Minimalist Speaker Battle ~ Kanto YU2 vs. Audioengine A2+
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- Опубликовано: 27 июл 2024
- Which of these clean & minimal speaker pairs should you get?
Let's find out!
Kanto YU2 Speakers
US: amzn.to/2JRa6mM
CA: amzn.to/2MHx7Ge
UK: amzn.to/2K1T6pT
Audioengine A2+ Speakers
US: amzn.to/2lhQLw4
CA: amzn.to/2t7qwx0
UK: amzn.to/2ll9eIa
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This review was very helpful. I've been searching for a pair of good sounding compact speakers for a long time and has been disappointed many times in the past with the cheaper Presonus and Mica and some other. I went with the Kanto YU2 because it's smaller and has higher wattage rating. Also the fact that they DON'T have bluetooth included, I don't want that extra fluff. It is easily one of the best audio purchase I've ever made.
Very pleasantly surprised at the sound. It has a rolled off highs which is good for me because I have mild tinnitus, though I do think sometimes it's lose a little high end details because of it. The mids sound good to me, and the bass lacks some details or tightness, but it still perform better than expected considering how tiny it is. I do wish they could have fitted a 1" tweeter in it.
The music from your Audioengine A2+ traveled to your mic sampled by your computer chip then compressed by your CPU then uploaded to youtube then compressed again by youtube then downloaded to my computer then decoded by my cpu then converted by my DAC then played from my A2+.
Hahaha true
Same here
Same here :-D
Absolutely brilliant comparison thank you!!
Love the sound of the U2 with the sub. However, when placed with the A2's seemed as though something was out of phase as if the sub was out of phase with the A2's. I would try it again changing the phase on the sub to see if the results change. Goo review though..
I had the YU2 and a Monoprice 8" sub, but decided to move up to YU passive 4 with Aiyima A07 amp and Kanto Sub8. Now it rocks!
Kanto YU2 + Kanto Sub sounds awesome. I had the YU2's for a while but find the bass lacking in some listening situations. When I added Kanto's YURI Subwoofer, the YU2's sounded more like a larger set of speakers, fuller and able to play a bigger range of frequencies because of the added bass from the YURI.
i agree 100%
This is really well done! Thanks.
Great video and comparison!
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I have a pair of Audioengine A+2 speakers that I'm quite happy with. I think the differences between the two brands are quite subtle although each set seems to have a slight edge here and there. One thing the reviewer mentioned that I also noticed right away is how well the YU2 pair match up with the sub6. The audio engine speakers didn't seem to benefit very much from the sub and in some cases seemed to seemed to cancel out the subwoofer to an extent.
One thing I've learned from years of listening and as a musician is patience. It can be easy to become obsessed with all the technical and aesthetic trappings of new electronics and forget about the main reason you started out on the road in the first place: The Music. With that in mind maybe getting a little more bass or crisper highs may not even compliment your choice of music. When out shopping around for a new sound system see if the sales person would be cool with playing music you personally like or even better if you could bring your own music sampler in to test things out.
I just got yu2 plus sub6 and it is a super nice sounding system for the money . Without the sub they are still nice to listen to
Same here, a really nice package at low cost.
Zam Art is it loud ? I have to get speakers for the turn table I got but I want to know if it’s like loud enough cause I don’t want to buy speakers with like shitty low audio
@@piercethxchrisYU2 and Sub 6 are both smallest in their lineups. YU2 is a desktop setup for computers. It sounds lovely but it isn't the loudest system.
For Loud, YU6 and Sub 8 will definitely deliver. YU6 has wireless and optical connectivity, intended for big room sound.
Very little between them. Exception: the Kanto with its brother sub is the best overall sound image. Well done review. Lots of preparation. Merci!
For my application, the AudioEngines work much better because they have the RCA inputs that can be hooked up to a wide variety sources, but also I can use it with my USB interface. I like the Kanto in theory, but without the RCA connections, I would probably go AE A2, or maybe look into the larger Kanto YU4s, which do have more inputs.
I like the red ones :)
i love how the Audioengine looks in white. I'd say the AEs do better in terms of clarity and midrange. Kantos seem comfortable to listen to in the long term and indeed seem better when partnered with bass unit.
Nice! The Kanto YU2's sound good, great with the subwoofer.
Nice job
AuthenTech - Ben Schmanke thanks! Love your videos! 🙂
@@minimalistik awesome, thanks!
The YU2 + Sub discussion on on the vid and thread is interesting. I can understand it as an upgrade path: you buy the small speakers (presumably for the small form factor) then decide to fill out the sound with the sub - which sacrifices the space saving to a large extent. If the consensus is that the speakers need the sub, wouldn't a larger set of bookshelf speakers be better from the off?
No because space on the top of your desk is much more valuable than the space on the floor for the sub. Bookshelf speakers that don't need a sub would be 3x the size of the YU2s.
Thank you so much for this video. I was back and forth about these two and I was about ready to purchase the audioengine but I listened to your comparison and the Kanto sounded much better to me.
Check out reviews for the Wharfedale diamond 12.1. Almost same price but better than these two.
@@seiscero almost? $400?
Hi I would like either of these to use with a digital piano for portability? Which set would u recommend? Is there any other sub £200 speakers u would recommend? Remember 8i want small no sub. Trying to work out where your accents from. South America?
Bought the Audioengine A2+ in combination with a Wavemaster Fusion Sub. Whoop whoop...thats the way. If you have enough space for a sub no matter if you have the audioengine or the Kantos I would highly recommend to complete your setup with a small sub like the one from Kanto or in my case the Wavemaster Fusion which looks nearly like the same optical finish which is great. Thank you for your video
Superb review. Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by! :)
Was it just me or was there better instrument isolation in the A2+? I am trying to decide on YU6 vs A2+. Yes i do prefer having instrument isolation. It gives a more natural tone to the output in my perspective.
Completely unrelated question: what computer case is that? I'm currently lookuing for a small form factor case and that looks quite nice :-)
if i already have a subwoofer from an old pair of speakers, can i use that with a new pair of YU2s?
Great review
How would these speakers compare to a pair of small pair of bookshelff speakers and separate budget amp.
Nice video as always. So as an audiophile with high end headphones (lcd-X...) but not being a speaker guy at all i searched a good looking, small and great pair of speakers since i use them maybe 3 times a month or less, but nothing fancy. So i hesitated between those exact 2 pairs, but as minimalistik said, the bass is too important in the Audio engine, that's why i went with the yu2 instead that i find more balanced so that fit my taste and my need. There are not awsome speakers don't get me wrong' they are good entry level speakers which will make you enjoy some songs, espcially if you don't really care that much about audio + they are super good looking and the small form factor can be a need for some people. If you need bigger speakers but still quite small go for the YU4 ;).
In fact if you're a bass guy who wouldnt mind the lack of quality in high notes or medium go for it, otherwise go for the YU2, you can't go wrong for this price since they are for me the best speakers under 200 with the Mackie cr series 😉
True :)
Are the Kanto Yu2 good for music production or is the sound too colored for that?
Aravinda Perera for music production go for Mackie CR series speakers or for KRK spearkers
EnJoY My InSec build a Dayton um 12 box if you want bass. Lol
Enjoy - try connecting your YU2's (if you still have them) to the preamp output of a headphone amp if you have one handy, that will boost the sound of you have a good amp. I'm routing USB output from my Mac mini through Topping's E30 DAC and L30 preamp into my YU2's. Originally the speakers were directly connected to a USB port on the mini, but I wasn't happy with the sound. I immediately added the DAC and later the preamp. I'm happy with the sound now. But if I were to do it over, knowing what I know now, I would probably buy Vanatoo T0's instead.
i still cant decide whether to get these or kanto yu2. ill be listening to a lot of hip hop and heavy metal. which speakers are the best for my type of listening ?
interesting comparison would be these speakers + sub vs some $500 active speakers as once you are buying the sub the price is higher and for $500 you might be getting sub less speakers that take less estate in your room and the sound quality might be better
I can't decide whether to get the Kanto YU2 or wireless BT speaker such as the sony srs XB43.. Sound quality is all I care about (not portability). Can anyone give some tips?
I have Bose Wave 3 System is it better or inferior to Audio Engine A2+
I question the durability of the Audioengine. I very rarely used it. But it conked out after less than 2 years of use. I had it repaired but the cracking sound continues. I just had to give it away.
As you said, speakers alone the Audioengine is better, especially for someone like me who likes heavy bass music, but here is the trick, if you add a subwoofer the Kanto YU2 definitely sound better! Nice video!
Thanks! I really like the YU2s with my sub :D
@@minimalistik Can be the sub pasive? or active?
audioengine also sells a sub for that set of speakers
a subwoofer is better for someone that likes heavy bass music? Thanks Captain Obvious!
Is this comment meaning audio engine plus sub versus Kanto plus sub or just audio engine versus Kanto plus sub. ?
What i wanted to know more than anything was if the port is better on the front or the back. You'd likely have to turn the speakers up to tell, and play "music" ... which no one does. I would think the audioengine wins there.
I think the front v back port is going to be hugely dependent on the room treatment and what you’re using the speakers for. I think it would make sense that for most desks that are against walls or in corners having the port in the back plus coupled to the desk could get out of hand in the lows pretty easily. Front port minimizes the need to account for those variables, or so it seems to me.
Please tell me how did you connect the kanto sub with the audio engine A2+ as it does not have a sub out.
A2+ has L+R RCA outs which you can use to connect a sub.
I've got the A2+s as I think they look slightly better at the front, but I'm sure YU2s are really nice too. That said, I highly recommend adding the subwoofer as it makes a huge difference. I originally thought A2 had enough lows until I added S8 sub, it's night and day!
So I just got the Kanto YU2 + Sub8 on locally used, and noticed that these need to be cranked up quite a bit. This is a first for me so not sure if this is normal? For example if I have my phone set at max volume, the speakers will need to be set at around 45%. I generally don't like to do this because if I forget to turn it back down I'll blow out my headphones when I take my phone with me. On the other hand if I have my Galaxy S9 at 50% volume, I have to literally turn the speakers to 100%. Just not sure if this is normal and I need to get a amp or something.
The speakers have built in amps, so you cannot add another one.
Generally, you would have your source at full volume and then adjust the volume on the speakers themselves. Seem pretty normal to me, but it really depends on your definition of "loud" haha!
Hey!! My YU2 came in today and i installed them to my pc (windows 10) and at half way volume on the speaker it sounds very low and my audio volume on my pc is at 100%. Is this normal? trying to figure it out because if this is the case i will return them and get something else. Hopefully you can reply soon. Thanks.
Hey there. It doesn't seem normal. Again, it depends on what you mean by very low.
You might want to contact support to be sure though :/
At 50% volume in a relatively small room, they should sound pretty loud. I wouldn't need them to be more powerful than they are right now in my appartment.
Unfortunately Kanto discontinued the Sub6 which were a great addition to tiny desktop speakers like these
hey! have you used the presonus 4.5 bt? how do they compare...
Which is wider?
I would go kanto with sub all the way. Wonder how they would sound with an external dac.
I originally bought the YU2s to connect to my Mac mini via USB. I wasn't happy with the internal DAC and added the Topping E30 DAC (powered by an iFi linear power supply) and that greatly improved the output. I recently added the Topping L30 as a preamp (and headphone amp), that improved the output even more. That being said my initial purchase was $200, I subsequently added over another $300 dollars to the system. If I didn't have the YU2's in the sweet looking teal finish I would be regretting the purchase.
Thanks for the review. I think you miss to check out the difference in terms of size (compared to bigger and smaller speakers.) Perhaps a paper box could do it. I also think you miss to point out the bas reflex output is in the front on the A2+ and on the back on the YU2. The A2+ can easier be mounted close to a wall because of that. (Now they are rater small and the bent cables will provide probably enough space anyway.) Also handling. How are the volume nob working? Is it digital or analog? If I change the volume on the pc how will it affect the volume and the volume knob. Most of the cases you dont want a digital volume on the pc, but more a digital volume controled by the USB, that is on the speaker it self. That way you using all the headroom in the digital space (16bit) which is better for low volume.
In general, I prefer Kanto as a brand. I've owned Audio Engine A5+ and a Kanto Yuri sub, so I have experience with both companies. My A5+ (bamboo) formed split/cracks in the cabinet due to a lamination manufacturing defect and dealing with Audio Engine's warranty service department (outsourced to another company) was a total nightmare. My replacement A5+ (also bamboo) cracked as well. I've had no problems with Kanto.
I've had their SYD bluetooth speaker recently to try and was quite pleased with it too,
I really like Kanto's line of products!
I've sold my AudioEngine A2+ since then haha
This matches my experience with ae, in my case the amp blew just outside of warranty but they replaced them anyway but then the replacement did exactly the same thing around 2 years. At that point I gave up with them as a brand as they clearly are pumping out weak components. To be clear I am not vouching for Kanto as I have never heard of them here in the UK so its not as if they have any credibility either...
What's it with the trend of putting the volume control round the back on these kind of speakers? Just makes them a huge PITA to use.
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Jon Vincent it looks nicer
On PC I don't really mind. I always turn my PC volume up to 100% and put speakers on the max volume I would like. After that I just manage volume through windows (keyboard controls). But yes, it does seem a bit counter intuitive indeed.
It's the minimalist movement started by Steve with the 1st iPod. Gosh I miss the 80s with a bajillion buttons on the cassette/cd player/fm/am radio stereo system.
Hey man awesome vid! I recently ordered the Kanto yu2. Just a question, these have built in amplifiers right?
I'm buying the audio technica lp60x turntable with a built in phono preamp that's switchable to phono or line.
Can I simply connect this turntable directly to the Kanto yu2 since they are active speakers?
Yes, you should be able to since it has a built in preamp.
Everyone seems to like the yu2's here, but I reckon the a2+ sounded clearer, so i'm probably gonna get that one
The a2+ felt like they aren’t too bassy like the yu2’s, sometimes less bass means clearer sound. I agree with your choice.
@@78646666668 Fill in the lower frequencies with a subwoofer and you are set
so this yo2 needs a subwoofer?
Hey guys I own the Edifier Luna Eclipse. Is it worth upgrading to these , or just minor difference?
I'd upgrade just for a different design. The Eclipse looks like a turret from portal. For less money you'll get better sound out of the 1280's or do a bigger upgrade to the Vanatoo Zero's if you're looking for a compact desktop speaker.
J'adore ton accent québecois!
Je subscribe!
Do you know if you can leave his speakers ON at all times?
Have the Kanto held up over time? I've been reading Audioengine's don't hold up over time.
My Audioengine had a crackle right out of the box. Not impressed.
Not sure why you chose to include the sub here, it's not really helping in determining the favorable aspects of either speaker. Still, the A2+ just sounds more musical to me. I have a pair (original A2's, not the +), and have not found anything I like better in all this time.
I haven't heard the Kanto, and they most likely have a built-in X-over that the Audionengine A2+ lack. I have the A2+, but have supplemented them with a subwoofer, external DAC and external X-over by Rolls. Once set up and configured. They sound fantastic with that setup. Though, it does require more work than the Kanto. In truth, I wasn't aware of the Kanto brand when I purchased the A2+ 4 years ago (if they were even around then). In the end, I'm happy with the A2+ (now) and will not be upgrading to anything anytime soon... unless it is something like the Mini Maggies (though, a HUGE jump in price).
A2+s with a crossover and sub probably sound great! :)
I'm considering the Edifier S880DB without a sub someday :D
@@minimalistik which you recommend for multimedia as pc setup ?
I just had this pair for my small room apartment. Was thinking use back S8 subwoofer is that better performance?
If you used an external DAC, how did you bypass the internal DAC?
@@mooneych1 DAC on the A2+ is only engaged when you feed it a digital signal. If you used the 3.5mm or RCA inputs, you are feeding an Analog signal, thus using the DAC of whatever device is feeding the speakers.
I was hoping any of these would go on sale during cyber monday/black friday but nope
yu2 is on sale right now.
are you from Quebec? you have a French Canadian accent. nice review
No, Guy from Romania
@@B.Ruslan1978 well I miss that by a continent lol 😆
do they need to be connected through amplifier or not
I just wished they both put a grille or mesh over the drivers. I'm reluctant to use speakers with exposed drivers as it means they are more prone to accidental - or intentional - damage. Also, my room gets quite dusty and it would be a nightmare trying to clean the dust off those drivers without damaging them.
Sound is subjective, but it’s nice to hear other peoples thoughts. 👍🏼
What subwoofer do you use with themm
Sub6
It seems like Kanto plays more clear and Audioengine is more bassy.
Theoretically, I can buy the Kanto YU2's, then hook it up with a 3.5mm jack to Bluetooth adapter and make them Bluetooth.....right?
the yu2+ have builtin bluetooth
Ilan Michel you are correct. The YU2's do not have built on Bluetooth. You can connect the analog output of a Bluetooth receiver into the 3.5mm analog input of the YU2's.
@@keithjohnson2863 Thank you sir
Correct. If I had the YU2s, I think I would be tempted to get my hands on the Audioengine B1 premium bluetooth receiver and connect it to the YU2s. Bluetooth this way would be phenomenal. AptX HD, 24 bit DAC and a 2 volts RMS preamp output level from the B1 RCA connectors make even the cheapest of speakers sound absolutely beautiful.
Correct. Look no further than Audioengine's B1 premium bluetooth receiver. This is a fantastic enhancement for the YU2s. Bluetooth isn't just a convenience anymore, it's getting more serious each year and the B1 is one of the most advanced adapters for high res audio.
I prefer not to have the light on the front of the left speaker
Please review Kanto YU vs Kanto Yu4, thanks 🙏
Yu2 all the way with subwoofer the A2+ sounds so strange with subwoofer audio just sounds off not enough bass or kick...
Which would you recommend (if any) for the casual PC user. RUclips, Movies, Music and some gaming
If you’ve never had a pair of quality bookshelf speakers , either one will work . They will both sound amazing I promise. Get whatever is cheaper
@@vcr4497 Even for generic computer use?
@@py2007 well depends what you define as generic computer use , you’d listen to music with them right?
@@vcr4497 yes, RUclips, Netflix, music and may be a bit of gaming
@@py2007 either of these would work great
Get yourselves a pair of Mackie C4 or 5 :)
I bet they're pretty good! :D
The audioengines look better made and finished to me and have aptx bluetooth for the same price. These look like a copy that has been thrown at every youtuber going for review
a2+ are much better imo, after owning both.
A real shame the SUB6 was discontinued. The YU2s and SUB6 sounds like they'd be the perfect small desk setup.
which better?
personally i prefer the yu2's idk why i just prefer the sound.
I feel like I make my buying decisions on the comment section of reviewers vidoes more than the reviewer lol
9:13
9:41
Just picked up some Audioengine A2+ and the left crackles right out of the box. A quick Google shows this is a common issue.
Yeah mine snap cracked and popped out of the box as well. (The side without connections) They are sending another speaker, but if it does the same, I’m getting my money back and trying the YU2. I like the audioengines, looks and sound. Just not that small crackle in the one speaker.
