In this review, we will be comparing R-41PM and YU4, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Klipsch and 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 Klipsch R-41PM and Kanto YU4 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Klipsch R-41PM | Kanto YU4 |
|---|
| Brand | Klipsch
United States · founded 1946 | Kanto
Canada · founded 2007 |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 2-way |
|---|
| Built-in amplifier | 70-watt RMS (140-watt peak) | 70-watt RMS (140-watt peak) |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.0" Tractrix Horn | 1" Soft-Dome |
|---|
| Woofer | 4.0" Copper-spun IMG | 4" Kevlar |
|---|
| Frequency response | 76-21k Hz | 60-20k Hz |
|---|
| Max depth / sample rate | 24-bit / 96 kHz | 24-bit / 96 kHz |
|---|
| Bluetooth | Built-in 3.0 | Built-in 4.0 |
|---|
| Weight | 3.70kg / 8.1lbs | 2.50kg / 5.5lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 11.0625" x 5.8125" x 9.5"
281.0 x 147.6 x 241.3mm | 8.7" x 5.5" x 7.5"
220.0 x 140.0 x 190.0mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both R-41PM and YU4 are 2-way speakers.
Klipsch R-41PMKanto YU4
TweeterWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Klipsch R-41PM |
Kanto YU4 |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
2-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.0-inch
|
1-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
- |
|
Woofer
|
1 x 4.0-inch
|
1 x 4-inch
|
R-41PM features a 1.0" Aluminum LTS Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 4.0" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1770Hz. On the other hand, the YU4 features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 4" Kevlar Woofer.
Frequency Response
R-41PM has a frequency range of 76-21k Hz whereas YU4 has a frequency range of 60-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 60Hz, the YU4 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-41PM's min frequency of 76Hz.
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 R-41PM and YU4 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 Klipsch R-41PM's and Kanto YU4's external dimensions. Klipsch R-41PM has external dimensions of 281.0 x 147.6 x 241.3mm (11.0625 x 5.8125 x 9.5inch) whereas Kanto YU4 has external dimensions of 220.0 x 140.0 x 190.0mm (8.7 x 5.5 x 7.5inch).
Klipsch R-41PM is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 7.6mm wider, 61mm taller and 51.3mm deeper than Kanto YU4.
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.
Klipsch R-41PM needs about 34% more floor or shelf area. Klipsch R-41PM is 51mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Klipsch R-41PM is 61mm 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 Klipsch R-41PM is approximately 356.2cm2 / 55.2inch2 and base area of the Kanto YU4 is approximately 266.0cm2 / 41.2inch2. The R-41PM requires 34% more surface area than the YU4 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 Klipsch R-41PM weighs 3.70kg / 8.1lbs and the Kanto YU4 weighs 2.50kg / 5.5lbs. This makes the R-41PM 48% heavier than the YU4.
Here is a comparison of how R-41PM and YU4's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.
Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
What's in the Box of Klipsch R-41PM?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-41PM:
- Powered speaker (right)
- Passive speaker (left)
- 2 Grilles
- 68-inch AC power cord
- Remote control
- 2
What's in the Box of Kanto YU4?
Here are the items that come with the YU4:
- Remote with Batteries
- Power Cord
- Speaker Wire (16′)
- 3.5mm Auxiliary Cable (6.5′)
- 8 x Rubber Feet
- Manual
 High Frequency Response |
21k Hz
vs
20k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 USB Port |
USB-B
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
 Low Frequency Response |
60 Hz
vs
76 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
220mm
vs
281mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
266cm2
vs
356cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
450USD
vs
499USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
|
USB Port |
Charge only
vs
No
|
USB port adds flexibility |
| General |
Klipsch Reference R-41PM |
Kanto YU4 |
| Brand |
Klipsch |
Kanto |
| Speaker Type |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
Powered Stereo Speakers |
| Frequency Response |
76-21k Hz |
60-20k Hz |
Amplifier |
|
|
| Watts RMS (Continuous) |
70-watt RMS |
70-watt RMS |
| Watts Peak (Max) |
140-watt RMS |
140-watt RMS |
| Max Bit Depth |
24-bit |
24-bit |
| Max Sample Rate |
96 kHz |
96 kHz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
1 |
1 |
| Woofer Size |
4.0" |
4" |
| Woofer Composition |
Copper-spun IMG |
Kevlar |
| Tweeter Size |
1.0" |
1" |
| Tweeter Type |
Tractrix Horn |
Soft-Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Crossover Frequency |
1770Hz |
n/a |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
281.0mm (11.1") |
220.0mm (8.7") |
| Width |
147.6mm (5.8") |
140.0mm (5.5") |
| Depth |
241.3mm (9.5") |
190.0mm (7.5") |
| Weight |
3.70kg (8.1lbs) |
2.50kg (5.5lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
bass reflex |
| Mounting Bracket |
No |
No |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Aux Inputs |
3.5mm, RCA |
3.5mm, RCA |
| USB Port |
USB-B |
Charge only |
| Phone Input |
Yes |
Yes |
| Subwoofer Output |
Wired |
Wired |
| Digital Input |
Optical |
Optical (2) |
| HDMI Input |
No |
No |
| Headphone Jack |
No |
No |
| Ethernet Port |
No |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
1 Year |
2 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
1 Year |
2 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 | B | Kanto YU4 digs deeper - 60Hz against 76Hz. |
| Built-in power | evenly matched | Similar onboard amplification (70W vs 70W RMS). |
| Connections | evenly matched | The same set of inputs and streaming options. |
| Size | depends | Kanto YU4 is easier to place; Klipsch R-41PM is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability | depends | Klipsch R-41PM: a sub output; Kanto YU4: a sub output. |
| Price | evenly matched | Much the same money ($499 vs $450 a pair). |
A Klipsch R-41PM B Kanto YU4
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?
Kanto YU4 has the edge on paper, though the margin is not large. The rows marked "depends" may matter more to you than the score does. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 76Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch R-41PM has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Kanto YU4 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.