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Polk XT15 vs Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch Comparison

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Polk XT15

Passive Bookshelf | 48-40k Hz

Polk Audio Monitor XT15
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Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch

Passive Bookshelf | 50-20k Hz

Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch
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Polk XT15 Polk XT15
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Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch Kanto YU Passive 5.2...
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Polk XT15
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Kanto YU Passive 5.2...
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Polk XT15 vs Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing XT15 and YU Passive 5.25-inch, two Passive Bookshelf speakers from Polk Audio and Kanto.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of Polk XT15 and Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Polk XT15 Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 5.25" Bi-laminate paper Woofer
  • 48-40k Hz Frequency Response
  • 86 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 8ohms
  • Power Range:30-150watts
  • Weight:4.09kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 270.0" x 6-9/16" x 7-3/16"( 270.0 x 167.0 x 183.0mm )

Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch Key Specs

  • 2-way Design
  • 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter
  • 5.25" kevlar Woofer
  • 50-20k Hz Frequency Response
  • 89 dB Sensitivity
  • Impedance: 6ohms
  • Weight:4.00kg
  • Dimensions (H x W x D): 272.0" x 6.9" x 8.1"( 272.0 x 175.0 x 205.0mm )

What size room are the Polk XT15 and Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch speakers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size and max power parameters:

Listening Environment* Polk XT15 Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch
Near-field Poor Average
Small Room Average Good
Mid-size Room Good Average
Large Room Average Poor
Very Large Room Poor Bad

(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2, Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: > 400 sq. ft / 36 m2. Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening position, speaker locations, etc.)

In the following sections, we will get into more detail in order to better understand how the Polk XT15 and Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch 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 XT15 and YU Passive 5.25-inch are 2-way speakers.

Driver Polk XT15 Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 1-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5.25-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

XT15 features a 1" Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Bi-laminate paper Woofer . On the other hand, the YU Passive 5.25-inch features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" kevlar Woofer .

Frequency Response

XT15 has a frequency range of 48-40k Hz whereas YU Passive 5.25-inch has a frequency range of 50-20k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 48Hz, the XT15 can go slightly deeper then the YU Passive 5.25-inch's min frequency of 50Hz.

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

XT15
YU Passive 5.25-inch
Min
Average
Max
High Frequency

Bookshelf Speakers

Polk XT15
Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch
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.

Impedance and Sensitivity

XT15 is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the YU Passive 5.25-inch which has a nominal impedance of 6 ohms.

These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. XT15 sensitivity is rated at 86 dB and the YU Passive 5.25-inch's is rated at 89 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch a more sensitive speaker compared to Polk XT15, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.

Sensitivity

Bookshelf Speakers

XT15
YU Passive 5.25-inch
Min
Average
Max

Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring

XT15 features post type posts and YU Passive 5.25-inch has a post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.

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 Polk XT15's and Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch's external dimensions. Polk XT15 has external dimensions of 270.0 x 167.0 x 183.0mm ( 10-5/8 x 6-9/16 x 7-3/16inch) whereas Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch has external dimensions of 272.0 x 175.0 x 205.0mm ( 10.7 x 6.9 x 8.1inch) .

Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 8mm wider, 2mm taller and 22mm deeper than Polk XT15.

Below you can see the front view size comparison of Polk XT15 and Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch in scale.

Polk XT15 vs Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch Size Comparison - Front View
Comparison image of Polk XT15 and Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch 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 Polk XT15 is approximately 305.6cm2 / 47.4inch2 and base area of the Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch is approximately 358.8cm2 / 55.6inch2. The XT15 requires 15% less surface area than the YU Passive 5.25-inch which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.

Here is an another comparison that shows both speakers on a BDI Octave Media Cabinet, next to a standard size amplifier and turntable in scale:

Polk XT15 vs Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch Size Comparison on a Media Console
Size Comparison image of Polk XT15 and Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch 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 Polk XT15 weighs 4.09kg / 9lbs and the Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch weighs 4.00kg / 8.8lbs. This makes the XT15 2% heavier than the YU Passive 5.25-inch.

Here is a comparison of how XT15 and YU Passive 5.25-inch's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Polk XT15
Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Polk XT15?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of XT15:
  • 2 Bookshelf loudspeakers
  • 2 Grilles (attached)
  • 8 Self-adhesive rubber feet
  • Owners Manual
  • Online Product Registration
  • What's in the Box of Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch?

    Here are the items that come with the YU Passive 5.25-inch:
  • 8 x Rubber Feet
  • Manual

  • Reasons to choose Polk Audio Monitor XT15 over Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch
    Max Input Power 150 watts vs 100 watts Handle more power from your amplifier
    Nominal Impedance 8 ohms vs 6 ohms Less selective with amplifiers
    Low Frequency Response 48 Hz vs 50 Hz Generates deeper bass
    High Frequency Response 40k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
    Height 270mm vs 272mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
    Base Surface Area 305cm2 vs 358cm2 Takes less floor space
    Price per pair* 199USD vs 240USD costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)

    Reasons to choose Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch over Polk Audio Monitor XT15

    Sensitivity 89 dB vs 86 dB Play louder with same amount of amplification power
    Polk XT15 vs Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch Specs Table
    Detailed comparison of specifications
    General Polk Audio Monitor XT15 Kanto YU Passive 5.25-inch
    Brand Polk Audio Kanto
    Speaker Type Bookshelf speakers Bookshelf speakers
    Sensitivity 86 dB 89 dB
    Impedance 8 ohms 6 ohms
    Frequency Response 48-40k Hz 50-20k Hz
    Drivers
    Woofer Quantity 1 1
    Woofer Size 5.25" 5.25"
    Woofer Composition Bi-laminate paper kevlar
    Woofer Surround Material Rubber n/a
    Tweeter Size 1" 1"
    Tweeter Type Soft-Dome Soft-Dome
    Aimable Tweeter No No
    Midrange Driver No No
    Firing Direction n/a rear
    Physical Specs
    Height 270.0mm (10.6") 272.0mm (10.7")
    Width 167.0mm (6.6") 175.0mm (6.9")
    Depth 183.0mm (7.2") 205.0mm (8.1")
    Weight 4.09kg (9lbs) 4.00kg (8.8lbs)
    Enclosure Bass Reflex bass reflex
    Finish MDF, Vinyl n/a
    Available Colors Black Black,White
    Mounting Bracket No No
    Recommended Stand Height 28-32" n/a
    Grille Yes n/a
    Moisture Resistancy No No
    Connections
    Biamp Inputs No n/a
    Other
    Parts Warranty 5 Years 2 years
    Labor Warranty 5 Years 2 years

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