Short answer: the Kanto YU4 G2 is the newer model that replaces the Kanto YU, but only the Kanto YU has been measured and ranked so far, so this comparison is on specs and features rather than sound. The Kanto YU is discontinued, so it is now a used buy.
What the Kanto YU4 G2 offers: The second generation YU4 swaps the Kevlar woofers for 4” abaca paper cone woofers alongside 1” silk dome tweeters, and raises amplifier power to 110W RMS (160W peak) from the original’s 70W.
What the Kanto YU brings: RCA and Bluetooth inputs, remote control, tone adjustment and a subwoofer output make this compact pair simple to use.
On paper: The Kanto YU4 G2 has more amplifier power, 110W against 70W.
Price: the Kanto YU4 G2 lists at $449.99 and the Kanto YU at $349.99.
Buy the Kanto YU if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked.
Buy the Kanto YU4 G2 if you want the newer model, with more power, an optical input and an aux input, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Want more options? Browse the full Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU4 G2 | Kanto YU | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $349.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | - | #40 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 110W RMS (160W peak) per pair | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes, 4.2 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 233H x 140W x 205D mm | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter, 4” abaca paper cone woofer | 1” silk-dome tweeter, 4” Kevlar woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 60Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| Inputs | RCA (switchable phono), Optical, USB-C, Aux, Bluetooth | RCA and Bluetooth 4.2 aptX |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes (switchable phono preamp) | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (automatic 80Hz crossover) | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| Weight | 3.7 kg (active), 3.1 kg (passive) | 6.2 lbs (2.8 kg) active, 5.3 lbs (2.4 kg) passive |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way powered, rear-ported MDF |
| Country | - | Canada (design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 3.46 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.38 |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
Prices on this page were last checked September 29, 2026 at 3:43 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 YU4 G2: $449.99 per pair Kanto eBay
Older models: the Kanto YU (rated 3.7/5) and the Kanto YU4 (rated 3.3/5).
Pros: The second generation YU4 swaps the Kevlar woofers for 4” abaca paper cone woofers alongside 1” silk dome tweeters, and raises amplifier power to 110W RMS (160W peak) from the original’s 70W. Inputs cover RCA with a switchable phono preamp, optical and USB-C audio at 24 bit/96kHz, 3.5mm aux and Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC. A subwoofer output engages an automatic 80Hz crossover, and a USB-C port charges a phone. Includes a remote, speaker wire and swappable left and right channels.
Cons: Not on sale yet: Kanto lists it as coming soon. No independent measurements have been published, so it can’t be compared with the original YU4, which ASR measured, and its 60Hz to 22kHz rated response means a subwoofer is still needed for deep bass. Kanto doesn’t publish sensitivity or maximum output.
Full Kanto YU4 G2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 110W RMS (160W peak) per pair |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 233H x 140W x 205D mm |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter, 4” abaca paper cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA (switchable phono), Optical, USB-C, Aux, Bluetooth |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes (switchable phono preamp) |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (automatic 80Hz crossover) |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 3.7 kg (active), 3.1 kg (passive) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- These figures are manufacturer-specified rather than independently measured.
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Kanto YU: $349.99 per pair Discontinued Kanto eBay
Newer model: the Kanto YU4 G2. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
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. Discontinued.
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