Short answer: the Airpulse A100 on measured sound quality, the Kanto YU on price. The Airpulse A100 ranks #25 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $999.99. The Kanto YU ranks #39 at $349.99, $650 cheaper.
What the Kanto YU offers: 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 5.51 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, supporting moderate desktop use with bass assistance. Watch for: Standalone preference is 2.59 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.
What the Airpulse A100 offers: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 3.66 standalone and 6.18 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Watch for: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion.
Buy the Kanto YU if the price is the priority over sound quality, or the Airpulse A100 if sound quality is the priority over the price.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU | Airpulse A100 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 per pair | $999.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #39 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #25 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter, 4" Kevlar woofer | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC, aptX |
| Country | Canada (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.59 | 3.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.51 | 6.18 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| App | - | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bluetooth | - | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| EQ | - | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | - | 52Hz - 40kHz |
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- Genelec 8030C vs Airpulse A100
- Neumann KH80 DSP vs Airpulse A100
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Prices on this page were last checked September 16, 2026 at 12:41 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
Kanto YU: $349.99 per pair Kanto Audio 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 5.51 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, supporting moderate desktop use with bass assistance.
Cons: Standalone preference is 2.59 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.
Full Kanto YU review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| 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 |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.51 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Airpulse A100: $999.99 per pair Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Pros: ASR’s Klippel data gives a 2.9dB midrange span and scores of 3.66 standalone and 6.18 with an ideal subwoofer. The ribbon tweeter and five-inch woofer provide a distinctive compact powered system, with remote control and a subwoofer output simplifying everyday use. Measured bass extension of 63.0Hz (-3dB).
Cons: Bass reaches -3dB around 63Hz, so lower notes need a subwoofer for full weight. Listening-window narrow-band deviation of 0.419 shows more local tonal variation than the leading monitors. Rear tone controls are less flexible than parametric EQ or room correction. Neither the ribbon tweeter nor a directivity-index summary establishes uniquely wide or perfectly controlled dispersion.
Full Airpulse A100 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 100W total (40W+40W woofer, 10W+10W tweeter) |
|---|---|
| App | None (physical bass/treble knobs, IR remote) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 53.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 63.0Hz (measured, spinorama.org) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (SBC, aptX) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Dimensions | 6.3" x 11.1" x 10" (160 x 283 x 255 mm) each |
| Drivers | Horn-loaded ribbon tweeter, 5" hard-anodized aluminum cone woofer |
| EQ | Yes, rear-panel bass/treble trim knobs |
| Frequency Response | 52Hz - 40kHz |
| Inputs | RCA (aux), USB, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth aptX |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.66 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.18 |
| Weight | 24.3 lbs (11 kg) each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons