In this review, we will be comparing YU4 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 YU4 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 YU4 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 YU4 and HD3 are 2-way speakers.
| Driver |
Kanto YU4 |
Audioengine HD3 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
0.75-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4-inch
|
1 x 2.75-inch
|
YU4 features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" 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
YU4 has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz whereas HD3 has a frequency range of 65-22k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the YU4 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the HD3's min frequency of 65Hz.
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
YU4 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 YU4 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 YU4's and Audioengine HD3's external dimensions. Kanto YU4 has external dimensions of 220.0 x 140.0 x 190.0mm ( 8.7 x 5.5 x 7.5inch) 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 32mm narrower and 12.2mm less deeper than Kanto YU4 but it is also 11.8mm 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 YU4 is approximately 266.0cm2 / 41.2inch2 and base area of the Audioengine HD3 is approximately 192.0cm2 / 29.8inch2. The YU4 requires 39% more surface area than the HD3 which gives it a small disadvantage 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 YU4 weighs 2.50kg / 5.5lbs and the Audioengine HD3 weighs 1.55kg / 3.4lbs. This makes the YU4 61% heavier than the HD3.
Here is a comparison of how YU4 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 YU4?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of YU4:
Remote with Batteries Power Cord Speaker Wire (16′) 3.5mm Auxiliary Cable (6.5′) 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 |
4 inches
vs
2.75 inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
65 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
220mm
vs
231mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 USB Port |
Charge only
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 Phono Input |
Yes
vs
No
|
Connect your turntable directly |
 Digital Input |
Optical (2)
vs
No
|
Connect digital inputs directly |
 High Frequency Response |
22k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Port Position |
Front
vs
Rear
|
Gives more flexibility placing close to walls |
 Base Surface Area |
192cm2 (108x177mm)
vs
266cm2 (140x190mm)
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
349USD
vs
450USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| USB Port |
microUSB
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 Headphone Output |
3.5mm
vs
No
|
Connect your headphone |
| General |
Kanto YU4 |
Audioengine HD3 |
| Brand |
Kanto |
Audioengine |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
60-20k Hz |
65-22k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
70-watt RMS |
30-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
140-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 |
4" |
2.75" |
| Woofer Composition |
Kevlar |
Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite |
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
0.75" |
| Tweeter Type |
Soft-Dome |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
front |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
220.0mm (8.7") |
231.8mm (9.1") |
| Width |
140.0mm (5.5") |
108.0mm (4.3") |
| Depth |
190.0mm (7.5") |
177.8mm (7") |
| Weight |
2.50kg (5.5lbs) |
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 |
3.5mm, RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
Charge only |
microUSB |
| Phone Input |
Yes |
No |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
Optical (2) |
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 |