In this review, we will be comparing KUPID and 3020i, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from DALI and Q Acoustics.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of DALI KUPID and Q Acoustics 3020i first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | DALI KUPID | Q Acoustics 3020i |
|---|
| Brand | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 | Q Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" Dome | 0.9" decoupled |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.5" Paper/wood fiber | 5" Coated paper |
|---|
| Frequency response | 63-25k Hz | 64-30k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 83 dB | 88 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 6 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-120 watts | 25-75 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 2.91kg / 6.4lbs | 4.80kg / 10.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-11/16" x 5-15/16" x 7-13/16"
247.0 x 151.0 x 199.0mm | 10.9" x 6.6" x 11.1"
278.0 x 170.0 x 282.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both KUPID and 3020i are 2-way speakers.
DALI KUPIDQ Acoustics 3020i
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
DALI KUPID |
Q Acoustics 3020i |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.9-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
1 x 5-inch
|
KUPID features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Paper/wood fiber Woofer. On the other hand, the 3020i features a 0.9" decoupled Tweeter and 1 x 5" Coated paper Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400Hz.
Frequency Response
KUPID has a frequency range of 63-25k Hz whereas 3020i has a frequency range of 64-30k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 63Hz, the KUPID can go slightly deeper then the 3020i's min frequency of 64Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
KUPID is a 4 ohms speaker compared to the 3020i which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the KUPID can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. KUPID sensitivity is rated at 83 dB and the 3020i's is rated at 88 dB. This 5 dB difference makes the Q Acoustics 3020i a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI KUPID, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Bookshelf Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
KUPID can handle a max power of 120 watts RMS, whereas 3020i has a max power handling value of 75 watts RMS, 45 watts less than the KUPID.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
KUPID features Binding post type posts and 3020i has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare DALI KUPID's and Q Acoustics 3020i's external dimensions. DALI KUPID has external dimensions of 247.0 x 151.0 x 199.0mm (9-11/16inch x 5-15/16inch x 7-13/16inch) whereas Q Acoustics 3020i has external dimensions of 278.0 x 170.0 x 282.0mm (10.9 x 6.6 x 11.1inch).
Q Acoustics 3020i is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 19mm wider, 31mm taller and 83mm deeper than DALI KUPID.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of DALI KUPID and Q Acoustics 3020i in scale.
Comparison image of DALI KUPID and Q Acoustics 3020i Size and External Dimensions
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the DALI KUPID is approximately 300.5cm2 / 46.6inch2 and base area of the Q Acoustics 3020i is approximately 479.4cm2 / 74.3inch2. The KUPID requires 37% less surface area than the 3020i which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of DALI KUPID and Q Acoustics 3020i on a Media Console
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The DALI KUPID weighs 2.91kg / 6.4lbs and the Q Acoustics 3020i weighs 4.80kg / 10.6lbs. This makes the 3020i 65% heavier than the KUPID.
Here is a comparison of how KUPID and 3020i's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of DALI KUPID?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of KUPID:
- 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
- 2 Grilles
- 2 Wall-mount brackets
- Four #8 x 0.5\" self-tapping screws
- 8 Rubber feet
- Quick Start Guide
- QR Code Registration Card
What's in the Box of Q Acoustics 3020i?
Here are the items that come with the 3020i:
- 2 x 3020i bookshelf speakers
- 2 x Foam Bungs
- 2 x Speaker Grilles
- 1 x User Manual
- 1 x Handling Gloves
- 8 x Rubber Speaker Grips
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
75 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Low Frequency Response |
63 Hz
vs
64 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Mounting Bracket |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows mounting on walls |
 Height |
247mm
vs
278mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
300cm2
vs
479cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Sensitivity |
88 dB
vs
83 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
6 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
|
Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
30k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
399USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
DALI KUPID |
Q Acoustics 3020i |
| Brand |
DALI |
Q Acoustics |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
40-120 watts |
25-75 watts |
| Sensitivity |
83 dB |
88 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
6 ohms |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
63-25k Hz |
64-30k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.5" |
5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Paper/wood fiber |
Coated paper |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.9" |
| Tweeter Type |
Dome |
decoupled |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
n/a |
2400Hz |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
247.0mm (9.7") |
278.0mm (10.9") |
| Width |
151.0mm (5.9") |
170.0mm (6.7") |
| Depth |
199.0mm (7.8") |
282.0mm (11.1") |
| Weight |
2.91kg (6.4lbs) |
4.80kg (10.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
MDF/Vinyl |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
Black Ash, Caramel White,Chilly Blue,Dark Wanut,Golden Yellow |
Walnut, Black, White, Grey |
| Mounting Bracket |
Fixed bracket |
No |
| Recommended Stand Height |
30-32" |
n/a |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
4 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
4 Years |
A generation apart: DALI KUPID is the newer design, against a 2018 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | evenly matched | Much the same reach (63Hz vs 64Hz). |
| Amplifier needs | B | Q Acoustics 3020i is more sensitive (88dB vs 83dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Amplifier match | B | Q Acoustics 3020i is the easier load at 6 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom | A | DALI KUPID takes more power (120W vs 75W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size | depends | DALI KUPID is easier to place; Q Acoustics 3020i is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Price | B | Q Acoustics 3020i is cheaper - $399 against $600, about 34% less. |
A DALI KUPID B Q Acoustics 3020i
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Q Acoustics 3020i has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. In a large or open-plan room, Q Acoustics 3020i has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, DALI KUPID is the easier speaker to get right. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, Q Acoustics 3020i is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.