Short answer: the Kanto YU2. Both are rated 3.4/5 for sound quality (#20 and #19 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Kanto YU2 costs $189.99 against $299 for the Audioengine A2+, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
Why pick the Audioengine A2+: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 6.10 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: The 2.78 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer.
Why pick the Kanto YU2: A compact 2-way powered desktop speaker featuring 3-inch composite drivers and 3/4-inch silk dome tweeters driven by 50W RMS (100W peak) Class D amplification. The catch: Awaiting Spinorama anechoic data.
Buy the Kanto YU2. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $109.01 less than the Audioengine A2+.
About the ratings: the Kanto YU2’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.2 to 3.6, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A2+ | Kanto YU2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $299.00 per pair | $189.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #19 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #20 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 | USB digital audio, 3.5mm Aux |
| Drivers | 0.75” silk dome tweeter, 2.75” fiber woofer | 3/4” silk dome tweeter, 3” composite woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel | 50W RMS (100W peak) Class D |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | - |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) | - |
| App | No | - |
| Dimensions | 6” x 4” x 5.2” (152 x 102 x 133 mm) | 5.9” x 3.9” x 5.3” (150 x 100 x 135 mm) each |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) per pair |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.78 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | - |
| XLR Input | No | - |
| RCA Input | Yes | - |
| TRS Input | No | - |
| Optical Input | No | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | - |
| USB Input | Yes | Yes (DAC up to 16-bit/48kHz) |
| HDMI Input | No | - |
| AES Input | No | - |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.5kHz |
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Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Speakers In Full
Audioengine A2+: $299.00 per pair Amazon Audioengine eBay
Same family: the Audioengine A5+ Classic (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5).
Pros: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 6.10 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The tiny footprint, multiple inputs and variable RCA output are useful for desktop listening. The existing review found desk placement more forgiving than free-space placement, with no major port-chuffing problem in its tests. Measured bass extension of 105.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.78 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer. Midrange and crossover-region dips remain; desk gain is placement-dependent and cannot be assumed to correct them. Compression becomes substantial above roughly 87dB at 1m in the review, so this is a quiet nearfield option rather than a high-output monitor.
Full Audioengine A2+ review and specifications →
| Released | Nov 2013 (12 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6” x 4” x 5.2” (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75” silk dome tweeter, 2.75” fiber woofer |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.78 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.10 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| XLR Input | No |
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Kanto YU2: $189.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Kanto YU4 (larger bookshelf, ranked lower, rated 3.3/5) and the Kanto YU6 (larger bookshelf, rated 3.9/5). See every Kanto YU and Tuk generation.
Pros: A compact 2-way powered desktop speaker featuring 3-inch composite drivers and 3/4-inch silk dome tweeters driven by 50W RMS (100W peak) Class D amplification. Features a built-in USB DAC that bypasses noisy computer sound cards for pristine digital playback, plus a 3.5mm aux input and dedicated subwoofer output.
Cons: Awaiting Spinorama anechoic data. Small 3-inch cabinets have natural bass limitations below 80Hz without a connected subwoofer. Lacks Bluetooth on this base model.
Full Kanto YU2 review and specifications →
| Released | 2015 (11 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS (100W peak) Class D |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.5kHz |
| Dimensions | 5.9” x 3.9” x 5.3” (150 x 100 x 135 mm) each |
| Drivers | 3/4” silk dome tweeter, 3” composite woofer |
| Frequency Response | 80Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB digital audio, 3.5mm Aux |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes (DAC up to 16-bit/48kHz) |
| Weight | 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) per pair |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons