Short answer: the Kanto YU6 G2 is the newer model that replaces the Kanto YU6, but only the Kanto YU6 has been measured and ranked so far, so this comparison is on specs and features rather than sound. The Kanto YU6 is discontinued, so it is now a used buy.
The case for the Kanto YU6 G2: The second generation YU6 swaps the Kevlar woofers for 5.25” abaca paper cone woofers alongside 1” silk dome tweeters, and raises amplifier power to 130W RMS (200W peak) from the original’s 100W RMS.
On the Kanto YU6 side: ASR’s measurements give preference scores of 4.28 standalone and 6.89 with an ideal subwoofer, stronger than several smaller lifestyle pairs.
On paper: The Kanto YU6 is rated down to 50Hz against 55Hz, though makers quote these at different tolerances. The Kanto YU6 has more amplifier power, 200W against 130W.
Price: the Kanto YU6 G2 lists at $549.99 and the Kanto YU6 at $380.
Buy the Kanto YU6 if you want a speaker whose sound quality has been measured and ranked. It also has deeper rated bass and more power.
Buy the Kanto YU6 G2 if you want the newer model, with an aux input, 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 YU6 G2 | Kanto YU6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.99 per pair | $380.00 per pair Discontinued |
| Ranked | - | #29 of 67 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS (200W peak) per pair | 200W peak Class D (100W RMS total) |
| Aux Input | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | Yes, 4.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC | SBC, aptX |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | - |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| Dimensions | 272H x 175W x 214D mm | 6.9W x 8.1D x 10.7H in each |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter, 5.25” abaca paper cone woofer | 1” silk dome tweeter, 5.25” Kevlar woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 22kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| Inputs | RCA (switchable phono), Optical, USB-C, Aux, Bluetooth | Bluetooth aptX, RCA phono preamp, 2x optical |
| Optical Input | Yes | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes (switchable phono preamp) | Yes |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes (automatic 80Hz crossover) | Yes |
| USB Input | Yes | No |
| Weight | 5.1 kg (active), 4.4 kg (passive) | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) (active), 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) (passive) |
| XLR Input | No | No |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, MDF cabinet |
| Country | - | Canada (design) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | - | 4.28 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | - | 6.89 |
| 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.
As an eBay Partner, we may be compensated if you make a purchase.
The Two Speakers In Full
Kanto YU6 G2: $549.99 per pair Kanto eBay
Older model: the Kanto YU6 (rated 3.9/5).
Pros: The second generation YU6 swaps the Kevlar woofers for 5.25” abaca paper cone woofers alongside 1” silk dome tweeters, and raises amplifier power to 130W RMS (200W peak) from the original’s 100W RMS. 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 YU6, which ASR measured. Its rated response starts at 55Hz, against 50Hz for the original YU6, so a subwoofer still helps for deep bass. Kanto doesn’t publish sensitivity or maximum output.
Full Kanto YU6 G2 review and specifications →
| Amplifier Power | 130W RMS (200W peak) per pair |
|---|---|
| Aux Input | Yes |
| Bluetooth | Yes |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Dimensions | 272H x 175W x 214D mm |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter, 5.25” abaca paper cone woofer |
| Frequency Response | 55Hz - 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 | 5.1 kg (active), 4.4 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 YU6: $380.00 per pair Discontinued Amazon eBay
Newer model: the Kanto YU6 G2. It’s likely to perform similarly, though we can’t confirm that yet.
Pros: ASR’s measurements give preference scores of 4.28 standalone and 6.89 with an ideal subwoofer, stronger than several smaller lifestyle pairs. Phono input, optical connections and remote control make it useful for a simple multi-source system. The overall response trend is close to level rather than strongly tilted.
Cons: Local response variation remains despite the mild overall tilt: the midrange span is 3.8dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.419. Bass reaches -3dB around 75Hz, so the preference model’s 58Hz LFX value should not be quoted as full-level bass extension. A subwoofer improves bandwidth but does not remove tonal irregularities. Discontinued.
Full Kanto YU6 review and specifications →
| AES Input | No |
|---|---|
| Amplifier Power | 200W peak Class D (100W RMS total) |
| Aux Input | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, 4.0 |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX |
| Coaxial Input | No |
| Country | Canada (design) |
| Dimensions | 6.9W x 8.1D x 10.7H in each |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter, 5.25” Kevlar woofer |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, MDF cabinet |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| HDMI Input | No |
| Inputs | Bluetooth aptX, RCA phono preamp, 2x optical |
| Optical Input | Yes |
| Outputs | Subwoofer |
| RCA Input | Yes |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.28 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.89 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes |
| TRS Input | No |
| USB Input | No |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) (active), 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) (passive) |
| XLR Input | No |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons