DALI Kubik + Eversolo Play vs. KEF Coda W + WiiM Pro: Which 1,000-Euro System Sounds Better?

What can you actually get for around 1,000 Euros in a complete HiFi system these days? And how do two very different approaches fare against each other: on the one hand, active loudspeakers that come with their own amplifier and only need a small streamer – on the other hand, passive speakers, driven by a clever streaming amplifier? We asked ourselves exactly this question and directly compared both approaches.

On one side, the active KEF Coda W, which bring their amplifier with them and only need a small streamer. On the other, the passive DALI Kupid, driven by the Eversolo Play, which combines a streamer and amplifier in a single enclosure. Two complete systems, similar budget, completely different philosophies – and let it be said: both offer great value for money.

Quick Take: Which System for Whom?

Contents

• The Candidates at a Glance
• Our Music Recommendation
• The Test Setup
• The Listening Comparison by Criteria
• Workmanship & Optics
• Technical Specifications in Comparison
• Conclusion: Which for Whom?
• Video of the Test
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Listen Now

The Candidates at a Glance

Before we start listening, it's worth taking a look at the concepts. Because as similar as the price may be, the setup is just as different: in one case, the amplifier is in the loudspeakers, in the other, in the source device. This alone makes for two very different systems from the outset.

KEF Coda W – The Active All-in-One Speaker

The KEF Coda W is an active HiFi loudspeaker that carries its complete amplification within its housing. At its heart is the well-known 13-cm Uni-Q driver of the 12th generation, where the 25-mm aluminium tweeter is positioned in the acoustic centre of the bass/midrange diaphragm – a point source that ensures uniform sound distribution in the room. The combined system power is 200 watts: per speaker, 70 watts are available for bass/midrange and 30 watts for treble, each in Class D.

Connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, plus ample wired inputs: HDMI ARC, optical, USB-C, RCA Line, and even an MM phono input for direct connection of a turntable. The price is 899 Euros per pair – and the Coda W is available in five colours: Vintage Burgundy, Nickel Grey, Moss Green, Midnight Blue, and Dark Titanium. The special feature: you only need one source, nothing else. If Bluetooth and HDMI suffice, only the loudspeakers are necessary.

WiiM Pro – The Compact Streamer as a Player

For the Coda W to stream over the internet, we use the WiiM Pro as a source – an astonishingly small streamer with dimensions of 140 × 140 × 42 millimetres and a weight of approximately 400 grams, offering a huge range of functions for its price of 179 Euros. Its TI stereo DAC PCM5121 outputs Hi-Res audio up to 192 kHz/24 bit, controlled entirely via the WiiM Home app and smartphone – the WiiM does not require a display.

Virtually all services and protocols are included: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon Ready, and UPnP/DLNA. On the back, there are analogue RCA inputs and outputs, as well as optical and coaxial digital outputs. The output can be switched via app between fixed and regulated levels. This way, the WiiM cleanly transmits the signal to the active speakers.

DALI Kupid – The Compact Passive Speaker with Great Sound

The DALI Kupid is a passive two-way compact bass-reflex loudspeaker from Denmark and, at 169 Euros per piece or 338 Euros per pair, is the bargain of the round. Despite its tiny dimensions of 14 × 23.7 × 19.5 centimetres, it embodies a fully-fledged HiFi concept: a 4½-inch bass/midrange driver and a 26-mm soft dome tweeter, crossed over at 2,100 Hertz. With a nominal impedance of 4 ohms, it can be easily driven by practically all amplifiers, with a recommended amplifier power of 40 to 120 watts.

The Kupid is available in five colours, with the bass diaphragm and grille cloth colour-matched in each case – a real eye-catcher, especially in Gold Yellow or Chilly Blue. And the grille cloth is held magnetically, which is by no means self-evident in this class.

Eversolo Play – Streamer and Amplifier in One

The counterpart to the WiiM in this system is the Eversolo Play – a streaming amplifier that combines the source and power amplifier in a CNC-milled aluminium housing and costs 699 Euros. Its Class-D amplifier with PurePath Ultra HD delivers 60 watts into 8 ohms or 110 watts into 4 ohms per channel – exactly the right power for the Kupid. The premium DAC AKM AK4493SEQ with Velvet Sound serves as the converter, processing stereo DSD512 and PCM up to 768 kHz/32 bit via USB.

