In this review, we will be comparing QX-1 MKII and KUPID, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Mission and DALI.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Mission QX-1 MKII and DALI KUPID first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Mission QX-1 MKII | DALI KUPID |
|---|
| Brand | Mission
United Kingdom · founded 1977 | DALI
Denmark · founded 1983 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.5" Ring Dome | 1" Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5" Composite fibre | 4.5" Paper/wood fiber |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-24k Hz | 63-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 87 dB | 83 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 25-100 watts | 40-120 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 6.20kg / 13.6lbs | 2.91kg / 6.4lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11" x 7-11/16" x 10-1/4"
280.0 x 195.0 x 260.0mm | 9-11/16" x 5-15/16" x 7-13/16"
247.0 x 151.0 x 199.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both QX-1 MKII and KUPID are 2-way speakers.
Mission QX-1 MKIIDALI KUPID
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Mission QX-1 MKII |
DALI KUPID |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.5-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5-inch
|
1 x 4.5-inch
|
QX-1 MKII features a 1.5" Textile Ring Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Composite fibre Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2.4kHz. On the other hand, the KUPID features a 1" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4.5" Paper/wood fiber Woofer.
Frequency Response
QX-1 MKII has a frequency range of 55-24k Hz whereas KUPID has a frequency range of 63-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 55Hz, the QX-1 MKII can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the KUPID's min frequency of 63Hz.
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
QX-1 MKII and KUPID have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. QX-1 MKII sensitivity is rated at 87 dB and the KUPID's is at 83 dB. This 4 dB difference makes the Mission QX-1 MKII a more sensitive speaker compared to DALI KUPID, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the QX-1 MKII and the QX-1 MKII can provide this impedance level.
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 QX-1 MKII has a max power handling value of 100 watts RMS, 20 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
QX-1 MKII features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. KUPID has a Binding post which doesn't 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 Mission QX-1 MKII's and DALI KUPID's external dimensions. Mission QX-1 MKII has external dimensions of 280.0 x 195.0 x 260.0mm (11 x 7-11/16 x 10-1/4inch) whereas 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).
Mission QX-1 MKII is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 44mm wider, 33mm taller and 61mm deeper than DALI KUPID.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Mission QX-1 MKII needs about 69% more floor or shelf area. Mission QX-1 MKII is 61mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Mission QX-1 MKII is 33mm taller.
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 Mission QX-1 MKII is approximately 507.0cm2 / 78.6inch2 and base area of the DALI KUPID is approximately 300.5cm2 / 46.6inch2. The QX-1 MKII requires 69% more surface area than the KUPID which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
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 Mission QX-1 MKII weighs 6.20kg / 13.6lbs and the DALI KUPID weighs 2.91kg / 6.4lbs. This makes the QX-1 MKII 113% heavier than the KUPID.
Here is a comparison of how QX-1 MKII and KUPID'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 come with the 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
 Sensitivity |
87 dB
vs
83 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Woofer Size |
5 inches
vs
4.5 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
55 Hz
vs
63 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Price per pair* |
499USD
vs
600USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Max Input Power |
120 watts
vs
100 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 High Frequency Response |
25k Hz
vs
24k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
247mm
vs
280mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
300cm2
vs
507cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Mission QX-1 MKII |
DALI KUPID |
| Brand |
Mission |
DALI |
| Speaker Type |
Bookshelf speakers |
Bookshelf speakers |
| Power Range |
25-100 watts |
40-120 watts |
| Sensitivity |
87 dB |
83 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.9 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
55-24k Hz |
63-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5" |
4.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Composite fibre |
Paper/wood fiber |
| Woofer Surround Material |
n/a |
Rubber |
| Tweeter Size |
1.5" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Ring Dome |
Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
2.4kHz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
280.0mm (11") |
247.0mm (9.7") |
| Width |
195.0mm (7.7") |
151.0mm (5.9") |
| Depth |
260.0mm (10.2") |
199.0mm (7.8") |
| Weight |
6.20kg (13.6lbs) |
2.91kg (6.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Vinyl |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black Ash, Caramel White,Chilly Blue,Dark Wanut,Golden Yellow |
| Mounting Bracket |
|
Fixed bracket |
| Recommended Stand Height |
n/a |
30-32" |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
Yes |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
A generation apart: DALI KUPID is the newer design, against a 2021 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Mission QX-1 MKII digs deeper - 55Hz against 63Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | A | Mission QX-1 MKII is more sensitive (87dB vs 83dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Headroom | evenly matched | Similar power handling (100W vs 120W). |
| Size | depends | DALI KUPID is easier to place; Mission QX-1 MKII is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | Mission QX-1 MKII: bi-amping. |
| Price | A | Mission QX-1 MKII is cheaper - $499 against $600, about 17% less. |
A Mission QX-1 MKII B DALI KUPID
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?
Mission QX-1 MKII is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take DALI KUPID if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 63Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Mission QX-1 MKII 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.
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.