Kanto YU6 Powered Speakers with Bluetooth and Phono Preamp at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Kanto YU6 is a powered bookshelf speaker system from Kanto Audio (Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. The largest and most capable model in Kanto's YU Series, the YU6 delivers a complete home audio system in a pair of compact, beautifully finished cabinets with no external amplifier required. Its 5.25-inch Kevlar cone woofers and 1-inch silk dome tweeters are powered by a 200W peak (100W RMS) 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. Sound and Vision called the YU6 "musically self-sufficient," HomeTheaterReview named it "one of the best gateway audio systems I have ever seen or heard," and the system has been a consistent presence in record stores and independent audio retailers across North America since its introduction. Designed in Canada and available in multiple finishes including Matte Black, Matte White, Bamboo, and Walnut.

Kevlar Woofers and Silk Dome Tweeters in a Complete All-in-One System

The YU6 is a two-way design with both drivers exposed on the front baffle, a studio-monitor aesthetic that reflects the speaker's no-compromise driver and cabinet approach. The 5.25-inch Kevlar cone woofer is the largest driver in the YU Series and delivers the bass weight and midrange body needed to fill a living room, home office, or listening space without a subwoofer for most musical material. Kevlar's high stiffness-to-mass ratio gives the cone excellent pistonic behaviour across a wide frequency range, resisting the flex and breakup modes that compromise accuracy in lower-cost polymer drivers. The 1-inch silk dome tweeter handles the upper register with a smooth, fatigue-free character that Sound and Vision noted as appropriately restrained in the presence region. The pair is housed in handcrafted 0.75-inch MDF cabinets with carefully sanded and finished exteriors, rear-ported enclosures, and rubber feet. The active speaker contains all electronics, inputs, the front-panel volume and input knob, and a colour-coded status LED. A 16-foot speaker cable connects the active speaker to the passive one, giving full flexibility in placement across a typical room.

Turntable Ready: Built-In MM Phono Preamp

The YU6 includes a moving-magnet phono preamplifier accessed via the rear-panel RCA input, which switches between phono and line-level operation using a dedicated Phono/Line toggle. A ground terminal on the active speaker accepts the ground wire from any turntable, reducing hum. The phono preamp handles any modern or vintage turntable equipped with a moving-magnet cartridge, eliminating the need for a separate phono stage in the signal chain. Two Optical TOSLINK inputs are also available simultaneously on the rear panel, allowing a television and a second digital source such as a CD player or streaming device to remain connected at the same time and be selected via the included remote.

Key Features

• 5.25-Inch Kevlar Cone Woofers: High-stiffness, low-mass woven Kevlar cone drivers delivering detailed bass and midrange output with low distortion across a wide dynamic range.
• 1-Inch Silk Dome Tweeters: Smooth, fatigue-free high-frequency reproduction with controlled dispersion for consistent off-axis listening.
• 200W Peak Class D Amplifier (100W RMS, 50W per channel): High-efficiency Class D amplification built into the active speaker cabinet, providing ample headroom for realistic playback levels in medium to large rooms.
• Built-In MM Phono Preamp with Ground Terminal: Moving-magnet phono preamp accessible via rear-panel Phono/Line switch, compatible with any vintage or modern turntable with an MM cartridge. Ground terminal included to eliminate turntable hum.
• Two Optical TOSLINK Inputs: Dual optical inputs allow a television and a second digital source to remain connected simultaneously, selectable from the remote.
• RCA Input with Phono/Line Switch: Single rear-panel RCA input switchable between MM phono and line-level operation for maximum versatility 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 aptX codec for improved audio quality compared to standard SBC Bluetooth, compatible with any aptX-capable smartphone, tablet, or computer.
• Subwoofer RCA Output: Dedicated subwoofer output for integrating a Kanto SUB6, SUB8, or any third-party subwoofer with an RCA line input, to extend bass below the YU6's natural low-frequency limit.
• USB Charging Port: 5V USB-A charging port on the rear of the active speaker for powering a Chromecast Audio, streaming puck, or keeping a phone charged.
• Full-Function Remote Control: Included remote with volume, source switching, bass, treble, balance controls, 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 speaker stands and mounting hardware.
• Handcrafted MDF Cabinets: 0.75-inch MDF rear-ported 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 YU6?

The Kanto YU6 is a powered bookshelf speaker system designed by Kanto Audio in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, and the largest model in the YU Series. It uses 5.25-inch Kevlar cone woofers and 1-inch silk dome tweeters, powered by a 200W peak (100W RMS) Class D amplifier built into the active speaker. The YU6 includes a built-in MM phono preamp, two Optical TOSLINK inputs, RCA line input, 3.5mm AUX, Bluetooth 4.0 with aptX, a subwoofer RCA output, and a USB charging port. It ships with a full-function remote, speaker wire, and all necessary cables.

How does the Kanto YU6 compare to the Audioengine A5+ or the Klipsch R-51PM?

The Kanto YU6, the Audioengine A5+, and the Klipsch R-51PM are all popular powered bookshelf speakers with built-in phono preamps in the same general category. The Audioengine A5+ uses 5-inch aramid fiber woofers and a Class AB amplifier, with Bluetooth and RCA but no optical input. The Klipsch R-51PM uses a 5.25-inch spun copper woofer and a 1-inch tweeter with a tractrix horn, including phono, optical, USB, and Bluetooth. The YU6's dual Optical TOSLINK inputs and the pairing of Kevlar woofers with a smooth silk dome tweeter give it a distinctive advantage for TV connectivity and a warmer tonal character compared to the more forward presentation of the horn-loaded Klipsch design. Sound and Vision specifically noted the YU6's advantage over mid-price soundbars, calling it a product that makes the soundbar category look questionable by comparison.

Can I connect a turntable directly to the Kanto YU6?

Yes. The YU6 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 can be connected directly to the RCA input without any additional phono stage. A ground terminal on the active speaker accepts the ground wire from the turntable's tonearm, which eliminates the hum that can occur when a turntable is connected to an ungrounded input.

Does the Kanto YU6 work with a TV?

Yes. The YU6 includes two Optical TOSLINK inputs, which provide a direct digital audio connection to any television with an optical output. Most televisions include an optical audio output in their audio settings, and the YU6 can accept the PCM stereo signal that televisions output over optical. With two optical inputs available simultaneously, a television and a second digital source can both remain connected and be switched between using the included remote without re-cabling.

What does Qualcomm aptX do for Bluetooth streaming on the YU6?

Qualcomm aptX is a Bluetooth audio codec that encodes and decodes the audio signal more efficiently than the default SBC codec used in standard Bluetooth connections. When both the YU6 and the source device support aptX, the audio is transmitted at a higher bit rate with lower compression, resulting in improved clarity, better stereo imaging, and reduced audible artifacts compared to standard SBC Bluetooth. Most current Android smartphones support aptX. Apple devices use the AAC codec, which the YU6 also handles via its standard Bluetooth 4.0 connection.

Can I add a subwoofer to the Kanto YU6?

Yes. The YU6 includes a dedicated subwoofer RCA output on the rear of the active speaker. Connecting any subwoofer with an RCA line input, including the Kanto SUB6 or SUB8, allows the YU6 to extend its bass output below the 5.25-inch woofers' natural limit. The YU6's subwoofer output is always active and carries a full-range signal; the crossover point is managed by the subwoofer's own controls rather than by a built-in high-pass filter in the YU6. Audio Advice and HomeTheaterReview both noted that the YU6 paired with the Kanto SUB8 delivers a highly satisfying 2.1 system for music, television, and film at a very competitive combined cost.

Where can I buy the Kanto YU6 in Toronto or Canada?

Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Ontario carries the Kanto YU6 powered speaker system. Vinyl Sound Canada offers demonstrations and full support for the YU6 across its available finish options. Contact Vinyl Sound Toronto to check current availability in Matte Black, Matte White, Bamboo, and Walnut, and to discuss compatible Kanto subwoofer and stand options.

How is the Kanto YU6 different from the Kanto YU4?

The Kanto YU6 and YU4 share the same inputs, remote, and overall feature set, but differ in driver size and amplifier power. The YU6 uses a 5.25-inch Kevlar woofer compared to the YU4's smaller driver, and delivers more amplifier power, resulting in greater bass extension and higher output levels before the YU6 requires assistance from a subwoofer. The YU6 is the better choice for larger rooms, open-plan living spaces, or anyone who wants to fill a room without a subwoofer. The YU4 is more suited to desktop or near-field listening where its smaller cabinet is an advantage.