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

What can you actually get today for around €1,000 in a complete HiFi system? And how do two very different approaches compare: active speakers with built-in amplification that just need a small streamer, versus passive speakers driven by a clever streaming amplifier? That’s exactly what we wanted to find out, so we listened to both systems side by side.

On one side, the active KEF Coda W speakers, with built-in amplification and needing only a small streamer. On the other, the passive DALI Kupid speakers, driven by the Eversolo Play, which combines a streamer and amplifier in a single chassis. Two complete systems, a similar budget, completely different philosophies—and here’s a little spoiler: both are a lot of fun for the money.

Quick verdict: Which system is right for whom?

Contents

• The contenders at a glance
• Our music recommendations
• The test setup
• Listening comparison by criteria
• Build quality & appearance
• Technical specifications compared
• Verdict: Which one is right for you?
• Video review
• Frequently asked questions
• Come in for a demo

The contenders at a glance

Before we get into the listening test, it’s worth taking a look at the concepts. The prices may be similar, but the setups are very different: in one system, the amplifier is built into the speakers; in the other, it’s in the source component. Right from the outset, these are two very different systems.

KEF Coda W – the active all-in-one speaker

The KEF Coda W is an active HiFi speaker with all its amplification built into the cabinet. At its heart is KEF’s well-known 13 cm 12th-generation Uni-Q driver, with a 25 mm aluminium tweeter positioned at the acoustic centre of the mid/bass cone—a point source designed to distribute sound evenly throughout the room. Combined system output is 200 watts: each speaker has 70 watts for the mid/bass driver and 30 watts for the tweeter, both Class D.

Connectivity includes Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless, plus a generous selection of wired inputs: HDMI ARC, optical, USB-C, RCA line-in, and even an MM phono input for connecting a turntable directly. The pair costs €899, and the Coda W comes in five colours: Vintage Burgundy, Nickel Grey, Moss Green, Midnight Blue and Dark Titanium. The key advantage is that you only need a source—nothing else. If Bluetooth and HDMI are enough, all you need is the speakers.

WiiM Pro – the compact streamer as a source

To stream music over the internet to the Coda W, we used the WiiM Pro as our source—a remarkably small streamer measuring 140 × 140 × 42 millimetres and weighing around 400 grams, yet offering a huge range of features for its €179 price. Its TI PCM5121 stereo DAC supports Hi-Res Audio up to 192 kHz/24-bit, and everything is controlled via the WiiM Home app on your smartphone—there’s no need for a display.

It supports practically every service and protocol you could want: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon Ready and UPnP/DLNA. On the back are analogue RCA inputs and outputs, as well as optical and coaxial digital outputs. The output can be switched between fixed and variable level in the app, allowing the WiiM to pass the signal cleanly to the active speakers.

DALI Kupid – compact passive speakers with big sound

The DALI Kupid is a passive, two-way, bass-reflex bookshelf speaker from Denmark. At €169 each, or €338 per pair, it’s the bargain of the group. Despite its tiny dimensions of 14 × 23.7 × 19.5 centimetres, it’s built around a full-fledged HiFi design: a 4½-inch mid/bass driver and a 26 mm soft-dome tweeter, with a crossover frequency of 2,100 Hz. With a nominal impedance of 4 ohms, it’s easy to drive with practically any amplifier; the recommended amplifier power is 40 to 120 watts.

The Kupid comes in five colours, with the bass cone and grille matched to each colour—a real eye-catcher, especially in Golden Yellow or Chilly Blue. The grille attaches magnetically, which is far from a given at this price.

Eversolo Play – streamer and amplifier in one

The WiiM’s counterpart in this system is the Eversolo Play—a streaming amplifier that combines the source and power amp in a single CNC-machined aluminium chassis and costs €699. Its Class D amplifier with PurePath Ultra HD delivers 60 watts per channel into 8 ohms, or 110 watts into 4 ohms—just the right amount of power for the Kupid. Digital-to-analogue conversion is handled by the premium AKM AK4493SEQ DAC with Velvet Sound, which processes stereo DSD512 and PCM up to 768 kHz/32-bit over USB.

The standout feature in everyday use is the large 5.5-inch HD touchscreen, which is easy to read even from a few metres away. You can control it directly on the unit or via the Eversolo Control app for iOS, Android and iPad. Streaming services include TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, HIGHRESAUDIO, Amazon Music and more, plus Roon Ready, Spotify Connect and DLNA. Connectivity is extensive: HDMI ARC, optical, coaxial, analogue line-in, an MM/MC phono input, subwoofer output, Gigabit LAN and USB 3.0. And if you like, you can use the app to fine-tune the sound, with options ranging from a 15-band graphic EQ to room correction.

The biggest difference from the KEF setup is immediately obvious: with the Eversolo, you have a proper HiFi component in front of you, with a large display you can use without reaching for your phone. The WiiM-and-Coda combination, by contrast, relies entirely on your smartphone and practically disappears from view.

Our music recommendations

As always, here are our music recommendations before we get started. First up is Maya Fadeeva and her song “For You”. We discovered her quite by chance through the relatively new Nica Jazzclub near Hamburg’s town hall—and were immediately impressed. It’s feel-good music that gets right under your skin.

Our second pick is a little older, but a real test for any system: “Children of Sanchez” by Chuck Mangione and Don Potter, from 1978. It runs for around 14 minutes, as was often the case back then. It starts quietly with guitar, then really gets going after about four minutes. It’s a track that takes its time, building plenty of dynamics and a real sense of space along the way.

The test setup

One important point for this comparison: both systems are virtually self-contained. In the KEF system, the WiiM Pro acts as the streamer and feeds the active Coda W speakers, which handle the amplification themselves. In the DALI system, the Eversolo Play handles both streaming and amplification, driving the passive Kupid speakers. To keep things fair, we deliberately left the Eversolo’s sound settings untouched—it was running in completely neutral mode. There’s more you could do to shape the sound, but for this comparison we wanted to hear both systems as neutrally as possible.

Listening comparison by criteria

Bass & dynamics

This is where the biggest difference becomes clear—and the result varies depending on the track. The Coda W sounds powerful and delivers plenty of bass. The low end is always nicely present, but never overdone. For speakers this compact, they put on a remarkably full, room-filling performance. The Kupid with the Eversolo takes a more understated approach, but doesn’t sound thin by any means: on bass-heavy tracks, the low end was surprisingly rich and impressively strong. Both systems delivered a satisfying kick on the kick bass. One interesting detail: on one track, the Kupid brought out a bass guitar in the background so beautifully that it created a real groove—a detail the KEF didn’t quite capture.

Vocals & midrange

The Coda W positions vocals very cleanly in the centre and delivers a broad overall sound. The Kupid takes a warmer, more natural approach to the midrange—it adds less interpretation and simply plays the music as it is. It sounds composed throughout, never pushing itself to the fore. This understated, honest quality is meant as a compliment: vocals sound pleasant and convincing.

Soundstage & spatial presentation

The Coda W has a clear advantage here thanks to its Uni-Q design, delivering a broad, expansive sound. Vocals are positioned neatly in the centre, while the soundstage opens wide to either side. The Kupid also places the instruments in a convincing sense of space, creating a proper soundstage that draws you in rather than making the music feel boxed in. Of course, neither system delivers the precise, layered depth you’d expect from €10,000 speakers—but for this price range, both do a really good job. The KEF has a slight edge when it comes to width.

Resolution & detail

Both systems resolve detail remarkably well for the money. The Kupid proved surprisingly revealing, bringing out subtle nuances—such as the strike of a drum at the end of a track—with real finesse and naturalness. The KEF system sounds a touch clearer and more precise. But we’re talking about subtle differences; neither system is a loser when it comes to detail.

In short: one listener says, “I only want active speakers from now on,” and will be very happy with the Coda W. Another finds exactly the groove and warmth that grab them in the Kupid and Eversolo pairing. In the end, it comes down to personal taste.

The best way to hear the difference is for yourself. Book a consultation and take your time listening to both systems in our studio.

Build quality & appearance

Both speakers are built to a standard above their price class. With its clean, straight lines, the KEF Coda W embodies timeless, minimalist elegance, pairing vintage charm with modern restraint. The cabinet is neatly finished, the connection panel is uncluttered, and the five muted colours blend elegantly into almost any living space. A three-metre inter-speaker cable is included; for more flexible placement, an eight-metre C-Link cable and a matching SQ1 stand are available separately.

The DALI Kupid stands out with a fresh, playful and colourful look. The bass cone and grille are colour-matched, giving these little speakers a character all their own. The cabinet and baffle are made from sturdy, low-resonance MDF, and the build quality is well above what you’d expect at this price. The single-wire terminals are banana-plug compatible and better finished than those on many competing models, and DALI even includes wall brackets. The compromises in materials are remarkably minor and barely noticeable.

The Eversolo Play is the only device in this test to deliver the feel of a proper HiFi component: solid CNC-machined aluminium, a large colour display and a substantial volume knob. The WiiM Pro, by contrast, is deliberately simple and tiny—it practically disappears, which perfectly suits the uncluttered ethos of the KEF system.

Test tracks: “Letting Go” by Sun Tailor · “Soul Swingin'” by Richard Ferrell

Technical specifications compared

Speakers

Streamer / Streaming Amplifier

Conclusion: Which is right for whom?

The great thing about this comparison is that there is no forced winner. Both systems cost around €1,000 and deliver a listening 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 are looking for a tidy solution and love a large, wide presence, the KEF Coda W plus WiiM Pro is an excellent choice. Two active speakers, a tiny streamer, complete control via your phone—hardly anything stands out in the room, yet you still get powerful bass, plenty of low-end impact, and a wide soundstage. This system sounds a touch clearer and more precisely tuned and is ideal for anyone who values authority and maximum space-saving design. The trade-off: very little happens without a smartphone, and there is no visible control unit.

If, on the other hand, you prefer a warm, natural sound with a certain groove, go for the DALI Kupid with the Eversolo Play. The Kupid plays with restraint, honesty, and surprising detail, beautifully bringing out basslines and subtle nuances, and delivers an enormous amount of enjoyment despite its tiny size. The Eversolo is a fully fledged Hi-Fi component with a large display, a huge range of features, and the option to get even more out of the system using 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 requires space on stands or a sideboard.

Bottom line: active with a compact streaming source versus passive with a streaming amplifier—two ways, one budget, both fantastic for the money. Which is right for you is ultimately up to your own ears.

Video review

We also filmed a video for this comparison—feel free to check it out, where you can hear the differences for yourself in peace and see both systems side by side.

Frequently asked questions

How much does each complete system cost?

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

Do I need an amplifier with the KEF Coda W?

No. The Coda W is an active speaker and comes with built-in amplification. You only need a source—in our case, the WiiM Pro as a streamer.

Why use a streaming amplifier with 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 you a separate component and delivering plenty of power for the Kupid with 110 watts at 4 ohms.

Can I connect a turntable?

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

Is €1,000 really still an entry-level price?

Yes. If you adjust a decent entry-level system from 1992 for inflation, you end up with a similar amount—but with far more options today and very good sound. A good entry into Hi-Fi is easier to achieve today than it used to be.

A review by Fidelity