Short answer: the Kanto Tuk G2 if sound quality matters most, the Yamaha HS5 if price matters most. The Kanto Tuk G2 ranks #33 of 68 powered bookshelf speakers, rated 3.9/5, at $899.99. The Yamaha HS5 ranks #43, rated 3.6/5, at $399.98, $500.01 cheaper.
The case for the Kanto Tuk G2: Bass reaches about 52Hz at -3dB and 42Hz at -10dB in Erin’s measurements, legitimate extension from a 5.25-inch woofer. The tradeoff: On-axis response is uneven, with elevated upper bass around 80 to 100Hz, a forward midrange near 800Hz to 1.5kHz and further ripples through the treble.
Why pick the Yamaha HS5: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. The tradeoff: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance.
Buy the Kanto Tuk G2 if sound quality is the priority over the price, or the Yamaha HS5 if the price is the priority over sound quality.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto Tuk G2 | Yamaha HS5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.99 per pair | $399.98 per pair |
| Ranked | #33 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #43 of 68 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Dimensions | 7.2”W x 12”H x 10”D (183 x 305 x 254 mm) | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | Optical, 2x RCA, USB-C, Bluetooth | XLR |
| Outputs | Subwoofer RCA (80Hz low-pass), USB-A charging (5V/2A) | - |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) (active), 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) (passive) | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch aluminum woofer + AMT folded ribbon tweeter (each), bass reflex | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 | - |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX Adaptive, SBC | - |
| DSP | Yes | - |
| Amplifier Power | 130W Class D total (Manufacturer specified) | 45w Per Speaker |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.61 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.73 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) | 6.32 |
| Measurement Source | Erin’s Audio Corner | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Headphone Output | No | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.4 | No |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
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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 Tuk G2: $899.99 per pair Crutchfield eBay
Pros: Bass reaches about 52Hz at -3dB and 42Hz at -10dB in Erin’s measurements, legitimate extension from a 5.25-inch woofer. The predicted in-room response is fairly even from the upper bass through the treble, which lifts its preference score to about 4.6 on its own and 6.7 with an ideal subwoofer. Connections cover most desk and living room sources: optical, two RCA inputs, USB-C from a computer and Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive, plus a subwoofer output with an 80Hz low-pass, a remote and a USB charging port. Measured bass extension of 52Hz (-3dB).
Cons: On-axis response is uneven, with elevated upper bass around 80 to 100Hz, a forward midrange near 800Hz to 1.5kHz and further ripples through the treble. Horizontal dispersion widens abruptly around 2 to 2.5kHz before narrowing again, and the vertical listening window is narrow, so keep the AMT tweeter near ear height. Compression grows at 96dB and becomes severe near 102dB, with distortion rising sharply at high levels, so it sounds best as a nearfield or small room speaker at moderate volume.
Full Kanto Tuk G2 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 130W Class D total (Manufacturer specified) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 52Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 5.4 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | aptX Adaptive, SBC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.4 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| DSP | Yes |
| Dimensions | 7.2”W x 12”H x 10”D (183 x 305 x 254 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25-inch aluminum woofer + AMT folded ribbon tweeter (each), bass reflex |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz-22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Headphone Output | No |
| Inputs | Optical, 2x RCA, USB-C, Bluetooth |
| Measurement Source | Erin’s Audio Corner |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer RCA (80Hz low-pass), USB-A charging (5V/2A) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.61 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.73 (calculated from Erin’s Audio Corner CEA2034 data) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 12.3 lbs (5.6 kg) (active), 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) (passive) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Yamaha HS5: $399.98 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: ASR found reasonably smooth early-reflection directivity, which makes broad EQ correction more promising than on speakers whose off-axis response changes abruptly. Balanced inputs and placement controls suit studio use. The measured preference scores are 3.70 standalone and 6.32 with an ideal subwoofer. Measured bass extension of 88Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The measurements do not support describing it as very neutral: excess midrange and reduced lower-midrange/upper-bass weight produce a bass-light balance. The 300Hz-5kHz span is 4.3dB. Its automated -3dB crossing is affected by response shape, so it should not be treated as a simple bass-cutoff specification. A subwoofer adds low bass but does not fix the elevated midrange.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2”H x 6.7”W x 8.7”D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Optical Input | No |
| RCA Input | No |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.70 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.32 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) each |
| XLR Input | Yes |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
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