Audioengine is better alone
SANYUN SW208: best buy! 😉👍
This review was a bit disingenuous. Why? If you pair the Kanto with its OWN subwoofer, OF COURSE it will be a better match! A more accurate comparison would be to juxtapose the respective sounds with THEIR OWN SUBWOOFER, as the Audioengine A2+ Powered Computer Desktop Speakers have their own subwoofer.
The Kanto is more accurate, but the A2+ is more "fun".
if you say yu2 is better than a2+ or vice versa and then another channel says the opposite, who to believe? in the end it is personal experience for everyone what someone likes . some people are deaf (cant hear the difference between good and bad speaker) and some people are blind (cant see the quality difference between good and bad tattoo) , so I ask you , why you make a battle between two speakers where you think YOU are right, where many people could argue with you about the result?
I suggest all viewers , dont trust any or most of the reviews of any product here in youtube at all. Do your own personal experience before purchasing. And if you cant try some products before buying them, just flip a coin and choose another of them/those randomly and whatever is the result, just accept it because you cannot know personally did you choose the right one or not =)
Whoa... U can't do that here. Everybody knows u can't bring reason and logic to the comment section.
MAGA!
@@2Guapo MAGA? Make America Gay Again?
👍🏽🔥🔥👍🏽
A2+ wins!
sub woofer on the table... ok...
something wrong with your sound recording.
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I'm always laughing at audio test on youtube.. I'm listening the video with build-in speakers to my LG monitor (as I'm still looking for a good set of external speakers) and all sound test sound absolutelly the same for me :) I know that you are trying the best and there is probably no better solution. It's just an observation and how funny I'm sitting and trying to hear the difference,.
Nobody talks about the fact that every pair of Kanto YU4 has a humming-beeping sound when Opt 1 or Optical 2 is activated. Kanto knows about it, and doesnt address it. These reviews neither. Will return mine. What are these reviews for if you are not actually going deep.
Kanto is Canadian, that's all that matters.
@Mike Unsworth I agree but this should hold true to all. Design it and build it in your own country - as it should be.
Yeah... YOu realize that playing audio on a speaker review is pointless because First, you're getting Audio fomr MY speaker, which could be a better speaker OR a crapy $20 one (well, there are some good $20 speakers, actually). When you said I'm goign to play 4 tracks for us to listen, you lost me on the review. If you look at most peole who do this properly, they describe the sound but "showing" us is pointless.
It's somewhat helpful because you can compare how they sound relative to each other, especially if you are listening with headphones.
What is with the wrong stresses on the last words in the sentence, It rubs me the wrong way
Dedmaroz69 whats with your shitty grammar?
Dedmaroz69 it’s called an accent.
Québécois. Let's celebrate our differences, or the world would be a boring place if we were all the same.
*Cough* Vanatoo T0 *Cough*
These look really nice! I'd love to try them out
Vanatoo T0 vs Kanto YU4 is a more fair comparison. Even in that case I chose the T0's over the YU4's. The sound output is better and the speakers filter out the bass frequencies when a sub is connected.
Set playback speed to 1.25x you’re welcome.
AE is lying about how low they go.
minimalistik speaker battle
hahahahahaha im *so* funny !
awwww yiss!
yu2 has no bluetooth
The Kanto yu2's are NOT good. They crackle at half volume. For $220 usd, you can get much better speakers. Im returning mine on saturday.
Can you tell me what are the better speakers? What speaker do you use now?
@@dittonara I bought audioengine A2+. A little pricier but handles louder volumes, theyre still small so you can still blow them fairly easy but not as bad as the Kantos. I also use JBL lsr 305 v1s on my other setup.
O dee o ongins lolwut
Audioengine sounds better to me.
a2+ is garbage
why ?
why? can u tell me the reason?
Because one man's garbage is another audiophile's excellent stereo.
Kanto and audio engine are the same plant /company so were is the battle. My god learn your shit!!
please keep it minimalistic and dont add such annoying music in the background