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  1. Home
  2. Powered Stereo Speakers
  3. Q Acoustics M20 HD vs Kanto YU6

Q Acoustics M20 HD vs Kanto YU6 Comparison

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Q Acoustics M20 HD

Powered Bookshelf | 55-22k Hz

Q Acoustics M20 HD Wireless Music System
Check price atAmazon›
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Kanto YU6

Powered Bookshelf | 50-20k Hz

Kanto YU6
Check price atAmazon›
Q Acoustics M20 HD Q Acoustics M20 HD
Check price atAmazon›
Kanto YU6 Kanto YU6
Check price atAmazon›
Q Acoustics M20 HD
See at AMAZON
Kanto YU6
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Q Acoustics M20 HD vs Kanto YU6 Speaker Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing M20 HD and YU6, two Powered Bookshelf speakers from Q Acoustics 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 Q Acoustics M20 HD and Kanto YU6 first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key SpecsQ Acoustics M20 HDKanto YU6
BrandQ Acoustics
United Kingdom · founded 2006
Kanto
Canada · founded 2007
Design2-way2-way
Built-in amplifier128-watt RMS100-watt RMS
Tweeter0.875" Dome1" Soft-Dome
Woofer5"5.25" Kevlar
Frequency response55-22k Hz50-20k Hz
Max depth / sample rate24-bit / 192 kHz24-bit / 96 kHz
BluetoothBuilt-in 5.0Built-in 4.0
Weight5.10kg / 11.2lbs4.00kg / 8.8lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)10-15/16" x 6-11/16" x 12-3/16"
278.0 x 170.0 x 310.0mm
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 M20 HD and YU6 are 2-way speakers.

Tweeter - 0.88 inchWoofer - 5 inch
Q Acoustics M20 HD
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 Q Acoustics M20 HD Kanto YU6
Driver Setup 2-way 2-way
Tweeter 0.875-inch 1-inch
Midrange - -
Woofer 1 x 5-inch 1 x 5.25-inch

M20 HD features a 0.875" Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5" Woofer. On the other hand, the YU6 features a 1" Silk Soft-Dome Tweeter and 1 x 5.25" Kevlar Woofer.

Frequency Response

M20 HD has a frequency range of 55-22k 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 M20 HD's min frequency of 55Hz.

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

M20 HD
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 M20 HD 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 Q Acoustics M20 HD's and Kanto YU6's external dimensions. Q Acoustics M20 HD has external dimensions of 278.0 x 170.0 x 310.0mm (10-15/16 x 6-11/16 x 12-3/16inch) whereas Kanto YU6 has external dimensions of 272.0 x 175.0 x 205.0mm (10.7 x 6.9 x 8.1inch).

Kanto YU6 is 6mm shorter and 105mm less deeper than Q Acoustics M20 HD but it is also 5mm wider.

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 Q Acoustics M20 HD is approximately 527.0cm2 / 81.7inch2 and base area of the Kanto YU6 is approximately 358.8cm2 / 55.6inch2. The M20 HD requires 47% 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 Q Acoustics M20 HD weighs 5.10kg / 11.2lbs and the Kanto YU6 weighs 4.00kg / 8.8lbs. This makes the M20 HD 28% heavier than the YU6.

Here is a comparison of how M20 HD and YU6's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Powered Bookshelf class.

Weight
All Bookshelf Speakers
Q Acoustics M20 HD
Kanto YU6
Min
Average
Max

What's in the Box of Q Acoustics M20 HD?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of M20 HD:
  • Powered speaker
  • Passive speaker
  • 6-feet AC power cord
  • Remote control
  • 2 AAA batteries
  • 13-feet Speaker wire
  • 59-inch Optical digital cable
  • 2 Foam port plugs
  • Owners Manual

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 Q Acoustics M20 HD Wireless Music System over Kanto YU6

High Frequency Response 22k Hz vs 20k Hz Generates higher frequency
USB Port USB-B vs No USB port adds flexibility

Reasons to choose Kanto YU6 over Q Acoustics M20 HD Wireless Music System

Woofer Size 5.25 inches vs 5 inches Larger woofer
Low Frequency Response 50 Hz vs 55 Hz Generates deeper bass
Height 272mm vs 278mm Easier to fit in smaller spaces
Base Surface Area 358cm2 vs 527cm2 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
Phono Input Yes vs No Connect your turntable directly

Q Acoustics M20 HD vs Kanto YU6 Specs Table

Detailed comparison of specifications
General Q Acoustics M20 HD Wireless Music System Kanto YU6
Brand Q Acoustics Kanto
Speaker Type Powered stereo speakers Powered Stereo Speakers
Frequency Response 55-22k Hz 50-20k Hz
Amplifier
Watts RMS (Continuous) 128-watt RMS 100-watt RMS
Max Bit Depth 24-bit 24-bit
Max Sample Rate 192 kHz 96 kHz
Drivers
Woofer Quantity 1 1
Woofer Size 5" 5.25"
Woofer Composition Kevlar
Tweeter Size 0.875" 1"
Tweeter Type Dome Soft-Dome
Aimable Tweeter No No
Midrange Driver No No
Firing Direction rear rear
Physical Specs
Height 278.0mm (10.9") 272.0mm (10.7")
Width 170.0mm (6.7") 175.0mm (6.9")
Depth 310.0mm (12.2") 205.0mm (8.1")
Weight 5.10kg (11.2lbs) 4.00kg (8.8lbs)
Enclosure Bass Reflex bass reflex
Available Colors Black, White, Walnut n/a
Mounting Bracket No No
Grille Yes n/a
Moisture Resistancy No No
Connections
Aux Inputs 3.5mm, Stereo RCA 3.5mm, RCA
USB Port USB-B Charge only
Phone Input No Yes
Subwoofer Output mono-RCA Wired
Digital Input Optical Optical (2)
HDMI Input No No
Headphone Jack No No
Ethernet Port No No
Other
Parts Warranty 2 Years 2 Years
Labor Warranty 2 Years 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 55Hz. A subwoofer would even that out.
Built-in powerAQ Acoustics M20 HD has the bigger amplifier (128W vs 100W RMS).
ConnectionsdependsQ Acoustics M20 HD adds streaming; Kanto YU6 adds phono.
SizedependsKanto YU6 is easier to place; Q Acoustics M20 HD is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides.
ExpandabilitydependsQ Acoustics M20 HD: a sub output; Kanto YU6: a sub output.
Priceevenly matchedMuch the same money ($599 vs $540 a pair).

A Q Acoustics M20 HD  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?

Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. In a large or open-plan room, Q Acoustics M20 HD 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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