14 July 2014
Dali RUBICON in Detail
We have already briefly introduced them and reported on them from the High End show. Now it's time to take a closer look at the Dali Rubicon. This loudspeaker series, consisting of five models, is already one of the hi-fi highlights of the year! To properly appreciate the Rubicon, we first need to think back two years. When Dali introduced the Epicon series in 2012, the Danish loudspeaker manufacturers set a real milestone in the market for high-quality speakers. Built with extreme attention to detail and elegantly designed on the outside, it was primarily the invisible technical innovations that enabled the speakers of the Epicon line to achieve exceptional performance.
Hi-tech in the drive
Chassis construction of the Rubicon series. Among many small detail improvements, such as Dali’s almost traditional hybrid tweeter module, it was above all the innovative drive technology of the chassis that caught the attention of the trade press and hi-fi fans. Dali used, for the first time, the so-called SMC ("Soft Magnetic Compound") as a magnet material. This powdery, magnetic material is pressed into shape under high pressure and allows for a significant reduction of the distortions that inevitably occur in the magnetic drive of a conventional woofer/midrange chassis. This works very linearly even with very strong membrane excursion, so Dali has named the technology the "Linear Drive System".
"Linear Drive System" of the Dali Rubicon series. This elaborate and costly technology is now also used in the much more affordable Rubicon range. This was made possible by a discovery that the Danish engineers made during some experiments in chassis development. They found that drive distortions in a loudspeaker can already be significantly reduced if only the pole piece of the magnet system is made of SMC and this is additionally encased in a slotted copper sleeve. As this part, located inside the drive coil, is much smaller than the main magnet on the outside, a lot of effort and cost is saved in the production of the Rubicon chassis compared to the Epicon series transducers, where the entire magnet system is made of SMC.
Newly developed hybrid tweeter module
Specially tuned hybrid tweeter module for the Rubicon. The hybrid tweeter module of the Rubicon loudspeakers is also a true in-house development. As is typical for Dali (with the exception of the small Rubicon 2), a conventional fabric dome and a magnetostatic ribbon tweeter share the reproduction of high frequencies. Since the four metal ribbons take care of the frequency range from about 14 kHz, the conventional tweeter can be tuned so that it starts working from around 2.5 kHz. This in turn makes it easier to tune the woofer/midrange drivers, but above all ensures an even and brilliant reproduction in the treble range, which is so important for directivity and spatiality. The hybrid module of the Rubicon series is based on the same technology as that of the Epicon line and even uses some of the same parts, but has been fundamentally redesigned and tailored for use in the Rubicon models.
Sturdy enclosures
Sturdy enclosure construction of the Rubicon 8. Even the best chassis in the world can only show its strengths if the enclosure in which it is used allows for it. That's why Dali puts a lot of effort into the enclosure construction of the Rubicon models. All cabinets are made of low-resonance MDF material, with the front baffle measuring a solid 25 mm. Thanks to sturdy internal partitions, each chassis has its own precisely calculated volume, and all woofers/midrange drivers are also supported by their own bass reflex ports. Numerous internal braces also provide additional rigidity to the enclosures and prevent unwanted cabinet resonances. This high-quality workmanship is also evident on the outside of the Rubicon cabinets. Both available high-gloss variants (High Gloss Black and High Gloss White) as well as the real wood veneers Rosso and Walnut suit all models excellently and testify to the care with which these speakers are made.
Video: DALI RUBICON - Designed and Crafted in Denmark
Overview of the Rubicon series - The models
Rubicon 2
Dali Rubicon 2 // Real wood veneer Walnut. The Rubicon 2 is designed as a bookshelf speaker, but can also be placed on a stand. As the only model in the series, it does not feature a hybrid tweeter module, but the ultra-light 29 mm fabric dome has been optimized for a wide frequency range. In combination with the 165 mm woofer/midrange driver, it delivers an impressive sound image with surprisingly powerful and precise bass, despite the compact enclosure size. This makes the Rubicon 2 ideal for stereo or multi-channel playback in small rooms, as well as a surround speaker in larger home cinemas.
Rubicon 5
Dali Rubicon 5 // High Gloss Black. The Rubicon 5 is a particularly slim floorstanding speaker. Compared to the Rubicon 2, it sounds a bit more mature in every respect, thanks to the hybrid tweeter and the larger enclosure. The treble range sounds even more spacious and detailed, while the bass gains more depth and punch. The Rubicon 5 is perfect for listening to stereo music or as front speakers in a medium-sized home cinema.
Rubicon 6
Dali Rubicon 6 // Real wood veneer Rosso. Like the Rubicon 5, the Rubicon 6 is a slender floorstander, but it features a second 165 mm woofer/midrange driver. Thanks to the additional chassis, the speaker sounds more powerful and controlled. And thanks to the larger membrane area, the Rubicon 6 is able to fill even larger rooms with a voluminous and deep bass.
Rubicon 8
Dali Rubicon 8 // High Gloss White. The Rubicon 8 is the largest model in the series. With its three 165 mm woofer/midrange drivers, it produces extremely deep-reaching bass with impressive sound pressure. What is especially surprising is how effortlessly the Rubicon 8 handles even the most intense bass impulses. This truly outstanding quality should be experienced in person to understand just how good this speaker sounds.
Rubicon LCR
Dali Rubicon LCR // Real wood veneer Walnut. The Rubicon LCR is an extraordinary, particularly versatile loudspeaker. This box, only 14 cm deep, is designed both for wall mounting and for placement on a shelf, making it suitable not only as a transducer for the stereo channels of a hi-fi system, but also as a front or surround speaker in home cinemas. To ensure that the Rubicon LCR, which can be used either vertically or horizontally, always sounds the same, its hybrid tweeter unit can be rotated by 90 degrees with just a few simple steps. This guarantees even dispersion of all mid and high frequencies in every direction.
Come and have a listen!
With every loudspeaker, it's always best to hear it for yourself. Of course, at our locations in Hamm and Münster, all Rubicon models are always ready for demonstration, and our loudspeaker experts are happy to advise you. So, come and have a listen! You can find more information about the Rubicon series directly from us.
