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- Main Differences Between Kanto YU6 vs Audioengine A5+
- Key specifications
- Kanto YU6 vs Audioengine A5+ feature comparison
- Kanto YU6
- Audioengine A5+
- Kanto YU6 vs Audioengine A5+ - Pros and Cons
- Kanto YU6
- Audioengine A5+
- The Best alternatives to Kanto YU6 and Audioengine A5+ Bookshelf speakers
- Frequently asked questions about Kanto YU6 and Audioengine A5+ speakers
- The Verdict: Is Kanto YU6 a better option than the Audioengine A5+?
Getting bookshelf speakers produced by a well-known brand is usually the easiest way to ensure that the model you choose has excellent playback capabilities. In this Kanto YU6 vs Audioengine A5+, we’re going to take a look at two premium bookshelf speakers produced by established brands.
Both of these companies are relatively new on the market, as they only started producing speakers in the mid-2000s. Despite being novel speaker manufacturers, Kanto and Audioengine still offer some of the best bookshelf speakers you can get.
Let’s start by taking a look at the differences between each of these speakers.
Enclosed in handcrafted MDF cabinets measuring 10.7" tall, YU6’s 1” silk dome tweeters and 5.25” Kevlar drivers deliver crisp highs and wonderfully balanced mid-range, faithfully reproducing all your favorite tunes.
Main Differences Between Kanto YU6 vs Audioengine A5+
The Main Differences Between Kanto YU6 vs Audioengine A5+ are:
- Kanto YU6 has 1-inch dome tweeters, whereas the Audioengine A5+ has ¾-inch dome tweeters
- Kanto YU6 utilizes a Class D amplifier, whereas the Audioengine A5+ features Dual-class AB monolithic amplifier
- Kanto YU6 has an optical input, whereas this feature is not included on the Audioengine A5+ speakers
- Kanto YU6’s maximum power output is 200W, whereas Audioengine A5+ speakers have 150W maximum power output
- Kanto YU6 has solid bamboo rear-ported cabinets, whereas the Audioengine A5+’s cabinets are made of medium-density fiberboard
Key specifications
| Kanto YU6 | Audioengine A5+ | |
| Power output | 200W (100W per channel) | 150W (75W per channel) |
| Inputs | 3.5mm mini-jack, RCA with Phono switch, 2x Optical (TOSLINK), Bluetooth 4.0 | 3.5mm mini-jack, RCA L/R, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Amplifier types | Class D | Dual-class AB monolithic |
| Drivers | 1-inch silk dome tweeters
5.25 Kevlar® drivers |
¾-inch silk dome tweeters
5’’aramid fiber woofers |
| Dimensions | 6.9 x 8.1 x 10.7 inches | L: 10.75 x 7 x 9 inches
R: 10.75 x 7 x 7.75 inches |
| Weight |
L: 11.4lbs R: 8.7lbs |
L:15.4lbs
R: 9.6lbs |
| Latest price | Check the latest price here | Check the latest price here |
Kanto YU6 vs Audioengine A5+ feature comparison
Let’s take a closer look at the essential features of Kanto YU6 and Audioengine A5+ bookshelf speakers.
Kanto YU6
The YU series is the reason why the Kanto brand is frequently mentioned in conversations about the best bookshelf speakers under $1000. This series currently has four models, YU, YU2, YU4, and YU6, and all other speakers from this series have lower performance capabilities than the YU6 model.
In addition, all of Kanto’s speakers from the YU series, except the YU2 model, support Bluetooth, which enables you to connect them to all audio sources that are Bluetooth enabled. Speakers from Kanto’s YU series can be used with analog and digital audio playback devices.
In addition to versatile connectivity options, the Kanto YU6 also delivers remarkable sound quality and you can use them to enhance the audio playback on your TV, computer, or even turntables.
It is also worth noting that the YU6 speakers can get very loud without jeopardizing the quality of the sound they’re producing.
Enclosed in handcrafted MDF cabinets measuring 10.7" tall, YU6’s 1” silk dome tweeters and 5.25” Kevlar drivers deliver crisp highs and wonderfully balanced mid-range, faithfully reproducing all your favorite tunes.
Key features
- 50Hz to 20kHz frequency response
- 100W power output per channel
- Bluetooth™ 4.0 with Qualcomm® aptX™
- D-class amplifier
- 5.25-inch Kevlar® drivers
- Built-in subwoofer output
- Battery-powered remote
Overall design
The elegant and modern design of YU6 speakers makes them suitable for any room in your home. You can pair them with a TV in your living room or use them as computer speakers in your study.
Their cabinets are built from solid bamboo, which makes them sturdy and gives them excellent acoustic properties.
The front of both YU6 speakers features 1-inch tweeters and 5.25 Kevlar woofers that provide high-frequency sound, while the shape of the dome makes the sound dispersion process more effective.
These speakers don’t have grills and you can’t cover the tweeters or woofers. The D-class amplifier ensures that the Kanto YU6 can produce sounds in the frequency range that spans from 50Hz to 20kHz, which allows these speakers to deliver accurate heavy-bass lines.
The manufacturer offers these speakers in four colors and you can choose between Matte Black, Matte White, Bamboo, and Walnut options.
Playback capabilities
The sound quality the Kanto YU6 bookshelf speakers deliver matches the expectations of the most demanding audiophiles. These speakers perform equally well regardless of the genre of music you’re listening to or the movie you’re watching.
Moreover, various connectivity options the YU6 offers enable you to pair it with both analog and digital audio playback devices. The backside of the left speaker is equipped with a 3.5mm mini-jack and RCA with phono switch inputs that let you connect the YU6 to turntables and other analog audio sources.
Also, the same panel contains two TOSLINK optical inputs that can be used if you want to connect these speakers to a computer or some other digital audio playback device. You can also connect the YU6 speakers to an audio source wirelessly via Bluetooth.
This Kanto’s model comes with a remote that enables you to switch between audio sources, increase or decrease the volume or adjust the bass or treble levels.
Other noteworthy features
The Kanto YU6 speaker also has a USB port that can be used to charge the device you’re using to stream or play the audio content. Also, the automatic signal detection feature puts the speakers into sleep mode when they are not in use, and continues playback as soon as you play a new track.
Also, the manufacturer includes 16ft speaker wire in the package as well as a 6.5ft 3.5mm auxiliary cable. The speaker stands for these speakers must be purchased separately, as they are not included in the offer.
In case you don’t want to place the YU6 speakers on a stand, you can easily mount them onto a wall as both left and right speakers have a ¼-inch threaded mounting hole.
However, you’ll need to make sure that the mounting mechanism you use can hold their weight as the left speaker weighs 11.4lbs and the weight of the right speaker is 8.7lbs.
Reliability
A high-frequency response range, excellent connectivity options, and 200W maximum power output are some of the reasons why Kanto YU6 speakers are so highly praised audiophiles. All components of these speakers are durable and capable of withstanding years of daily usage.
The manufacturer offers a limited two-year warranty that covers defects of the original parts. All damages that occur as a result of normal use are not included in the warranty and owners must cover the reparation costs.
The Kanto YU6 speakers can last for years without losing their original sound quality, which makes them an excellent long term investment.
Audioengine A5+
While considering Audionegine’s model it is very important to make a distinction between the A5+ wireless speaker system and the A5+ speaker system. The features of these two versions of A5+ speakers are nearly identical, with one major difference.
The A5+ speaker system isn’t Bluetooth enabled, and you can’t connect it to audio playback devices wirelessly. Moreover, these speakers don’t have optical inputs as they only feature RCA and AUX ports.
Despite being more affordable than the A5+ wireless speaker system, the A5+ speaker system’s limited connection options make it a good choice only if you don’t want to use the Bluetooth feature.
Besides the wireless connectivity option, the A5+ home music system also features a built-in DAC that improves the quality of sound received from digital audio sources.
However, the price difference between the two versions of A5+ speakers is considerable, and you should only opt for the more expensive option if DAC or Bluetooth features are important to you.
Audioengine 5+ Premium Powered Speakers deliver audiophile-quality sound and features at a price that continues to set the standard for affordable high-quality audio. Connect your phone and tablet, computer, TV, or any other audio component for great stereo sound in any room.
