Short answer: the Kanto YU4 G2. It ranks #64 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 3.6/5) at $449.99 and is still sold new; the Kanto YU4 ranks #23 (rated 3.3/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used.
What the Kanto YU4 G2 does well: An upcoming powered pair with a phono preamp, optical, USB-C and Bluetooth inputs, a subwoofer output and a phone charging port. The tradeoff: Not on sale yet: Kanto lists it as coming soon.
Why pick the Kanto YU4: A compact powered pair with phono, optical and Bluetooth inputs, a remote and a subwoofer output. It supports aptX Bluetooth, which the Kanto YU4 G2 lacks. Watch for: Standalone preference is only 2.89, with a -3dB point around 86Hz and a 4.2dB midrange response span.
Buy the Kanto YU4 G2. It is rated higher for sound quality and still sold new, while the Kanto YU4 is discontinued.
About the ratings: the Kanto YU4 G2’s rating is estimated from measured siblings and predecessors rather than its own measurements, with a likely range of 3.4 to 3.8, so this verdict could change once it is measured.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU4 G2 | Kanto YU4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair Upcoming | $479.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | #64 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers Estimated | #23 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 110W RMS (160W peak) per pair | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 4.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 9.2”H x 5.5”W x 8.1”D (233 x 140 x 205 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 |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| Inputs | RCA (switchable phono), Optical, USB-C, Aux, Bluetooth | Bluetooth, optical, RCA/phono, 3.5mm |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes (switchable phono preamp) | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (automatic 80Hz crossover) | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| Weight | 8.2 lbs (3.7 kg) (active), 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) (passive) | 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) powered / 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) passive |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | Powered 2-way, rear-ported |
| Outputs | - | Subwoofer |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 2.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 5.83 |
| TRS Input | - | No |
| AES Input | - | No |
Where the Ratings Come From
- Kanto YU4 G2: manufacturer specifications and listening comparisons; no independent measurement has been published yet.
- Kanto YU4: Spinorama.org measurements and reviews by Erin’s Audio Corner and Jasper Tech.
This comparison is generated from the ratings, specifications and measurements on each product’s own page, and it updates when that data changes. How we rank explains how each rating is decided.
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