Kanto ORA Desktop Speakers: USB-C, Bluetooth 5.0, a subwoofer out, & more!

[@michaelglenn2399]

I definitely have enjoyed Kanto's offerings. The Ora's seem like a worthy addition to their lineup.

[@AudioAdvice]

They are! Thanks for watching

[@the12gaugeshotty]

What an outstanding unit! Just received mine. Two compact satellites, great neutral sound, USB C input and RCA subwoofer out that allows me to add any subwoofer that I want. Nothing else has these features AFAIK. Steep price at $349 but worth it for something that will last many years.

[@AudioAdvice]

We agree, they are tiny but sound fantastic. Thanks for sharing

[@keithjohnson2863]

The crossover is a great addition. I had the YU2s on my desk for a long time. They sounded above their price point when I added an external analog crossover that fed the high pass output to them and the low pass to a sub.

[@AudioAdvice]

Exactly, so many people do not understand what a difference that can make! We appreciate you sharing

[@Camachoooooo]

can you guide me with your set up? what crossover and sub did you use? I am a noob and just copped the YU 2

[@keithjohnson2863]

@@Camachoooooo Search for the Rolls SX45 crossover (not the SX95). It should placed right before the YU2 speakers in your audio chain. The source feeding your speakers should now be connected to the input of the SX45. The High output of the SX45 should be connected to the input of the YU2 speakers. The Low (not the Mono Low) output of the SX45 should be connected to the sub. I'm using a Rel T/Zero MKIII sub in my system. That is now a $500 sub. I also have the Kanto Sub6, that seems to be out of production now, the Kanto Sub8 at $270 is available.

[@keithjohnson2863]

@@Camachoooooo I used the Rolls SX45 crossover (not the SX95). Place it right before the speakers. The High output should connect to the speakers, the Low (not the Mono Low) should connect to the sub. I have the Rel T/Zero MKIII sub, it is expensive relative to the Kanto YU2 speakers. The Kanto Sub8 is well reviewed and less expensive, I have the Sub6 but it may be discontinued now. Set crossover 90 - 120Hz range.

[@digitaldemonic1]

I have the iloud micros, would love to see a comparison video between the two. It would also be nice if the Ora's came in other colours than black.

[@AudioAdvice]

We have not heard those but thanks for the suggestion. We also wish they had more color options!

[@voiceproductionsuk]

Can these connect directly to a PC monitor to use with an Xbox or PlayStation?

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, they have a USB input. Many people use these as desktop monitors with their PC. And they sound great!

[@keithjohnson2863]

Given that the DSP invalidates the use of an external DAC - analog input will be converted back to digital for processing - there should also be optical and coax digital inputs, especially at the $350 US price.

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, we think they assumed all digital would come from the USB and the computer being used.

[@crispyMP3]

had me so unbelievably sold until i saw the price

[@AudioAdvice]

Sorry about that. They are not inexpensive but we do feel they are worth it.

[@martybrazill7935]

Love that the sub out filters out the bass to a more capable sub. I bet the ORA, combined with a compact subwoofer, will be potent as a desktop system.

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, pretty amazing for this price category!

[@ryanschipp8513]

Are you serious? They have 3" woofers, weigh 2 lbs each, and have 50 total watts per speaker....for $350! Huge ripoff! The mono price mm-5r for $250 will crush them sonically.

[@JASONJAMESMARTIN]

I have the Ora in my home office and the MM-5r at my work office. The mm-5r have a touch more bass and volume but are not as accurate, have a much smaller sweet spot and rely much more on placement ( they need 10 plus inches from the wall and dont work as well in corner desk). The ora just work everywhere ( ok 5 inches away from wall). Plus they dissapear into my desk.@@ryanschipp8513

[@GOLFADDICT65]

I currently have the KANTO TUK's and the s8 subwoofer as my desktop...probably overkill..am thinking of putting the Tuk's as my TV speakers and then get this ORA speakers and a sub for my desktop....what are your thoughts ? will the TUK's be good for TV speakers.....cheers from Canada

[@AudioAdvice]

They will be yes.

[@jimsaibits]

Wish it had remote control like YU4's.

[@AudioAdvice]

We agree, but they are certainly a good value

[@Pabula]

wondering about how automatic crossover works? is it just by plugging a cable to the subwoofer rca connection? can any subwoofer trigger the automatic crossover?

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes. Just plug in a sub and it will do all the work for you!

[@jayperlmutter]

I need a pair of solid desktop speakers without breaking the bank. How do these compare to the Audioengine A2+?

[@AudioAdvice]

They may not be quite as loud but they are an incredible option for a desktop setup.