Key features
- 150W maximum power output
- AKM AK4396 built-in D/A converter
- 100ft wireless connectivity range
- 50Hz to 22kHZ frequency response
- Manually switchable input voltages
- Dual-class AB monolithic amplifier
- 5-inch aramid woofers and ¾-inch silk dome tweeters
Overall design
The A5+ speakers don’t look different from all other models from the Audioengine’s A-series, although they are larger and heavier than A1+ or A2+ speakers. The cabinets of A5+ wireless speakers are made of MDF material that ensures their sturdiness.
You’ll find a ¾-inch silk dome and a 5-inch aramid woofer at the front of the left and right speakers, while the power indicator, remote receiver, and volume control are all located on the front end of the left speaker.
The frequency response range of the Audioengine A5+ is 50Hz to 22 kHz which is slightly wider than the frequency response range of the Kanto YU6. This means that the A5+ model handles high frequency sounds better than Kanto’s speakers.
You can choose between Bamboo, Hi-Gloss White, and Satin Black finishes, which doesn’t leave you too much room to search for color options that best fit the room in which you want to place the A5+ wireless speakers.
Playback capabilities
Versatility is arguably one of the greatest advantages the Audioengine A5+ speakers have to offer, as their performance is equally impressive when they are used as TV, computer, or turntable speakers.
The Bluetooth antenna is located at the top of the rear panel of the left speaker and next to it is the Pair button. The 3.5mm mini-jack and RCA inputs and outputs are directly below the Bluetooth antenna which grants you quick access to these connection ports in case you decide to use them.
The lower end of the left speaker’s rear panel houses the manual voltage switch and the power button, but you should bear in mind that there is no need to turn off the A5+ speakers when you leave the room since their power consumption is just 4W while they are in Sleep mode.
The clarity of sound the Audioengine’s speakers produce is impressive, but they are not as powerful as the Kanto YU6 speakers.
Other noteworthy features
The remote control is the only accessory that comes with these speakers, but you can only use it to control the volume level. The bass and treble adjustment options are not available which makes the A5+’s remote control impractical.
These speakers ship with 13ft of speaker wire and 6.5ft mini jack and 6.5 RCA audio cables, but stands or isolation feet are not included in the offer. Also, mounting these speakers onto a wall can be difficult as they don’t contain mounting holes.
The A5+ speakers are heavier and larger than the Kanto YU6 speakers but they won’t occupy too much space on your desk or TV stand. The thermal protection prevents these speakers from overheating while the Output Current Limiting feature controls the voltage of the current.
Reliability
All components of the A5+ speakers are made in accordance with the highest industry standards, and you can rely on them to deliver excellent sound for years.
Audioengine’s speakers come with a limited 3-year warranty, while you can return the A5+ wireless speakers within 30 days of the purchase if you are not satisfied with their performance.
The sound quality of these speakers is not impacted by the volume level, but listening to loud music frequently will affect their audio playback capabilities.
You should also keep in mind that connecting these speakers to a compatible subwoofer like Audioengine S8 improves the A5+’s bass playback capacity. Read our Audioengine A5+ review to learn more about the non-wireless version of these speakers.
Kanto YU6 vs Audioengine A5+ – Pros and Cons
Kanto YU6
Pros
- Versatile connectivity options
- Compact and functional design
- High maximum power output
- Excellent performance at an affordable price
Cons
- May struggle with heavy bass audio
- Short warranty period
Audioengine A5+
Pros
- Suitable for analog and digital audio playback devices
- Simple setup process
- Low power consumption
- Wide frequency response range
Cons
- More expensive than bookshelf speakers with similar features
- The remote control offers just basic options
The Best alternatives to Kanto YU6 and Audioengine A5+ Bookshelf speakers
There are hundreds of bookshelf speaker models that can perform at the same level as the Kanto YU6 and Audioengine A5+ speakers. So, if neither of these speakers fits your needs, you should consider models produced by Fluance, Klipsch, and other leading loudspeaker manufacturers.
We selected a few alternative bookshelf speakers that are equipped with a similar set of features like the Audioengine A5+ and Kanto YU5, so let’s take a look at what they have to offer.
