In this review, we will be comparing YU2 and HD3, 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 YU2 and Audioengine HD3 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Kanto YU2 and Audioengine HD3 compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one of these loudspeakers is the better choice for you.
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Drivers
Both YU2 and HD3 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Kanto YU2 |
Audioengine HD3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 3-inch
|
1 x 2.75-inch
|
YU2 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Kevlar Woofer . On the other hand, the HD3 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 2.75" Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite Woofer .
Frequency Response
YU2 has a frequency range of 80-20k Hz whereas HD3 has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 65Hz, the HD3 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the YU2's min frequency of 80Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Bookshelf class in our database.
Low Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
High Frequency
Bookshelf Speakers
None of these speakers achieves full range experience which is commonly agreed as 20Hz-20kHz. In order to achieve lower lows / deeper bass, we recommend you pair these with a subwoofer. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Cabinet Type and Port Position
YU2 has a rear firing port whereas HD3 has a front firing ports. Audioengine HD3'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
Size of a speaker can sometimes become 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 YU2's and Audioengine HD3's external dimensions. Kanto YU2 has external dimensions of 150.0 x 100.0 x 135.0mm ( 5.90 x 3.9 x 5.3inch) whereas Audioengine HD3 has external dimensions of 231.8 x 108.0 x 177.8mm ( 9.125 x 4.25 x 7.25inch) .
Audioengine HD3 is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 8mm wider, 81.8mm taller and 42.8mm deeper than Kanto YU2.
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 YU2 is approximately 135.0cm2 / 20.9inch2 and base area of the Audioengine HD3 is approximately 192.0cm2 / 29.8inch2. The YU2 requires 30% less surface area than the HD3 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 YU2 weighs 1.30kg / 2.9lbs and the Audioengine HD3 weighs 1.55kg / 3.4lbs. This makes the HD3 19% heavier than the YU2.
Here is a comparison of how YU2 and HD3'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 YU2?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of YU2:
Power Cord Speaker Wire (10-feet) USB DAC Cable 3.5mm Auxiliary Cable (6.5-feet) 8 x Rubber Feet Manual
What's in the Box of Audioengine HD3?
Here are the items that come with the HD3:
Powered speakerPassive speaker2 Grilles (pre-installed)AC power supply (attached 6-feet DC cord)6-feet AC power cordBluetooth antenna5-feet microUSB-to-USB cable6.5-feet Speaker cable (banana connectors on each end)5-feet Stereo minijack cable2 Microfiber speaker bagsMIcrofiber cable bagQuickstart GuideProduct Line Brochure
 Woofer Size |
3 inches
vs
2.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 Height |
150mm
vs
231mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
135cm2 (100x135mm)
vs
192cm2 (108x177mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
240USD
vs
349USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| 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 |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
 USB Port |
microUSB
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 3.5mm Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via 3.5mm AUX input |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Headphone Output |
3.5mm
vs
No
|
Connect your headphone |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired
vs
No
|
Pair your speakers with external subwoofer |
| General |
Kanto YU2 |
Audioengine HD3 |
| Brand |
Kanto |
Audioengine |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
80-20k Hz |
65-22k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
30-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
100-watt RMS |
60-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
96 kHz |
48 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
3" |
2.75" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
0.75" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
150.0mm (5.9") |
231.8mm (9.1") |
| Width |
100.0mm (3.9") |
108.0mm (4.3") |
| Depth |
135.0mm (5.3") |
177.8mm (7") |
| Weight |
1.30kg (2.9lbs) |
1.55kg (3.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
bass reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Black, Walnut, White |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
n/a |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
No |
microUSB |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
No |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
No |
No |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
3.5mm |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
2 Years |
3 Years |