[@Christian-cy2pn]

These or fiio sp3 when talking about soundqualoty? Will a dedicated dac be of any use?

[@AudioAdvice]

We would choose Kanto.

[@XtrAMassivE]

It has all the nice meaningful upgrades. But with it's price it's in the YU4 territory. Which is better at this price point, or is the ORA price expected to drop?

[@AudioAdvice]

It is really for a different customer, these are super small with a big sound. The YU4 has much more bottom end, but the midrange to us is better on the Ora. Hope this helps

[@jacquesmertens3369]

Came here for a review, got a sales pitch instead. But that happens often on KZbin. Nothing unusual. I like the active crossover technology and the lack of white noise, but having to buy a subwoofer to go somewhere under my desk (and therefore sound weird), expensive stands just to get the angle right ... sorry, that's a bit too much. But then again Kanto aren't the only one with this concept and price model. I could say the same about Vanatoo.

[@AudioAdvice]

Sorry you did not like it. They are a niche product for someone wanting to take up minimal space. They do sound very good in the range they cover, due to the active technology, but yes, not a whole lot of bass. Thanks for watching

[@jeffthielke8091]

Question? On the sub out auto crossover- does it auto crossover with any sub or only the Kanto suite? Do the Yu2 have auto crossovers also??

[@AudioAdvice]

It is set at 100hz. The Yu2 does not have it

[@jeffthielke8091]

Thanks!

[@ruialex314]

Good review I’m definitely interested in these now…you think it’s worth paying extra for the Vanatoo transparent zero plus? Have you tried them out?

[@AudioAdvice]

Thank you, we have not tried those.

[@crm484]

I am torn between Klipsch R-41 PM or Kanto Ora. There Will be a sub. Usage Will be for gaming and movies in a smaller office. Any advice?

[@AudioAdvice]

The Ora is really for the person who has very limited space but wants the best sound. Seems like you are not that limited.

[@crm484]

@@AudioAdvice apreciate your answer! I ordered the klipsch today. I also think they are more flexible for bring used on turntable later in their lifetime. Thank you for Quick answer.

[@ajlee6318]

Thanks for the great reviews. How is the ORA compared with the YU 4 on sound quality?

[@AudioAdvice]

The YU4 will have more low end but the ORA does surprisingly well for the size.

[@ajlee6318]

@@AudioAdvice Thank you!

[@snowwolf8443]

Looking at this, Ruark MR1 MK2, and the Q Acoustics M20. Hope you can give a comparison!

[@AudioAdvice]

We will look into those! Thanks for sharing!

[@dufootball26]

What did you end up choosing?

[@malekyagoub3791]

Is the sound quality really better if you add a subwoofer with these? I just got them and the sound quality is already really good by themselves

[@AudioAdvice]

If you want more low end and like to listen to audio with deep bass, a sub will be great to add. However, it's not needed in a lot of situations.

[@odebroqueville]

I wonder how they compare to the Kali LP UNF?

[@AudioAdvice]

We have not tested those. We do have to say that these sound great for the money and size!

[@sallocurto1571]

Kanto Ora vs Audioengine A2+ with a sub and also vs Kanto YU2 with a sub. I already own a Klipsch sub, so maybe I can save with the less expensive speaker with my sub.

[@AudioAdvice]

The Oras will sound great for their compact size compared to the others. It will depend on where you want to place these. Call or chat with our team at audioadvice.com and they can help you out!

[@sallocurto1571]

My question is not about the Ora, it’s about how good the YU2 or Audioengine A2+ will sound comparable to the Ora?

[@AudioAdvice]

The Ora is far superior so the answer is they are not close. They sound fine for their price and size but the Ora is in a different league. Hope this helps.

[@sallocurto1571]

@@AudioAdvice Thanks. I would tend to agree, but it’s too expensive. I already own a sub, so I’ll settle for the YU2 with that sub. Thanks!

[@kevin-zd4po]

How would you compare the Ora to the yu

[@AudioAdvice]

The ORA is much better than the YU2. In our opinion, it's worth the extra money.

[@goaboi]

does it have a DAC like yu2?

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, these have a DAC

[@xcylinder]

how does it compare with Audioengine HD3?

[@AudioAdvice]

We think it sounds better. Thanks for watching

[@xcylinder]

I have seen couple reviews say it can do 24 bit/96 kHz by USB C, is it true?@@AudioAdvice

[@AudioAdvice]

@@xcylinder yes

[@JASONJAMESMARTIN]

16 bit 48 khz Retailers got wrong info. I reached out to kanto about this.@@xcylinder

[@eze2190]

Within $100 of the Q Acoustics M20 HD’s. Hard pass

[@AudioAdvice]

Fair enough. You should really give these a try first though. They are quite impressive.

[@canarinis]

Kanto Ora vs. Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus?

[@AudioAdvice]

Sorry we have not heard those. They are quite a bit larger than the Ora. Thanks for watching

[@ernatsawa2882]

Kanto Ora vs. Audioengine A2+ ?

[@AudioAdvice]

We would choose the Ora. Thanks for watching

[@meenam300zx]

Audioengine has a better cabinet not flimsy like Ora. Its a better compact unit and looks better esthetically. Its also $150 cheaper than Ora.

[@sallocurto1571]

Kanto Ora vs Audioengine A2+ with a sub? I already own a Klipsch sub, so I’m looking at the price differential and what I can get for less with my existing sub.

[@champipy]

Any better than "iLoud Micro Monitors"?

[@AudioAdvice]

We have not tested those. However, the ORA's are really good so if they are similar in price, we'd probably say yes.

[@champipy]

@@AudioAdvice iLoud has DSP and switches to set bass, treble, so I doubt these are near as any good as iLoud

[@jimwilliamson7798]

A lot of engineering to get this performance at this price.

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, it was, considering how tiny they are

[@francescob.3019]

350$ for speakers that size is definitely not affordable

[@AudioAdvice]

They produce quite the sound for their size!

[@cconnon1912]

YU6 pair was $299 6 months ago. 😅😅😅

[@KalboVello]

I think I paid something similar for the YU4,s not long ago. Kanyo sound is amazing but $350 for these smaller speakers, I don't know.

[@RedLeo-pf9yo]

I’m getting red speakers from this company in a couple weeks.

[@AudioAdvice]

We hope you enjoy them!

[@kunsliu]

everything is good but 24bit, 96khz !!!

[@AudioAdvice]

Yes, it could be higher, but for this price its awesome, thanks for watching

[@ddvantandar-kw7kl]

TUKW sounds better

[@AudioAdvice]

Thanks for sharing!

[@MrMilanina]

What is the name of these stands, please?

[@AudioAdvice]

www.audioadvice.com/shop-by-brand/kanto/kanto-s2-desktop-speaker-stands

[@AudioAdvice]

www.audioadvice.com/home-audio/speakers/speaker-stands/kanto-se2-elevated-desktop-speaker-stands-pair

[@JustinGone]

Aesthetically these are definitely a downgrade

[@AudioAdvice]

Really? They look great in person!

[@ryanschipp8513]

Toy speakers.$350 for 2lb speakers? 50watts per speaker tweeter+woofer? No thanks. Monoprice mm-5R is $250 right now...they wiil blow the oras away.

[@AudioAdvice]

You might want to hear these first. The MM5R will have a bit more bass, but those are not active with separate amps for the woofer and tweeter like the ORA.

[@ryanschipp8513]

@@AudioAdvice anyone that follows audio for quite a while we'll know the Monoprice is a much much better value. Bigger speaker cabinet , bigger drivers, more wattage. You are wrong...monoprice has separate wattage going to the tweeter and woofer. And it's even class ab amplification. You might want to read up on their specs more.

[@AudioAdvice]

@@ryanschipp8513 Not really sure how the separate amps are possible with just a single speaker wire connection between the two speakers, at least on the model you listed. Their ad copy says bi-amplified, but there is no way that is physically possible with one speaker wire connection

[@ryanschipp8513]

@@AudioAdvice regardless of the implementation there is more wattage available. The kantos have very little wattage. Then we need to factor in the large or cabinet size and woofer size. Them the Monoprice having more inputs and a remote.....all for.....$100 less. I understand you just did a video and I'm exposing a much better value but do your Watchers a favor and just concede since the better value is so obvious. I'm sure the people at Kanto would even admit it if you put them on the spot.

[@AudioAdvice]

@@ryanschipp8513 After looking further at the details on them, the wattage they claim is very questionable. If you look at the max draw at the power cord input, it is less than the claimed power ads up to. We question if it is even really Class AB after reading through how they brag about it being separate amps, when in fact there is no way they could be. Plus, we are suggesting the Ora as something that does not take up nearly as much space and sounds very good.

[@frankd.b.9233]

Good what a 80 Hz - 20 kHz not good dudes

[@AudioAdvice]

It is for this size. These tiny little speakers are pretty incredible as both Audio Advice and many independent reviewers have noted. Thanks for watching

[@OMGWTFLOLSMH]

No aux-in is a deal breaker. I need to connect my Hi_Res audio player.

[@AudioAdvice]

Fair enough.

[@MrAdLad]

@@AudioAdvice would a 3.5mm to usb-c cable allow a monitor with a 3.5mm output to work with the Ora's?