Kanto YU4 Review, A Powered Desktop Speaker

Pair your desktop computer with a powerful, reliable, and sleek desktop speaker like the Kanto YU4. Kanto is known for its versatile and modern desktop and bookshelf speaker models and we are proud to review the YU4 Powered Desktop Speakers in Matte Black and Matte White, So whether this is your first time looking for a desktop speaker or you’re out to find a replacement, let us help you decide with this Kanto YU4 desktop speaker review.

The Kanto YU4 Specs

• Dimensions: 17 x 13 x 12 inches, 20.4 pounds
• Wired or Wireless: wired speakers with Bluetooth capability.
• Materials: handcrafted cabinets, Kevlar drivers
• Sound quality: clear and detailed audio
• Color: Black, white and red
• Connections: wired connections from your PC or laptop to these speakers, Bluetooth technology.
• Special Features: with a built-in class D amp, 140W peak power, handcrafted speaker cabinets, Signal Detection, easy pairing, five inputs, automatic standby and power-up modes, easy to use interface.
• Accessories: a pair of speaker stands
• Warranty: limited warranty

The Kanto YU4 is a desktop speaker with a lot of uses. Aside from providing audio for your movies, it can also work as a gaming speaker, social media speaker, and phone speaker. It can pair with other equipment as long as it has Bluetooth. It can connect using a wired connection to work with your TV, stereo system, turntable, Blu-Ray, CD player, musical instruments, and more.

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Review Methodology

Desktop speakers are unlike home theater speakers. These are compact and built especially for PCs, laptops, and small electronics. Audio may not have the same quality as home theater speakers as these lack the receiver unit that enhances sound.

Our expertise in the industry has helped us create a fair, helpful review. Aside from just relying on the specs and features, we further considered what real-life users think about the Kanto YU4. We checked out personal experiences, reviews, consumer ratings, and comments about this desktop speaker and made sure that these were a part of our overall recommendations and verdict at the end of this review.

Kanto YU4 Speaker Overview

The Kanto YU4 is a pair of bookshelf speakers with Bluetooth capabilities. This pair is small, compact, and just the right size for an office, home office, or study setup. These speakers are simple but sleek with a matte surface that makes them resistant to scratches, marks, and discoloration.

The YU4 offers 140 watts of peak power using its built-in Class D amps. Those who have tried the Kanto YU agree that it sounds better than other desktop or bookshelf speakers. The audio sounds rich and loud, making the room look and feel spacious.

The YU4 is designed to provide the best quality sound with its enhanced drivers and dome tweeters. The cabinets are handcrafted to make sure you get the best results each time. It connects to almost all audio equipment including a vinyl record player and it can also connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to any smartphone, tablet, or PC.

The Kanto YU4 is rich in features that you may find helpful. There’s the signal detection feature with automatic standby mode and power-up features so you can save power. It is operated using remote control; use this to adjust the volume, balance, and for playback.

This desktop speaker is a standout despite its size. It is available in black, white, and red, you can easily pick one that matches your overall style.

Product Features and Rate Performance

The Kanto YU4 excels in design, form, and function. There are also some disadvantages of this product which will be discussed later.

The moment you take the Kanto YU4 out of the box, you’ll notice that it’s not as small as other bookshelf speakers. It’s 17 x 13 x 12 inches and has a combined weight of nearly 21 pounds. The speakers are also wider and the components larger or more prominent. It’s not surprising to look for the speaker controls and this is found at the face of the right speaker. A convenient blue LED light sits at the opposite of the control knob.

All the connections are at the back where they are secure and hidden from plain sight. And since this is a desktop speaker, it can conveniently sit on each side of your desktop PC or laptop. At this position, you can take advantage of all the best sound quality that only the Kanto YU4 desktop speaker can produce.

Let’s dive into the different features of the YU4 so you can better gauge if this is the right desktop speaker for your needs.

Ease of Use – 4.5 out of 5

Many factors will help you say that a desktop speaker is easy to use. First, it should be easy to assemble or install on your PC or audio equipment. Next, it has to provide easy access to cords and cables. Also, the speaker should be easy to adjust with controls at the front or with remote control. Lastly, the speakers should be easy to prop up, install on a bookshelf or wall.

The Kanto YU4 checks with almost all these features. It is easy to assemble as you can use it as soon as it is connected to your PC or laptop. It needs a driver to install but no worries because the driver installation is done within minutes. Once the drivers are installed, you may now use the YU4 according to your needs.

There’s a bit of a problem when it comes to connecting these speakers to your PC or equipment. The jacks are located at the back and therefore, you need to pull out the speaker from your computer table or bookshelf to connect your cables. If you’re not using Bluetooth, you’ll need to connect from the back which is a hassle. But if you will use Bluetooth to connect your smartphone or laptop, pairing is almost instantaneous and the audio is crystal clear.

Controls are limited and may take time to learn. We recommend using the remote control instead of the knob. Adjacent to it is an LED light that tells you that the speakers are powered on.

Design – 4.8 out of 5

It’s an almost perfect score for the Kanto YU when it comes to design as there are no sharp corners with this speaker set, only luxurious curves. The speaker cabinet is reinforced to produce the best quality, loud and vibrant sound. The outer surface has a matte layer that resists stains, scratches, and marks. Whether you order the YU4 white, red, or walnut cabinets, you’ll get the same comfortable matte surface. This will surely match your modern home interiors.

This pair of Kanto desktop speakers comes with a unique frame stand that tilts the speaker at just the right angle. The S4 speaker stands are durable, easy to use, and match the color of the speaker you ordered. Just prop the stand anywhere and screw the speaker on the base.

Features – 4 out of 5

The Kanto YU4 is packed with many features to help you enjoy audio coming from your PC, device, or audio equipment. It produces 140 watts peak power through its durable and reliable Class D amp. The drivers are made from Kevlar material which means that it’s durable, waterproof, and very reliable. Meanwhile, there are silk dome tweeters that reproduce your tunes without fail.

Under the hood are the Bluetooth AptX and the Qualcomm apt XTM that will let you stream from any Bluetooth-capable device even when you’re across the room. The integrated phono preamp can connect to vintage audio equipment such as turntables and tuners as well as audio receivers, modern home theater systems, and many more.

The YU4 has power-saving features with its efficient Signal Detection that will automatically place the unit on standby or to power up when in use. Use the knob at the front of the remote control that comes with the speakers. The remote lets you control volume, tone, inputs, and balance when you connect your devices via Bluetooth.

Value for Money – 4.8 out of 5

The Kanto YU4 offers a variety of features and is one of the easiest to use making it a good value for your money. This bookshelf speaker pair offers good audio to enhance your listening experience not just when you’re using your PC or laptop but also with other audio devices. The YU4 speakers are a rare find. These are not just ordinary speakers that you can plug and play but are equipped with a phono preamp which makes them more efficient and more versatile than regular desktop speakers. We recommend the Kanto YU4 if you’re looking for a desktop speaker that offers great features and true value.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of the Product

Even the most highly-rated products have their drawbacks. Check the pros and cons of using the Kanto YU4 before you make your purchase.

Pros

• With a sleek and modern design, easy to match with your modern living space.
• Works with all kinds of desktops, laptops, audio equipment, and mobile devices.
• Connects via wired and wireless connections.
• With a wide variety of connections/ports available.
• With high-powered drivers and efficient tweeters.
• Speaker cabinets are reinforced for better sound quality.
• With a speaker stand that tilts the speakers at just the right angle.
• Easy to use and configure with the speaker remote.
• With power-saving features.
• With Bluetooth technology that can connect to any capable devices.
• Available in four colors (black, white, red, and walnut).
• These are made from very durable materials. 

Cons

• The connections are found at the back and are hard to use when the speakers are already mounted.
• The speaker mounts are only held by one screw; may not be as durable.The knob at the front takes time to learn. You need the remote to control most of the features.
• The sound is great but not as good as sounds coming from home theater speakers.
• There’s no speaker grille or cover.

Kanto YU4 Alternatives

The Kanto YU4 is indeed a good find but to further help you decide if this pair of speakers is the one for you, check the following good alternatives:

Kanto YU Powered Bookshelf Speakers with Bluetooth 4.2 Plus RCA

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One of the predecessors of the YU4 is the YU, a Bluetooth 4.2-powered bookshelf speaker system that offers impressive sound thanks to its silk-dome tweeter and Kevlar drivers.

You can connect your updated mobile devices to these speakers via Bluetooth or use the RCA inputs to connect your analog devices. The Kanto YU is in matte black which fits any modern style office or home. 

Edifier R1280DB Bluetooth-Powered Bookshelf Speakers

The Edifier R1280DB is a Bluetooth 5.0 speaker made for audiophiles. It comes with high-end components, the latest Bluetooth version, and plenty of inputs (optical audio, coaxial and line-in inputs). You can connect to different inputs simultaneously and use the source feature to swap inputs.

Prosonic BT30 Active Bluetooth Bookshelf Speaker

The BT30 from Prosonic is a pair of active Bluetooth speakers. These provide impressive audio sounds coming from any device including your PC, laptop, TV, smartphone, or any Bluetooth-capable device. These speakers feature a modern contemporary style made from top-quality MDF panels with a plastic cover. These Prosonic speakers come with a built-in amplifier, full-range drivers, and silk dome tweeters for impressive audio performance.

Audioengine HD3 Wireless Speaker

The Audioengine HD3 wireless speaker can connect to any Bluetooth-capable device even from 100 feet away. This works with all types of devices and equipment including old-style turntables, TVs, laptops, desktops, and gaming consoles.

Verdict 

The Kanto YU4 has a lot to offer when it comes to great audio and features. It has an updated design with powerful drivers and tweeters, more durable speaker cabinets, and the latest Bluetooth technology. It connects with almost all devices using wired or wireless connections. There may be some flaws with the YU4 but its many impressive features have made us overlook most of these drawbacks. We recommend the Kanto YU4 to desktop users, home office users, audiophiles, gamers, and everyone who wants great value for their money.