Short answer: both are discontinued, so this only matters if you are buying used. Used, the Kanto YU is the better pick: it ranks #58 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.7/5), against #70 (rated 3.5/5) for the PreSonus Eris E5 XT. If you want one new, the PreSonus Eris Studio 5 replaces the PreSonus Eris E5 XT and is rated 3.6/5 at $299.98.
What the Kanto YU does well: A compact powered pair with Bluetooth, RCA inputs, a remote, tone controls and a subwoofer output for simple desktop setups. The tradeoff: Standalone preference is 3.46 and the -3dB point is about 85Hz, so it lacks low-bass weight.
What the PreSonus Eris E5 XT does well: An affordable 5 inch studio monitor with fairly deep bass and balanced XLR, TRS and RCA inputs. The tradeoff: The response has bass and treble emphasis with a recessed crossover region; smooth directivity carries that imbalance into room reflections rather than fixing it.
Buy the Kanto YU only if you find one used in good condition; both are discontinued, and it is the better rated of the two. For a new speaker, buy the PreSonus Eris Studio 5, which replaces the PreSonus Eris E5 XT.
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A compact powered pair with Bluetooth, RCA inputs, a remote, tone controls and a subwoofer output for simple desktop setups.
An affordable 5 inch studio monitor with fairly deep bass and balanced XLR, TRS and RCA inputs.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU | PreSonus Eris E5 XT | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 per pair Discontinued | $239.98 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #58 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #70 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter, 4” Kevlar woofer | 5” (127mm) woofer |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in | 10.2”H x 7”W x 7.7”D (259.1 x 177.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair | 80w Per Speaker |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX | TRS, XLR, RCA |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Country | Canada (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 3.46 | 3.58 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.38 | 6.00 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.2 | - |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 53Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 56.4Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 46.9Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | Yes (Room adjustment) |
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