In this review, we will be comparing TUK and HD6, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Kanto and Audioengine. 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 TUK and Audioengine HD6 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Kanto TUK | Audioengine HD6 |
|---|
| Brand | Kanto
Canada · founded 2007 | Audioengine
United States · founded 2005 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 130-watt RMS (260-watt peak) | 100-watt RMS (200-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.0625 x 1.375" AMT | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 5.25" Aluminum | 5.5" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 50-20k Hz | 50-22k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 96 kHz | 24-bit / 192 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 4.2 | Built-in 5.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 4.50kg / 9.9lbs | 5.50kg / 12.1lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 10.9" x 7.06" x 10.9"
277.8 x 179.4 x 276.2mm | 12.375" x 7.1875" x 12.5"
314.3 x 182.6 x 317.5mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both TUK and HD6 are 2-way speakers.
Kanto TUKAudioengine HD6
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 TUK |
Audioengine HD6 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0625 x 1.375-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 5.25-inch
|
1 x 5.5-inch
|
TUK features a 1.0625 x 1.375" Folded ribbon AMT Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Aluminum Woofer. On the other hand, the HD6 features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.5" Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
TUK has a frequency range of 50-20k Hz whereas HD6 has a frequency range of 50-22k 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.
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 TUK's and Audioengine HD6's external dimensions. Kanto TUK has external dimensions of 277.8 x 179.4 x 276.2mm (10.9 x 7.06 x 10.9inch) whereas Audioengine HD6 has external dimensions of 314.3 x 182.6 x 317.5mm (12.375 x 7.1875 x 12.5inch).
Audioengine HD6 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 3.2mm wider, 36.5mm taller and 41.3mm deeper than Kanto TUK.
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 HD6 needs about 17% more floor or shelf area. Audioengine HD6 is 41mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Audioengine HD6 is 37mm taller.
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 TUK is approximately 495.5cm2 / 76.8inch2 and base area of the Audioengine HD6 is approximately 579.8cm2 / 89.9inch2. The TUK requires 15% less surface area than the HD6 which gives it a small advantage 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 Kanto TUK weighs 4.50kg / 9.9lbs and the Audioengine HD6 weighs 5.50kg / 12.1lbs. This makes the HD6 22% heavier than the TUK.
Here is a comparison of how TUK and HD6'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 TUK?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of TUK:
- Remote with Batteries
- 2 x Magnetic Grilles
- Power Cord
- Speaker Wire with Banana plugs (15 ft)
- 3.5mm to RCA Cable (6 ft)
- USB Cable
- 8 x Rubber Feet
- Manual
What's in the Box of Audioengine HD6?
Here are the items that come with the HD6:
- Powered speaker
- Passive speaker
- 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
- 6-feet AC power cord
- Bluetooth antenna
- Remote control
- 13-feet Speaker cable (w/ banana connectors on each end)
- 6.5-feet Stereo minijack cable
- 2 Microfiber speaker bags
- MIcrofiber cable bag
- Quickstart Guide
- Product Line Brochure
 Height |
277mm
vs
314mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
495cm2
vs
579cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 USB Port |
USB-B
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 Phono Input |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your turntable directly |
 Headphone Output |
3.5mm
vs
No
|
Connect your headphone |
 Woofer Size |
5.5 inches
vs
5.25 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Price per pair* |
699USD
vs
900USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
| General |
Kanto TUK |
Audioengine HD6 |
| Brand |
Kanto |
Audioengine |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
50-20k Hz |
50-22k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
130-watt RMS |
100-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
260-watt RMS |
200-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
96 kHz |
192 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
5.25" |
5.5" |
| Woofer Composition |
Aluminum |
Kevlar |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0625 x 1.375" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
AMT |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
277.8mm (10.9") |
314.3mm (12.4") |
| Width |
179.4mm (7.1") |
182.6mm (7.2") |
| Depth |
276.2mm (10.9") |
317.5mm (12.5") |
| Weight |
4.50kg (9.9lbs) |
5.50kg (12.1lbs) |
| Enclosure |
bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black, Walnut, White, Cherry Wood |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
USB-B |
No |
| Phone Input |
Yes |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
Optical |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
3.5mm |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 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 | evenly matched | Much the same reach (50Hz vs 50Hz). |
| Built-in power | A | Kanto TUK has the bigger amplifier (130W vs 100W RMS). |
| Connections | A | Kanto TUK adds phono. |
| Size | depends | Kanto TUK is easier to place; Audioengine HD6 is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Kanto TUK: a sub output; Audioengine HD6: a sub output. |
| Price | B | Audioengine HD6 is cheaper - $699 against $900, about 22% less. |
A Kanto TUK B Audioengine HD6
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?
The usual trade-off: Kanto TUK measures better, Audioengine HD6 costs about about 29% more% less. Whether that gap is worth the money is the call only you can make - and in a normal room it is often smaller than the numbers suggest.
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.