In this review, we will be comparing REN and YU6, 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 REN and Kanto YU6 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Kanto REN | Kanto YU6 |
|---|
| Brand | Kanto
Canada · founded 2007 | Kanto
Canada · founded 2007 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 100-watt RMS (200-watt peak) | 100-watt RMS |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" soft-dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" aluminum | 5.25" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-22k Hz | 50-20k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 96 kHz | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 5.3 | Built-in 4.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 3.90kg / 8.6lbs | 4.00kg / 8.8lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 8.75" x 5.5" x 7.5"
222.25 x 139.7 x 190.5mm | 10.7" x 6.9" x 8.1"
272.0 x 175.0 x 205.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking
through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Drivers
Both REN and YU6 are 2-way speakers.
Kanto RENKanto YU6
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 REN |
Kanto YU6 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
REN features a 1" silk soft-dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" aluminum Woofer. On the other hand, the YU6 features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
REN has a frequency range of 50-22k Hz whereas YU6 has a frequency range of 50-20k 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 REN and YU6 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 REN's and Kanto YU6's external dimensions. Kanto REN has external dimensions of 222.25 x 139.7 x 190.5mm (8.75inch x 5.5inch x 7.5inch) whereas Kanto YU6 has external dimensions of 272.0 x 175.0 x 205.0mm (10.7 x 6.9 x 8.1inch).
Kanto YU6 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 35mm wider, 50mm taller and 15mm deeper than Kanto REN.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Kanto REN and Kanto YU6 in scale.
Comparison image of Kanto REN and Kanto YU6 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 REN is approximately 266.0cm2 / 41.2inch2 and base area of the Kanto YU6 is approximately 358.8cm2 / 55.6inch2. The REN requires 26% less surface area than the YU6 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 REN and Kanto YU6 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 REN weighs 3.90kg / 8.6lbs and the Kanto YU6 weighs 4.00kg / 8.8lbs. This makes the YU6 3% heavier than the REN.
Here is a comparison of how REN and YU6'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 YU6?
Here are the items that come with the YU6:
- Remote with Batteries
- Power Cord
- Speaker Wire (16′)
- 3.5mm Auxiliary Cable (6.5′)
- 8 x Rubber Feet
- Manual
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
222mm
vs
272mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
266cm2
vs
358cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 USB Port |
USB-C
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 HDMI Input |
ARC
vs
No
|
Connect HDMI sources directly |
 Price per pair* |
540USD
vs
599USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
USB Port |
Charge only
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 Phono Input |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your turntable directly |
| General |
Kanto REN |
Kanto YU6 |
| Brand |
Kanto |
Kanto |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
50-22k Hz |
50-20k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
100-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
200-watt RMS |
n/a |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
96 kHz |
96 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.25" |
| Woofer Composition |
aluminum |
Kevlar |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
soft-dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
222.0mm (8.7") |
272.0mm (10.7") |
| Width |
140.0mm (5.5") |
175.0mm (6.9") |
| Depth |
190.0mm (7.5") |
205.0mm (8.1") |
| Weight |
3.90kg (8.6lbs) |
4.00kg (8.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
bass reflex |
| Available Colors |
Matte Black,Matte Grey,Matte Orange,Matte Blue,Matte White |
n/a |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm, RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
USB-C |
Charge only |
| Phone Input |
No |
Yes |
| Subwoofer Output |
mono-RCA |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
Optical (2) |
| HDMI Input |
ARC |
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 REN is the newer design, against a 2017 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 (50Hz vs 50Hz). |
| Built-in power | evenly matched | Similar onboard amplification (100W vs 100W RMS). |
| Connections | depends | Kanto REN adds HDMI; Kanto YU6 adds phono. |
| Size | depends | Kanto REN is easier to place; Kanto YU6 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Kanto REN: a sub output; Kanto YU6: a sub output. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($599 vs $540 a pair). |
A Kanto REN B Kanto YU6
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?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. In a large or open-plan room, Kanto YU6 has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Kanto REN 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.