We welcomed this pair of speakers to our test bench with our usual enthusiasm. Kanto is a Canadian consumer electronics brand we hadn't heard until now. We had the chance to compare the YU4 with the YU6, which we in turn put to work alongside units from various other brands for comparative reference. Although Kanto seems to be immersed in the consumer world, the units we received have enough quality and features to make them a very versatile pair.
They hold their own in studio and recording environments and other home audio applications such as TV, home theater or music listening, with interesting levels of quality. Let's see how and why.
Unboxing
A well-prepared package, with every detail exceptionally well looked after. The box contains the manual (in several languages, including Spanish), a power cable, an audio cable to connect one speaker to the other, a minijack cable, a remote control, batteries and adhesive rubber pads to fit on our new pair and isolate them from whatever surface we choose to place them on.
At first glance, under a nice glossy black lacquer finish, the first thing that caught my eye was the rear panel and the connectivity it offers. This is one active speaker and one passive speaker. So the active one receives the power and then we connect (using the supplied audio cable) the signal from the active one to the passive one. This gives us our stereo pair, in which the active unit handles most of the processing through its rear-panel connections and internal electronics.
Connectivity
As I said at the beginning, and given that this pair is quite versatile, we can make use of the following connections
Optical inputs 1 and 2
RCA inputs
Auxiliary minijack input (cable supplied)
Subwoofer output
Ground connection
USB charging and output
Bluetooth
Phone / Line selector
System features and control
This pair comes equipped with the latest technology. Cutting down on cables by using one active speaker and one passive speaker that needs no power is especially useful for setting them up quickly in all kinds of places. Add the Bluetooth connection, and the quick, clean setup is a real plus. On top of that, you can connect any kind of source wirelessly (from computers to smartphones, tablets, etc.)
In addition, the active unit has a discreet power and volume control on the front. There are also two small LEDs that show on/off status and the Bluetooth connection, when there is one, in the characteristic blue. This makes the pair easy to control and use, even when the units are close to a wall (for example on a desk against the wall, with the computer and monitors on either side). From the front (and even more so with the remote) we control every detail of the sound.
The remote control completes this ease of adjustment and control. Besides on/off, source selection (Aux, RCA, Bluetooth, Optical 1 or 2), volume, etc., it has some interesting features such as balance control and separate control (this is what I liked most) of bass and treble level. So we can change the setting with a couple of button presses, comfortably, from our remote. At the bottom it also has play, pause, next and previous track buttons for listening in Bluetooth mode.
Finally, thanks to signal detection for the automatic standby and power-on modes, the pair will be ready as soon as the music starts playing.
Sound
When we saw that the pair could fit well into home uses such as movie/TV listening, gaming, hi-fi for tablets or smartphones, etc., we thought the manufacturer might perhaps be a little less demanding about delivering sound quality. Obviously a musician or producer needs certain features that the average consumer may not care about, or may simply not notice. However, when we ran the sound tests, looking for clarity, sharpness, power, punch, etc., we were pleasantly surprised because their level is higher than you'd expect from a pair of home speakers.
Consequently, after testing, we concluded that the Kanto YU6 can perform well in home studio settings, as main or alternate monitors, while also (thanks to their connectivity) being usable in a wide range of contexts. A crystal-clear 1" silk tweeter + a 5.5" driver with frequencies that blend well, quite round and compact.
Extreme power at 200W peak and 100W RMS, more than enough punch in the low end (controlled +/- with the remote, just like the treble), which can also be rounded out by connecting a sub (the brand itself sells them separately), and very clear definition in the mids and highs. So you'll clearly hear the shimmer of your favorite ride bell, the vocals, and feel your chest pound with the bass and kick drums.
Conclusions
Good quality and exceptional versatility. Plenty of power, punchy lows and crisp highs. If this is your first pair of monitors, you'll get a real powerhouse for your productions, arrangements and mixes. Plus you'll benefit from all the other options it offers for listening to your music or any other source you want to send to it and control with your remote.
As an alternate pair, they can be a good way to give your studio technology for quick listening (thanks to how fast and easy they are to switch on, select sources, etc.) and, as always, for comparison with other monitors you find extremely reliable and that are already part of your demanding studio.
The pair sounds good, it's powerful, it's well finished and it's a treat to be able to hook up a thousand things quickly. We liked it.
About Kanto
Kanto is a Canadian brand of quality consumer electronics with the mission of improving its customers' digital lifestyle. Inspired by the vision of a symbiosis between sound and design, they offer a colorful selection of desktop and bookshelf speakers, sealed-box subwoofers and exclusively designed speaker stands. They are a group of people who are passionate about what they do and why they do it. They describe themselves as representatives of the consumer; they are the brand's main customers. Their team is made up of people with years of experience in customer service, sales, product development, engineering and entrepreneurship. They promise superior customer service. They are committed to continually raising the bar when it comes to treating customers, and are determined to guarantee total satisfaction for all their end users, always with someone available 24 hours a day to answer any questions. Kanto was founded in January 2007. Its founders had the vision of creating stylish, quality products and offering excellent value to customers throughout their life cycle. Many years designing and manufacturing OEM products for major consumer electronics companies gave them the passion and understanding they needed to create a new brand with outstanding potential. Today, that knowledge and passion, combined with their team of dedicated design engineers, are the driving force behind this success.
Estimated price YU6: €370
Estimated price YU4: €300
