Photo by Bonus Action
It can be difficult to create premium sound in a small space, and I have recently found myself in such a situation. Having exchanged our three-bedroom sprawler in Idaho for a teeny townhouse outside of Seattle, my new livingroom and bedroom have presented some specific challenges when trying to set up a sound system that projects without taking up every inch of open space. However, DALI has presented the perfect solution with the KUPID bookshelf speakers, which, when paired with a Bluesound Poweredge 2025 amplifier, bring even the smallest spaces to life.
There are numerous reasons to love Bluesound. As we talked about in our review for the PSB Alpha P3 paired with the Powernode Edge, the BluOS app allows you to pair up speakers hooked to amplifiers, creating a synchronized sound system that can be controlled from anywhere in your home. The DALI KUPID setup functions in the same way, with the Powernode 2025 connected to the BluOS for easy control and management. Additionally, the Bluesound amplifiers are powerful, turning even the more affordable home speakers into audio powerhouses.
Key Details
- Developers: Bluesound | DALI
- Speaker Style: Wired connection to amp
- HiFi: Yes
- Price:
- Samples Provided: Yes, on loan
Speakers That Fit Anywhere
One of the biggest hurdles we have faced in our new home is space. I’m not keen to mount any speakers on the walls of the rented townhouse, which has created a pretty limited set of options for setting things up. There is no room for a big sound bar and no space near the fireplace for a great big set of floor speakers. To get around this, I paired the DALI KUPID and PSB Alpha P3 speakers together, setting them up on the bookshelves and tables around the room.
This worked perfectly, creating an incredible sound system that projects from every angle of the space. The Powernode 2025 amplifier is very easy to set up, with clear labels for all points of connection on the back. I used standard copper/silver wire to connect the speakers to the amp, and the sound has been clear and clean every time we turn on a movie or listen to music.
After having this set up for a few weeks, however, we decided to try something a little different. Currently, my partner and I don’t have a television in our room. We have a five-year-old who isn’t allowed to have screens in his room, and we are trying to set a good example. However, we both love to listen to music while falling asleep, cleaning, or folding laundry.
After some quick rearranging, we brought the DALI KUPID speakers and Powernode amp up, placing one on either of our bookshelves with the amp on our dresser. Not only were they discrete and beautiful to look at, but when we turned them on, the sound rained from the bookshelves onto our bed. Meditation bowls have never sounded so good.
The change has proven that the KUPID DALI speakers are versatile, perfect for home theater setups, gaming, or easy home listening. They fit snuggly into lifestyles both big and small, and offer a particularly nice quality option to those with limited space.
Sound Anywhere in My House
Since moving the DALI KUPIDs upstairs, I discovered an exciting bonus about the BluOS app. I have two main groups of speakers, the Alpha P3s and Powernode Edge downstairs, and the DALI KUPIDS and Powernode 2025 upstairs. However, I realized I could also create a merged group that includes the entire selection.
Whenever I am working, I can combine both the speaker sets to get a perfect full-house stereo system, and I can turn everything on and off from my phone. It’s incredible, and very convenient. It’s especially nice if you are listening to an audiobook or podcast, as moving from room to room won’t cause you to miss anything.
Quality Build and Durable Material
When first looking at the DALI KUPID speakers, I was a little nervous about the build. The Vinyl exterior feels light and thin, and I was worried the sound wouldn’t carry well. However, once they were plugged in, these small speakers delivered a startling sound. The bass is particularly clear, and if they are too close to a wall, you will vibrate the picture frames nearby. This is thanks to the powerful 63-25,000 Hz frequency response.
The speakers both have removable front covers, and this is where I found the only flaw with the speakers. Both had scratches on the cone woofer and soft dome tweeter. When looking at photos of the speakers without their covers online, this looks like it may be intentional, but I initially thought something had been damaged in transit.
The Powernode 2025 is a sturdy, beautifully built amplifier that also offers a 6.3mm headphone jack on the front. As an audiophile with a large collection of headphones and IEMs, this was an exciting discovery. I can switch between using the speakers in the room and my preferred personal audio accessories of choice and continue to enjoy the powerful amp output of the Powernode.
The top of the Powernode has a bright display screen for easy navigation while the amp is in use, but it goes black when not being pressed. This ensures there are no annoying lights or underglow when the speakers and amp are powered on. The white of the Powernode 2025 is very sleek, and looks clean and sophisticated when set beside your tv or on a bookshelf. I do think the sound from the Powernode 2025 is more powerful and a bit clearer than the Powernode Edge, but both are fantastic options. The only downside we ran into is that the power cable is fairly bulky, and it makes cable management close to walls a bit tricky, as the box cannot sit flush.
The big setback to this setup is affordability. While the KUPID DALI speakers only sit at $600, a solid price for hifi speakers, the Powernode Edge is an investment at $1,199. Because of this, switching to the 2025 for the Edge could be a more economical option. However, you will notice a difference in the sound quality.
Final Score – 9/10
The DALI KUPID bookshelf Speakers are an incredible pair of high-end, HiFi audio accessories that will elevate your home theater, gaming, or bedroom sound setup. The price is solid for the build and the powerful sound the speakers are capable of putting out.
If you are low on space but want to level up your home theater, these bookshelf speakers are a fantastic investment. Their versatility is a big plus, as they can really be moved anywhere in the house as long as they are hooked to their amp. The only downside we found was the damage out of the box, which may be a singular situation, but was still surprising at such a price bracket.
If you have the money to spend on the Powernode 2025 amplifier, it is an audiophile accessory must-have. Its compatibility with most speakers, access to the BluOS app, and powerful output make it a fantastic addition to a home theater or gaming setup. If you want to have access to high-res audio output and create a true theater experience in your home, you won’t find a better option out there. It is worth the price if that is something you are looking to invest in.
Together, the DALI KUPID bookshelf speakers and Bluesound Powernode 2025 amp have supercharged our listening experience, and it has been amazing listening to anything anywhere in my home at any time without a bulky footprint.
**Bonus Action was provided with loaner samples of the DALI KUPID bookshelf speakers and Bluesound Powernode 2025 Amplifier for the purpose of this review**
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