In this review, we will be comparing YU2 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 YU2 and Kanto YU first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Kanto YU2 | Kanto YU |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 50-watt RMS (100-watt peak) | 70-watt RMS (140-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 0.75" Soft-Dome | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 3" Kevlar | 4" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 80-20k Hz | 60-20k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 96 kHz | 24-bit / 192 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | No | Built-in 4.2 |
|---|
| Weight | 1.30kg / 2.9lbs | 2.40kg / 5.3lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 5.90" x 3.9" x 5.3"
150.0 x 100.0 x 135.0mm | 8.7" x 5.5" x 7.5"
220.0 x 140.0 x 190.0mm |
|---|
YU2 and YU are members of Kanto's YU Powered series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.
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 YU2 and YU are 2-way speakers.
Kanto YU2Kanto 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 YU2 |
Kanto YU |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
0.75-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 3-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
YU2 features a 0.75" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 3" Kevlar Woofer. On the other hand, the YU features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
YU2 has a frequency range of 80-20k Hz whereas YU has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the YU 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
Both YU2 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 YU2's and Kanto YU'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 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 40mm wider, 70mm taller and 55mm deeper than Kanto YU2.
Below you can see the front view size comparison of Kanto YU2 and Kanto YU in scale.
Comparison image of Kanto YU2 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 YU2 is approximately 135.0cm2 / 20.9inch2 and base area of the Kanto YU is approximately 266.0cm2 / 41.2inch2. The YU2 requires 49% 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 YU2 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 YU2 weighs 1.30kg / 2.9lbs and the Kanto YU weighs 2.40kg / 5.3lbs. This makes the YU 85% heavier than the YU2.
Here is a comparison of how YU2 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 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 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
 Height |
150mm
vs
220mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
135cm2
vs
266cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
240USD
vs
300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Woofer Size |
4 inches
vs
3 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
80 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Handheld Remote |
Yes
vs
No
|
Control the speaker by the included RC |
|
RCA Connection |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connection via RCA input |
 Subwoofer Output |
Wired
vs
No
|
Pair your speakers with external subwoofer |
| General |
Kanto YU2 |
Kanto YU |
| Brand |
Kanto |
Kanto |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
80-20k Hz |
60-20k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
50-watt RMS |
70-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
100-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 |
3" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
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 |
150.0mm (5.9") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Width |
100.0mm (3.9") |
140.0mm (5.5") |
| Depth |
135.0mm (5.3") |
190.0mm (7.5") |
| Weight |
1.30kg (2.9lbs) |
2.40kg (5.3lbs) |
| Enclosure |
bass reflex |
bass reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
RCA |
RCA |
| USB Port |
No |
No |
| Phone Input |
No |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
No |
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 |
Siblings in Kanto's YU Powered series, so they share a family sound. It comes down to size, output and price.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Kanto YU digs deeper - 60Hz against 80Hz. |
| Built-in power |
B |
Kanto YU has the bigger amplifier (70W vs 50W RMS). |
| Connections |
B |
Kanto YU adds Bluetooth. |
| Size |
depends |
Kanto YU2 is easier to place; Kanto YU is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
B |
Kanto YU: a sub output. |
| Price |
A |
Kanto YU2 is cheaper - $240 against $300, about 20% less. |
A Kanto YU2
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?
Kanto YU leads across most of the measured areas for a fairly modest premium, which makes it the easier pick if the budget stretches. Kanto YU2 is the one to take if it does not. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 80Hz anyway, which makes the cheaper Kanto YU2 much easier to justify. In a large or open-plan room, Kanto YU 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.