Kanto ORA4 140W Powered Reference Desktop Speakers with Bluetooth at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Kanto ORA4 is a bi-amplified powered reference desktop speaker system from Kanto Audio (Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Unveiled at CES 2024 and built on the legacy of the original ORA series, the ORA4 pushes bass extension deeper with an upgraded 4-inch magnetically shielded paper cone woofer, paired with the same 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter that made the original ORA a critical success. Separate Class D amplifiers power each driver in every cabinet: 12W per tweeter and 23W per woofer, for a combined bi-amplified output of 70W RMS (140W peak) per pair. A DSP-tuned flat frequency response of 60Hz to 22kHz, an automatic 80Hz subwoofer crossover, USB-C at 24-bit/96kHz, Bluetooth 5.0, and RCA line input deliver studio-monitor performance for music production, gaming, content creation, and everyday listening. Tom's Guide called the ORA4 "quite possibly some of the best computer speakers I've ever tested." Designed in Canada and available in Matte Black and White.

Bi-Amplification: Separate Amplifiers for Every Driver

The ORA4's most technically significant departure from conventional desktop speakers is its bi-amplified architecture. Rather than using a single amplifier channel to power both the tweeter and woofer through a passive crossover, each driver in every ORA4 cabinet has its own dedicated Class D amplifier stage. Each tweeter receives 12W RMS from its own amplifier, and each woofer receives 23W RMS from a separate stage. This means the crossover operates in the DSP domain before amplification, where filter slopes can be applied without the component-induced losses and phase distortions of passive inductors and capacitors. The result is a cleaner handoff between drivers, lower intermodulation distortion, and a more accurate frequency response at the listening position. DSP tuning is applied to the full signal path to achieve the flat, reference-quality frequency response that Kanto describes as their design target: a neutral canvas for music production and mixing that equally suits accurate playback of all recorded material.

USB-C at 24-Bit/96kHz and Magnetic Shielding for Modern and Retro Setups

The ORA4's USB-C input supports audio at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution, providing a bit-perfect digital connection from any device with a USB-C audio output, including iPhone 15 and later, Android smartphones with USB-C audio, Digital Audio Players, and any Mac or PC. Connecting via USB-C bypasses the computer's onboard audio hardware entirely, eliminating the noise floor and interference that typically limit the audio quality of a direct headphone or RCA connection from a computer. The 4-inch paper cone woofers are magnetically shielded, which prevents the magnetic field of the woofer motor from causing color distortion on the screens of nearby CRT monitors or professional video monitors. This makes the ORA4 a technically appropriate choice for retro gaming setups, broadcast editing stations, and any workspace where a CRT or PVM display is in use alongside the speakers.

Key Features

• Bi-Amplified Class D Architecture: Separate 12W RMS tweeter amplifier and 23W RMS woofer amplifier in every cabinet, with DSP-domain crossover processing for lower distortion and more accurate driver integration than passive crossover designs.
• 4-Inch Magnetically Shielded Paper Cone Woofer: Upgraded from the original ORA's 3-inch driver, the 4-inch woofer delivers deeper bass extension, greater dynamic output, and a more full-bodied low-frequency character, while magnetic shielding allows safe placement beside CRT and PVM monitors.
• 0.75-Inch Silk Dome Tweeter: The same tweeter as the original ORA, delivering smooth, detailed high frequencies up to 22kHz for extended, fatigue-free listening across long sessions.
• 70W RMS Bi-Amplified Output (140W Peak): Combined bi-amplified output of 70W RMS per pair from four separate amplifier stages, providing dynamic headroom for realistic playback levels at desktop listening distances and in small to medium rooms.
• DSP-Tuned Flat Frequency Response: Integrated DSP applies equalization and crossover filtering to achieve a flat, reference-quality frequency response from 60Hz to 22kHz, optimized for accurate monitoring, mixing, and music playback.
• Automatic 80Hz Subwoofer Crossover: When a subwoofer is connected to the RCA sub-out, the ORA4 automatically applies an 80Hz high-pass filter to the woofers and a low-pass filter to the subwoofer output, keeping the main drivers focused on midrange and treble with minimal distortion at higher volumes.
• USB-C Input at 24-Bit/96kHz: High-resolution digital audio input supporting bit-perfect 24-bit/96kHz playback from iPhone 15 and later, Android, Digital Audio Players, Mac, and PC, bypassing onboard computer audio hardware entirely.
• Bluetooth 5.0: Latest-generation Bluetooth for wireless streaming from any smartphone, tablet, or computer, with improved stability and range compared to earlier Bluetooth versions.
• RCA Line-Level Input: Analog RCA input for turntables with built-in phono preamps, CD players, streaming devices, or any analog audio source.
• Subwoofer RCA Output: Dedicated sub-out for adding a Kanto SUB6, SUB8, or any third-party powered subwoofer with an RCA line input.
• Retro and CRT Compatible: Magnetically shielded woofers allow safe placement beside CRT monitors, PVM displays, and vintage electronics without magnetic interference.
• Front-Panel Control Knob: Multi-function front knob handles volume adjustment and input selection, with a colour-coded LED indicator on the powered speaker for source identification at a glance.
• Quarter-Inch 20-Thread Mounting Holes: Standard threaded mounting holes on the bottom of each speaker for use with Kanto speaker stands or compatible third-party mounting solutions.
• 4-Pin Speaker Terminals: Dedicated 4-pin connector links the active and passive speakers, with no external amplifier required.
• Designed in Canada: Kanto Audio is founded and based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kanto ORA4?

The Kanto ORA4 is a bi-amplified powered reference desktop speaker system designed by Kanto Audio in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada. It uses 0.75-inch silk dome tweeters and 4-inch magnetically shielded paper cone woofers, with separate 12W and 23W Class D amplifiers per driver in each cabinet, for a combined bi-amplified output of 70W RMS per pair. The ORA4 includes USB-C at 24-bit/96kHz, Bluetooth 5.0, RCA line input, and an automatic 80Hz subwoofer crossover, with a DSP-tuned flat frequency response of 60Hz to 22kHz. It was unveiled at CES 2024 and is the successor to the original ORA, upgrading the woofer from 3 inches to 4 inches for deeper bass extension.

How does the Kanto ORA4 compare to the Audioengine A2+ or the Edifier MR4?

The Kanto ORA4, the Audioengine A2+, and the Edifier MR4 are all compact powered desktop speakers aimed at music listeners and content creators, but differ significantly in amplifier architecture and connectivity. The Audioengine A2+ uses a single amplifier per channel through a passive crossover, with a 2.75-inch woofer and no USB-C input. The Edifier MR4 uses a 4-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter with conventional Class D amplification and no Bluetooth. The ORA4's bi-amplified architecture, with separate 12W and 23W Class D stages per driver and DSP-domain crossover processing, provides a more accurate frequency response and lower crossover distortion than either conventional design. The ORA4 is also the only one of the three with both USB-C at 24-bit/96kHz and Bluetooth 5.0 simultaneously.

What does bi-amplification mean, and why does Kanto use it in the ORA4?

Bi-amplification means that each driver in a speaker cabinet receives power from its own dedicated amplifier stage rather than sharing a single amplifier through a passive crossover network. In the ORA4, the tweeter has a 12W Class D amplifier and the woofer has a 23W Class D amplifier in each cabinet. The crossover that splits the signal between these amplifiers operates in the DSP domain before amplification, which allows steeper filter slopes, more precise frequency division, and no passive component losses or phase distortions at the crossover frequency. The practical result is a more accurate frequency response at the crossover point, lower intermodulation distortion across the full frequency range, and better dynamic control of each driver independently.

Can I connect the Kanto ORA4 to my iPhone or Android phone via USB-C?

Yes. The ORA4's USB-C input supports digital audio at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution and is compatible with iPhone 15 and later, any Android device with USB-C audio output, Digital Audio Players with USB-C output, and Mac or PC computers. Connecting via USB-C bypasses the phone or computer's onboard audio hardware, which typically adds noise and limits dynamic range, providing a cleaner, higher-quality signal path than a standard headphone or Bluetooth connection. A USB-C to USB-C cable is all that is required for the connection.

Can I use the Kanto ORA4 beside a CRT monitor or a professional video monitor?

Yes. The ORA4's 4-inch paper cone woofers are magnetically shielded, which means the magnetic field from the woofer motor is contained and will not cause color distortion or interference on the display of a nearby CRT monitor or professional video monitor. This makes the ORA4 a technically appropriate choice for retro gaming setups using CRT displays, broadcast and video editing workstations using PVM monitors, and any workspace where a magnetically sensitive display is positioned close to the speakers.

Where can I buy the Kanto ORA4 in Toronto or Canada?

Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Ontario carries the Kanto ORA4 powered reference desktop speaker system. Vinyl Sound Canada offers full support for the ORA4 in both available colour options. Contact Vinyl Sound Toronto to confirm current availability in Matte Black and White, and to discuss compatible Kanto speaker stands and subwoofer options for a complete desktop or near-field system.

Does the Kanto ORA4 include a subwoofer?

No, the ORA4 does not include a subwoofer, but it includes a dedicated RCA subwoofer output and an automatic 80Hz crossover that activates when a subwoofer is connected. When a powered subwoofer such as the Kanto SUB6 or SUB8 is plugged into the sub-out, the ORA4's DSP automatically applies an 80Hz high-pass filter to the woofers, redirecting all bass below 80Hz to the subwoofer. This keeps the ORA4's 4-inch woofers focused on midrange reproduction and reduces their excursion at low frequencies, lowering distortion and improving clarity at higher volume levels.

How does the ORA4 differ from the original Kanto ORA?

The Kanto ORA4 is the direct successor to the original ORA, introduced at CES 2024. The primary upgrade is the woofer, which grows from 3 inches in the original ORA to 4 inches in the ORA4, delivering deeper bass extension and greater dynamic output from each cabinet. The ORA4 retains the same 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, the same bi-amplified Class D architecture, the same USB-C at 24-bit/96kHz, Bluetooth, RCA, and subwoofer output, and the same DSP-tuned flat frequency response philosophy as the original. The ORA4 is slightly larger and heavier than the original due to the bigger driver and cabinet, but remains a compact desktop footprint suitable for any workstation or stand mount.