Kanto REN Powered Speaker with HDMI-ARC at Vinyl Sound Toronto Canada

The Kanto REN is a powered bookshelf speaker system from Kanto Audio (Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Kanto's first powered speaker with HDMI ARC and CEC, the REN is designed to replace a soundbar with the clarity, imaging, and dynamic range of true DSP-controlled stereo. Each cabinet houses a 1-inch silk dome tweeter and a 5.25-inch aluminum cone woofer drawn from the same driver heritage as Kanto's TUK and YU6 models, powered by a 100W RMS (200W peak) Class D amplifier. Six inputs cover every source in a modern home: HDMI ARC with CEC, USB-C at 24-bit/96kHz, Optical TOSLINK, Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC, RCA, and 3.5mm AUX. The REN ships with a remote, magnetic grilles, speaker wire, rubber feet, and a quick-start guide, and is available at Vinyl Sound Canada in Black, White, Blue, Gray, and Orange.

HDMI ARC and CEC: A True Soundbar Alternative

The REN is the first Kanto speaker to include an HDMI ARC port, making it the most direct and capable connection available between a powered speaker system and a modern television. HDMI ARC carries a two-channel digital audio signal from the TV's audio return channel, and the REN's CEC support allows the TV remote to control the REN's volume, muting, and power state automatically, without the need to switch remotes or manually manage the speaker. The REN powers on and off in response to the TV's power state, and integrates with any TV that supports HDMI ARC and CEC. Unlike a soundbar, which collapses the stereo field into a single horizontal enclosure, the REN preserves genuine left and right channel separation with two physically independent cabinets, producing the kind of three-dimensional soundstage and accurate imaging that a single-bar format cannot reproduce. Reviewers at Sound and Vision and Audioholics have both cited the HDMI ARC implementation and true stereo separation as the REN's strongest differentiator from competing soundbar products at the same price level.

DSP Sound Modes: Vocal Boost and Night Mode

The REN's onboard DSP provides two dedicated sound modes accessible from the included remote. Vocal Boost elevates dialogue clarity and brings the midrange forward relative to the low end, making it easier to follow conversation in film and television without increasing overall volume. Night Mode reduces the intensity of low-frequency effects and tempers peaks in loud scenes, making late-night viewing comfortable without sacrificing vocal intelligibility. When a subwoofer is connected to the REN's subwoofer output, the DSP automatically activates an 80Hz high-pass filter on the main drivers, redirecting all frequencies below 80Hz to the subwoofer and allowing the 5.25-inch aluminum woofers to focus on midrange reproduction with reduced excursion and lower distortion. Reviewers at WiFi HiFi Magazine noted that the Vocal Boost mode performed best with a subwoofer present, and that Night Mode silences the subwoofer output simultaneously for full nighttime compatibility.

Key Features

• HDMI ARC with CEC: Kanto's first powered speaker with HDMI ARC, enabling high-quality digital audio from any modern TV via the audio return channel, with CEC support for automatic volume and power control from the TV remote.
• 1-Inch Silk Dome Tweeter: High-frequency driver shared with the heritage of Kanto's TUK and YU6 speaker lines, delivering smooth, detailed treble with controlled dispersion for consistent off-axis listening.
• 5.25-Inch Aluminum Cone Woofer: High-rigidity, low-mass aluminum driver providing extended bass output and low distortion at high output levels, from the same driver platform used across Kanto's upper speaker range.
• 100W RMS Class D Amplifier (200W Peak): Efficient Class D stereo amplification built into the active speaker cabinet, with 50 watts per channel RMS providing headroom for realistic playback levels in typical living rooms and home offices.
• Onboard DSP with Vocal Boost and Night Mode: Integrated digital signal processing with two switchable sound modes: Vocal Boost for dialogue clarity and Night Mode for late-night viewing comfort, both accessible from the included remote.
• Automatic 80Hz Subwoofer Crossover: When a subwoofer is connected, DSP automatically filters bass below 80Hz to the subwoofer output and high-pass filters the main speakers, improving midrange clarity and reducing woofer distortion at high volumes.
• USB-C at 24-bit/96kHz: High-resolution digital audio connection for computers and laptops, bypassing the computer's onboard audio hardware for a cleaner, interference-free signal at up to 24-bit/96kHz resolution.
• Optical TOSLINK Input: Digital optical connection for televisions without HDMI ARC, CD transports, network streamers, and any digital source with an optical output.
• Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC: Latest-generation Bluetooth with AAC codec support for high-quality wireless streaming from smartphones, tablets, and computers, with improved stability and range versus earlier Bluetooth versions.
• RCA and 3.5mm AUX Inputs: Analog line-level inputs for turntables with built-in phono preamps, streaming devices, CD players, or any analog source.
• Subwoofer RCA Output: Dedicated subwoofer output compatible with any subwoofer with an RCA line input, with automatic DSP crossover management when connected.
• 5V 1A USB Charging Port: Rear-panel USB-A charging output for powering smartphones, network streamers, or other small devices.
• Left-Right Channel Swap: Remote-accessible channel swap allows the active speaker to be placed on the right side without disrupting stereo imaging, solving placement constraints caused by power outlet location.
• Magnetic Grilles Included: Removable magnetic grilles ship with each pair for a clean, minimal aesthetic when preferred.
• Mounting-Ready Design: Each speaker includes a quarter-inch 20-thread bottom mounting hole for compatibility with standard speaker stands and mounting hardware.
• Multiple Color Options: Available in Matte Black, White, Blue, Gray, and Orange.
• Designed in Canada: Kanto Audio is founded and based in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada.

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Kanto REN?

The Kanto REN is a powered bookshelf speaker system designed and engineered by Kanto Audio in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, and the first Kanto speaker to include HDMI ARC with CEC. It uses 1-inch silk dome tweeters and 5.25-inch aluminum cone woofers in two separate cabinets, powered by a 100W RMS Class D amplifier built into the active speaker, with six inputs including HDMI ARC, USB-C at 24-bit/96kHz, Optical TOSLINK, Bluetooth 5.3 with AAC, RCA, and 3.5mm AUX. The REN delivers a 50Hz to 22kHz frequency response and includes onboard DSP with Vocal Boost and Night Mode, an automatic 80Hz subwoofer crossover, and a left-right channel swap function.

How does the Kanto REN compare to a soundbar such as the Sonos Arc Ultra or the Samsung HW-Q990D?

The Kanto REN and a conventional soundbar such as the Sonos Arc Ultra or the Samsung HW-Q990D differ fundamentally in how they reproduce stereo audio. A soundbar collapses both channels into a single horizontal enclosure, which limits physical stereo separation regardless of virtual processing applied. The REN uses two fully independent cabinets placed apart in the room, producing genuine left-right channel separation and a three-dimensional soundstage that no single-bar format can match. The REN also connects to a television via the same HDMI ARC standard as any soundbar, with CEC support for TV remote volume control and automatic power management. For music listening, the true stereo imaging of the REN is a substantial advantage over any soundbar design.

Can the Kanto REN be connected to a turntable?

Yes, with a condition. The REN includes an RCA analog input that accepts any line-level signal, including the output of a turntable that has a built-in phono preamplifier. Most turntables in the current market at and above entry level include an internal phono preamp with an on-off switch. However, the REN does not include a built-in phono preamp, so turntables that output a raw phono-level signal without an internal preamp will require a separate external phono preamplifier between the turntable and the REN's RCA input. This is a key distinction from the Kanto TUK, which includes a dedicated MM phono input with built-in preamp.

What is HDMI ARC and how does CEC work with the REN?

HDMI ARC stands for Audio Return Channel, a function built into the HDMI port on most modern televisions that allows the TV to send audio back down an HDMI cable to a connected device rather than only receiving video. Connecting the REN to a TV's HDMI ARC port means all audio from the TV, whether from streaming apps, a cable box, or any other source the TV is processing, is sent directly to the REN at full digital quality. CEC, the Consumer Electronics Control protocol embedded in HDMI, allows the TV remote to control the REN's volume and power automatically, so no separate remote is needed for day-to-day TV watching once the HDMI ARC connection is established.

What does Night Mode do on the Kanto REN?

Night Mode is a DSP-controlled sound mode on the REN that reduces the intensity of low-frequency effects and tempers dynamic peaks in loud passages, making late-night television and film watching comfortable without disturbing others in the household. When Night Mode is active and a subwoofer is connected, the subwoofer output is also muted, so bass does not travel through walls or floors during nighttime listening. Night Mode is activated by pressing the sound mode button twice on the included remote, with a single press engaging Vocal Boost mode first.

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

Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Ontario carries the Kanto REN powered speaker system. Vinyl Sound Canada offers demonstrations and full support for the REN across all available colour options. Contact Vinyl Sound Toronto to check current stock in Matte Black, White, Blue, Gray, or Orange, and to discuss compatible Kanto subwoofer options for a complete home theatre or music system.

Can the Kanto REN be mounted on speaker stands?

Yes. Each REN speaker includes a quarter-inch 20-thread bottom mounting hole, which is the industry-standard thread size for speaker stands and mounting hardware. This allows the REN to be mounted on any compatible stand with a threaded top plate, including Kanto's own SX26 stands, which multiple reviewers have recommended as an optimal pairing for positioning the REN at the correct listening height beside a television.

How does the Kanto REN differ from the Kanto TUK?

The Kanto TUK and the Kanto REN are both premium powered speaker systems from Kanto Audio, but they serve different primary use cases. The TUK uses AMT tweeters and includes a built-in MM phono preamp with a dedicated phono input, a built-in headphone amplifier, and Bluetooth 4.2 with aptX HD, making it the stronger choice for dedicated music listening and vinyl playback. The REN uses silk dome tweeters, adds HDMI ARC with CEC and Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless television integration, includes DSP-controlled Vocal Boost and Night Mode, and adds USB-A charging output, making it the better choice for home theatre use and anyone who prioritizes TV connectivity. The REN does not include a built-in phono preamp or headphone output.