(February 3, 2026) If there’s one thing DALI clearly understands, it’s that serious home theater fans don’t just want bass, they want bass that hits hard, stays clean, and doesn’t fall apart when systems are pushed to reference levels. At ISE 2026, the company is doubling down on that philosophy by putting its flagship SUB V-16 F front and center, now officially carrying THX Certified Dominus status. For anyone chasing true cinema-scale low-frequency performance in large rooms, that certification puts the V-16 F firmly in the big-room bass conversation.
The SUB V-16 F was already positioned as the most powerful subwoofer DALI has ever built when it launched in mid-2025. The new THX Certified Dominus designation adds an additional layer of validation, confirming that it meets the performance requirements needed to reproduce commercial cinema-style impact in residential environments. Dominus certification targets large home theaters with multiple seating rows and extended listening distances, demanding high output capability, wide dynamic range, and the ability to play loud and clean. It’s all about filling big spaces with authoritative, low-distortion LFE.
According to DALI, the certification reflects both raw output capability and the company’s emphasis on maintaining musical accuracy alongside home theater impact. Krestian Pedersen, Head of Product Management at DALI, notes that the collaboration with THX opens the door to a wider audience of performance-focused cinema builders while reinforcing the company’s commitment to low-frequency precision. THX echoed that sentiment, noting the extensive testing required to qualify for Dominus status and signaling continued collaboration.
What makes the V-16 F interesting is that it isn’t built around brute force alone. Yes, it uses a massive 16-inch driver and a high-powered Class D amplifier rated at 1500 watts continuous (2500 watts peak), but the real story is how DALI approached distortion control and mechanical stability at high excursion levels. One of the defining visual features of the sub is its distinctive surround geometry. Instead of using a traditional smooth half-roll surround, DALI and co-developer Purifi Sound created a sculpted, ridged profile that maintains consistent surface behavior as the cone moves. DALI calls it Constant Surface Surround, or CSS for short. The goal is to keep the surround mechanically symmetrical during large excursions, reducing the types of distortion that typically increase when subwoofer drivers are pushed hard. The result isn’t just visual drama, although it certainly looks gnarly, it’s about preserving linear movement and keeping bass tight, controlled, and free of unwanted harmonic artifacts.
That driver is capable of ±16 mm of linear travel, with total peak-to-peak excursion reaching 70 mm, giving the V-16 F serious displacement capability. This is paired with a 90-liter enclosure and four large flared bass reflex ports tuned to 18 Hz, allowing the system to move large volumes of air efficiently while minimizing port noise and turbulence. In-room low-frequency extension is rated down to 19 Hz at -3 dB, placing the V-16 F squarely in deep-bass territory that home-theater enthusiasts actively pursue.
Beyond raw output, DALI also focused on timing behavior and system integration. Features such as Constant Group Delay mode are designed to maintain consistent phase response through the crossover region, helping the subwoofer blend more naturally with main speakers. Room Mode Attenuation allows targeted control of dominant low-frequency resonances, while Leader/Follower functionality supports synchronized multi-subwoofer deployments for larger installations. Combined with ultra-low signal latency, these tools give integrators more flexibility when building high-performance bass systems that don’t rely on guesswork.
At ISE 2026, DALI is presenting the SUB V-16 F in two forms. One is the finished production model, and the other is an acrylic display version. It’s a rare chance to see exactly how the driver structure, motor assembly, and cabinet architecture come together in a flagship design. The subwoofer is being showcased alongside DALI’s broader 2026 lineup, including the new SONIK speaker series, the custom install PHANTOM range, and the company’s statement-level KORE loudspeakers.
For attendees traveling to Barcelona, visit DALI’s showcase at Hall 2, Stand 2G800.
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