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DALI has announced the launch of its Epikore 11, 4.5-way floorstanding loudspeaker with ultra-low distortion SMC Gen-2 technology in curved, real-wood veneer cabinets that house four 203mm bass drivers and a 165mm midrange with custom paper and wood fibre cone. Other features include an EVO-K hybrid tweeter module, comprising a 35mm soft dome tweeter and a 55 x 10mm HF ribbon element, adjustable aluminium outriggers, new binding posts and dual-flare bass reflex ports.

The company explains that SMC Gen-2: “is the next generation of DALI’s patented SMC magnet material technology. Introduced in its flagship Kore speaker, SMC Gen-2 is incorporated into the Epikore 11 bass and midrange drivers, as well as in the crossover inductor cores, and offers significantly enhanced characteristics over the first-generation SMC, introduced in the Epicon series in 2014. The result is a further reduction in hysteresis, flux modulation and eddy currents in the magnet system. This translates to even lower loss and distortion, leading the Epikore 11 to deliver a highly dynamic and authentic sound reproduction.”

The Epikore 11 comes in High Gloss Black, High Gloss Maroon and High Gloss Walnut, and costs £40,000 per pair.

Also announced is DALI’s new IO-12 headphones, featuring the company’s patented Soft Magnetic Compound (SMC) technology. With 50mm custom drivers, active noise cancellation, aptX Adaptive Bluetooth and USB-C/3.5mm wired connections.

Designed to be used either wired or wirelessly with both aptX Adaptive Bluetooth and a supplied 3.5mm mini-jack and USB-C cables, DALI says users can listen to their music from a host of devices including smartphones, DAPs, PCs, games consoles and more. When using the supplied USB-C cable, audio can be listened to at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution.

The company goes on to say: “Adopting a simple, app-free operation, users can skip tracks, adjust the volume and more using the IO-12’s integrated buttons. Cutting-edge active noise cancellation adds even more functionality and ensures – even in noisy environments – an immersive listening experience, where every musical detail is revealed.”

Battery life is a claimed 35 hours and the IO-12 offers two sound profiles: ‘Hi-Fi’ and ‘Bass’ sound modes. It is designed to be foldable and features a real leather headband and oversized square earpads.

The DALI IO-12 headphones will cost £1,000 and come with a USB-C cable, 1.2m stereo mini-jack cable, 3m stereo mini-jack cable, 3.5mm stereo mini-jack-to-6.35mm jack adaptor, flight adaptor and travel case.

Available to buy now , you can find out more about DALI's Epikore 11 here and the IO-12 headphones here.