Short answer: the Neumi BS5P-ARC. It ranks #35 of 67 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.8/5, at $219.99; the Kanto YU ranks #40, rated 3.7/5, and costs $349.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
The case for the Kanto YU: RCA and Bluetooth inputs, remote control, tone adjustment and a subwoofer output make this compact pair simple to use. Watch for: Standalone preference is 3.46 and the -3dB point is about 85Hz, so it lacks low-bass weight.
Why pick the Neumi BS5P-ARC: Erin’s selected measurements give a 2.6dB midrange span and a 7.03 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating better tonal performance above the bass than its former near-bottom position suggested. The catch: The standalone score drops to 3.84.
Buy the Neumi BS5P-ARC. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Kanto YU and costs less, which settles it without a real tradeoff to make.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU | Neumi BS5P-ARC | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 per pair | $219.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #40 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #35 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF | 2-way active |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter, 4" Kevlar woofer | 1" silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5" poly-cone woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in | 10.6H x 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) pair |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Country | Canada (design) | China |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.46 | 3.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 | 7.03 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | No | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | Yes |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 | Yes |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical In-Room) (Manufacturer specified) |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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 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 6.38 preference score with an ideal subwoofer, supporting moderate desktop use with bass assistance.
Cons: Standalone preference is 3.46 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 →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| 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 |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Neumi BS5P-ARC: $219.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s selected measurements give a 2.6dB midrange span and a 7.03 ideal-subwoofer preference score, indicating better tonal performance above the bass than its former near-bottom position suggested. HDMI ARC makes it a convenient low-cost TV stereo system.
Cons: The standalone score drops to 3.84. The published response reaches -3dB around 113Hz and -6dB around 83Hz, so bass balance is a significant limitation in that measured configuration. It is not the same model or dataset as the original BS5P. The score alone cannot establish clean output, and a subwoofer should not be assumed to solve crossover or room-integration issues automatically.
Full Neumi BS5P-ARC review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 75W total (37.5W per channel) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | Yes |
| Country | China |
| Dimensions | 10.6H x 7.2W x 8.5D in each |
| Drivers | 1" silk dome tweeter with integrated waveguide, 5" poly-cone woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Typical In-Room) (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | Yes |
| Inputs | HDMI ARC, Bluetooth, USB-C, optical, coaxial, RCA analog |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.84 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.03 |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs (11.3 kg) pair |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons