DALI is quoting a frequency response of 46Hz – 25kHz, which seems realistic – and it also means the Katch One isn’t the most bass-heavy soundbar this sort of money will buy you (hence the subwoofer pre-out). It is among the most articulate and insightful, though. If you’d prefer a wired connection there are two optical inputs and an analogue 3.5mm. These are not only ideal for older TVs (without ARC HDMI) but also other sources such as DVD/Blu-ray players, games consoles and even CD players and network streamers. For newer TVs, the HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) gives a simple and high quality connection. So we go out as we came in, by asking ‘what do you want a soundbar for?’. If you’re trying to combine performance, style and ease of use without getting carried away in a financial sense, you should hear (and see) the DALI Katch One. You should buy the DALI Katch One if… Any misgivings I had about its Bluetooth performance soon disappeared after the opening moments of Hans Zimmer's Live in Prague, where the gentle high-hat taps give way to deep and clear piano notes as the great man plays the opening bars ofDriving Miss Daisy.The strength of the Katch One seemed in the upper mid and high ranges, with a light, bright and lively sound that never transgressed into distortion. Given the Katch One performs as essentially two devices – it's a music system that doubles as a soundbar – it can only fairly be described by separating the two tasks. So first, as a music player, the DALI performs admirably. The company's audiophile pedigree is immediately apparent from the moment you start listening, with its bright and clear tone being the first characteristic that strikes you. With the omission of any real adjustable EQ function, the company's intention is clearly a transparent listening experience, and this is undoubtedly the case with the Katch One. It shows an exceptional level of detail, especially in the mid to higher frequencies.

Overall, there’s a warm tone to the sound, but the top end could be sweeter. Beats on the cymbals can be a touch tinny and even the high, sad brass echo in Let It Be is not quite as rich as it might be. By class standards though, these are minor complaints that pale next to everything the Katch One does so well. So the Katch One is all serenity above the surface – but, like a swan, there’s some furious action going on underneath. DALI’s Katch One is the Danish brand’s first dedicated TV soundbar, carrying with it a degree of flexibility in terms of mounting options, sound modes and connectivity With multiple awards for their speakers and soundbars, DALI have a rich heritage in class-leading sound. The KATCH ONE is no exception and provides the highest quality sound for your TV and music. Soft dome, stereo tweeters are paired with quad woofers for a wide-ranging and lifelike sound. Typically of the brand, the Dali’s sound captures the perfect balance detail and smooth-playing refinement. The Katch One has two EQ modes designed to combat this – Wide and Focus – with the former opening up the soundstage and giving a much larger feel to the content, and the latter intending to give a narrower stage for more voice-heavy content. However, in reality, I found it didn't necessarily help with the dynamic range issue and only lessened the pseudo-surround effect of the wide setting. You'll find yourself switching between both as you get a feel for which works best for what you're watching or listening to, but I found my preference was generally the Focus setting for a more natural sound. Despite my gripes, the Katch One still sounds dramatically better than standard TV speakers, and the great thing is that when you combine this with the ease of use via HDMI control – plus its visual appeal – it's hard not to love. It's relatively seamless both in sound and in function.The claimed frequency response of 46Hz to 25kHz doesn't to my ears sound implausible, because you get an even and extended presentation with bass, midrange and treble represented accurately, although on occasion I did find that certain lower frequencies sound stronger than others. On some types of music, this means that certain instruments can be exaggerated or muted slightly. This can be largely sorted by positioning, as I found the bass response improved by moving the unit closer to the wall, playing to the strengths of the radiator and woofer design and delivering frequencies well below what a speaker this size has any business dealing with. Katch One fancies itself a whole audio system, of course, and a switch to a CD of Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Fever To Tell (via one of the optical inputs and dealt with by the DALI’s DAC) establishes its credentials. ‘Wide’ mode doesn’t help the music’s coherence much, but switch to ‘focus’ and the whole presentation becomes far more convincing. Give it time, though, and listen closely. The well-judged balance of the Katch One’s tonality means it manages to be subtly detailed, even though it gives the whole of the frequency range full expression.

The swatch of acoustic cloth across the front is interrupted only by the IR sensor for the remote control. It’s a tidy, coherent looker than manages to look a little more stylish and a little less functional than the norm. DALI Katch One Features — Plenty of ways to get audio in, whether it’s HDMI or aptX Bluetooth It can also be hung from the wall using the couple of leather straps provided in the box, or stand on its own two real-wood feet (also provided). Because sometimes the Danes like to remind us all that they know exactly what they’re doing when it comes to design.

At the rear of the bar there are two further aluminium mid/bass drivers and two more passive radiators. The six drivers that need power are treated to a total of 200 Class D watts. This soundbar will make a delightful addition to your TV set up. The crisp, dynamic audio is far beyond what you’ll get from your flat panel and this is sonically superior to all of its similarly priced rivals. Just make sure you’ve got the space and inclination to position it properly. When it comes to wireless connectivity, the Katch One will connect to Android or Apple devices via Bluetooth using AptX or AAC4.0 standards. I found this a curious decision for such a new product, given the relatively low resolution of the formats – both have since been replaced by AptX-HD and AAC5.0 respectively, offering more than four times the transfer capability. I asked Lars why and he replied, “we'll stand up for the [Bluetooth] quality of the solution we use. It's not just about the protocols you use, but a lot more about what you do with the signal internally once it is received. We believe the performance of the [Bluetooth] is absolutely right for the purpose.” In my view, the company has hit the mark dead-on, as the Katch One's smooth round curves, soft fabric front and range of hidden or visible mounting options make this a tasteful – if perhaps controversial – offering. Indeed it oozes Scandinavian charm. Fittings to direct mount it directly to a wall are provided, and you can also hang it under the TV using the admittedly rather agricultural looking mounting straps, which hide the HDMI cable. There are also some simple IKEA-style wooden feet. The sense is that this product is as much a room accessory as it is a functional soundbar – and I mean that in the nicest possible way. Even its size and weight – 164x860x69mm and 3.7kg – seem just right for the job in hand.