Short answer: the Kali Audio SM-5. It ranks #26 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality (rated 4.2/5) at $2,998 and is still sold new; the Kanto YU6 ranks #41 (rated 3.9/5) and is discontinued, so it is only an option used. The Kanto YU6’s replacement, the Kanto YU6 G2, is rated 3.9/5 at $549.99.
Why pick the Kanto YU6: A powered bookshelf pair with a phono input, optical, Bluetooth and a remote, a simple multi source system. The tradeoff: Local response variation remains despite the mild overall tilt: the midrange span is 3.8dB and listening-window narrow-band deviation is 0.419.
The Kali Audio SM-5 is the more accurate pick. A coaxial studio monitor with deep bass, consistent sound at any listening height and flexible built in DSP. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.18 against 4.28 for the Kanto YU6. Watch for: Scores of 5.18 standalone and 7.13 with an ideal subwoofer are good but below the leading reference monitors, so its advanced driver layout does not justify a near-top ranking by itself.
Buy the Kali Audio SM-5. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the Kanto YU6 is discontinued, so it is only available used.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
A powered bookshelf pair with a phono input, optical, Bluetooth and a remote, a simple multi source system.
A coaxial studio monitor with deep bass, consistent sound at any listening height and flexible built in DSP.
Prices on this page were last checked October 31, 2026 at 7:11 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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Specifications Side By Side
| Kanto YU6 | Kali Audio SM-5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $380.00 per pair Discontinued | $2,998 per pair |
| Ranked | #41 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #26 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Enclosure | 2-way active, MDF cabinet | - |
| Drivers | 1” silk dome tweeter, 5.25” Kevlar woofer | 1” coaxial tweeter, 4” coaxial midrange, 5” mid-bass woofer |
| Dimensions | 6.9W x 8.1D x 10.7H in each | 15.7”H x 7.9”W x 9.8”D (400 x 200 x 250 mm) |
| Weight | 11.5 lbs (5.2 kg) (active), 8.6 lbs (3.9 kg) (passive) | 20.9 lbs (9.5 kg) each |
| Amplifier Power | 200W peak Class D (100W RMS total) | 150W total |
| Inputs | Bluetooth aptX, RCA phono preamp, 2x optical | XLR/TRS, AES/EBU (BNC), RJ45 network control |
| Bluetooth Codecs | SBC, aptX | - |
| Country | Canada (design) | - |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 4.28 | 5.18 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 6.89 | 7.13 |
| Subwoofer Output | Yes | - |
| Outputs | Subwoofer | - |
| XLR Input | No | Yes |
| RCA Input | Yes | No |
| TRS Input | No | Yes |
| Optical Input | Yes | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | Yes |
| Aux Input | No | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Bluetooth Version | 4.0 | - |
| Frequency Response | 50Hz - 20kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 39Hz - 35kHz ±10dB (47Hz - 21kHz ±3dB, Manufacturer specified) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | - | 39Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | - | 45Hz (measured, Erin’s Audio Corner) |
| App | - | Kali Audio DSP software (free download) |
| EQ | - | Yes, per-speaker DSP |
| Maximum SPL | - | 117dB (manufacturer specified) |
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