DALI Katch G2 review: Will this thing of beauty be a joy forever?

Simplicity, minimalism and functionality. Are these the Scandinavian design principles at the heart of the Katch G2, the Bluetooth speaker from DALI (Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries)?

The company is well-known for its high-end audio products, several of which have featured among What's The Best's recommendations of the best floor-standing speakers and best bookshelf speakers, as well as the best speakers in general. It's an inventory which continues to expand. In October 2024 it added to its luxury Epikore loudspeaker range with three new models and also released the DALI IO-8 wireless headphones.

But what of this purportedly portable option? Beyond a superior look and feel, immersive sound is promised, but the DALI Katch G2 finds itself in an already crowded market. With plenty of exciting budget speakers available, as well as options for those who prioritise bass or outdoor adaptability, it takes something special to stand out (and to justify a higher price point).

David Ker has reviewed the £349 speaker to see if it delivers an audio experience which matches its brand's stellar reputation.

Picture perfect

Bluetooth speakers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and styles. They also tend to evoke a sense of place through their design. If nothing springs to mind, then it's soon apparent from the manufacturer's own publicity photos how they anticipate their creation being used post-unboxing.

In the DALI Katch G2's case we're shown it outside alongside a bottle of wine, on a kitchen table accompanied by a freshly brewed coffee, sat on a shelf among books and attached to a bag ready to be transported by its bicycling owner. There's a clear pitch being made here (apart from, perhaps, the backpacking element, a detour I'll return to) – this is the speaker for the discerning, sophisticated consumer with a home décor to match.

Does the reality match the representation? In appearance, certainly. I tested the 'iron black' version, but it's also available in 'chilly blue' and 'caramel white'. Some lovely decisions have been taken here when it comes to the look of the Katch G2. The honeycomb tessellation which graces the front and rear grilles is stylish while the rounded edges are equally elegant. The unit feels pleasantly solid, and the encasing material (a combination of polymer and aluminium) gives a sense of quality, as does the leather travel strap. This is a particularly clever piece of design which allows the strap to be completely flush with the rest of the speaker when not in use.

The unit sits on four small rubber feet and the inlaid buttons which run across the top are for Bluetooth, power (encircled by four lights which reflect battery power, changes in volume, and whether the speaker is on), volume controls and sound mode (which can be toggled between 'Clear' and 'Warm'). The mains charge input is situated on the side, alongside a USB-A charge output socket and a stereo mini-jack input which can be found behind a dust cap.

Set-up via Bluetooth was straightforward and a charging time of approximately two hours is more than reasonable. Unfortunately, I found the amount of playback this produced fell below the promised 30 hours.

Sound and substance

Inside the speaker there are soft dome tweeters, aluminium woofers and dual passive radiators. What does this mean for the audio? I've found that the Katch G2 provides a rounded and rich sound at low levels which suits day-to-day use. When listening to music in the background while distracted by other tasks it held its own without being obtrusive. However, that's not to say that it can't reach high volumes – your tunes of choice can really carry, should you wish it.

Nevertheless, it's not an obvious choice when it comes to blasting bass, and if I'm pitting Danish musical stars against each other (and why wouldn't I) it's more suited to the Tre Klaverstykker piano composition of Carl Nielsen than it is Lars Ulrich's drumming in Enter Sandman (yes, the Metallica co-founder hails from eastern Denmark). It's worth noting at this point, given my labouring of the Nordic connection, that a Danish design does not equate to Danish manufacturing. Like countless others, this speaker is made in China.

Well-rounded audio

In addition to the pleasing clarity, I particularly enjoyed that the design facilitated a balanced distribution of audio regardless of placement. With the interior sound-producing components facing both ways, the membrane and the perforated box allow an almost 360-degree music experience. When using the speaker my preferred EQ setting was 'warm' with some treble and bass differences between that and 'clear'. The latter is probably best employed when listening to spoken audio, but I'm happy to report that podcasts are served well by both settings.

