Kanto YU4 Powered Speakers with Bluetooth and Phono Preamp at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Kanto YU4 is a powered bookshelf speaker system from Kanto Audio (Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Part of the award-winning YU Series, the YU4 brings a complete, amplifier-free audio system to desktops, shelves, and compact living spaces in a smaller and more space-friendly cabinet than the YU6. Its 4-inch Kevlar cone woofers and 1-inch silk dome tweeters are driven by a 140W peak Class D amplifier built into the active speaker, with a built-in MM phono preamp, two Optical TOSLINK inputs, RCA analog input, 3.5mm AUX input, subwoofer output, USB charging port, and Bluetooth 4.0 with Qualcomm aptX. The YU4 shares the full connectivity and remote functionality of its larger sibling the YU6 in a compact footprint that makes it ideal for near-field desktop listening, bedroom systems, and any space where the YU6's cabinet would be too large. Designed in Canada and available in Matte Black, Matte White, Bamboo, and Walnut.

Compact Kevlar Drivers and Silk Dome Tweeters for Near-Field and Desktop Use

The YU4 is a two-way, rear-ported design with both the 4-inch Kevlar woofer and 1-inch silk dome tweeter exposed on the front baffle, a studio-monitor aesthetic that signals the speaker's driver-forward design philosophy. Kevlar's high stiffness-to-mass ratio gives the cone the pistonic rigidity needed to accurately reproduce both bass fundamentals and midrange detail from a driver of this size, resisting the flex and breakup that compromise accuracy in conventional polymer cones. The silk dome tweeter delivers smooth, controlled high-frequency output with the natural top-end restraint that makes the YU Series easy to listen to for extended sessions. Both drivers are housed in carefully sanded MDF cabinets finished to a standard that punches well above the YU4's price category, with rear-mounted ports, rubber feet, and a 14-foot speaker cable for connecting the active and passive cabinets. All electronics, inputs, the front-panel volume and input selector knob, and the infrared receiver for the included remote are housed in the active speaker.

Turntable Ready: Built-In MM Phono Preamp and Ground Terminal

Like the YU6, the YU4 includes a moving-magnet phono preamplifier accessed via the rear-panel RCA input and its dedicated Phono/Line toggle switch. Any modern or vintage turntable with a moving-magnet cartridge connects directly to the RCA input in Phono mode, bypassing the need for any external phono stage. A ground terminal on the active speaker accepts the tonearm ground wire, eliminating the hum that would otherwise appear when a turntable is connected without a grounded input. Switching to Line mode on the same RCA input accepts any standard analog line-level source, while both Optical TOSLINK inputs and the 3.5mm AUX remain fully available simultaneously for additional connected devices.

Key Features

• 4-Inch Kevlar Cone Woofers: High-stiffness woven Kevlar cone drivers delivering detailed bass and midrange output with low distortion, optimized for near-field and compact-room listening.
• 1-Inch Silk Dome Tweeters: Smooth, fatigue-free high-frequency reproduction with controlled dispersion for consistent listening across a wide sweet spot.
• 140W Peak Class D Amplifier (70W RMS, 35W per channel): High-efficiency Class D amplification built into the active speaker, providing ample output for desktop, bedroom, and small to medium room installations.
• Built-In MM Phono Preamp with Ground Terminal: Moving-magnet phono preamplifier accessible via Phono/Line switch on the RCA input, compatible with any vintage or modern turntable with an MM cartridge. Ground terminal included.
• Two Optical TOSLINK Inputs: Dual optical inputs allow a television and a second digital source to remain connected simultaneously and be switched between from the remote.
• RCA Input with Phono/Line Switch: Rear-panel RCA input switchable between MM phono and line-level operation for flexible use with turntables and analog sources.
• 3.5mm AUX Input: Analog mini-jack input for smartphones, tablets, laptops, or any portable device.
• Bluetooth 4.0 with Qualcomm aptX: Wireless streaming with Qualcomm aptX codec for improved audio quality over standard SBC Bluetooth, compatible with any aptX-capable device.
• Subwoofer RCA Output: Dedicated subwoofer output for integrating a Kanto SUB6, SUB8, or any third-party subwoofer with an RCA line input, extending bass below the YU4's natural low-frequency limit.
• USB Charging Port: 5V USB-A charging port on the rear of the active speaker for powering a streaming device, Chromecast Audio puck, or keeping a phone charged.
• Full-Function Remote Control: Included remote with volume, source switching, bass, treble, balance, and Bluetooth playback controls.
• Automatic Standby and Wake: Automatic standby mode conserves power when no audio signal is detected, with automatic power-up when signal resumes.
• Quarter-Inch 20-Thread Mounting Holes: Standard threaded mounting points on each speaker for compatibility with Kanto speaker stands and third-party mounting hardware.
• Handcrafted MDF Cabinets: Rear-ported MDF enclosures with carefully sanded and finished exteriors, rubber feet included.
• Designed in Canada: Kanto Audio is founded and based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kanto YU4?

