Short answer: the Edifier R1280DB, if you are buying new. The Kanto YU4 ranks higher than it (#23 vs #94 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers, 3.3/5 vs 3.1/5) but is discontinued, so only consider it used; the Edifier R1280DB is still sold new at $189.99. The Kanto YU4’s replacement, the Kanto YU4 G2, is rated 3.6/5 at $449.99.
The case for the Kanto YU4: A compact powered pair with phono, optical and Bluetooth inputs, a remote and a subwoofer output. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Edifier R1280DB lacks. The catch: Standalone preference is only 2.89, with a -3dB point around 86Hz and a 4.2dB midrange response span.
What the Edifier R1280DB does well: An inexpensive powered bookshelf pair with Bluetooth, optical and coaxial inputs, a remote and tone controls. The tradeoff: The compact format is better suited to nearfield listening than high-volume playback across a large room.
Buy the Edifier R1280DB if you want one new; the Kanto YU4 is discontinued, so only look for it used.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU4 | Edifier R1280DB | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $479.99 per pair Discontinued | $189.99 per pair |
| Ranked | #23 of 48 in Small Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #94 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | Powered 2-way, rear-ported | - |
| Drivers | 1” silk-dome tweeter, 4” Kevlar woofer | 4” (102mm) woofer |
| Frequency Response | 60Hz-20kHz | 55 Hz-20 kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Amplifier Power | 70W RMS / 140W peak per pair | 42w RMS Total |
| Inputs | Bluetooth, optical, RCA/phono, 3.5mm | Bluetooth, 2x RCA Input, Digital Optical, Digital Coax |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | SBC (inferred; additional codecs unverified) |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | None |
| Dimensions | 8.7H x 5.5W x 7.5D in | 9.2”H x 5.7”W x 7.7”D (233.7 x 144.8 x 195.6 mm) |
| Weight | 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg) powered / 5.5 lbs (2.5 kg) passive | 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 2.89 | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 5.83 | - |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | No | No |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| Coaxial Input | No | Yes |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | 5.1 |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 63Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) - shares the R1280T driver and cabinet; read from that measurement |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 53.2Hz (derived, log-interpolated between spinorama.org -9dB/-12dB points) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
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