In this review, we will be comparing ORA4 and YU, two Powered Bookshelf speakers by 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 Kanto ORA4 and Kanto YU first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Kanto ORA4 | Kanto YU |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 70-watt RMS (140-watt peak) | 70-watt RMS (140-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4" Aluminum | 4" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 60-22k Hz | 60-20k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 96 kHz | 24-bit / 192 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 5.0 | Built-in 4.2 |
|---|
| Weight | 1.80kg / 4lbs | 2.40kg / 5.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8.3" x 4.7" x 7.2"
210.82 x 119.38 x 182.88mm | 8.7" x 5.5" x 7.5"
220.0 x 140.0 x 190.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
Both ORA4 and YU are 2-way speakers.
Kanto ORA4Kanto YU
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Kanto ORA4 |
Kanto YU |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
ORA4 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Aluminum Woofer. On the other hand, the YU features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
ORA4 has a frequency range of 60-22k Hz whereas YU has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz.
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
Both ORA4 and YU have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 Kanto ORA4's and Kanto YU's external dimensions. Kanto ORA4 has external dimensions of 210.82 x 119.38 x 182.88mm (8.3inch x 4.7inch x 7.2inch) whereas Kanto YU has external dimensions of 220.0 x 140.0 x 190.0mm (8.7 x 5.5 x 7.5inch).
Kanto YU is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 21mm wider, 9mm taller and 7mm deeper than Kanto ORA4.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Kanto ORA4 and Kanto YU in scale.
Comparison image of Kanto ORA4 and Kanto YU Size and External Dimensions
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 Kanto ORA4 is approximately 217.8cm2 / 33.8inch2 and base area of the Kanto YU is approximately 266.0cm2 / 41.2inch2. The ORA4 requires 18% less surface area than the YU which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Here is another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:
Size Comparison image of Kanto ORA4 and Kanto YU on a Media Console
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 Kanto ORA4 weighs 1.80kg / 4lbs and the Kanto YU weighs 2.40kg / 5.3lbs. This makes the YU 33% heavier than the ORA4.
Here is a comparison of how ORA4 and YU's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Kanto ORA4?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of ORA4:
- 4-pin Speaker Connector (6’)
- Power Cord
- 8 x Rubber Feet
- Quick Start Guide
What's in the Box of Kanto YU?
Here are the items that come with the YU:
- Remote with Batteries
- Power Cord
- Speaker Wire (16-feet)
- 8 x Rubber Feet
- Manual
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
211mm
vs
220mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
217cm2
vs
266cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 USB Port |
USB-C
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 Price per pair* |
300USD
vs
399USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
| General |
Kanto ORA4 |
Kanto YU |
| Brand |
Kanto |
Kanto |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
60-22k Hz |
60-20k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
70-watt RMS |
70-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
140-watt RMS |
140-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
96 kHz |
192 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Kevlar |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
211.0mm (8.3") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Width |
119.0mm (4.7") |
140.0mm (5.5") |
| Depth |
183.0mm (7.2") |
190.0mm (7.5") |
| Weight |
1.80kg (4lbs) |
2.40kg (5.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
bass reflex |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black,Matte White |
n/a |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
RCA |
| USB Port |
USB-C |
No |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
mono-RCA |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
No |
No |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
2 years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
2 years |
A generation apart: Kanto ORA4 is the newer design, against a 2016 model. Newer is not automatically better, but the older one is more likely to be discounted or near run-out.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
evenly matched |
Much the same reach (60Hz vs 60Hz). |
| Built-in power |
evenly matched |
Similar onboard amplification (70W vs 70W RMS). |
| Connections |
evenly matched |
The same set of inputs and streaming options. |
| Size |
depends |
Kanto ORA4 is easier to place; Kanto YU is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
depends |
Kanto ORA4: a sub output; Kanto YU: a sub output. |
| Price |
B |
Kanto YU is cheaper - $300 against $399, about 25% less. |
A Kanto ORA4
B Kanto YU
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it.
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.