Audio T Verdict
The DALI MENUET are premium compact speakers designed for listeners who want a genuinely ambitious stereo performance without accommodating large cabinets.
Each speaker combines a 4½-inch wood-fibre bass and midrange driver with an oversized 28mm soft-dome tweeter. A carefully developed 2-way crossover, low-loss driver system and integrated rear bass port help the small enclosure produce clean bass, an open midrange and crisp high-frequency detail.
The MENUET are particularly flexible in real living spaces. They can be used on stands, shelves or suitable furniture and can be positioned close to the wall behind them. Two threaded rear inserts also allow installation with DALI's optional wall bracket.
DALI's Wide Dispersion Sound Principle means the speakers are normally positioned facing straight ahead rather than heavily angled towards one listening seat. This helps create a broad and consistent soundstage across a larger area of the room.
A sensitivity of 86dB and nominal impedance of 4 ohms mean that amplifier quality still matters. DALI recommends between 20W and 100W, but clean current delivery, room size and preferred listening level are more useful guides than wattage alone.
The 59Hz lower frequency limit is impressive for a cabinet measuring only 250mm high, but the MENUET cannot reproduce the scale or deepest bass of a larger standmount or floorstanding speaker. A carefully integrated active subwoofer can be added where greater low-frequency extension is required.
The standard MENUET offer the same fundamental dimensions and published performance as the MENUET SE, while the Special Edition adds selected internal upgrades, premium terminals and its distinctive Wild Walnut finish.
For a high-quality bedroom, office, compact living-room or wall-mounted system, the MENUET remain one of DALI's most accomplished and enduring miniature loudspeakers.
DALI MENUET Compact Bookshelf Speakers
The DALI MENUET are compact 2-way passive loudspeakers designed for stand, shelf, furniture or wall placement.
They require connection to a suitable stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, mini system or AV receiver and do not contain built-in amplification, Bluetooth or network streaming.
Despite their small dimensions, each cabinet contains a dedicated wood-fibre bass and midrange driver, separate soft-dome tweeter, high-quality crossover and integrated rear bass-reflex system.
The MENUET are made in Denmark and are available in a choice of high-gloss lacquer and real wood veneer finishes.
A Separate Amplifier Is Required
The DALI MENUET are passive loudspeakers and cannot play music directly from a phone, television, turntable or computer.
A suitable amplifier must provide the power required by the speakers and the connections needed by the chosen source components.
- No built-in amplifier
- No Bluetooth
- No Wi-Fi or Ethernet
- No network music services
- No HDMI ARC
- No optical or coaxial digital input
- No built-in phono stage
- No headphone output
A streaming amplifier can provide amplification and network music services within one compact component, while a conventional integrated amplifier allows separate sources to be selected and upgraded independently.
Premium Compact Loudspeaker Design
The MENUET have been developed to provide a high level of stereo performance from a cabinet measuring only 250mm high, 150mm wide and 230mm deep.
Compact loudspeakers present particular engineering challenges because the bass driver, crossover, internal air volume and reflex system must work within tightly restricted dimensions.
DALI has therefore designed the drivers, cabinet, port and crossover as one complete system rather than attempting to place standard components inside a small enclosure.
The result is intended to combine the imaging and placement advantages of a miniature loudspeaker with greater scale and dynamic expression than its dimensions suggest.
2-Way Crossover Design
The MENUET use a conventional 2-way arrangement, with separate drivers handling different regions of the musical spectrum.
The 4½-inch woofer reproduces bass, vocals and much of the instrumental range, while the 28mm tweeter handles the upper frequencies.
A crossover operating at 3,000Hz divides the incoming signal between the two drivers.
The crossover also controls their relative level, phase and integration rather than acting as a simple on-and-off division.
4½-Inch Wood-Fibre Woofer
Each MENUET cabinet contains one 4½-inch bass and midrange driver.
The compact diameter allows the front baffle and complete cabinet to remain narrow while providing sufficient radiating area for voices, instruments and useful low-frequency extension.
The driver has been designed in-house by DALI and optimised specifically for the internal volume and reflex system of the MENUET cabinet.
Its motor, suspension and diaphragm must operate together to reproduce small musical details as well as larger dynamic changes.
Paper and Wood-Fibre Cone
The bass and midrange diaphragm combines fine paper pulp with reinforcing wood fibres.
The material is intended to provide a rigid yet relatively lightweight cone with useful natural damping.
The irregular distribution of the fibres helps reduce the tendency for one narrow area of the diaphragm to resonate strongly as frequency increases.
This supports an open and natural midrange while helping bass notes retain pitch, texture and definition.
Airflow-Optimised Woofer Chassis
The woofer chassis and cabinet cut-out have been shaped to allow air to move freely behind the diaphragm.
Restricting the rear of the cone can create compression and unwanted reflections as the driver moves.
DALI therefore uses a larger-than-usual cabinet opening around the woofer chassis to improve airflow and coupling between the driver and internal cabinet volume.
The intended result is greater openness and a more dynamic response from the compact system.
Low-Loss Woofer Suspension
A low-loss suspension controls the movement of the wood-fibre cone.
The suspension must remain compliant enough to reproduce small variations in the signal while keeping larger cone movements centred and controlled.
Excessive mechanical resistance can obscure low-level information, while insufficient control can allow the driver to behave inconsistently as volume increases.
DALI's low-loss approach is intended to preserve musical detail and transient response without adding unnecessary mechanical damping.
Extra-Strong Magnet System
The bass and midrange driver uses an extra-strong magnet system designed to provide firm control over the voice coil.
The amplifier creates a changing electrical current within the voice coil, which interacts with the fixed magnetic field and moves the diaphragm.
The strength and consistency of that field influence efficiency, control and distortion.
A capable motor system is particularly important when a small driver is asked to provide useful bass extension and dynamic output.
Oversized 28mm Soft-Dome Tweeter
A 28mm soft-dome tweeter reproduces high-frequency information.
The oversized dome can operate comfortably towards the 3,000Hz crossover point, helping it integrate with the 4½-inch woofer.
DALI specifies a particularly low-mass dome assembly intended to start and stop quickly as the musical signal changes.
The design aims to provide crisp detail and precision without making poor recordings unnecessarily aggressive.
Low-Mass Tweeter Dome
DALI states that the MENUET tweeter dome is approximately 30% lighter than comparable conventional designs.
Reducing moving mass allows the diaphragm to respond more readily to small and fast changes in the incoming signal.
This can assist the reproduction of percussion, string harmonics, vocal detail and recorded ambience.
Low mass must still be combined with sufficient control, damping and motor strength to prevent the dome from behaving unpredictably.
Powerful Neodymium Tweeter Magnet
The tweeter uses a powerful neodymium magnet system.
Neodymium can provide a strong magnetic field from a physically compact motor structure, making it particularly useful where space around the tweeter is limited.
The motor, dome and rear damping system work together to control the tweeter across its operating range.
3,000Hz Crossover Frequency
The electrical crossover operates at 3,000Hz.
Below this region, the wood-fibre driver provides most of the acoustic output. Above it, the soft-dome tweeter progressively assumes responsibility.
The precise transition depends on the electrical filter and the natural acoustic behaviour of both drivers.
Good integration helps voices and instruments sound coherent rather than appearing to come from separate areas of the cabinet.
High-Quality Crossover Components
The crossover has been developed specifically for the impedance, sensitivity and acoustic response of the MENUET drivers.
Its components divide the signal while also controlling relative output and phase through the crossover region.
Component quality, internal layout and connection integrity are particularly important because every signal reaching the drivers passes through the network.
DALI Wide Dispersion Sound Principle
The MENUET follow DALI's Wide Dispersion Sound Principle.
The drivers and front baffle are designed to produce a broad and even radiation pattern rather than concentrating sound into one narrow listening position.
This allows more than one person to hear a balanced presentation and helps the speakers work in real rooms where everyone cannot occupy one exact central seat.
Reflected sound from the room also retains a more consistent tonal balance when off-axis response is carefully controlled.
