Short answer: the Kanto YU4 has been measured and ranked; the Kanto ORA4 has not been measured in a way we can rank yet, so until it is, this comes down to features and price.
What the Kanto ORA4 offers: Compact powered desktop speakers with 4-inch aluminum-cone woofers and 3/4-inch silk-dome tweeters in waveguides, bi-amplified with 70W RMS in total.
On the Kanto YU4 side: Phono, optical and Bluetooth inputs, remote control and a subwoofer output make it convenient for a compact multi-source system.
Price: the Kanto ORA4 lists at $349.99 and the Kanto YU4 at $479.99.
Buy the Kanto YU4 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the Kanto ORA4 if you prefer its design or features, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto ORA4 | Kanto YU4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 per pair | $479.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | - | #14 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS total (140W peak) per pair | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Drivers | 3/4” silk dome tweeter, 4” aluminum cone woofer | 1” silk-dome tweeter, 4” Kevlar woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz-20kHz |
| Inputs | RCA, USB-C, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, optical, RCA/phono, 3.5mm |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes (USB-C) | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes, 4.0 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC | SBC, aptX |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (automatic 80Hz crossover) | Yes |
| Enclosure | - | Powered 2-way, rear-ported |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| Dimensions | - | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Weight | - | 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) powered / 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) passive |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 2.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 5.83 |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
Prices on this page were last checked September 30, 2026 at 2:57 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
Kanto ORA4: $349.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Compact powered desktop speakers with 4-inch aluminum-cone woofers and 3/4-inch silk-dome tweeters in waveguides, bi-amplified with 70W RMS in total. Inputs cover RCA, USB-C audio and Bluetooth 5.0, and a subwoofer output engages an automatic 80Hz crossover. Rear ports and a front volume knob that also switches inputs.
Cons: Kanto rates the response only down to 60Hz, so a subwoofer helps for deep bass, and there is no optical input. Erin’s Audio Corner has measured it, but the numbers the other speakers here are ranked on aren’t available yet, so it can’t be placed against them.
Full Kanto ORA4 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS total (140W peak) per pair |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Drivers | 3/4” silk dome tweeter, 4” aluminum cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, USB-C, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (automatic 80Hz crossover) |
| USB Input | Yes (USB-C) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Kanto YU4: $479.99 per pair Discontinued Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the Kanto YU4 G2. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: Phono, optical and Bluetooth inputs, remote control and a subwoofer output make it convenient for a compact multi-source system. ASR’s measured horizontal coverage is broad enough for some freedom of seating position. The ideal-subwoofer preference score of 5.83 indicates that bass support would materially improve its usefulness.
Cons: Standalone preference is only 2.89, with a -3dB point around 86Hz and a 4.2dB midrange response span. Response irregularities remain even after bass extension is removed from the comparison, so a subwoofer alone will not make it neutral. Sensitivity measured at an arbitrary powered-speaker gain setting is not a reliable basis for judging efficiency or maximum volume. Discontinued.
Full Kanto YU4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter, 4” Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz-20kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, optical, RCA/phono, 3.5mm |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.83 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) powered / 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) passive |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Kanto YU4 Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Premium Computer Speakers: Kanto ORA4 Review & Comparison
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300! More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons