Before even watching the entire video, I liked and subscribed. Soley because of the way you asked for a sub. I can't stand when people constantly just say like an subscribe, you were way more elegant with your ask.
Yeah, its just awesome how much more Info he have in comparison to those other Guys who even sometimes miss to put the Right Speaker on the Right and even dont notice it "after tested some Weeks" - so cool.
To each their own! I believe there’s a ton of value in curation. Just cutting through the noise and showing a few of the top options in a category can be really helpful. I’m trying to walk the line of accessible and informative without getting too in the weeds. Lots of people seem to like it, so this is for them 👍
@@michaelm2704you can see that he have the speakers physically there - right? You can hear that he tell the correct Specs - right? Thats 95% more then most of thos Channels do which also give "Audio Comparisons" that do exactly nothing with worth cuz you hear it with your own Setup - right? Hope thats enough...
Absolutely nothing wrong with powered speakers. In fact, ‘active speakers’ can do some really neat stuff by powering each driver independently. The issue with powered speakers is there is no upgrade path and not much versatility. Plus if one thing fails you’re replacing the entire system. I tried some powered speakers- really liked the swans for the price- ended up with some Kanto YUP4. Those are the passive version of the 4” Kantos and I paired them with a Fosi V3, Topping DX1 and a small 8” Pioneer sub. Phenomenal audio quality and lots of options.
You are correct. The upgrade path of an all in one system is to change it. If you have a rack of boxes you can upgrade the amplifier and then find it doesn't like your existing speakers and have to upgrade that. OR you upgrade your speakers and the old amp will not drive them even to the level you had before. Then the DAC needs upgrading too. It is rare for an entry level system to be able to upgrade piece my piece and each time get the sonic improvements you spent out on. Depends how long you lie with the intermediate steps before going up a level of performance. I jumped ten times by cost from my first hi-fi to my second 44 years ago. I have heard good systems and could happily live with them but clearly better on all music sources I don't think so, and then having to spend insane amounts of money on, not within my budget. As to failure. Sure one of my active speakers has needed repair and the amp part sent off for repairs. Some powered and active speakers do not have user removable electronics (a few do). If you hi-fi amp breaks down what powers your passive speakers? Sure you can go into a hi-fi shop and walk out with an amp and plug it in. Maybe the shop will loan or hire out the amp. It is usually the amp whether a separate system or built into the speakers. With active speakers you are likely to have one of them still working, so for a few weeks you live with a mono system. This applies to most equipment otherwise we would have modular component separate TVs, washing machines, ovens and cars! In fact in the early 80s Philips made a modular TV where you could get different screen sizes to the receiver and speakers. If you get a screen (no TV receiver) it costs double to that of a TV.
disagree on the versatility. especially if you get one that has a remote. you can use it for either a TV or a computer speaker. Or as a music listening speaker with a cheap streamer like the wiim
They can all be changed btw. On my active speakers I usually change components, class D amps are cheap too. There is no difference in electronics. Just better and worse components
Great review! I tried the Kanto ORA as I loved their size and input options. One negative was that they have a max volume, which while loud it's not *that* loud. It was a hard volume limit that I couldn't get over. The ORA are definitely meant for very near field monitoring, they do have a very nice bass and a super neutral frequency response. I ended up returning them and got the Klipsch R-40PM since they were $100 cheaper than the ORA at the time and can also get considerably louder. I use the Kanto S6 Tilted Desktop Speaker Stands to raise them off the desk and angle them for imaging.
Great video Japer. I like good sound, also with my desktop PC, and I read a lot of good reviews about the Audioengine A5 speakers you've tested here. So I decided to swap out my 15+ years old B&W 685's for a pair of Audioengine A5's.. for 5 minutes, because unfortunately that's how long it took to decide the A5's would go back in the box. So maybe good to know, if you like good sound on a budget, second hand older bookshelf speakers can still be very good, but they do need an amp and more space of course. I might try the KEF LS50 some time in the future though.
I discovered you recently because I'm looking for my first pair of speakers. I'm looking for neutral and compact speakers to put on my desk. Thanks for the comparisons and your vibe, it’s really very useful! I think you could have mentioned the Kali Audio LP-UNF which seem to be excellent value for money
Thank you! And yes, agreed - I should have mentioned the Kali Audio LP-UNF. I don’t love the styling, but can’t deny it’s a great speaker. I may make a similar video all about studio monitors. If I do, I’ll be sure to include it! Link for anyone curious: amzn.to/47laL7p
Nice video! I have been using the Fives since they came out. I never had an issue with the bass as I used a sub from day one which avoided the DSP aspect. I also plugged the bass ports with foam because I have them about 18 inches from a wall. I have been very happy with this setup. The room is not small yet these speakers put out plenty of great quality sound.
