DALI Mentor Menuet review

The tiny Dali Mentor Menuet standmounters are a startling achievement Tested at £900

What Hi-Fi? Verdict

Titchy speakers that still sound great, these Menuets are something of a gem

Pros

  • +

    Tiny in all but sound

  • +

    an expressive, engaging listen

Cons

  • -

    Can’t cope with aggressive low frequencies like bigger rivals can

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Even in a group of compact standmounters, the Dalis look frivolously small.

The cabinet is a smoothly curved affair, but there’s not much of it. And the mid/bass driver is just 10cm in diameter.

There’s nothing trivial about the way the Dalis go about their business though.

Timing, detail levels and frequency-range integration all impress, but it’s their sheer musicality that marks these out as five-star performers.

Adept at more-or-less anything
They’re achingly articulate through the midrange, giving character and expression to instruments and voices alike, and are just as urgent or as soothing as is required.

Add a frankly unlikely dynamism and considerable scale, and you’ve a speaker adept at more-or-less anything. They’ll even have a stab at shuddering basslines, though some port noise is audible under such sonic duress.

All the ‘quart/pint-pot’ and ‘midget gem’ clichés apply. If you want small speakers with full-size ability, here they are.

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What Hi-Fi?

What Hi-Fi?, founded in 1976, is the world's leading independent guide to buying and owning hi-fi and home entertainment products. Our comprehensive tests help you buy the very best for your money, with our advice sections giving you step-by-step information on how to get even more from your music and movies. Everything is tested by our dedicated team of in-house reviewers in our custom-built test rooms in London, Reading and Bath. Our coveted five-star rating and Awards are recognised all over the world as the ultimate seal of approval, so you can buy with absolute confidence.

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