Short answer: the Airpulse A60. It ranks #13 of 47 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $499.99. The Kanto ORA ranks #15, rated 3.7/5, at $349.99, $150 cheaper, which does not close the gap in sound quality.
What the Airpulse A60 does well: The smallest AirPulse active speaker, and the first to use a planar-diaphragm tweeter, paired with a 3.5” aluminum-cone woofer. The tradeoff: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the Airpulse A100.
Why pick the Kanto ORA: Ultra-compact active desktop reference monitors designed specifically for computer and creator setups. Watch for: The 3-inch woofers begin rolling off sharply around 70Hz, so a separate subwoofer is essential for true full-range bass extension and high-volume authority.
Buy the Airpulse A60. It is rated higher for sound quality, and saving $150 with the Kanto ORA does not make up for the sound-quality gap.
About the ratings: the Airpulse A60’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.4 to 4.1, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Airpulse A60 | Kanto ORA | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $499.99 per pair | $349.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #15 of 47 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 9.2”H x 5”W x 8.5”D (233 x 126 x 216 mm) | 6.9” x 3.9” x 5.6” (174 x 100 x 141 mm) |
| Drivers | Planar-diaphragm tweeter, 3.5” aluminum-cone woofer | 3/4” silk dome tweeter, 3” paper cone woofer |
| Amplifier Power | 80W total (2x 30W woofer + 2x 10W tweeter) | 50W RMS (100W peak) bi-amplified Class D |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes (automatic 100Hz high-pass filter) |
| Aux Input | - | No |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 55Hz (measured, Audioholics) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 44Hz (measured, Audioholics) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | - | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| Crossover Frequency | - | 2.7kHz (satellite), 100Hz auto high-pass with sub connected |
| Frequency Response | - | 70Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | - | USB-C, RCA, Bluetooth |
| RCA Input | - | Yes |
| USB Input | - | Yes (USB-C 24-bit/96kHz) |
| Weight | - | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) per pair |
Related Speaker Comparisons
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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
Airpulse A60: $499.99 per pair Estimated Amazon eBay
Same family: the Airpulse A80 (larger bookshelf, estimated 3.9/5), the Airpulse A100 (larger bookshelf, rated 4/5) and the Airpulse A200T (larger bookshelf, estimated 4/5).
Pros: The smallest AirPulse active speaker, and the first to use a planar-diaphragm tweeter, paired with a 3.5” aluminum-cone woofer. A DSP crossover and Texas Instruments Class D amplifiers deliver 30W per woofer and 10W per tweeter. It suits a desk, with aptX HD Bluetooth, several wired inputs, a subwoofer output and a remote.
Cons: No independent measurements yet, so its tonal balance and directivity can’t be compared directly with measured speakers; the rating is estimated from the Airpulse A100. The 3.5” woofer limits bass depth and loudness, so a subwoofer is needed for full-range music.
Full Airpulse A60 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 80W total (2x 30W woofer + 2x 10W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Dimensions | 9.2”H x 5”W x 8.5”D (233 x 126 x 216 mm) |
| Drivers | Planar-diaphragm tweeter, 3.5” aluminum-cone woofer |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- No independent measurement review is linked for this model; it is ranked from hands-on listening and comparison against similarly priced speakers.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Kanto ORA: $349.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Same family: the Kanto ORA4 (larger bookshelf, ranked higher, rated 3.8/5).
Pros: Ultra-compact active desktop reference monitors designed specifically for computer and creator setups. Equipped with 3-inch magnetically shielded paper-cone woofers and 3/4-inch silk-dome tweeters, bi-amplified with 50W RMS (100W peak) total Class D power. Audioholics free-air measurements show remarkably linear on-axis and listening-window response across the vocal band with smooth directivity transitions. Features high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz USB-C digital audio input, RCA analog, and Bluetooth 5.0. Its dedicated subwoofer output automatically engages an active 100Hz high-pass filter on the satellites, dramatically improving clean dynamic headroom when a subwoofer is added. Measured bass extension of 55Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 3-inch woofers begin rolling off sharply around 70Hz, so a separate subwoofer is essential for true full-range bass extension and high-volume authority. There is no optical or HDMI input. The volume knob doubles as an input selector but lacks visual input LEDs on the front baffle.
Full Kanto ORA review and specifications →
| Released | 2020 (6 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 50W RMS (100W peak) bi-amplified Class D |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 44Hz (measured, Audioholics) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 55Hz (measured, Audioholics) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Crossover Frequency | 2.7kHz (satellite), 100Hz auto high-pass with sub connected |
| Dimensions | 6.9” x 3.9” x 5.6” (174 x 100 x 141 mm) |
| Drivers | 3/4” silk dome tweeter, 3” paper cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 70Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | USB-C, RCA, Bluetooth |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (automatic 100Hz high-pass filter) |
| USB Input | Yes (USB-C 24-bit/96kHz) |
| Weight | 4.6 lbs (2.1 kg) per pair |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audioholics: Kanto ORA Powered Desktop Speaker Review & Measurements
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- Head-to-Head Comparisons