These sound profiles offer no significant difference from the original DALI Katch and in appearance it's virtually identical (the feet are slightly larger which should help when it comes to any unexpected topples). The primary changes are in the Bluetooth which has made the move to 5.0 aptX HD from 4.0 aptX (aptX is a Bluetooth codec which promises higher quality wireless streaming) and the introduction of a True Wireless Stereo mode through which you can link two Katch G2 speakers and create a stereo pair.

Any downsides?

This lack of substantial upgrades in a purportedly next generation model is disappointing, particularly when there are several areas where improvements could be made.

Being able to play, pause and skip music from a speaker and to also make further changes via an app is a fairly common aspect to much current audio technology, and is noticeably absent in the Katch G2. Ease of use is also not aided by the lack of USB charging – a rather large mains charger (which does come with three mains adapter plugs) is the sole means to boost the battery.

Only two EQ options and no customisability is also a limitation when it comes to sound, while the weight and durability of the speaker is restrictive in a practical sense. 'Portable' is the description but at 1.1kg and with no stated IP rating it's a struggle to see how that label can be applied, at least beyond a domestic setting.

While previously praising the design of the strap it is an odd proposition in this context, as it's not a speaker which lends itself to travel. Similarly, I'm reluctant to criticise the presence of the USB output (through which you can charge your mobile phone; no bad thing) but it doesn't feel in keeping with a speaker which isn't likely to leave the house.

Price and competition

However, the elephant in the room is the RRP of this speaker which far exceeds that of others which can match or better it in several respects.

For a more obviously 'pick up and go' option, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is around £260 cheaper and comes with an IP67 rating meaning that you won't have to worry about it getting wet.

For something larger which still delivers stellar sound (but at a lower price point) Marshall has plenty of possibilities. It's also a company with designs which aren't garish, something which should appeal to fans of the Katch 2's aesthetic. You can pick up the Marshall Emberton III for £150 or, if power is more of a priority for you than portability, the Marshall Middleton for £265.

Other challengers to the Katch 2's chic credentials can be found among the product pages of Bang & Olufsen, Sonos and Bose, but be prepared to pay. Elsewhere, Samsung's Music Frame smart speaker has one foot firmly in home furnishings, as does LG with its XBoom 360 part-lamp part-speaker range.

Who is it for?

Haughtier audiophiles may be able to justly level accusations of style over substance when it comes to the Katch G2. However, choosing a speaker which is pleasing on the eye and not out of place when on display at home is a perfectly legitimate position to take, and good design often doesn't come cheap. The question is whether it should cost quite this much.

As a shelf speaker for a smaller room which can supply decent sound in an attractive package it's deserving of consideration. Just be aware that there are other options which may do the same (depending on your design preference) for less. Furthermore, if you want a speaker to take with you on your travels, this isn't it.

To buy, or not to buy

The DALI Katch G2 is chiefly a lifestyle-focussed speaker, but that's not to say it doesn't successfully emit crisp and confident sound. Yes, there's scope for improvement when it comes to depth of bass, but it's perfectly serviceable and it's not something which is going to concern the majority of listeners.

What's more of a worry is the sparsity of features, particularly given the degree of functionality offered by lots of less pricey audio products. USB charging and on-unit playback controls are givens with most modern speakers. The same is true of companion apps which make processes like downloading firmware updates straightforward. By contrast it all feels a little convoluted at best and entirely lacking at worst with the Katch G2.

However, if you're happy to forgo these technological advancements and pay a premium for a speaker suited to a Scandi-style home then it may be just what you're looking for.

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Who tested the DALI Katch G2?

What's The Best Deputy Editor, David Ker, tested the DALI Katch G2 speaker over a few weeks in a variety of locations. He focussed on design, sound quality, functionality and value for money.

He judged the speaker against its own claims as well as comparing it against other audio technology.

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David Ker is a journalist with a decade's experience in print and digital publishing. He appreciates technology made with its environmental impact in mind and which presents him a further means to pursue his love of music, reading, games, TV and film. Above all, with so many options out there, he's interested in products that display something out of the ordinary and offer value for money. Hard to please, he assures What's The Best readers that he'll be a discerning critic on their behalf.

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