Moreover, the speakers support a plethora of inputs with RCA (with phono switch), 2x optical connectors and a 3. The receiver has a status LED that denotes power and changes colour to convey the selected input, mute or pairing modes. The right speaker is the brains of the Kanto YU6 as it contains the electronics, takes care of all the IO and also receives commands from the included remote via the IR receiver. The range on the wireless operation is actually quite good, as I was able to operate with it while being floors apart. Compensating for low frequency shortfalls with EQ based on anechoic measurements is tricky as the room interferes.

Connectivity is a breeze with the YU6 speakers, which are equipped with Bluetooth aptX technology, offering you the convenience of playing music from any device. The Kanto YU6 Powered Bookshelf Speakers, Matte Black fills your room with powerful, loud and clean sound. Again, if you are planning to use them as your desktop buddies, then the front-facing volume dial is a bonus.On the latter front, it goes way past what professional monitors provide with such niceties as remote control. Use the provided USB charging port to conveniently power your phone, smart home or casting device directly through your speakers. EASY STREAMING - Built-in Bluetooth with Qualcomm aptX technology lets you enjoy high-quality streaming from the palm of your hand. Also in the box are some rubber feet - you can either affix them or leave them in the box and use the threaded connectors if you plan to bolt the YU6 to a speaker/tripod mount. Pushing Billie Eilish’s Tough Guy through the YU6 at volume on my desk did see them getting a bit smeary.

This black plastic rectangular block is pretty standard, and while it may not necessarily blow your socks off with style, it definitely has a lot of functions to go through. Well-known for its strength and rigidity, Kevlar® ensures accurate sound reproduction even at higher volumes. Emphasis increases through the midrange until an upper-midrange dip that imbues that smoother character to vocals. as played by Claudio Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic (FLAC 96/24)—there was no way to ignore the coarsening of the string section during the loudest passages. Orchestral pieces fair quite well, but it was string quartets that came off best thanks to the YU6’s attack in the higher end with the mid-treble bringing an openness together with the high-mids.Initially I considered the cheaper Ruark MR1 MK2, which are highly regarded, but decided these were too small as I sit some distance from the speaker positions.

My first Ae pair were powered (P4) but the usb port had some kind of electrical problem so had to get the passive P4.A lot of popping sounds were heard when this cable was used to plug into a computer or a mobile device.

The Kanto’s are better at my desk as they’re more balanced and less fatiguing for long listening sessions, also noticeably more compact. Getting back to the Yu6’s performance, the output on both speakers is clear and sharp, with the highs and mids being more prominent, while the lows delivered through the 5. Bass might not be the Kantos strongest suit, although there is plenty enough there to keep this bass player happy. I have to thank Kanto for also sending over their SUB8 for evaluation, a compact front-firing 8” unit that effectively extends the low-end.Do not get me wrong; it is probably still an improvement compared to the standard profile, since it has a more efficient encoding algorithm and higher bitrates. Playing Bernard Herrmann’s soundtrack from Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, I couldn’t have asked for a sweeter string sound than I got from the Kantos’ silk-dome tweeters and this Mercury vinyl.