Short answer: the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It ranks #37 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.0/5) at $399 and is still sold new; the Kanto YU ranks #58 (rated 3.7/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
The Audioengine A5+ Classic is the more accurate option. ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 4.59 against 3.46 for the Kanto YU. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Kanto YU lacks. The catch: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
The case for the Kanto YU: RCA and Bluetooth inputs, remote control, tone adjustment and a subwoofer output make this compact pair simple to use. The catch: Standalone preference is 3.46 and the -3dB point is about 85Hz, so it lacks low-bass weight.
Buy the Audioengine A5+ Classic. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Kanto YU is discontinued.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Audioengine A5+ Classic | Kanto YU | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $399.00 per pair | $349.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #37 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #58 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter | 1” silk-dome tweeter, 4” Kevlar woofer |
| App | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| DSP | No | - |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 | 3.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 6.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) | Subwoofer |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC, aptX |
| Country | - | Canada (design) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 4.2 |
Frequency Response Compared
Both speakers’ spinorama measurements, overlaid. A flatter line is more neutral: peaks sound forward or harsh, dips sound recessed. Each curve is shifted so its average from 300 Hz to 3 kHz sits at 0 dB, so loudness differences between the two are removed and only the shape is compared.
Measurement data: Audioengine A5+ Classic (measured by Audio Science Review) and Kanto YU (measured by Audio Science Review), via spinorama.org.
Related Speaker Comparisons
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- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Neumann KH120 MKII
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Genelec 8030C
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Audioengine A5+ Classic
- Audioengine A5+ Classic vs Dynaudio LYD 5
Prices on this page were last checked October 14, 2026 at 2:38 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 A5+ Classic: $399.00 per pair Amazon $399.00 B&H Photo Video $469 eBay
Same family: the Audioengine A2+ (smaller bookshelf, rated 3.4/5).
Pros: ASR’s A5+ Powered measurements give 4.59 standalone and 7.06 with an ideal subwoofer, with a 2.7dB midrange span. The analog powered pair is straightforward to use without an external amplifier. The measured result supports a more capable tonal balance than its former low position suggested. Measured bass extension of 68Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments. The existing review reports crossover-region directivity errors and a distortion feature around 800-900Hz. The score does not make it a reference monitor, and adding a subwoofer cannot correct those midrange and off-axis issues.
Full Audioengine A5+ Classic review and specifications →
| Released | Oct 2011 (15 years ago) |
|---|---|
| AES Input | No |
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | No |
| Dimensions | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, Aux |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Kanto YU: $349.99 per pair Discontinued Kanto $349.99 eBay
Pros: RCA and Bluetooth inputs, remote control, tone adjustment and a subwoofer output make this compact pair simple to use. ASR’s measurements show a 2.9dB midrange span and a 6.38 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, supporting moderate desktop use with bass assistance.
Cons: Standalone preference is 3.46 and the -3dB point is about 85Hz, so it lacks low-bass weight. The response trends upward toward the treble and retains local irregularities across the listening window. A subwoofer adds bandwidth but does not make the speaker neutral. Connectivity is basic compared with models offering USB, optical or HDMI. Discontinued.
Full Kanto YU review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Canada (design) |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter, 4” Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons