Short answer: the Audioengine A2+. It ranks #12 of 24 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality, rated 3.4/5, at $279; the Kanto YU4 ranks #14, rated 3.3/5, and costs $479.99, which makes this an easy call rather than a real tradeoff.
What the Kanto YU4 does well: Phono, optical and Bluetooth inputs, remote control and a subwoofer output make it convenient for a compact multi-source system. Watch for: Standalone preference is only 2.89, with a -3dB point around 86Hz and a 4.2dB midrange response span.
Why pick the Audioengine A2+: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 5.39 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. Watch for: The 2.07 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer.
Buy the Audioengine A2+. It is rated higher for sound quality than the Kanto YU4 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
Still deciding? The full Powered Home rankings cover every ranked option.
Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU4 | Audioengine A2+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $479.99 per pair | $279.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #14 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #12 of 24 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1" silk-dome tweeter, 4" Kevlar woofer | 0.75" silk dome tweeter, 2.75" fiber woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz-20kHz | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, optical, RCA/phono, 3.5mm | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in | 6" x 4" x 5.2" (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) powered / 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) passive | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.89 | 1.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.83 | 4.81 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | Yes |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | Yes |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.0 | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.0 |
| EQ | - | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| App | - | No |
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Prices on this page were last checked September 23, 2026 at 11:24 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: $479.99 per pair Kanto eBay
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.
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)
- Jasper Tech: Best Powered Bookshelf Speakers for Every Budget - 2025 More from Jasper Tech →
- Jasper Tech: Best Premium Computer Speakers: Kanto ORA4 Review & Comparison
- Jasper Tech: Best Desktop Computer Speakers for Every Budget
- Erin’s Audio Corner: 10 Great (and Terrible) Speakers Under $300! More from Erin’s Audio Corner →
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Audioengine A2+: $279.00 per pair Amazon Audioengine eBay
Pros: Erin’s Klippel measurements give a 5.39 predicted preference score with an ideal subwoofer. The tiny footprint, multiple inputs and variable RCA output are useful for desktop listening. The existing review found desk placement more forgiving than free-space placement, with no major port-chuffing problem in its tests. Measured bass extension of 105.5Hz (-3dB).
Cons: The 2.07 standalone score and roughly 106Hz measured -3dB point reveal how much bass is missing without reinforcement or a subwoofer. Midrange and crossover-region dips remain; desk gain is placement-dependent and cannot be assumed to correct them. Compression becomes substantial above roughly 87dB at 1m in the review, so this is a quiet nearfield option rather than a high-output monitor.
Full Audioengine A2+ review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 15W RMS / 30W peak per channel |
| App | No |
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 58.9Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 105.5Hz (measured, Erin's Audio Corner) |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 6" x 4" x 5.2" (152 x 102 x 133 mm) |
| Drivers | 0.75" silk dome tweeter, 2.75" fiber woofer |
| EQ | No (fixed volume knob only) |
| Frequency Response | 65Hz - 22kHz (+-2dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | RCA, 3.5mm, USB, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Optical Input | No |
| Outputs | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 1.56 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 4.81 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | Yes |
| Weight | 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) left / 3.1 lbs (1.4 kg) right |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
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