This loudspeaker group test covers a relatively upmarket sector. Our three candidates cost between $3990 and $5395 per pair, comprise two floorstanders and one standmount, and show no relationship between size and price.
The largest model with the most drive units (Focal) sits in the middle of the price range (just), but then it's also the only one that isn't clad in real wood veneer, which always has a significant bearing on price. The Chinese built JAS Audio is same class in terms of presentation.
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Physical perceived value is obviously important when confronted by a range of alternatives on the shop floor, but it shouldn't take precedence over auditioning. Furthermore, in an ideal world, part of that listening should, if possible, be conducted in the room in which the speakers will be used.
It's virtually impossible to predict how any given pair of speakers will react with any given positioning in any given room, because the interactions between the various bass sources – both drive units and ports – are exceedingly complex.
In our group, for example, the Dali has four distinct bass sources – two drivers fairly close together on the front, plus two rear ports spaced well apart and well separated from the drivers by a deep enclosure. Whereas, the Focal speaker has no fewer than three drivers and three ports, but placed quite close together in a continuous line down the front to the floor.
Read on for our review of the Dali Mentor 6..
