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  1. Home
  2. Powered Stereo Speakers
  3. Klipsch R-51PM vs Kanto YU6

Klipsch R-51PM vs Kanto YU6 Comparison

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Klipsch R-51PM

Powered Bookshelf | 68-21k Hz

Klipsch Reference R-51PM
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Kanto YU6

Powered Bookshelf | 50-20k Hz

Kanto YU6
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Klipsch R-51PM Klipsch R-51PM
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Kanto YU6 Kanto YU6
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Klipsch R-51PM
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Kanto YU6
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Klipsch R-51PM vs Kanto YU6 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing R-51PM and YU6, 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-51PM and Kanto YU6 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsKlipsch R-51PMKanto YU6
BrandKlipsch
United States · founded 1946
Kanto
Canada · founded 2007
Design2-way2-way
Built-in amplifier120-watt RMS (240-watt peak)100-watt RMS
Tweeter1.0" Tractrix Horn1" Soft-Dome
Woofer5.25" Copper-spun IMG5.25" Kevlar
Frequency response68-21k Hz50-20k Hz
Max depth / sample rate24-bit / 96 kHz24-bit / 96 kHz
BluetoothBuilt-in 3.0Built-in 4.0
Weight4.80kg / 10.6lbs4.00kg / 8.8lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)13" x 7.0625" x 10.25"
330.2 x 179.4 x 260.3mm
10.7" x 6.9" x 8.1"
272.0 x 175.0 x 205.0mm

The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.


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


Drivers

Both R-51PM and YU6 are 2-way speakers.

Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
Klipsch R-51PM
Tweeter - 1 inchWoofer - 5.25 inch
Kanto YU6

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-51PM Kanto YU6
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1.0-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5.25-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

R-51PM features a 1.0" Aluminum LTS Tractrix Horn Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Copper-spun IMG Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1663Hz. On the other hand, the YU6 features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Kevlar Woofer.

Frequency Response

R-51PM has a frequency range of 68-21k Hz whereas YU6 has a frequency range of 50-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 50Hz, the YU6 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the R-51PM's min frequency of 68Hz.

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

R-51PM
YU6
Min
Average
Median

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-51PM and YU6 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-51PM's and Kanto YU6's external dimensions. Klipsch R-51PM has external dimensions of 330.2 x 179.4 x 260.3mm (13 x 7.0625 x 10.25inch) whereas Kanto YU6 has external dimensions of 272.0 x 175.0 x 205.0mm (10.7 x 6.9 x 8.1inch).

Klipsch R-51PM is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 4.4mm wider, 58.2mm taller and 55.3mm deeper than Kanto YU6.

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-51PM is approximately 467.0cm2 / 72.4inch2 and base area of the Kanto YU6 is approximately 358.8cm2 / 55.6inch2. The R-51PM requires 30% more surface area than the YU6 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-51PM weighs 4.80kg / 10.6lbs and the Kanto YU6 weighs 4.00kg / 8.8lbs. This makes the R-51PM 20% heavier than the YU6.

Here is a comparison of how R-51PM and YU6's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Klipsch R-51PM
Kanto YU6
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Klipsch R-51PM?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of R-51PM:
  • Powered speaker (right)
  • Passive speaker (left)
  • 2 Grilles
  • 68-inch AC power cord
  • Remote control
  • 2

What's in the Box of Kanto YU6?

Here are the items that come with the YU6:
  • Remote with Batteries
  • Power Cord
  • Speaker Wire (16′)
  • 3.5mm Auxiliary Cable (6.5′)
  • 8 x Rubber Feet
  • Manual


Reasons to choose Klipsch Reference R-51PM over Kanto YU6

High Frequency Response 21k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
USB Port USB-B vs No USB port adds flexibility

Reasons to choose Kanto YU6 over Klipsch Reference R-51PM

Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 68 Hz Generates deeper bass
Height 272mm vs 330mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 358cm2 vs 467cm2 Takes less floor space
Price per pair* 540USD vs 599USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
USB Port Charge only vs No USB port adds flexibility

Klipsch R-51PM vs Kanto YU6 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Klipsch Reference R-51PM Kanto YU6
Brand Klipsch Kanto
Speaker Type Powered Stereo Speakers Powered Stereo Speakers
Frequency Response 68-21k Hz 50-20k Hz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous) 120-watt RMS 100-watt RMS
Watts Peak (Max) 240-watt RMS n/a
Max Bit Depth 24-bit 24-bit
Max Sample Rate 96 kHz 96 kHz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 5.25" 5.25"
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 1663Hz n/a
Firing Direction rear rear
Physical Specs
Height 330.2mm (13") 272.0mm (10.7")
Width 179.4mm (7.1") 175.0mm (6.9")
Depth 260.3mm (10.2") 205.0mm (8.1")
Weight 4.80kg (10.6lbs) 4.00kg (8.8lbs)
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

Verdict

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.

AreaBetterWhy
BassBKanto YU6 digs deeper - 50Hz against 68Hz.
Built-in powerevenly matchedSimilar onboard amplification (120W vs 100W RMS).
Connectionsevenly matchedThe same set of inputs and streaming options.
SizedependsKanto YU6 is easier to place; Klipsch R-51PM is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
ExpandabilitydependsKlipsch R-51PM: a sub output; Kanto YU6: a sub output.
Priceevenly matchedMuch the same money ($599 vs $540 a pair).

A Klipsch R-51PM  B Kanto YU6
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 YU6 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 68Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Klipsch R-51PM has the cabinet volume to fill it more easily; in a small room, near a wall or at desk distance, Kanto YU6 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.


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