Get the weekly hi-fi digest — new gear, best reads, and deals.

DALI SUB V-16 F earns top-tier THX Certified Dominus status, confirming suitability for very large home theaters with multiple seating rows and reference-level playback.
THX testing verified sound pressure levels exceeding 120 dB at one meter, maintaining low distortion, controlled dynamics, and no audible compression at extreme volumes.
The active subwoofer uses a single 16-inch long-throw driver in a 90-liter bass-reflex cabinet with four ports to minimize airflow noise.
What makes the SUB V-16 F interesting beyond the headline certification is how clearly DALI positions it outside the usual “living-room cinema” paradigm. Several sources underline that this project is aimed at the upper boundary of what is realistically achievable in private theaters, where listening distances stretch out and bass has to remain intelligible across multiple seating rows. In that context, the subwoofer’s low-frequency alignment—tuned well below 20 Hz in-room—suggests a design bias toward infra-bass presence rather than mid-bass punch. This is a notable contrast to many large-format subs that trade extension for perceived impact, a compromise that often shows up as uneven seat-to-seat response in big rooms.
From a technical standpoint, the emphasis is less on raw numbers and more on system behavior under sustained load. Sources consistently point out that the amplifier–driver relationship is engineered for long-term stability, not short bursts of spectacle. That approach aligns with THX’s focus on repeatability and predictability at reference levels, and it hints at why DALI chose a relatively conservative enclosure tuning instead of chasing maximum output peaks. The integration toolset reinforces this philosophy: rather than relying on external processors, the SUB V-16 F embeds control over room-induced anomalies and time-domain behavior directly into the subwoofer, which is particularly relevant when deploying multiple units. For installers and enthusiasts accustomed to stacking subs and fighting modal chaos afterward, this signals a more system-oriented, almost studio-like mindset applied to extreme home cinema bass.
New gear, best reads, and deals — every Friday.

* Queen will release a 5CD+2LP super deluxe Queen II box set on 27 March 2026 via EMI, expanding the original 1974 album extensively.

* Audio Research I/55 is a compact tube integrated amplifier derived from I/70, succeeding I/50, targeting high-end listeners seeking classic tube sound with m…

* ToxFreeLife tested 81 headphone models from brands including Sony, Apple, JBL, Bose, Samsung, and Temu across European retail and online marketplaces.

* Audio-Technica launches the ATH-CKD7NC USB-C wired earphones on February 27, featuring hybrid noise cancelling and priced at ¥9,680 via direct sales.