DALI SPEKTOR 2
Unlike the Audioengine’s and Kanto’s speakers, the DALI SPEKTOR 2 is not powered, which means that you must connect it to an external amplifier. However, these speakers are compatible with a broad range of amplifiers so you can opt for any Hi-Fi or Stereo option you want.
The wood fiber cones and soft dome tweeters ensure efficient sound dispersion so that you can position the speakers as you see fit. The DALI SPEKTOR 2 speakers are an ideal choice if you are looking for an affordable model that can deliver high audio quality.
Dali’s low-loss drivers uses a mix of low-mass paper cones with wood fibre reinforcement. The embedded wood fibres give the surface an uneven structure, which dramatically minimizes the resonance of the surface. This creates the best possible reproduction of every detail in the audio signal.
Fluance Ai40
The frequency response range of the Fluance Ai40 spans from 40 Hz to 20 kHz, and they can play both low and high-frequency sounds without distorting them.
The high sound quality these speakers generate can also be attributed to the 1-inch ferrofluid-cooled 1-inch silk soft dome tweeters and the 5-inch Woven Glass Fiber woofer. However, the amp that powers these speakers can only provide 35W per channel.
The Fluance Ai40 is Bluetooth enabled and you can connect it to an audio source wirelessly, but only within a limited range. Check out our Fluance XL7F review to get more info about these floor-standing speakers.
Klipsch RP-600M
The impressively long list of features Klipsch RP-600M speakers offer, make them a great choice for audiophiles that appreciate high audio quality. However, you should keep in mind that these speakers don’t come with a built-in amp, and they don’t have wireless connection options.
The Hybrid Tractix® technology was utilized to eliminate the reverb and widen the response frequency of these speakers. 6.5-inch woofers are made of spun copper cerametallic, while the Bass Reflex option is triggered through the Rear-Firing Tractrix® port.
Although the Klipsch RP-600M bookshelf speakers are not designed to be used with computers, they are still a great addition to any household. Read our Klipsch Music Center 3 review if you are searching for portable speakers.
Leveraging a 1" titanium tweeter matted to our proprietary hybrid Tractrix horn - the RP-600M bookshelf speaker delivers incredible acoustics to fill your home with loud, crystal-clear sound and robust bass that no ordinary bookshelf speaker can.
Frequently asked questions about Kanto YU6 and Audioengine A5+ speakers
Question: Do I need to get a subwoofer for Kanto YU6 speakers?
Answer: The Kanto YU6 speakers can handle heavy bass at different volume levels, but pairing them with a subwoofer will make their sound more nuanced.
Question: Can I use Kanto YU6 as a computer speaker?
Answer: Yes, you can. You can connect Kanto YU6 speakers to a computer via Bluetooth or use one of their optical ports to play audio from a Mac or PC.
Question: Is it possible to connect the Audioengine A5+ speakers to turntables without a phono preamp?
Answer: You must first connect the turntables to a phono preamp since the Audioengine A5+ speakers don’t have a built-in phono preamp.
Question: Is it safe to place Audioengine A5+ speakers near a monitor?
Answer: Yes, it is, because both drivers are video shielded so that they cannot be damaged even if they are within a few inches from the monitor.
The Verdict: Is Kanto YU6 a better option than the Audioengine A5+?
Kanto’s and Audioengine’s speakers are capable of producing remarkable audio quality for the speakers of their size. However, the Audioengine A5+ cannot match the performance capabilities of the Kanto YU6, despite being a more expensive option.
The built-in phono preamp, larger tweeters, or more versatile connectivity options are just a few reasons why we recommend choosing the Kanto YU6 over Audioengine A5+. Also, the Kanto’s speakers are smaller and lighter than the A5+ wireless model which makes them easier to fit different settings.
Was this Kanto YU6 VS Audioengine A5+ comparison useful? Leave a comment and share your opinions with us or continue reading our Audioengine P4 review.
Enclosed in handcrafted MDF cabinets measuring 10.7" tall, YU6’s 1” silk dome tweeters and 5.25” Kevlar drivers deliver crisp highs and wonderfully balanced mid-range, faithfully reproducing all your favorite tunes.
Both the YU6’s and the A5+ speakers are rated at 100 watts/pair so that needs correcting