u2019t Know Why, acoustic guitar and piano are delivered with a shimmer that complements the speakers’ full-bodied presentation.<\/p>\n

The same is true of Jones\u2019 vocals, and we can\u2019t help but appreciate how well-integrated the speakers\u2019 drivers sound, boasting eloquent expression across the frequency range.<\/p>\n

Thanks to their lush midrange, Jones\u2019 voice has real body, evoking a palpable sense of presence in our test room.<\/p>\n

In treble-heavy recordings such as This Charming Man by The Smiths, the Sonik 1 keep a firm handle on the high-frequencies, delivering guitars with an appropriately jangling sheen without becoming fatiguing.<\/p>\n

For a more rhythmically driven track, we play A Tribe Called Quest\u2019s Show Business, and the Dalis have no trouble providing the kind of low-end kick that hip-hop thrives on \u2013 for their size, at least. Kick drums and basslines hit hard, but never obscure the vocals or percussion, even when we crank the music up to almost uncomfortably loud volumes.<\/p>\n

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\"Dali\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

At low volume, too, these speakers hang on to a sense of musical momentum and clarity, so it doesn\u2019t all have to be windowsill-rattling beats. Most alternatives sound a little lifeless when listened to at such levels, but the Sonik 1 retain an impressive amount of character.<\/p>\n

In terms of textural detail, there\u2019s no doubt that the Sonik 1 outperform their predecessor, the Oberon 1. Whether it\u2019s the subtle passing of fingers across guitar strings, or an inward breath before a vocal line, we notice details through these speakers that we miss on the outgoing Oberons.<\/p>\n

The Sonik 1 have a strong sense of rhythmic drive and are highly responsive to transients. While rivals like the B&W 607 S3 sound snappier overall, they are somewhat more tonally uneven and, in relative terms, coarser in the treble region.<\/p>\n

Dynamically, the Sonik 1 handle intricate shifts, such as the decay of vocal reverb in You Sun Nah\u2019s Kangwondo Arirang, with sensitivity and grace, bringing the track\u2019s most delicate minutiae to the surface with an immersive, intricate sound.<\/p>\n

On classical recordings, such as Minnesota Orchestra\u2019s rendition of Infernal Dance Of King Kashchey from Stravinsky\u2019s The Firebird Suite, orchestral stabs and sweeping ebbs in the dense arrangement are conveyed with equal amounts of refinement and gusto.<\/p>\n

Classical music provides a great test of the speakers\u2019 stereo image, too, which retains focus and clarity throughout testing. Notably, the Sonik 1 have a satisfying sense of depth, and during Infernal Dance Of King Kashchey, the relative positioning of the orchestra\u2019s sections is blatantly apparent, with the woodwind section sitting comfortably behind the grand, dramatic strings.<\/p>\n

Verdict<\/p>\n

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\"Dali\n<\/p>\n

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)<\/p>\n

We are pleased to say that the smallest speakers from Dali\u2019s new Sonik range walk firmly in the footsteps of their floorstanding sibling, the Sonik 5.<\/p>\n

With an expressive, well-balanced sound, these standmount speakers are an excellent pick for anyone seeking serious sonic performance in a compact package at this price.<\/p>\n

The Sonik 1 will also forgive less than ideal placement, making them a strong choice for music lovers without a dedicated listening space. All things considered, we highly recommend these talented and adaptable speakers.<\/p>\n

Review published: 17th August 2026<\/p>\n

SCORES<\/p>\n

Sound 5Compatibility 5Build 5<\/p>\n

MORE:<\/p>\n

Read our review of the B&W 607 S3<\/a><\/p>\n

Also consider the Dali Kupid<\/a><\/p>\n

Read our Dali Oberon 1<\/a> review<\/p>\n

Best bookshelf speakers<\/a>: top standmounts for every budget tested<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Dali Sonik 1 : Price Comparison<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":741462,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[59,86,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-741461","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-technology","tag-gb","tag-technology","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741461","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=741461"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/741461\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/741462"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=741461"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=741461"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=741461"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}