Short answer: the Edifier S2000MKIII for better sound quality, the Kanto YU for the lower price. The Edifier S2000MKIII ranks #29 of 64 powered bookshelf speakers at $699.99. The Kanto YU ranks #51 at $349.99, $350 cheaper.
What the Edifier S2000MKIII offers: Spinorama’s digitized measurements show unusually deep extension for a powered bookshelf speaker: 40.5Hz at -3dB and 37Hz at -6dB. Its preference score is 3.58 without a subwoofer and 5.34 with one, placing it just above the KRK Classic 5 and Edifier MR4 on the same with-subwoofer measure. It also accepts digital input up to 24-bit/192kHz. Watch for: The Spinorama record is low-quality data digitized from a scanned graph rather than an independent Klippel measurement, so the score carries more uncertainty. Frequency deviation is 4.0dB, predicted in-room smoothness is only 0.107, and the response needs substantial EQ around 1kHz and 3.3kHz to approach neutrality.
What the Kanto YU offers: A compact powered pair with RCA, aptX Bluetooth, subwoofer output, remote control and tone adjustment. ASR predicts a 5.51 preference score with a subwoofer and measured 68Hz in-room extension from the small 4-inch cabinet. Watch for: Its 2.59 standalone preference score confirms that the limited bass strongly benefits from a subwoofer. Connectivity is sparse versus newer powered rivals—no USB, optical or HDMI—and Bluetooth is the older 4.2 generation.
Buy the Edifier S2000MKIII if sound quality matters more than the price. Buy the Kanto YU if the price matters more than sound quality.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Kanto YU. It ranks near the bottom of the 64 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Edifier S2000MKIII | Kanto YU | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699.99 | $349.99/pair |
| Ranked | #29 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #51 of 64 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 7.8"W x 10.8"D (342.9 x 198.1 x 274.3 mm) | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Frequency Response | 40.5Hz at -3dB; 37Hz at -6dB (Spinorama) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.58 without subwoofer; 5.34 with subwoofer | - |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX |
| Outputs | None | - |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer | 1" silk-dome tweeter, 4" Kevlar woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | No | - |
| Output Power | 65w RMS Per Speaker | - |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg | 6.1 lbs active, 5.2 lbs passive |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF |
| Power Output | - | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Country | - | Canada (design) |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 25, 2026 at 6:19 AM 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
Edifier S2000MKIII: $699.99 Amazon eBay
Pros: Spinorama’s digitized measurements show unusually deep extension for a powered bookshelf speaker: 40.5Hz at -3dB and 37Hz at -6dB. Its preference score is 3.58 without a subwoofer and 5.34 with one, placing it just above the KRK Classic 5 and Edifier MR4 on the same with-subwoofer measure. It also accepts digital input up to 24-bit/192kHz.
Cons: The Spinorama record is low-quality data digitized from a scanned graph rather than an independent Klippel measurement, so the score carries more uncertainty. Frequency deviation is 4.0dB, predicted in-room smoothness is only 0.107, and the response needs substantial EQ around 1kHz and 3.3kHz to approach neutrality.
Full Edifier S2000MKIII review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 13.5"H x 7.8"W x 10.8"D (342.9 x 198.1 x 274.3 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.5" (140mm) woofer |
| EQ | No |
| Frequency Response | 40.5Hz at -3dB; 37Hz at -6dB (Spinorama) |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Output Power | 65w RMS Per Speaker |
| Outputs | None |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.58 without subwoofer; 5.34 with subwoofer |
| Weight | 20.7 lbs / 9.4 kg |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S1000MKII vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO More from DSAUDIOreview →
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier S2000MKIII vs Klipsch The Three II sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: DSAUDIO.review Edifier R2850DB vs Edifier S2000MKIII sound.DEMO
- DSAUDIO.review: Edifier S2000MKIII vs Edifier S3000PRO Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- Archimago Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Edifier S2000MKIII Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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Kanto YU: $349.99/pair Kanto Audio eBay
Pros: A compact powered pair with RCA, aptX Bluetooth, subwoofer output, remote control and tone adjustment. ASR predicts a 5.51 preference score with a subwoofer and measured 68Hz in-room extension from the small 4-inch cabinet.
Cons: Its 2.59 standalone preference score confirms that the limited bass strongly benefits from a subwoofer. Connectivity is sparse versus newer powered rivals—no USB, optical or HDMI—and Bluetooth is the older 4.2 generation.
Full Kanto YU review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX |
| Power Output | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Weight | 6.1 lbs active, 5.2 lbs passive |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons