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Kanto YU4 vs Audioengine HD3 Comparison

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Kanto YU4

Powered Bookshelf | 60-20k Hz

Kanto YU4
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Audioengine HD3

Powered Bookshelf | 65-22k Hz

Audioengine HD3
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Kanto YU4 Kanto YU4
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Audioengine HD3 Audioengine HD3
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Kanto YU4
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Audioengine HD3
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Kanto YU4 vs Audioengine HD3 Speaker Comparison

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.

Kanto YU4 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 70-watt RMS( 140-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 4" Kevlar Woofer
  • 60-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 24-bit Max Depth / 96 kHz Max Sample Rate
  • Built-in 4.0 Bluetooth
  • Weight:2.50kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 220.0" x 5.5" x 7.5"( 220.0 x 140.0 x 190.0mm )

Audioengine HD3 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 30-watt RMS( 60-watt Peak) Integrated Amplifier
  • 0.75" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 2.75" Kevlar/Glass-Aramid Composite Woofer
  • 65-22k Hz Frequency Response
  • 24-bit Max Depth / 48 kHz Max Sample Rate
  • Built-in 5.0 Bluetooth
  • Weight:1.55kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 231.8" x 4.25" x 7.25"( 231.8 x 108.0 x 177.8mm )

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.


**This post contains affiliate links, and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through my links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.


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

YU4
HD3
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Kanto YU4
Audioengine HD3
Min
Average
Max

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
Kanto YU4
Audioengine HD3
Min
Average
Max

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 speaker
  • Passive speaker
  • 2 Grilles (pre-installed)
  • AC power supply (attached 6-feet DC cord)
  • 6-feet AC power cord
  • Bluetooth antenna
  • 5-feet microUSB-to-USB cable
  • 6.5-feet Speaker cable (banana connectors on each end)
  • 5-feet Stereo minijack cable
  • 2 Microfiber speaker bags
  • MIcrofiber cable bag
  • Quickstart Guide
  • Product Line Brochure

  • Reasons to choose Kanto YU4 over Audioengine HD3
    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

    Reasons to choose Audioengine HD3 over Kanto YU4

    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 vs 266cm2 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
    Kanto YU4 vs Audioengine HD3 Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    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

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