Kanto YU2 2-Channel 3" 100W Powered PC Desktop Speakers (various colors)

ddpp33

Oct 19, 2021 12:28 AM

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Joined May 2016

ddpp33Oct 19, 2021 12:28 AM

1.9K Comments

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I'd just like to point out these aren't really "bookshelf" speakers; they are quite small and more desktop speakers for a computer. You aren't going to get nearly the volume, or particularly the bass, that you would from normal sized "bookshelf" speakers.

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thebenny

Oct 19, 2021 12:38 AM

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Joined Dec 2019

thebennyOct 19, 2021 12:38 AM

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The title should call these "Desktop Speakers" and not "Bookshelf Speakers" to be more accurate as per Kanto's own description.

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L0wang

Oct 19, 2021 5:57 PM

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Joined Sep 2007

L0wangOct 19, 2021 5:57 PM

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These are nice speakers. Looks beautiful as decoration and hallways and nice sound quality - but missing all Bass (including lower mid range ~200hz and lower)... A small sub woofer is mandatory for personal listening.

If you can spend the money and need compact space then
YU4 or vanatoo T0 are better (bluetooth, USB, etc are also there)

If you can't afford is then Klipsch Promedia 2.1 is a better overall package (speaker+sub)

If you can't afford you can get a better speaker for cheaper (but much bigger) Edifier- https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R1...G8XRT53AJS

When it comes to speaker you can pick 2 of 3 things - Size, Bass, Price

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sdcaliceli

Oct 20, 2021 12:45 AM

139 Comments

Joined Oct 2008

sdcaliceliOct 20, 2021 12:45 AM

139 Comments

Quote from amp3d1

:

These are nice speakers. Looks beautiful as decoration and hallways and nice sound quality - but missing all Bass (including lower mid range ~200hz and lower)... A small sub woofer is mandatory for personal listening.

If you can spend the money and need compact space then
YU4 or vanatoo T0 are better (bluetooth, USB, etc are also there)

If you can't afford is then Klipsch Promedia 2.1 is a better overall package (speaker+sub)

If you can't afford you can get a better speaker for cheaper (but much bigger) Edifier- https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R1...G8XRT53AJS

When it comes to speaker you can pick 2 of 3 things - Size, Bass, Price

Agreed. I was blown away by how little bass these things had. I have a pair of audioengine A2's that are similar in size and at least those have some mid range oomph and make listening to dialogue bearable. I returned these because I didn't want to add a subwoofer to my setup.

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rrc06

Oct 20, 2021 7:05 AM

37.8K Comments

Joined May 2007

rrc06Oct 20, 2021 7:05 AM

37.8K Comments

$170 for desktop speakers. Wow

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Defenderr

Oct 20, 2021 7:06 AM

255 Comments

Joined Nov 2015

DefenderrOct 20, 2021 7:06 AM

255 Comments

I have these and find them perfect for my desktop, switching between my headset and these is a great fit for them. Audio quality is great and they tend to come into their own at a higher volume where they can produce a little more bass. They get very loud and I personally like their sound stage for what I use them for which is rock music and movies. They could use an external bass for the movies but Im in an apartment and running my Yu2's on high volume got me a noise complaint before so for me just standalone works fine. There are other closely competing options or slightly better but I found these to work best for me being already internally amped and powered by USB versus needing a receiver...I also got the original version which at the time I picked up for $105. at this price to be honest I would consider audio engine A2+, Fluance ai40, and if you can find them cheaper the peachtree M24 are good options to look for as well.

Last edited by defender0802 October 20, 2021 at 12:17 AM.

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Oisterboy

Oct 20, 2021 8:09 AM

2.1K Comments

Joined Jan 2016

OisterboyOct 20, 2021 8:09 AM

2.1K Comments

I have these set up with the Kanto sub for my turntable and they are excellent. They aren't quite as loud as you may want at first but the quality is top notch. I never bought into that whole audiophile nonsense - I just collect vinyl because I enjoy physical media. But after listening to these for months on end they have ruined most of my other cheap equipment for me. I never thought I could tell a difference until one day I just did!

I'm looking to swap for the 4s someday only because I would like the newer ones with the built in phono input. That will be my final upgrade to my setup, and I'm not in a rush to do so.

I can't recommend these highly enough if you listen to a lot of music. Probably not worth it just for movies and bad quality YouTube streaming but they are the best I've heard at their price for music.

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asde12S

Oct 20, 2021 8:33 AM

17 Comments

Joined Oct 2021

asde12SOct 20, 2021 8:33 AM

17 Comments

This or LCD-2c?

ryanbrancel

Oct 20, 2021 12:07 PM

550 Comments

Joined Jun 2003

ryanbrancelOct 20, 2021 12:07 PM

550 Comments

I also have these and have been very impressed with crisp detail, soundstage, and neutral approach. They are marketed as computer speakers and I use them for that purpose. Perhaps it depends on your listening preference, though I prefer speakers that are not artificially boomy and inflated towards a V shape EQ. The previous poster is completely wrong about anything lower than 200 Hz. If you do connect a subwoofer the frequency cutoff is recommended to set the sub at 80 Hz. So you have the flexibility to use your own subwoofer there. Though it's not necessary. For the discrete, compact footprint that this provides, the sound quality is excellent. I read/watched a few reviews that preferred the sound of these better than the Audioengine A2. In order to keep the size compact, there is no headphone jack and the volume control is on the back. Though I would never use a headphone jack if it had it (BT or direct to PC). The idea with these is to provide a compact package for your desk. For example, I also have the Edifier 1850DB and use them in the living room with a connection to a TV. Of course they provide a bit more low end but they would look silly on my computer desk.

Buckeyefan 1

Oct 20, 2021 12:51 PM

21.8K Comments

Joined Nov 2007

Buckeyefan 1Oct 20, 2021 12:51 PM

21.8K Comments

I recommend finding a used pair of Optimus Pro 7 or Realistic Minimus 7 cast aluminum speakers with a wireless bluetooth amp. The speakers should run about $45 and the amp $25. You won't find anything that compares. They're very small at 7" x 4.5" x 4.25". They have a 4" woofer and 1" silk dome tweeter, handle 40 watts and play down to 50Hz. They come in white or black. One of the small wonders of the audio world back in the day. There are some tear down videos on YouTube. The build quality and magnet size are amazing. Earlier models were made in Japan.

Last edited by Buckeyefan 1 October 20, 2021 at 06:12 AM.

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firebladekiller

Oct 20, 2021 1:46 PM

37 Comments

Joined Dec 2020

firebladekillerOct 20, 2021 1:46 PM

37 Comments

How well would these work as front heights for Atmos connected to my AVR? I have a 5.2 now and want a set of white speakers for Atmos heights to match my living room decor.

Have had the Jamos s801 in white back ordered for too long now from adorama.

Anobix

Oct 20, 2021 2:25 PM

106 Comments

Joined Nov 2015

AnobixOct 20, 2021 2:25 PM

106 Comments

Quote from amp3d1

:

These are nice speakers. Looks beautiful as decoration and hallways and nice sound quality - but missing all Bass (including lower mid range ~200hz and lower)... A small sub woofer is mandatory for personal listening.

If you can spend the money and need compact space then
YU4 or vanatoo T0 are better (bluetooth, USB, etc are also there)

If you can't afford is then Klipsch Promedia 2.1 is a better overall package (speaker+sub)

If you can't afford you can get a better speaker for cheaper (but much bigger) Edifier- https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R1...G8XRT53AJS [amazon.com]

When it comes to speaker you can pick 2 of 3 things - Size, Bass, Price

Good advice here, I'm personally saving for either the YU4 or T0 speakers (probably the T0], but these look to be nice little speakers if you want a very compact size and don't care about bass [without adding a sub].

MikeJawesome

Oct 20, 2021 2:30 PM

225 Comments

Joined Mar 2011

MikeJawesomeOct 20, 2021 2:30 PM

225 Comments

i have these and am still surprise at the sound these can make for their size.

goatee87

Oct 20, 2021 5:02 PM

464 Comments

Joined Mar 2006

goatee87Oct 20, 2021 5:02 PM

464 Comments

Quote from amp3d1

:

These are nice speakers. Looks beautiful as decoration and hallways and nice sound quality - but missing all Bass (including lower mid range ~200hz and lower)... A small sub woofer is mandatory for personal listening.

If you can spend the money and need compact space then
YU4 or vanatoo T0 are better (bluetooth, USB, etc are also there)

If you can't afford is then Klipsch Promedia 2.1 is a better overall package (speaker+sub)

If you can't afford you can get a better speaker for cheaper (but much bigger) Edifier- https://www.amazon.com/Edifier-R1...G8XRT53AJS [amazon.com]

When it comes to speaker you can pick 2 of 3 things - Size, Bass, Price

Kanto makes very good speakers. I have a 10 year YU4 as my primary desktop speakers and I really like them. I agree I am not sure YU2s are the right way to go except for people with very tight space constraints.

Kanto YU2 2-Channel 3" 100W Powered PC Desktop Speakers (various colors)

$170

$229

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