NEW DALI EPIKORE 11 LOUDSPEAKERS LAUNCHED

The DALI EPIKORE 11 Loudspeakers are 4½-way floorstanders that are the evolution of the EPICON series with new technologies from the DALI KORE flagship speakers.

First seen at High End Munich in May, they are now available.

DALI EPIKORE 11 LOUDSPEAKERS

With the new EPIKORE 11, DALI celebrates 40 years of loudspeaker research and development. The DALI EPIKORE 11 is a large 4½-way floorstander the curved, real-wood veneer cabinet houses four powerful 8-inch bass drivers, and a highly dynamic 6½-inch midrange, each utilising DALI’s second-generation Soft Magnetic Compound (SMC Gen-2) magnet material, as well as the EVO-K variant of DALI’s Hybrid Tweeter Module borrowed directly from the DALI KORE.

DALI EPIKORE 11 HYSTERESIS REDUCTION

When using conventional magnets in a speaker design, it is not unusual to experience a phenomenon known as hysteresis. This introduces an unintended resistance to the voice-coil, which can lead to unwanted distortion in the audio signal.

Designed to significantly reduce hysteresis, SMC Gen-2 is the next generation of DALI’s patented SMC magnet material technology. Introduced in their flagship DALI KORE loudspeaker, SMC Gen-2 is incorporated into the EPIKORE 11 bass and midrange drivers, as well as in the crossover inductor cores, offering significantly enhanced characteristics over the first-generation SMC introduced in the EPICON series in 2012. The result is a further reduction in hysteresis, flux-modulation and eddy currents in the magnet system.

PAPER AND WOOD FIBRE CONE TECHNOLOGY

The EPIKORE 11 features DALI’s signature Paper and Wood Fibre Cone Technology, which serves to reduce weight and add stiffness; designed to promote non-resonant break-up characteristics. With wood fibre cone technology, the EPIKORE 11 produces the finest musical detail and dynamics.

DALI KORE EVO-K HYBRID TWEETER

Developed originally for the DALI KORE, the EVO-K Hybrid Tweeter combines a large, in-house developed 35 mm Soft Dome Tweeter and an improved version of DALI’s ultra-thin, high-performance Ribbon Tweeter element. Together with the extremely powerful neodymium magnet motor systems, they have been designed to deliver a smooth high-frequency reproduction, at any volume level.

‘The EPIKORE 11 is the natural progression of our award-winning EPICON speaker, applying the learnings from our DALI KORE flagship.’  

Krestian Pedersen, DALI Head of Product Management

EPIKORE MIDRANGE

The newly developed 6½-inch EPIKORE Midrange Driver has a complex embossed geometric structure of the paper and wood fibre diaphragm used in the DALI KORE, which, as well as helping to control the diaphragm modes, lowers distortion without adding additional weight. The titanium voice-coil former, and DALI’s patented SMC Gen-2 magnet system, lowers mechanical loss and distortion even further.

8 INCH WOOFERS

Featuring large and powerful magnet systems based on DALI’s SMC Gen-2 material, the Four 8-inch Woofers used in the EPIKORE 11 have been designed to deliver room-filling controlled bass.

FLOOR REFLECTION CONTROL

Also developed for the DALI KORE and inspired by the DALI MegaLine and line-source techniques generally, the EPIKORE 11 features Floor Reflection Control (FRC Technology); two pairs of bass drivers, spaced apart and on separated crossover taps. The acoustic centre of the upper pair is shifted backwards, right in the frequency area where cancellations from the floor would occur. The effect is significantly reduced floor reflections and, says DALI, almost complete elimination of the usual cancellation in the critical 250-300 Hz band.

DALI EPIKORE 11 CROSSOVER

First introduced in the DALI KORE, the SMC KORE Crossover Inductors used for the EPIKORE 11 feature the world’s first SMC Gen-2 inductor cores. Compared with standard air-core inductors, this technology allows lower DC resistance, a shorter signal path and less vulnerability to crosstalk between the inductors, especially at high inductances, claim DALI. SMC KORE crossover inductors, together with hand-picked, high-end capacitors and resistors, ensure the EPIKORE 11’s crossovers are optimised exclusively for the speaker. The properties of DALI’s SMC Gen-2 material also results in around 12 dB less current distortion than equivalent iron-powder-core inductors.

BI WIRE CAPABLE BINDING POSTS

Taking inspiration from earlier DALI loudspeakers, the EPIKORE 11 features All-New Bi-Wire-Capable Binding Posts with oversize thumbscrews, which allow better grip on bare wires and spade terminals. The EPIKORE 11 Die-cast Baffles are constructed from acoustically inert and extremely stiff materials that provide a solid and beautiful platform for the drivers, while eliminating unwanted cabinet resonance. Twin Continuous-Flare Bass Reflex Ports help the bass drivers deliver a deep and distortion-free low frequency response.

HIGH GLOSS FINISHES

Designed and built in-house, DALI EPIKORE 11 features Adjustable Spike Feet Outriggers, ensuring solid, stable contact with the floor, and is available in three finishes High Gloss Black, High Gloss Maroon, and High Gloss Walnut.

DALI EPIKORE 11  SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency Range: 29-34,000 Hz ±3 dB

Sensitivity: 89 dB @ 1m for 2.83 V

Nominal Impedance: 4 Ω

Maximum SPL: 116 dB

Crossover Frequency: 170 / 370 / 3,100 / 12,500 Hz

Crossover Principle: 4½-Way

Recommended Amplifier Power: 40 – 1,000 Watt

High Frequency Driver(s): 10 x 55 mm Ribbon 1 x 35 mm Soft Dome

High Frequency Diaphragm: Planar Magnetostatic Ribbon Soft Woven Fabric

Low/Mid Frequency Driver(s): 4 x 8-inch 1 x 6½-inch

Low/Mid Frequency Diaphragm: Wood Fibre Cone

Connection Input(s): Bi-wire

Enclosure Type: Bass Reflex

Bass Reflex Tuning Frequency: 24 Hz

Recommended Placement: Floor

Recommended Distance from Rear Wall: 35 – 120 cm

Dimensions (H x W x D): 1,602 x 422 x 554 mm 63 x 16.6 x 21.8 inches

Weight (inc. Grille): 75.6 kg 166.6 lb

Shipping Weight: 176 kg (Pair) 388 lb (Pair)

Finishes: High Gloss Black High Gloss Walnut High Gloss Maroon

Spike Thread Size: M12-1

DALI EPIKORE 11 PRICE

DALI EPIKORE 11 will be priced at $60,000, £39,998, €39,998 per pair.

DALI will be showcasing the EPIKORE 11 at the UK HiFi Show Live in Ascot from 29th September to October 1st.

HiFi PiG Says: The new DALI EPIKORE 11 will launch at the UK HiFi Show live and HiFi PiG’s Eric will be there to check them out.