Short answer: the Yamaha HS5. It ranks #13 of 60 powered bookshelf speakers by sound quality at $339.98; the Kanto YU6 ranks #52 and costs $579.99, so there is not much of a tradeoff to weigh.
What the Yamaha HS5 offers: Very neutral. Excellent for mixing and anything needing a neutral output. Watch for: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class. Slight midrange boost.
What the Kanto YU6 offers: A popular active desktop pair with a built-in phono preamp, aptX Bluetooth, and dual optical inputs, positioning it as an easy all-in-one desktop or small-room setup. Watch for: ASR’s independent measurement found a very rough on-axis response: an average deviation of 1.007dB and on-axis smoothness of just 0.204, despite the speaker’s popularity, with a moderate -0.09dB per octave downward tilt and predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.28. Bass rolls off early too, with a Harman in-room extension estimate of only 58Hz.
Buy the Yamaha HS5. It ranks higher for sound quality than the Kanto YU6 and costs less, so there is no real case for the other one.
If sound quality matters at all to you, skip the Kanto YU6. It ranks near the bottom of the 60 powered bookshelf speakers, so look higher up the list instead.
Specifications Side By Side
| Yamaha HS5 | Kanto YU6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $339.98 | $579.99/pair |
| Ranked | #13 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #52 of 60 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) | - |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.7"D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) | 6.9W x 8.1D x 10.7H in each |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) | - |
| Inputs | XLR | Bluetooth aptX, RCA phono preamp, 2x optical |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg each | 11.4 lbs (active), 8.7 lbs (passive) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer | 1" silk dome tweeter, 5.25" Kevlar woofer |
| App | No | - |
| Bluetooth | No | - |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) | - |
| Output Power | 45w Per Speaker | - |
| Enclosure | - | 2-way active, MDF cabinet |
| Power Output | - | 200W peak Class D (100W RMS total) |
| Country | - | Canada (design) |
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Prices on this page were last checked August 24, 2026 at 6:53 AM 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
Yamaha HS5: $339.98 Amazon eBay
Pros: Very neutral. Excellent for mixing and anything needing a neutral output.
Cons: Not quite as deep of bass as some of the others in this size class. Slight midrange boost.
Full Yamaha HS5 review and specifications →
| App | No |
|---|---|
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 88Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Dimensions | 11.2"H x 6.7"W x 8.7"D (284.5 x 170.2 x 221 mm) |
| Drivers | 5" (127mm) woofer |
| EQ | Yes (Room adjustment) |
| Frequency Response | 58Hz - 24kHz (-3dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Inputs | XLR |
| Output Power | 45w Per Speaker |
| Weight | 12.1 lbs / 5.5 kg each |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Audio Science Review Measurements More from Audio Science Review →
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- DSAUDIO.review: New PreSonus E5 XT and Yamaha HS5 could not sound any more different! SOUND AND RESPONSE COMPARISON
- DSAUDIO.review: Yamaha HS8 vs Yamaha HS5 Sound & Frequency Response Comparison
- DSAUDIO.review: Genelec 8010A (Genelec G One) vs Yamaha HS5 Sound Demo w/ Bass Test
- Audio Science Review Measurements (spinorama.org)
- Reddit Search for Yamaha HS5 Review
- Head-to-Head Comparisons
Kanto YU6: $579.99/pair Amazon eBay
Pros: A popular active desktop pair with a built-in phono preamp, aptX Bluetooth, and dual optical inputs, positioning it as an easy all-in-one desktop or small-room setup.
Cons: ASR’s independent measurement found a very rough on-axis response: an average deviation of 1.007dB and on-axis smoothness of just 0.204, despite the speaker’s popularity, with a moderate -0.09dB per octave downward tilt and predicted in-room smoothness of just 0.28. Bass rolls off early too, with a Harman in-room extension estimate of only 58Hz.
Full Kanto YU6 review and specifications →
| 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 |
| Inputs | Bluetooth aptX, RCA phono preamp, 2x optical |
| Power Output | 200W peak Class D (100W RMS total) |
| Weight | 11.4 lbs (active), 8.7 lbs (passive) |
- Links
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples