Short answer: the Kanto YU4 G2 is the newer model that replaces the Kanto YU4, but only the Kanto YU4 has been measured and ranked so far, so this comparison is on specs and features rather than sound. The Kanto YU4 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 YU4 brings: Phono, optical and Bluetooth inputs, remote control and a subwoofer output make it convenient for a compact multi-source system.
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 YU4 at $479.99.
Buy the Kanto YU4 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, and you can wait for measurements to confirm how it sounds.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU4 G2 | Kanto YU4 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 per pair | $479.99 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | - | #14 of 24 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, 4.0 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 3.7 kg (active), 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 |
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 YU4: $479.99 per pair Discontinued Amazon B&H Photo Video eBay
Newer model: the Kanto YU4 G2. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: Phono, optical and Bluetooth inputs, remote control and a subwoofer output make it convenient for a compact multi-source system. ASR’s measured horizontal coverage is broad enough for some freedom of seating position. The ideal-subwoofer preference score of 5.83 indicates that bass support would materially improve its usefulness.
Cons: Standalone preference is only 2.89, with a -3dB point around 86Hz and a 4.2dB midrange response span. Response irregularities remain even after bass extension is removed from the comparison, so a subwoofer alone will not make it neutral. Sensitivity measured at an arbitrary powered-speaker gain setting is not a reliable basis for judging efficiency or maximum volume. Discontinued.
Full Kanto YU4 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter, 4” Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way, rear-ported |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz-20kHz |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, optical, RCA/phono, 3.5mm |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.89 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.83 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) powered / 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) passive |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Kanto YU4 Measurements (spinorama.org)
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