TL;DR: Kanto Audio have built a reputation for making powered Bluetooth speakers that punch well above their price, combining serious audio engineering with clean, modern design that suits desks, bookshelves, and living rooms equally well. This guide covers every Kanto speaker we stock at Expressive Audio, along with their matching subwoofer and their brand new turntable, so you can build a complete Kanto system from a single source.

Powered Bluetooth speakers used to mean a compromise. You accepted convenience in exchange for sound quality, and the two rarely sat together comfortably. Kanto Audio, founded in Canada in 2007, built their entire brand around proving that assumption wrong. Their speakers are genuinely well-engineered, use proper amplification, and are designed to be used as primary listening systems rather than casual background audio. The fact that they also look good and connect wirelessly is almost a bonus.

We stock the full Kanto range at Expressive Audio and have had several models on demonstration in our Lincolnshire showroom. Here is our honest guide to the range.

What All Kanto Speakers Have in Common

Before getting into the individual products, it helps to understand what makes Kanto's approach consistent across the range. Every powered Kanto speaker uses bi-amplification, meaning each driver, tweeter, and woofer has its own dedicated amplifier channel. This is more expensive to build than a single shared amplifier, but it allows each driver to operate in its ideal power range without interference from the other, which improves clarity and reduces distortion across the frequency range.

All models also include Bluetooth connectivity for wireless streaming from a phone, tablet, or computer, alongside wired inputs for flexibility. And every model in the range is designed to be the active component in your system, so there is no separate amplifier to buy or match.

The Speakers

Kanto ORA Reference Desktop Speakers — £309.99

The ORA bridges the gap between computer speakers and studio monitors, and it does so convincingly. It is a compact desktop speaker, but it is built with the same reference-quality ambition that Kanto bring to their larger bookshelf designs. DSP tuning delivers a flat, full-range frequency response, which means what you hear is accurate to the recording rather than coloured or boosted in a way that sounds impressive in a shop but fatiguing over time.

The 4-inch aluminium woofer and 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter are bi-amplified, with 140 watts of Class D peak power and a crossover that automatically applies a high-pass filter when a subwoofer is connected, seamlessly handing off the bass so each component does its specific job. USB-C delivers a bit-perfect connection to your Mac or PC, Bluetooth 5.0 handles wireless streaming from your phone or a smart home device, and RCA covers analogue gear including a turntable phono stage or CD player.

The ORA is also magnetically shielded, which means it can sit beside older CRT or PVM displays without causing picture interference, a genuine practical consideration for content creators working with vintage monitors.

• 4-inch aluminium woofer, 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, bi-amplified
• 140W DSP-tuned Class D power, flat full-range frequency response
• USB-C bit-perfect connection, Bluetooth 5.0, RCA analogue input
• High-pass filter auto-engages when subwoofer is connected
• Magnetically shielded, suitable for CRT/PVM environments

Good for: Desktop setups, content creators, gamers, and anyone who wants studio-grade sound quality without taking up valuable desk space. Also excellent as a compact nearfield listening system in a smaller room.

Pairs well with: The Kanto SUB8 Subwoofer is the natural companion for the ORA, adding deep, controlled bass extension to the ORA's flat reference sound. The ORA's auto high-pass filter makes the integration seamless, and the matching aesthetics mean the two sit together as a visually cohesive system. Ask us about availability.

Suggested stands: The Kanto S2 Desktop Stands (£29.99) or Kanto SE2 Elevated Desktop Stands (£39.99) tilt the ORA slightly upward to direct sound more accurately toward your ears at desk height.

Kanto YU4 Bookshelf Speakers — from £359.99

The YU4 is the most versatile speaker in Kanto's range and the one that suits the widest variety of listener types and room configurations. It is a compact bookshelf design with a 4-inch Kevlar woofer and 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, bi-amplified with 140 watts peak power, and it has a built-in phono stage that accepts a turntable directly without needing any additional equipment between them.

Connectivity covers Bluetooth for wireless streaming, optical for a TV or digital source, and both RCA line-level and phono inputs. A rear-mounted toggle switches between phono and line-level on the RCA input, which means you can use both a turntable and a second analogue source without unplugging anything. There is also a subwoofer output, which makes adding the Kanto SUB8 later a simple, cableless decision.

The YU4 is available in a good range of finishes including Matte Black, Matte White, Bamboo, and Walnut, which makes it genuinely easy to integrate into most room styles.

• 4-inch Kevlar woofer, 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, bi-amplified
• 140W peak power, Bluetooth, optical, RCA line, and phono inputs
• Built-in phono stage for direct turntable connection
• Subwoofer output for easy bass extension later

• Available in multiple finishes including Matte Black, Matte White, Bamboo

Good for: Listeners who want a single pair of speakers that handles streaming, vinyl, and TV audio without compromise. The YU4 is the most complete all-rounder in the range and the model we recommend most often to first-time Kanto buyers.

Suggested stands: The Kanto SP Series Floor Stands (from £139.99) bring the YU4 to ear height in a living room setting for significantly improved stereo imaging. The Kanto S4 Desktop Stands (£39.99) are the desk option.

Kanto TUK Bookshelf Speakers — £749.99

The TUK is Kanto's flagship powered speaker, and it is a serious piece of audio equipment by any measure. Where the ORA and YU4 are excellent all-rounders, the TUK is built for the listener who wants the most refined, detailed sound Kanto can produce. It uses a 5.25-inch woven carbon fibre woofer paired with a 1-inch beryllium dome tweeter, the same tweeter material used in speakers costing considerably more, bi-amplified with 260 watts peak power from a Class D amplifier.

The digital section is handled by an ESS Sabre DAC, which processes the optical and USB-C inputs for genuinely high-resolution digital conversion. Bluetooth is aptX HD for wireless listening at 24-bit quality, a meaningful step up from standard Bluetooth that makes a real difference when streaming from a high-quality source. Like the YU4, the TUK includes a dedicated phono stage for direct turntable connection, with a physically separate preamp stage that is isolated from the main amplifier circuitry to minimise noise in the vinyl signal path.

The TUK comes in Matte Black and Matte White finishes, with a solid, substantial feel that reflects the engineering inside.

• 5.25-inch woven carbon fibre woofer, 1-inch beryllium dome tweeter, bi-amplified
• 260W peak Class D power, ESS Sabre DAC for optical and USB-C inputs
• aptX HD Bluetooth for 24-bit wireless audio
• Dedicated phono stage with isolated preamp circuitry
• Subwoofer output, remote control included

Good for: Serious listeners who want the absolute best Kanto can offer, or anyone building a premium desktop or compact living room system where ultimate sound quality is the priority. Particularly well-suited to high-resolution streaming and vinyl listeners who want detail and refinement alongside wireless convenience.

Suggested stands: The Kanto SP9 Desktop Stands (£69.99) are designed to support the TUK's heavier weight on a desk. The Kanto SP Series Floor Stands (from £139.99) bring them to ear height for living room listening.

Add More Bass: Kanto SUB8 Subwoofer — £279.99

The Kanto SUB8 is the natural bass extension partner for any speaker in the Kanto range, and it is particularly well-matched with the ORA where the ORA's auto high-pass filter makes integration completely seamless. The SUB8 is a sealed 8-inch subwoofer powered by a 300-watt Class D amplifier, and the sealed enclosure is an important detail: unlike ported subwoofers, a sealed design reacts to changes in the audio signal more quickly, producing tighter, more accurate bass with less overhang. The result is bass that adds genuine low-end weight and extension without sounding boomy or losing definition on fast musical passages.

Rear-panel controls for volume, crossover frequency, and phase adjustment allow easy integration into any system, and an auto-off function powers the SUB8 down when no signal is detected.

• 8-inch paper cone driver, 300W Class D amplifier, sealed enclosure
• Fast transient response, tight and accurate bass reproduction
• Adjustable volume, crossover frequency, and phase controls
• Auto signal detection and power saving auto-off
• Matching aesthetics complement the full Kanto speaker range
• Available in Matte Black and Matte White

Good for: ORA owners who want the full-range system experience, or YU4 and TUK users who want deeper bass extension in a larger room without compromising the speed and clarity of the main speakers. Ask us about availability.

Add Vinyl: Kanto OBI3 Gen2 Turntable — £179.99

The Kanto OBI3 Gen2 is one of the most interesting turntables at this price, and it was specifically designed to complement the Kanto speaker range. It is a manual belt-drive turntable with Bluetooth 5.3 built in, which means it can stream vinyl wirelessly directly to any Kanto speaker, or to Bluetooth headphones, without any cables at all. For ORA or YU4 owners in particular, this creates a genuinely cable-free vinyl setup that would have seemed impossible a few years ago.

The Gen2 is a meaningful improvement over the original OBI3. It adds a built-in speed sensor that monitors the platter's actual rotation and continuously adjusts the motor to maintain consistent playback speed, which directly improves pitch accuracy and reduces wow and flutter. The build weight has also increased substantially, from 3.9kg on the original to 5.5kg on the Gen2, for better vibration rejection and a more stable platform. An auto-stop feature halts the platter at the end of a record to protect the stylus, and electronic speed selection supports both 33 and 45rpm without needing to manually reposition the belt.

The OBI3 Gen2 comes with a pre-installed and pre-calibrated Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge, a switchable built-in phono preamp for connection to an amplifier or powered speaker via RCA, and a dustcover, felt slip mat, and 45 adapter in the box. Available in Black, White, Forest Green, Ice Blue, and Walnut.

• Manual belt-drive, built-in speed sensor for continuous pitch correction
• Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless streaming to Kanto speakers or headphones
• Switchable built-in phono preamp, RCA outputs
• Pre-installed Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge, pre-calibrated
• Auto-stop at end of record, electronic 33/45rpm speed selection
• 5.5kg, aluminium platter, engineered-wood plinth
• Dustcover, slip mat, and 45 adapter included

Good for: Anyone who wants to add vinyl to a Kanto system without the complexity of a separate phono stage or additional wiring. The Bluetooth connection to the ORA or YU4 makes this the most convenient vinyl setup available at this price, and the Gen2's speed sensor gives it a level of playback accuracy that is genuinely impressive for a £179.99 turntable.

A Complete Kanto System

One of the most appealing things about the Kanto range is that it genuinely works as a complete, matched ecosystem. Here are two system ideas that cover every listening source without any additional components.

Compact Desktop System

Stream via Bluetooth, play vinyl wirelessly, add the SUB8 for full-range bass. A complete desktop system for under £800.

Living Room System

aptX HD Bluetooth, ESS Sabre DAC, beryllium tweeter, dedicated phono stage, and wireless vinyl. A premium living room system from a single brand.

Conclusion

Kanto Audio have built something unusual: a complete, coherent audio ecosystem at accessible prices, where every component is designed to work with every other. From the compact ORA on your desk to the flagship TUK in your living room, from the OBI3 Gen2 spinning vinyl to the SUB8 filling in the low end, every product in the range has been thought through as part of a bigger picture.

If you would like to hear any of the Kanto range before buying, come into our Lincolnshire showroom at Manor Farm Yard, Highgate Lane, Moorby Boston, PE22 7PN. We have several Kanto products on demonstration and are happy to set up a full system for you to listen to. Call us on 01507 499047 or browse the full Kanto range at Expressive Audio.