The highlight in daily use is the large 5.5-inch HD touchscreen, which is easy to read even from several metres away. Control is either directly on the device or via the Eversolo Control app for iOS, Android, and iPad. Services include TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, HIGHRESAUDIO, Amazon Music and more, plus Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, and DLNA. The Play is generously equipped with connections: HDMI ARC, optical, coaxial, analogue line-in, an MM/MC phono input, subwoofer output, Gigabit LAN, and USB 3.0. And if desired, you can extract even more sonic performance from the system via the app – from a 15-band graphic EQ to room correction.

The biggest difference to the KEF solution is immediately apparent: with the Eversolo, you have a real HiFi device with a large display in front of you, which you can operate without reaching for your phone. The WiiM-Coda combination, on the other hand, consistently relies on the smartphone and thus almost completely disappears from view.

Our Music Recommendation

Before we begin, as always, our music tips. The first leads to Maya Fadeeva and her song "For You". We discovered her rather by chance via the relatively new Nica Jazzclub at Hamburg City Hall – and were immediately thrilled. Music for a really good mood, that goes straight to your ear.

The second tip is older, but a true litmus test for any system: "Children of Sanchez" by Chuck Mangione and Don Potter from 1978. About 14 minutes long, as was often customary back then – starting quietly with guitar, then really taking off after about four minutes. A track that takes its time and unfolds a lot of dynamics and space.

The Test Setup

Important for the comparison: both systems are practically self-contained here. In the KEF system, the WiiM Pro acts as a streamer and passes the signal to the active Coda W, which handle the amplification themselves. In the DALI system, the Eversolo Play streams and amplifies, driving the passive Kupid. To be fair, we deliberately did not manipulate any sound settings on the Eversolo – the device ran in a completely neutral setting. More could be achieved sonically, but for the comparison, we wanted to hear both systems as neutrally as possible.

The Listening Comparison by Criteria

Bass & Dynamics

This is where the clearest difference emerges – and it varies depending on the track. The Coda W plays powerfully and with strong bass; the low end is always pleasantly present but never exaggerated. For its compact cabinet size, it offers a truly full, room-filling performance. The Kupid with the Eversolo operates a bit more calmly, but by no means sounds thin: with bass-heavy tracks, the low end was surprisingly intense and truly well-defined. The kickbass delivered a nice punch on both systems. Interestingly, on one of the tracks, the Kupid beautifully highlighted a bass guitar in the background, creating a real groove – a detail that the KEF somewhat lacked.

Voices & Midrange

The Coda W positions voices very cleanly in the center and plays broadly overall. The Kupid approaches the mids with a warmer, more natural tone – it interprets less and simply reproduces the music as it is. It's utterly assured, without pushing itself to the forefront. This calm, honest approach is meant as an explicit positive: voices sound pleasant and credible.

Soundstage & Spatiality

The Coda W clearly benefits from the Uni-Q principle, playing very wide and expansive – voices are cleanly centered, and the soundstage opens up broadly outwards. The Kupid also presents the instruments with beautiful spatiality, creating a true soundstage that invites you to listen in, rather than into a tube. Of course, this isn't the precise, depth-layered imaging known from 10,000-euro speakers – but for this price range, both systems do an excellent job. The KEF has a slight edge when it comes to playing wide.

Resolution & Detail

Both systems resolve surprisingly finely for their price. The Kupid proved to be surprisingly detailed, bringing out fine nuances – such as the tapping of a drum at the end of a track – beautifully and naturally. The KEF system appears a touch clearer and more precise in its tuning. However, these are nuances; there's no real loser when it comes to detail.

In short: one says, "I only want active speakers now," and is perfectly served by the Coda W. The other finds exactly the groove and warmth that captivates them in the Kupid with the Eversolo. Ultimately, it's a matter of taste.

It's best to hear these differences for yourself. Schedule a consultation and listen to both systems at our studio in peace.

Workmanship & Optics

Both loudspeakers are crafted beyond their price class. The KEF Coda W embodies timeless, minimalist elegance with clear, straight lines, combining vintage charm with modern restraint. The cabinet is cleanly manufactured, the connection panel is tidy, and the five muted colours elegantly blend into almost any living space. A three-meter inter-speaker cable is included; for flexible placement, an optional eight-meter C-Link cable and matching SQ1 stand are available.

The DALI Kupid scores with a fresh, cheeky, colourful appearance – here, the bass cone and grille are colour-matched, giving the small speakers a unique character. The cabinet and baffle are made of sturdy, low-resonance MDF, and the build quality far exceeds its price class. The single-wire terminal is banana-compatible and of higher quality than many competitors, and DALI even includes wall mounts. The necessary compromises in materials are surprisingly small and barely noticeable.

The Eversolo Play is the only device in the test field that brings a true HiFi component feeling: solid CNC aluminium, large colour display, substantial volume knob. The WiiM Pro, on the other hand, is deliberately simple and tiny – it almost disappears, which perfectly suits the uncluttered philosophy of the KEF system.

Heard with: "Letting Go" by Sun Tailor · "Soul Swingin'" by Richard Ferrell

Technical Specifications in Comparison

Loudspeakers

Streamers / Streaming Amplifiers

Conclusion: What's right for whom?

The nice thing about this comparison: there is no forced winner. Both systems cost around 1,000 euros and deliver a sound experience that would have been unthinkable 30 years ago – and both are a lot of fun. The decision is less about pure quality than about concept, sound character and your own listening preferences.

If you're looking for a clean solution and love a big, broad soundstage, the KEF Coda W plus WiiM Pro is an excellent choice. Two active speakers, a tiny streamer, complete control via smartphone – hardly anything takes up space, yet you get powerful bass, plenty of low-end punch and a wide soundstage. This system sounds a touch clearer and more precisely tuned and suits anyone who values sovereignty and maximum living room friendliness. The trade-off: little works without a smartphone, and there's no visible control device.

However, if you prefer a warm, natural sound with a certain groove, opt for the DALI Kupid with the Eversolo Play. The Kupid plays unagitated, honestly and surprisingly detailed, brings out bass lines and fine nuances beautifully, and delivers an enormous amount of joy for its tiny size. Add to that the Eversolo as a full-fledged HiFi component with a large display, huge range of functions and the ability to get even more out of the system via EQ and room correction. The trade-off compared to the KEF: you have two separate speakers plus a device instead of a pure active solution – and the Kupid needs a place on stands or a sideboard.

The bottom line: active with a compact streaming source versus passive with a streaming amplifier – two paths, one budget, both superb for their money. Which one is right for you ultimately comes down to your own ears.

Video of the test

We also made a video for this comparison – feel free to watch it, where you can hear the differences for yourself and see both systems side-by-side.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total cost of each system?

The KEF system with Coda W for 899 euros and WiiM Pro for 179 euros costs around 1,080 euros. The DALI system with Kupid for 338 euros and Eversolo Play for 699 euros comes to around 1,040 euros.

Do I still need an amplifier for the KEF Coda W?

No. The Coda W is an active speaker and already has its own amplification. You only need a source – in our case, the WiiM Pro as a streamer.

Why a streaming amplifier for the DALI Kupid?

The Kupid is a passive speaker and needs an amplifier. The Eversolo Play combines a streamer and power amplifier in one device – saving a separate component and providing ample power for the Kupid with 110 watts into 4 ohms.

Can I connect a turntable?

Yes, with both systems. The KEF Coda W has a Phono MM input, and the Eversolo Play even has an MM/MC phono input. So, a turntable can be connected directly to both.

Is 1,000 euros still considered entry-level?

Yes. If you adjust a reasonable entry-level system from 1992 for inflation, you end up with a similar amount – with significantly more possibilities and very good sound today. A good HiFi entry is easier to achieve today than it used to be.

A review by Hajo Acker & Eric Schmidt