Love at First Listen: The New DALI Kupids Are The Best Sub-£300 Speaker We've Ever Heard

Every now and then, a product comes along that makes us stop what we’re doing, sit down, and really listen. The new DALI Kupid bookshelf speakers did exactly that — and not just because of their bold, eye-catching design. For under £300, we honestly weren’t expecting much more than decent sound in a stylish box. What we got was something far more impressive.

These little beauties sound absolutely phenomenal for the money. In fact, we’re confident in saying the Kupid is the best speaker we’ve ever heard at this price point.

DALI describes the Kupid as a speaker designed to “fit in… and stand out.”, which is a spot-on summary. They're compact enough to slip into almost any room, but the finishes — which include Golden Yellow and Chilly Blue alongside more traditional Walnut and Black Ash — are anything but shy. And it’s not just the cabinet that’s colourful; the grilles and drivers are matched to the finish, giving each pair a modern, cohesive look that feels more Scandinavian design piece than traditional loudspeaker. We’ve not seen anything quite like it in the budget space, and it’s a welcome change.

But of course, none of this would matter if the sound didn’t deliver. Spoiler: it does.

Behind the Kupid’s charm is a seriously well-engineered bit of kit. It features a 4½‑inch wood fibre mid/bass driver and a 26mm soft dome tweeter — both developed in-house by DALI — with a dual-flare bass reflex port to reduce turbulence and distortion. It’s not just tech for tech’s sake, either. In listening tests, these speakers sounded tight, balanced and articulate, with an impressively open midrange and crisp, unfatiguing highs.

What really surprised us, though, is how well the Kupid stacks up against one of its older siblings — the much-loved Oberon 1. That speaker has long been a go-to recommendation in the sub‑£400 category, and with good reason. But the fact that the Kupid can go head-to-head with the Oberon 1 — and in some cases even pull ahead — while costing £100 less, is a bit of a revelation.

To be clear, the Oberon 1 still has its strengths. It digs a little deeper in the bass, and it’s built with a slightly larger cabinet that helps it fill bigger rooms more confidently. But the Kupid doesn’t just try to copy its older sibling — it brings its own strengths to the table. It feels a touch faster and more agile, especially with rhythmic or vocal-heavy tracks, and in smaller to medium-sized rooms, it more than holds its own.

That sentiment seems to be shared by the wider hi-fi press, too. What Hi-Fi recently gave the Kupid a glowing 5-star review, praising its “open, organised and expressive” sound. They called it “one of the most likeable budget speakers” they’ve heard in years.

Ultimately, the Kupid feels like more than just a great budget speaker. It’s a reminder that good design and good sound don’t have to cost a fortune — and that hi-fi can still surprise us, even at the entry level. For those dipping their toes into proper stereo sound for the first time, or looking to upgrade without breaking the bank, this is an easy one to recommend.

It may be named after a love-struck little cherub, but the Kupid fires on all fronts — looks, sound, and value. We’ve heard a lot of speakers over the years, and in this price range, the Kupid stands tall as something truly special.

View the Kupid speakers here, or get in touch if you'd like a demo.