In this review, we will be comparing A1-MR and YU2, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Audioengine and Kanto. Being Powered speakers, they both have built-in amplifiers so you don't need an external power amp or an integrated amp to power them.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Audioengine A1-MR and Kanto YU2 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Audioengine A1-MR | Kanto YU2 |
|---|
| Brand | Audioengine
United States · founded 2005 | Kanto
Canada · founded 2007 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 30-watt RMS | 50-watt RMS (100-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Soft-Dome | 0.75" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 2.75" Aramid Fiber | 3" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 65-22k Hz | 80-20k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 16-bit / 48 kHz | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 5.0 | No |
|---|
| App control | Yes | — |
|---|
| Weight | 1.10kg / 2.4lbs | 1.30kg / 2.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 6.25" x 4.1875" x 7.125"
158.8 x 106.4 x 181.0mm | 5.90" x 3.9" x 5.3"
150.0 x 100.0 x 135.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both A1-MR and YU2 are 2-way speakers.
Audioengine A1-MRKanto YU2
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Audioengine A1-MR |
Kanto YU2 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 2.75-inch
|
1 x 3-inch
|
A1-MR features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 2.75" Aramid Fiber Woofer. On the other hand, the YU2 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
A1-MR has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz whereas YU2 has a frequency range of 80-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the A1-MR can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the YU2's min frequency of 80Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
A1-MR has a front firing port whereas YU2 has a rear firing ports. Audioengine A1-MR's front-firing port gives more flexibility in placement in regards to proximity to walls compared to Kanto YU2 with its rear-firing port.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Audioengine A1-MR's and Kanto YU2's external dimensions. Audioengine A1-MR has external dimensions of 158.8 x 106.4 x 181.0mm (6.25 x 4.1875 x 7.125inch) whereas Kanto YU2 has external dimensions of 150.0 x 100.0 x 135.0mm (5.90 x 3.9 x 5.3inch).
Audioengine A1-MR is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 6.4mm wider, 8.8mm taller and 46mm deeper than Kanto YU2.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Audioengine A1-MR needs about 43% more floor or shelf area. Audioengine A1-MR is 46mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Audioengine A1-MR is approximately 192.6cm2 / 29.9inch2 and base area of the Kanto YU2 is approximately 135.0cm2 / 20.9inch2. The A1-MR requires 43% more surface area than the YU2 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Audioengine A1-MR weighs 1.10kg / 2.4lbs and the Kanto YU2 weighs 1.30kg / 2.9lbs. This makes the YU2 18% heavier than the A1-MR.
Here is a comparison of how A1-MR and YU2's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Audioengine A1-MR?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of A1-MR:
- Wireless powered left speaker
- Passive right speaker
- 6-feet AC power cord
- 6.5-feet Length of 18 gauge speaker wire
- 6.5-feet Stereo minijack-to-RCA cable
- 6-feet Stereo minijack cable
- Quick Start Guide
- Audioengine product brochure
What's in the Box of Kanto YU2?
Here are the items that come with the YU2:
- Power Cord
- Speaker Wire (10-feet)
- USB DAC Cable
- 3.5mm Auxiliary Cable (6.5-feet)
- 8 x Rubber Feet
- Manual
 Low Frequency Response |
65 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 App-Based Control |
iOS, Android
vs
None
|
Control the speaker via an app |
 Price per pair* |
229USD
vs
240USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 Subwoofer Output |
Wired
vs
No
|
Pair your speakers with external subwoofer |
|
Woofer Size |
3 inches
vs
2.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
150mm
vs
158mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
135cm2
vs
192cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
| General |
Audioengine A1-MR |
Kanto YU2 |
| Brand |
Audioengine |
Kanto |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
65-22k Hz |
80-20k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
30-watt RMS |
50-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
n/a |
100-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
16-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
48 kHz |
96 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
2.75" |
3" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aramid Fiber |
Kevlar |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
front |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
158.8mm (6.3") |
150.0mm (5.9") |
| Width |
106.4mm (4.2") |
100.0mm (3.9") |
| Depth |
181.0mm (7.1") |
135.0mm (5.3") |
| Weight |
1.10kg (2.4lbs) |
1.30kg (2.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
bass reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm |
RCA |
| USB Port |
No |
No |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
No |
| Digital Input |
No |
No |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
3 Years |
2 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your sources and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Audioengine A1-MR digs deeper - 65Hz against 80Hz. |
| Built-in power | B | Kanto YU2 has the bigger amplifier (50W vs 30W RMS). |
| Connections | A | Audioengine A1-MR adds Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and streaming. |
| Size | depends | Kanto YU2 is easier to place; Audioengine A1-MR is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | A | Audioengine A1-MR: a sub output. Audioengine A1-MR sits in a wider range (7 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($229 vs $240 a pair). |
A Audioengine A1-MR B Kanto YU2
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Audioengine A1-MR has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 80Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Audioengine A1-MR has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Kanto YU2 is the easier speaker to get right.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.