I enjoyed your review! When adding a subwoofer, you should consider whether the subwoofer has a high pass crossover or not. Ideally, you want the signal to travel first to the subwoofer with only the "highs" (say above 100 Hz) passing on to the primary speakers. In addition to providing a more seamless and even bass response, it removes the burden from the primary speakers of supplying bass below 100 Hz thus lowering distortion in the main speakers and cleaning up the sound.
I have had the Kanto Tuks on my desktop for a few years now, and at lower volume levels, they are lovely. The AMT tweeter is super clean and you definitely don't need a sub. Good job and look forward to more videos!
That was well worthwhile. I love small speakers with a small sub. I want to hear the little Kanto's. They have some new products for 2025. I don't think anyone sells Vanatoo in Canada.
I've had the Edifiere in the kitchen for about 3 years, I thought it would be used as a radio for a long time. Far from it, they play some compact systems that are twice as expensive under the table Don't expect too much. But great bass, good highs. Great video by the way 😳
love hearing you talk about speakers!! love your takes and also, KEF's are something I want to end up with so it was a pleasure hearing about you enjoy them
The Kef LSX II are active speakers with each speaker needing mains input. Kef LSX II LT have a USB-C connection providing both power and signal from the primary to the secondary speaker. Most powered speakers have a passive secondary speaker with all the amplification and connection in the primary. Fully active speakers perform better but usually cost more. More speakers are now using an active crossover even when the amplification is all in the primary and the cable is four way or more to control each drive unit. Kanto YU6 and TUK would also fit within this budget but are larger. Triangle AIO Twin, Wharfedale Diamond A1, Ruark Audio MR1 MKII, Audio Pro A28, Q Acoustics M20 also worth consideration. You can never test everything in a review. What is missing from this line up are the Adams Audio speakers. These near field monitors are active speakers with amplification in each speaker, usually sold separately T5V, T7V, T8V (5", 7", 8" bass). No Bluetooth, no wi-fi, no DAC, just RCA and XLR. They are liked for their detailed sound. The T range is the entry level with A, S and new A series costing more. Not all powered speakers will work with computers or TV as they have poor latency (lip synch issues). Having USB, optical, 3.5mm inputs is does not mean they are video compatible. Most Bluetooth and wireless speakers have poor latency and not suitable for use with a TV or computer unless they have HDMI eARC inputs or include the use of video as a source in their specifications. This is not a problem with analogue speakers (powered, active or passive). If using Bluetooth few have a low latency or lossless codec. If they have wi-fi/Chromecast with DNLA and uPnP over Ethernet or wi-fi the signal is lossless and uncompressed. Whether this is noticeable is down to your source and own hearing. A sub added extends the bass of the stereo pair not the start of scaling up to a 5.1 surround system. Powered or wireless (Bluetooth, wi-fi) speakers will not scale up to surround. Analogue Active speakers will otherwise special configuration from a manufacturer or WiSA speakers are the way to go from stereo to 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems.
Thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful response! I really appreciate you taking the time to write this up. I thought about diving into the nuance of active vs powered, but decided to try and keep things high-level. It’s a tough balancing act of being too superficial vs too deep. I will continue to experiment and refine as I create more content. Comments like yours are so helpful as I attempt to find this balance. 🙏 I will be sure to take a look at the speakers you mentioned. I will likely do an update to this video in the future so this list is very helpful. Also, great point regarding latency with some inputs. I use an Apple TV which actually has a great functionality that allows it to compensate for audio lag by measuring the audio delay and then adding the same delay to the video playback. It’s not ideal, but it does allow for a lot of flexibility for those with laggy speakers. Fortunately, the LSX II LT don’t need to use this feature.
@@Jasper_Tech I bought in several wireless speakers because I could not get the level of details from customer service and rightly a manufacturer will not comment on the competition and not all dealers will stock those of interest to me and may push the one with the biggest return to them. I was surprised how seamless Airplay 2 worked and it was able to resolve the latency with an iphone but not Airplay 2 from a desktop PC. The sound quality of Chromecast DNLA and uPnP appears to be better than Airplay 2. Makes no sense to me both being lossless but these are very much inferior to the same speaker over WiSA (Beolab 28). Wi-fi 7 with low latency and designed to transmit audio and video might change everything in a year or two. Devialet took several years to get low latency with an operating system software update. To go 5.5 customer speakers and an AV are needed for 14,000 EUR. B&O added low latency to the 3.5 mm input three years after launch and now have a product Beolink Surround based on their sound bar to enable the life style speakers to be satellite speakers to it lowing their entry cost from 2900GBP to 599GBP per speaker. (plus the 8990GBP Beosound Theatre). These new wireless DSP room correcting speakers are offering a lot of high tech, better quality in a smaller box, but there are new limits not often mentioned.
@@Jasper_Tech I purchased several system speakers because reviews, dealers and manufacturers did not provide me with the details I needed. I was surprised that Airplay 2 with an iPhone worked when Chromecast DNLA uPnP had poor latency over wi-fi. I ran TuneBlade on a PC to cast over Airplay but it also has poor latency. The PC software does not do what Apple 4K TV does to adjust the audio to match the video. I am also surprised that I can hear (think I hear perhaps) a difference in audio quality between Chromecast and Airplay. Chromecast is lossless and not compressed. Airplay 2 is lossless but compressed. Bluetooth is even more noticeable. My speakers (Beolab 28) also have WiSA. This uses the band width above 5GHz wi-fi to avoid/reduce interference. the speakers sounds a fuller, bigger sound stage that using other wireless methods from the same audio file. WiSA provides multi-channel audio in a room but is not useful for multi-room use. Over wi-fi I can synch stereo systems across the house so moving room to room with them in synch and not up to 30 seconds out of synch if I tune them to the same internet radio station separately. In researching speakers to replace my 44 year old speakers I created a list of powered and active speakers trying to see what was offered and how they compare (via reviews if not able to hear for myself as few stores stock more than a couple of models). My short list, documented in a spreadsheet, is now 111 systems. Wi-fi 7 available now on some desktop computers may change this with the low latency, and designed for multi-channel audio and video distribution. I have not seen it included in any speakers or hi-fi or plans for the future. Some interesting developments coming or are changes being forced upon us? I have concerns about these smart streaming speakers for the future. My active speakers have provided good service over 44 years. I have needed repairs and can still get them repaired. My 2016 speakers with internet radio and streaming services changed their software making some positive improvements but to use internet radio or stream you need a mobile phone to cast to them. It is not longer in the speakers. Another manufacturer released a new model with a faster processor unit and the bug fixes and improvements not provided on the older model. Others have bricked their old model if used in the latest configuration but had offered a part exchange. Last year the BBC got some internet radio stations blocked from the UK and changed the system they had used to one that counts connections and records channel usage of their services. This means that many internet radios can not get any of these channels and can not be upgraded to the new system (FM/DAB/internet radios, leaving internet users to use DAB with mono 64kbits instead of 320 kbits internet service). We see this with computers with the OS lasting maybe 10 years and then slowly the browser does not work and it and programmes fail. Things that had worked no longer do so particularly if they need internet access. In the UK Freeview and Freesat are moving to internet based channels needing a new TV set as there are no set top boxes, although there might be. Samsung can disable your TV remotely (e.g. when it reported stolen). Speakers manufacturers can log into your hi-fi speakers and change the software, read logs, fix bugs to individual speakers. Great when everything works but when one speaker gets the update and the other one does not they refuse to work together and you have to be an IT guru to fix or pay for a dealer to solve the problems for you. Urban myths or concerns to the future of what this tech is going to do.
"Kef LSX II LT have a USB-C connection providing both power and signal from the primary to the secondary speaker. " I think it supplies signal only with both speakers having their own amplification. KEF states "LSX II LT has a combined 200 Watts of system power. Both the primary and secondary speakers are equipped with dedicated amplifiers for the tweeter and woofer, ensuring the delivery of room-filling sound in its remarkably compact cabinets."
Bought the Edifier 1280DB which just got delivered today. Havent had a chance to try them out yet, but I was looking up videos about them and yours came up in my search. How you don't have more subs is beyond me- I really was only looking for info on the Edifiers but ended up watching just because you were so entertaining to liaten to. Your enthusiasm about them is awesome! Subbed just because im looking forward to seeing what you do with the channel.
I have the Edifier R1280T for my PC in the working room (recently bought a cheap external DAC for it to replace the internal Soundblaster Audigy FX 5.1, it was absolutely worth the price) and JBL 305P MkII in the living room for the HTPC via Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen. The JBL + Focusrite setup is pretty good 🤩
I tried the Kanto ORAs and while it had all the input options I liked, it didn't have a remote and didn't get very loud at all. It's for very near field monitor. I returned them and got the Klipsch R-40PMs, which were $100 cheaper than the ORAs at the time of purchase. So much happier. The R-40PM get very loud as they are bookshelf speakers. Not as much bass impact as the ORA but it does have nice bass extension. The R-40PM has a sub out if you want added bass and it has all the same inputs (optical, USB, RCA, Bluetooth) and has a remote.
Great video Jasper. BTW that is a class AB amp on the Audioengine 5 not a class D. That’s why it needs heat radiators. I have the earlier generation of that bamboo model and it sounds phenomenal. Amazing sound for that class of speaker.
I love my Vanatoo T0s. I am constantly surprised at the sound, especially compared to my passive HiFi setup (Paradigm S2s and EVO 150). The T0s live on my desk, but I wouldn’t hesitate to have them in an alternate config in the right size room. Great list!
Been using jbl 308 mk2s for around 5 years maybe. I added an svs sb3000 with minidsp flex 2x4 & Dirac. It sounds great without room treatment. I'm satisfied with the neutrality, bass depth ~45hz and dynamic range of the jbls for the cost. Want better soundstage / imaging. Fwiw jbls 308 mk2 sound great but are shoddily built Want to upgrade to either kef r3 meta or mofi source point 8 + amp in the future.
I currently have the Edifier R1280T and while they sound phenomenal, I will be looking more into the R1280DBS because the Bluetooth and sub out option 😁
Watched a few of your speaker review videos now and enjoy the down to earth reviews that aren't littered with graphs and jargon. Just a good, honest opinion with good details on specs etc. I have been using a REALLY old Creative Digial 5700 setup for my PC for a long time now, but it's starting to fail on me. One of your previous reviews brought my attention to the Oras. I'm UK based and saw another start of August that the white versions were on their way. Ordered them pretty much immediately with a matching Kanto Sub8. Eagerly awaiting delivery now. Thanks so much for your insightful reviews. Keep up the good work.
How about an Addendum video to this one, that adds 2 or 3 more speakers into the mix and talks about how they compare to the full list you've reviewed so far. I ended up picking up the Kali LP-UNF and have been mostly happy. Would love to know how you think they compare.
This is a great idea. Still trying to figure out how to structure any update videos without being totally redundant; will think more deeply on your suggestion.
I own the Kanto Ora paired with the Kantu Sub 8. This is for my desktop listening and I will admit, it is the best and most enjoyable audio set up I have for gaming, or music listening when I am focusing or doing projects. They sound great and definitely would recommend the combo if you're looking for a quick and great set up at a price range between 400-500$
@@AllenVarden I wouldn't watch them in a living room set up or anything. But for nearfield on my computer, I watch countless of youtube videos and other things like that, and it has been perfectly fine.
I went with the Swans. I really like them. The problem I have is not being able to find the remote when I'm on my computer in the dark. I'm going to add a DAC. I have no idea if I need one or not, but we'll see.
Hey Jasper thanks for the info on all these active speakers, i was wondering are you ever going to make a video about passive bookshelf speakers aswell?
Your videos are great! Next time maybe get a great condenser mic and blast some sound. The hardest part about picking speakers is not being able to hear them first.
I picked up the Kanto Ora because of your videos. I got it at my local microcenter for 122 bucks! lol legit brand new. The person who used it just put the little rubber feet on them so I might take those off since I ordered the stands for them and I have them sideways on my desk. I also plugged them via RCA with my dac/amp and it boosted the audio quality and volume by like 20-30% I wanted them in white but its okay. I also see the Ora 4 is about to drop next month so ill be on the lookout for the review on those down the road. I want to know if its worth the upgrade. Thank you for making content like this. You do such an amazing job!
I have a pair of Klipsch The Fives and one important product you left out was their promedia heritage 2.1 computer speaker system. If you want that Klipsch sound on a budget, that’s where it’s at. Two satellites with an 8 inch sub. Goes for $350, but on sale I was able to get mine for $160.
Kanto will also be releasing their new lineup of Kanto Ora 4s and Kanto RENs soon, gonna be an interesting upgrade for sure! If you'd like to increase your collection, would also recommend trying out Adam Audio speakers, the T5V or T7Vs to fit within this budget range.
Would choose the Neumann KH80 for under 1000eur (or on ebay an used KH120 or Genelec 8030 CP). These companys are leading in their field and you get great quality (specially when you look at the measurements of the speakers)
You could consider Swans D1100 to replace the OS-10. Similar technicality and tonality, but you get a better veneer enclosure and classic knob instead of finicky touch panels. This little thing is a gem.
