Short answer: the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus on measured sound quality, the Kanto YU on price. The Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus ranks #15 of 65 powered bookshelf speakers at $699.99. The Kanto YU ranks #39 at $349.99, $350 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 Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus offers: Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Scores of 4.68 standalone and 6.49 with an ideal subwoofer make it an attractive standalone system as well as a subwoofer partner. Remote tone controls, multiple digital and analog inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover engagement simplify setup. Watch for: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ. No HDMI ARC. Deep bass and louder playback still benefit from a subwoofer; amplifier wattage alone does not establish clean room-filling output.
Buy the Kanto YU when the price outweighs sound quality for you, and the Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus when sound quality outweighs the price instead.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU | Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $349.99 per pair | $699.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #39 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #15 of 65 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF | - |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter, 4" Kevlar woofer | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25" passive radiator (rear), 1" aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in | 10" x 6.5" x 8" (254 x 165 x 203 mm) |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
| Inputs | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Country | Canada (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.59 | 4.68 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.51 | 6.49 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | RCA subwoofer |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 42Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Frequency Response | - | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
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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
Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus: $699.99 per pair Amazon eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel data combines a small 1.7dB midrange response span with a -3dB point around 44Hz. Scores of 4.68 standalone and 6.49 with an ideal subwoofer make it an attractive standalone system as well as a subwoofer partner. Remote tone controls, multiple digital and analog inputs, and automatic subwoofer crossover engagement simplify setup. Measured bass extension of 42Hz (-3dB).
Cons: A mild 4-6kHz edge and a smaller 1-2kHz recession were audible in the review, so its smooth midrange summary does not mean there is nothing to improve with EQ. No HDMI ARC. Deep bass and louder playback still benefit from a subwoofer; amplifier wattage alone does not establish clean room-filling output.
Full Vanatoo Transparent One Encore Plus review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 240W total (100W + 20W Class D amplifiers per enclosure) |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 34Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 42Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD |
| Dimensions | 10" x 6.5" x 8" (254 x 165 x 203 mm) |
| Drivers | 5.25" aluminum-cone woofer with XBL motor, 5.25" passive radiator (rear), 1" aluminum dome tweeter with waveguide and phase plug |
| Frequency Response | 48Hz - 20kHz ±3dB (manufacturer specified, Flat mode) |
| Inputs | USB, Optical, Coax, Analog, Bluetooth |
| Outputs | RCA subwoofer |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.68 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.49 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| Weight | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) (passive unit), 12.1 lbs (5.5 kg) (active unit) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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