Begin with the Speakers Facing Straight Ahead
DALI recommends positioning the MENUET parallel with the wall behind them rather than angling them strongly towards the main listening seat.
This supports their intended wide-dispersion behaviour and can improve integration across a broader listening area.
Broad and Stable Stereo Imaging
A correctly positioned pair of MENUET speakers can create a soundstage extending beyond their compact cabinets.
Vocals should appear between the speakers, while instruments and recorded ambience occupy positions across the stereo image.
Equal distance from the main listening position, matching heights and correct left-to-right spacing help preserve this effect.
Large differences between the furnishings or wall surfaces surrounding the two speakers can pull the stereo image towards one side.
Integrated Rear Bass Port
The MENUET use a rear bass-reflex system integrated into the terminal panel.
The port uses air movement inside the cabinet to reinforce output around its tuned operating region.
Integrating the port and terminal tray allows the rear panel to remain compact and supports shelf or wall placement.
The enclosure is tuned to 63Hz, contributing to the specified lower frequency limit of 59Hz.
Angled Bass-Port Outlet
The integrated port directs airflow at an angle rather than firing directly into the wall behind the speaker.
This arrangement helps preserve useful clearance and reduce direct interaction between the port opening and nearby wall surface.
The port must still remain unobstructed so that air can move freely.
Do Not Block the Bass Port
Do not press soft furnishings against the rear panel or place the speaker so deeply inside furniture that air cannot move around the port.
Restricted airflow can reduce bass performance and increase unwanted turbulence.
59Hz Low-Frequency Extension
DALI specifies a frequency range extending down to 59Hz within plus or minus 3dB.
This covers much of the bass information contained in voices, guitars, percussion and many acoustic instruments.
The lowest synthesiser notes, organ fundamentals and large-scale film effects extend considerably below this point.
The MENUET should therefore be judged as a highly capable miniature loudspeaker rather than a substitute for a large floorstander or dedicated subwoofer.
105dB Maximum Output
DALI specifies a maximum sound-pressure level of 105dB.
This provides useful output for such a compact cabinet in an appropriately sized room.
Maximum output should not be confused with a recommended continuous listening level.
If the sound becomes harsh, compressed or distorted, reduce the amplifier volume immediately.
Avoid Amplifier Clipping
A small amplifier driven beyond its clean operating range can produce a distorted signal containing excessive high-frequency energy.
This can place more stress on the tweeter than a more powerful amplifier operating comfortably at the same listening level.
Compact Low-Resonance Cabinet
The enclosure provides a rigid platform for the drivers, crossover and bass-reflex system.
Cabinet vibration can add unwanted sound that was not present in the recording, reducing clarity and making bass notes less precise.
The MENUET cabinet has therefore been designed to control panel movement while making efficient use of its limited internal volume.
Rounded edges soften the appearance and reduce abrupt changes around the front baffle.
Real Wood Veneer and High-Gloss Finishes
The MENUET are offered in Walnut and Rosso real wood veneers alongside Black High Gloss and White High Gloss lacquer finishes.
Natural veneer varies in grain and colour, so no two wooden cabinets will look completely identical.
DALI matches the cabinets within each pair as closely as the natural material allows.
All finish options use the same drivers, crossover, cabinet construction and published acoustic specification.
Removable Front Grilles
Front grilles protect the drivers and give the speakers a more discreet appearance.
The MENUET can be used with or without the grilles according to personal preference.
Removing them exposes the wood-fibre cone and tweeter assembly and gives the speaker a more technical appearance.
Handle the grilles carefully and avoid touching the tweeter dome or woofer diaphragm.
Stand Placement
A suitable loudspeaker stand can provide the most flexible positioning and a stable platform away from nearby furniture.
The tweeter should ideally sit reasonably close to seated ear height.
Stand height, mass, top-plate dimensions and floor stability can all affect the final result.
The speaker and stand should be secured or isolated appropriately so that the compact cabinet cannot be knocked from the top plate.
Shelf and Furniture Placement
The small cabinet allows the MENUET to fit on bookshelves, desks, sideboards and other suitable furniture.
The supplied rubber feet help protect the supporting surface and reduce direct vibration between the cabinet and furniture.
Keep the front of the speaker reasonably close to the front edge of a shelf where possible. Positioning it far inside a deep recess can increase reflections and alter the tonal balance.
Both speakers should sit at the same height and have broadly similar surroundings where a stable central image is required.
Near-Wall Placement
The integrated port and terminal arrangement allow the MENUET to operate close to the wall behind them.
DALI's manual specifies a recommended rear-wall distance between approximately 2cm and 30cm.
Moving the speakers closer to the wall generally increases perceived bass, while bringing them further into the room can reduce excess weight and improve definition.
The best distance will depend on the room, supporting surface and preferred tonal balance.
Optional Wall Mounting
Two threaded inserts on the rear of each cabinet allow the MENUET to be installed using DALI's optional wall bracket.
The bracket positions the speaker at the correct distance from the wall and preserves clearance around the integrated bass port.
Special rear bumpers are supplied with the optional bracket to stabilise the cabinet and maintain spacing.
The wall, fixings and installation method must safely support the weight of each 4.1kg speaker.
The Wall Brackets Are Optional
Wall brackets are not included with the standard MENUET speaker pair.
Use the correct DALI bracket and fixings suitable for the wall construction. Professional installation is advisable where the supporting structure is uncertain.
Wall-Mounted Stereo and Surround Systems
Wall mounting can be used for a compact two-channel system or for surround channels within a home cinema.
For stereo listening, install the speakers symmetrically at a sensible height and leave sufficient separation to create a convincing soundstage.
For surround use, placement should follow the requirements of the AV receiver layout and room rather than copying the front-speaker position automatically.
DALI also positions the MENUET as a compact partner for suitable RUBICON-series speakers within a higher-performance home cinema system.
Sturdy Single-Wire Binding Posts
Each speaker uses one pair of sturdy binding posts for connection to an amplifier.
The terminals accept common loudspeaker-cable terminations, including correctly prepared bare wire and compatible plugs or spade connectors.
The MENUET do not provide separate high- and low-frequency terminals for bi-wiring or bi-amplification.
This keeps connection straightforward and removes the need for terminal links.
Correct Loudspeaker Polarity
The positive amplifier terminal must connect to the positive speaker terminal, with the negative terminals connected in the same way.
Reversing one speaker places the pair out of phase, weakening bass and making the central stereo image unfocused.
Use the same cable type and approximately equal lengths for the left and right channels.
Switch the Amplifier Off Before Connecting
Switch off the amplifier before connecting, disconnecting or changing loudspeaker cables.
Make sure that no loose strands of bare wire can touch the neighbouring terminal and cause a short circuit.
4-Ohm Nominal Impedance
DALI specifies a nominal impedance of 4 ohms.
A 4-ohm loudspeaker generally asks more current from an amplifier than an 8-ohm design at a comparable output voltage.
The amplifier should therefore be stable with a 4-ohm load and provided with adequate ventilation.
Nominal impedance is an overall rating rather than a statement that the impedance remains exactly 4 ohms at every frequency.
Check Amplifier Compatibility
Do not assume that every miniature amplifier, vintage receiver or lifestyle system is comfortable driving a 4-ohm loudspeaker.
Check the amplifier specification and arrange a demonstration where there is any uncertainty.
86dB Sensitivity
The MENUET have a sensitivity of 86dB for a 2.83V input measured at one metre.
This is moderately efficient for a miniature loudspeaker but does not remove the need for suitable amplifier current and headroom.
Listening distance, room size, musical material and preferred volume all affect how hard the amplifier must work.
A stronger amplifier can provide greater control and dynamic freedom, even where everyday listening levels remain modest.
Recommended Amplifier Power
DALI recommends amplifier power between 20W and 100W.
The wattage range provides a useful starting point rather than a guarantee of compatibility or performance.
Amplifier current delivery, power-supply quality, distortion behaviour and stability with a 4-ohm load also matter.
A clean and controlled amplifier is generally safer than an underpowered design driven repeatedly into audible clipping.
Choose the Amplifier by Listening
Two amplifiers carrying the same published power rating can behave very differently with the MENUET.
A demonstration with the intended amplifier provides a better indication of bass control, tonal balance, scale and available volume.
Adding an Active Subwoofer
A compatible active subwoofer can extend the system below the MENUET's natural low-frequency range.
The subwoofer requires a suitable connection from the amplifier, such as a dedicated subwoofer output, variable pre-amplifier output or another supported method.
Careful crossover, level, phase and placement adjustment are required so that the subwoofer extends the speakers without sounding detached or overpowering them.
A subwoofer can be particularly worthwhile in a television or home cinema system where deep effects extend well below 59Hz.
Small and Medium-Sized Rooms
The MENUET are especially well suited to small and medium-sized rooms or closer listening distances.
Their compact dimensions make them easier to position away from obstructions and allow a proper stereo pair to be installed where larger speakers would dominate the space.
In a very large open-plan room, they may not provide the scale or bass authority expected from a larger standmount or floorstanding design.
Choose the speaker according to the actual room, listening distance and volume rather than cabinet dimensions alone.
Stereo Music Systems
The MENUET can form the main loudspeaker pair in a high-quality compact stereo system.
Suitable sources may include a turntable, CD player, network streamer, television or computer, provided that the amplifier offers the required inputs.
A streaming amplifier can create a simple system by combining network playback, digital conversion and speaker amplification in one component.
A conventional integrated amplifier allows source components to be selected and upgraded independently.
Television Sound
The MENUET can improve television sound considerably when partnered with a suitable amplifier.
An amplifier with HDMI ARC provides the simplest control arrangement with many modern televisions, while optical digital input is another common option.
The speakers themselves cannot connect directly to an HDMI or optical output.
Set the television to a compatible stereo audio format where required by the amplifier.
Home Cinema Use
The compact cabinets and optional wall brackets allow the MENUET to be used as front, side or rear channels in a suitable home cinema system.
An AV receiver must provide sufficient power and remain stable with the speakers' 4-ohm nominal impedance.
Bass management should normally redirect the deepest frequencies to an active subwoofer rather than asking the MENUET to reproduce full-range film effects.
DALI recommends them as compact partners for suitable models from the RUBICON range where discreet surround channels are required.
Running In
Like other mechanical loudspeaker systems, the MENUET require an initial running-in period.
DALI recommends approximately 50 hours of playback at a medium listening level.
The suspension and other moving components gradually settle during normal use, and the presentation may become more open and consistent.
No special test signal or exaggerated volume is required.
Cleaning and Care
Clean the cabinets with a soft dry cloth.
A slightly damp, well-wrung cloth may be used for stubborn marks, but moisture must not enter the drivers, port or terminals.
The driver diaphragms are fragile and should not be touched or wiped unnecessarily.
Fabric grilles can be cleaned gently with a clothes brush.
Avoid Direct Sunlight
Prolonged exposure to strong sunlight can cause lacquer and natural veneer finishes to fade or change colour.
Position the speakers away from intense direct sunlight where possible.
MENUET or MENUET SE?
Choose the MENUET When
- You want the more affordable MENUET model
- You want a choice of four established finishes
- The standard driver and crossover specification meets your needs
- You want the same compact dimensions
- You require stand, shelf or wall placement
- You want to keep more of the budget for amplification
- You prefer Black, White, Walnut or Rosso
Choose the MENUET SE When
- You want the optimised Special Edition
- Wild Walnut natural veneer is preferred
- You want individually matched cabinet pairs
- You want the fibreglass voice-coil former
- Upgraded crossover components are important
- Premium EPICON-derived terminals appeal
- The system justifies the additional expenditure
The DALI MENUET SE retains the same published dimensions, frequency range, sensitivity and amplifier recommendation while adding selected component and finish upgrades.
A direct demonstration is the best way to establish whether the Special Edition improvements justify the additional cost within the intended system.
MENUET or KUPID?
Choose the KUPID When
- You want the more affordable compact DALI speaker
- Bold modern colour choices appeal
- Wall brackets should be included
- The system uses entry or mid-level electronics
- A 63Hz lower frequency limit is sufficient
- You are building a bedroom or second system
- The smallest total system budget is important
Choose the MENUET When
- You want the more ambitious miniature speaker
- You want deeper 59Hz published bass extension
- 86dB sensitivity better suits the amplifier
- You want an oversized 28mm tweeter
- Real wood veneer or high-gloss finishes appeal
- You are using higher-quality amplification
- Long-term compact-system performance is the priority
The DALI KUPID provide a lower-cost and more colourful route into compact DALI Hi-Fi.
The MENUET are positioned considerably further up the range, with more refined construction, greater sensitivity and a more ambitious driver and crossover system.
MENUET or OBERON 1?
Choose the MENUET When
- The smallest possible high-quality cabinet is required
- Shelf or wall placement is important
- You want the more premium miniature design
- High-gloss or real wood veneer finishes appeal
- You are listening in a smaller room
- Precise imaging and discreet installation take priority
- You are prepared to invest in suitable amplification
Choose the OBERON 1 When
- You want a larger 5¼-inch bass and midrange driver
- Greater bass scale is required
- You want DALI's SMC magnet technology
- A larger cabinet can be accommodated
- You want a more affordable standmount speaker
- The room is medium sized
- Maximum compactness is less important
The DALI OBERON 1 is physically larger and uses a 5¼-inch SMC bass and midrange driver.
The MENUET are the more compact and luxurious option, while the OBERON 1 may provide greater scale for less money where the additional cabinet size can be accommodated.
System Matching
Well Suited To
- Small and medium-sized rooms
- Premium compact stereo systems
- Bedroom and office systems
- Stand and shelf placement
- Near-wall installations
- Optional wall mounting
- High-quality streaming amplifiers
- Traditional integrated amplifiers
- Turntable and CD-based systems
- Compact television systems
- Home cinema surround channels
- Systems using an active subwoofer
Check Before Buying
- A separate amplifier is required
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- The amplifier should be stable into 4 ohms
- 20W to 100W recommended amplifier range
- 59Hz bass extension cannot replace a subwoofer
- No bi-wire or bi-amp terminals
- Wall brackets are optional rather than included
- The integrated rear port must remain unobstructed
- Wall fixings must suit the supporting structure
- Speaker cables are not included
- No built-in Bluetooth or streaming
- No active or wireless version
Connection and Setup Guidance
- Switch off the amplifier before connecting or disconnecting the speakers.
- Confirm that the amplifier is suitable for a 4-ohm nominal loudspeaker load.
- Connect the amplifier's positive terminal to the positive speaker terminal.
- Connect the amplifier's negative terminal to the negative speaker terminal.
- Use the same polarity for both left and right speakers.
- Use the same loudspeaker-cable type and approximately equal lengths for both channels.
- Secure bare wire, plugs or spade connectors correctly.
- Make sure that no loose wire strands can short the amplifier terminals.
- Begin with the speakers parallel with the rear wall.
- Position the tweeters reasonably close to seated ear height.
- Keep the integrated rear ports unobstructed.
- Begin within DALI's recommended 2cm to 30cm rear-wall range.
- Use the supplied rubber feet on shelves and suitable furniture.
- Use DALI's optional bracket for wall installation.
- Reduce the amplifier volume if the sound becomes compressed, harsh or distorted.
- Consider an active subwoofer where deeper bass extension is required.
Finish Options
Black High Gloss
Black High Gloss provides a polished and contemporary appearance that coordinates naturally with black amplifiers, source components and television equipment.
White High Gloss
White High Gloss gives the compact cabinets a lighter appearance and can help them blend with pale walls, shelves and modern furniture.
Walnut Wood Veneer
Walnut uses a natural wood veneer with individual variations in grain, shade and pattern.
The cabinets within each stereo pair are matched as closely as the natural material allows.
Rosso Wood Veneer
Rosso provides a deeper reddish wood veneer for customers wanting the MENUET to become a more distinctive part of the room.
All finishes use the same drivers, crossover, cabinet construction and acoustic specification. Availability may vary, so confirm the required finish when ordering.
DALI Products and Audio T Hi-Fi Guides
These Audio T links provide useful comparisons and further guidance on DALI speakers, amplifiers and compact stereo systems.
Key Features
- Premium compact passive loudspeakers
- Supplied as a stereo pair
- Designed and made in Denmark
- 2-way crossover design
- One 4½-inch woofer per speaker
- Paper and wood-fibre woofer cone
- Airflow-optimised woofer chassis
- Oversized cabinet cut-out
- Low-loss woofer suspension
- Extra-strong woofer magnet system
- One 28mm soft-dome tweeter per speaker
- Oversized tweeter diaphragm
- Low-mass tweeter dome assembly
- Powerful neodymium tweeter magnet
- 3,000Hz crossover frequency
- High-quality crossover components
- DALI Wide Dispersion Sound Principle
- Straight-ahead placement recommended
- 59Hz to 25kHz frequency response
- 86dB sensitivity
- 4-ohm nominal impedance
- 105dB maximum sound-pressure level
- 20W to 100W recommended amplification
- Bass-reflex enclosure
- Integrated rear bass port and terminal tray
- Angled port outlet
- 63Hz bass-reflex tuning frequency
- Low-resonance compact cabinet
- Rounded cabinet form
- Sturdy single-wire binding posts
- No bi-wire terminals
- Stand placement
- Shelf placement
- Furniture placement
- Near-wall placement
- Optional wall mounting
- Two threaded wall-bracket inserts per speaker
- Recommended rear-wall distance from 2cm to 30cm
- Removable front grilles
- Eight supplied rubber feet
- Approximately 50-hour running-in period
- 250mm cabinet height
- 150mm cabinet width
- 230mm cabinet depth
- Approximately 4.1kg weight per speaker
- Black High Gloss finish
- White High Gloss finish
- Walnut Wood Veneer finish
- Rosso Wood Veneer finish
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the DALI MENUET?
They are premium compact 2-way passive speakers designed for stand, shelf, furniture or optional wall placement.
Are they sold as a pair?
Yes. The standard MENUET package contains two loudspeakers.
Where are they made?
DALI specifies that the MENUET are made in Denmark.
Do they contain an amplifier?
No. They require a suitable external stereo amplifier, streaming amplifier, mini system or AV receiver.
Do they have Bluetooth?
No. Bluetooth must be provided by the connected amplifier or a separate source component.
Do they have Wi-Fi or network streaming?
No. A separate network streamer or streaming amplifier is required.
Can I connect them directly to a television?
No. The television must connect to a suitable amplifier, which then powers the speakers.
Can I connect them directly to a turntable?
No. A turntable requires a suitable amplifier and, where necessary, a moving magnet or moving coil phono stage.
What size is the woofer?
Each speaker contains one 4½-inch bass and midrange driver.
What is the woofer cone made from?
It uses DALI's paper and wood-fibre cone material.
What does airflow optimised mean?
The woofer chassis and cabinet opening are shaped to reduce restriction behind the cone and improve coupling with the internal cabinet volume.
What size is the tweeter?
Each speaker uses one oversized 28mm soft-dome tweeter.
What is special about the tweeter?
DALI states that its dome assembly is approximately 30% lighter than comparable conventional designs and uses a powerful neodymium magnet.
What is the crossover frequency?
The crossover operates at 3,000Hz.
What is the frequency response?
DALI specifies 59Hz to 25kHz within plus or minus 3dB.
How sensitive are they?
Sensitivity is specified at 86dB for 2.83V measured at one metre.
What is the nominal impedance?
DALI specifies 4 ohms.
Will my amplifier drive 4-ohm speakers?
Check the amplifier specification or speak to Audio T. Compatibility should not be assumed with every miniature amplifier or older receiver.
What amplifier power does DALI recommend?
DALI recommends between 20W and 100W.
Can I use an amplifier rated above 100W?
A higher-rated amplifier may be suitable with sensible volume control, but compatibility depends on amplifier behaviour, room size and listening habits. Ask Audio T for advice.
Can a small amplifier damage the speakers?
Yes. An underpowered amplifier driven into clipping can send a heavily distorted signal to the tweeter. Reduce the volume if the sound becomes harsh or compressed.
What is the maximum sound-pressure level?
DALI specifies 105dB.
Are they bass-reflex speakers?
Yes. Each cabinet has an integrated rear bass port within the terminal panel.
What is the bass-reflex tuning frequency?
The enclosure is tuned to 63Hz.
How close can they be placed to a wall?
DALI's manual recommends approximately 2cm to 30cm between the speaker and rear wall.
Can they go on a bookshelf?
Yes. Keep the integrated port unobstructed and avoid placing the cabinet too deeply inside an enclosed recess.
Can they be used on speaker stands?
Yes. A suitable stand provides flexible positioning and can place the tweeter close to seated ear height.
Can they be wall mounted?
Yes. Two threaded inserts are provided for DALI's optional wall bracket.
Are the wall brackets included?
No. The wall brackets are optional accessories.
Should they be angled towards the listener?
DALI recommends beginning with the speakers parallel to the rear wall rather than strongly angled towards the listening position.
Can I remove the front grilles?
Yes.
Are rubber feet included?
Yes. Eight rubber feet are supplied for the pair.
Can they be bi-wired?
No. Each speaker provides one single-wire terminal pair.
Can they be bi-amplified?
No separate high- and low-frequency terminals are provided.
Do they need a subwoofer?
Not necessarily, but an active subwoofer is worthwhile where deeper bass, greater scale or more powerful film effects are required.
Can they be used for home cinema?
Yes. They can be used as compact front or surround speakers with a suitable AV receiver and active subwoofer.
Are they suitable for a large room?
They are primarily intended for small and medium-sized rooms or closer listening distances. A larger speaker may be more suitable for a large open-plan space.
How long do they take to run in?
DALI recommends approximately 50 hours of normal playback at a medium volume.
What are their dimensions?
Each cabinet measures 250mm high, 150mm wide and 230mm deep.
How much do they weigh?
Each speaker weighs approximately 4.1kg. DALI's older product sheet rounds the figure to 4.0kg.
Which finishes are available?
Black High Gloss, White High Gloss, Walnut Wood Veneer and Rosso Wood Veneer are available, subject to stock.
Are the veneer finishes identical?
No. Natural grain and colour vary between cabinets, although DALI matches the two speakers within each pair.
Should I choose the MENUET or MENUET SE?
Choose the standard MENUET for a wider choice of finishes and lower price. Choose the MENUET SE for its selected component upgrades, Wild Walnut veneer and Special Edition construction.
Should I choose the MENUET or KUPID?
Choose the KUPID for lower cost, included wall brackets and bold colours. Choose the MENUET for their more ambitious drivers, crossover, finishes and higher-level compact-speaker performance.
Should I choose the MENUET or OBERON 1?
Choose the MENUET for the smallest premium cabinet and flexible wall placement. Choose the OBERON 1 for its larger SMC driver, greater bass scale and lower price.
Why Buy From Audio T?
- Demonstrations with suitable stereo and streaming amplifiers
- Direct comparison with other premium compact speakers
- Advice choosing between MENUET, MENUET SE, KUPID and OBERON models
- Amplifier power and 4-ohm compatibility checks
- Speaker-cable and termination guidance
- Stand, shelf and near-wall placement advice
- Optional wall-bracket and installation guidance
- Television and HDMI ARC system setup
- Turntable and phono-stage system matching
- CD player and network-streamer matching
- Active-subwoofer matching and setup
- Home cinema and surround-channel guidance
- Home demonstrations may be available
- Part exchange may be available on suitable existing equipment
- Ongoing setup and system support
Contact your local Audio T store to arrange a demonstration or discuss matching the DALI MENUET to your amplifier, room and listening requirements.