The Kanto YU4 is a powered bookshelf speaker system designed by Kanto Audio in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, and the mid-tier model in the YU Series sitting between the entry-level YU2 and the larger YU6. It uses 4-inch Kevlar cone woofers and 1-inch silk dome tweeters powered by a 140W peak Class D amplifier. The YU4 includes a built-in MM phono preamp, two Optical TOSLINK inputs, RCA line input, 3.5mm AUX, Bluetooth 4.0 with Qualcomm aptX, a subwoofer RCA output, and a USB charging port, and ships with a full-function remote and all necessary cables.

How does the Kanto YU4 compare to the Kanto YU6?

The Kanto YU4 and YU6 share identical inputs, outputs, remote functionality, and overall connectivity, and both include the same built-in MM phono preamp and dual optical inputs. The YU6 uses a larger 5.25-inch Kevlar woofer and a more powerful 200W peak amplifier, making it the stronger choice for larger rooms, open-plan spaces, or anyone who wants to minimize reliance on a subwoofer for bass. The YU4's smaller 4-inch woofer and 140W peak amplifier are optimally matched for desktop listening, near-field setups, bedrooms, and smaller rooms where the YU6's cabinet size would be impractical or unnecessary. For serious near-field listening at a desk, the YU4 is typically the preferred choice in the YU Series.

How does the Kanto YU4 compare to the Audioengine A2+ or the Edifier R1280T?

The Kanto YU4, the Audioengine A2+, and the Edifier R1280T are all compact powered bookshelf systems for desktop and near-field use, but differ in driver size and connectivity. The Audioengine A2+ uses a 2.75-inch woofer and lacks a phono preamp, relying on external phono stages for turntable connectivity. The Edifier R1280T uses 4-inch woofers but has no Bluetooth and no optical input. The YU4 at 4 inches matches the Edifier on woofer size while adding Bluetooth with aptX, dual optical inputs, a built-in MM phono preamp, and a full-function remote, making it the more complete and versatile system among the three for listeners who use multiple sources including a turntable.

Can I connect a turntable directly to the Kanto YU4?

Yes. The YU4 includes a built-in moving-magnet phono preamplifier, accessible by setting the rear-panel Phono/Line switch to the Phono position on the RCA input. Any turntable with a moving-magnet or high-output moving-coil cartridge connects directly to the RCA input without a separate phono stage. A ground terminal on the active speaker accepts the tonearm ground wire to eliminate hum. Switching the toggle to Line mode allows the same RCA input to accept any standard analog line-level source.

Does the Kanto YU4 need a subwoofer?

For most desktop and near-field listening, the YU4 is capable on its own, with the 4-inch Kevlar woofer providing adequate bass for music at moderate listening distances. For home theatre use, larger rooms, or listeners who want extended low-frequency output for bass-heavy music, the YU4's dedicated subwoofer RCA output allows a Kanto SUB6, SUB8, or any third-party subwoofer with an RCA line input to be added seamlessly. The subwoofer output carries a full-range signal, and the crossover is managed by the subwoofer's own controls.

Where can I buy the Kanto YU4 in Toronto or Canada?

Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Ontario carries the Kanto YU4 powered speaker system. Vinyl Sound Canada offers in-store support for the YU4 across its available finish options. Contact Vinyl Sound Toronto to confirm current availability in Matte Black, Matte White, Bamboo, and Walnut, and to discuss compatible Kanto subwoofer and stand accessories.

Does the Kanto YU4 work with a TV?

Yes. The YU4 includes two Optical TOSLINK inputs, which connect directly to any television with an optical audio output. Most televisions output a PCM stereo signal over optical, which the YU4 accepts on either of its two optical inputs. With two optical inputs available simultaneously, a television and a CD player, streaming device, or other digital source can both remain connected and be selected from the included remote without any re-cabling.

What is the difference between the Kanto YU4 and the Kanto YU2?

The Kanto YU2 is the entry-level model in the YU Series and uses a smaller driver than the YU4, with a USB input for computer audio instead of the YU4's phono preamp and optical inputs. The YU4 steps up with a 4-inch Kevlar woofer, a built-in MM phono preamp with ground terminal, two Optical TOSLINK inputs, Bluetooth with aptX, a subwoofer output, and the full YU Series remote. For any listener who wants to connect a turntable or a television to their powered speakers, the YU4 is a meaningfully more capable and complete system than the YU2.