Great video! Loved it! I have been using the Edifier R1280DB for 5 years now and I agree that for the price it’s really good. I use them as my desk speakers and they have served me well. I am currently looking for an active setup that would be a replacement for the retail soundbars from Samsung and all. Are there any that come with HDMI and have decent sub-bass? Say a powered/active version of the Polk Audio Reserve R200? Any suggestion is welcome with your analysis! Thanks a ton for making the video!
Great collection of speakers you got there! Hopefully you can make another comparison video that dives a bit deeper into the sound comparison between each of these rather than just the port selection and their general sound characteristic for us who wanna know a bit more about it :D
100% - I’m hoping to do more of this in the future. It’s just tough given sound can be so subjective; want to make sure I am accurate and use appropriate language that everyone understands. Watch this space 🙏
People who always say don't get powered speaker have no idea what they're talking about. Ignore them. All powered speakers sound better than any passive+AMP combos for the same money. I am still yet to see passive speakers sounding better than active speakers for same money. I actually own the JBL 305P MKII, there are no passive speakers + AMP beating them for even 50% more price! I also had the Edifier 1280, they are simply amazing for the price, great entry level speakers.
It's very much a personal preference thing; but I definitely think that for many people, powered speakers make way more sense. The success of Sonos and HomePod Mini's are a testament to this; many people just want something simple.
I'd love to see a ranking of all these speakeres sound-wise. I do believe the 1280T will sound better than the Kanto Aura, despite the price difference.
Great Presentation Dude ~ Subscribed ~ Would love some listening test comparing the speakers ~ Good Luck Hope Your Channel Takes Off Currently have the JBL ...
Thanks for your video, which is really helpful when I am choosing my speakers as a green hand. Just one question, I am quite interested in the Klipsch R40PM, but I found the price is $698 (but you mentioned $250 in your video). Is that I should buy R40M instead of R40PM? which R40M is priced at $248.
The P is for powered, so you must buy that version unless you have a separate amp. It looks like the price on the PM has increased dramatically since publishing the video; I bought mine for ~$250.
Hi Jasper, Thank you for your video! I’m looking to improve how I listen to music, and after some thought, I’ve decided to start by buying speakers. In the future, I might get a turntable or even build a full sound system, but for now, I think powered bookshelf speakers are the way to go. I’ve realized that powered speakers are also a world of their own, with countless reviews and options to consider. Your video really stood out and gave me the clarity I needed-thanks again! After some research, I’ve narrowed it down to the Kanto YU4 and the Audioengine A5+. Could you share any advice to help me decide? I need something versatile (I’ll likely move several times over the next six years) and compatible with my phone and computer. In the future, I’d also like the option to add a subwoofer or turntable. Greetings from Australia!
Glad my videos have been helpful! The larger driver on the A5 will give you more bass response, and the A5 has a better build quality. That being said, the YU4/YU6 have a phono preamp, which is necessary to make them work with most turntables (the A5 does not have this). You could get an external preamp to solve this too. The Kanto's also have a optical input which could be valuable to you in the future (again, the A5 does not have this). The other option to consider is the Audioengine HD5; I have never tried them, but I have heard they are excellent (no phono preamp, but they have optical). Based on all this, if it were me and I had your interests, I'd probably go for the YU4 or potentially the YU6. Overall, the YU4 is a solid speaker that is widely loved. The hope this helps! Links for those who are curious: YU4: amzn.to/4fGMegq YU6: amzn.to/4110snK A5+: amzn.to/4eJCPn8 HD5: amzn.to/3V9SaGC
JBL 4305p is on sale $1500.00 I just got the Klipsch The Nines. Or I would be all over them.🎉 Amazon has Klipsch The Fives for 399.00 if you don't care about a damaged box that it's packaged in. But the speaker is in new condition.
I’m using these little stands from Kanto: amzn.to/3ZgJn8o They work well! Kanto also has some elevated / bigger options that I like depending on what you’re putting on them.
Hey, Jasper. Great videos. Thank you. Question I'm trying to decide on a pair of versatile speakers I can use in my shop for music or take out on our deck for a party. I was thinking of the Edifier R1280 DB, or maybe the Adam Audio D3Vs? What would you suggest? Thank you in advance.
If it’s just for playing pretty loudly in a shop/patio, I’d avoid the Adam audio. They’re great speakers, but they’re made for near field listening. A solid step up from the edifier would be the Klipsch R-41PM; they’re a bit bigger, but definitely will give you a better sound (link below). Good luck! amzn.to/4fTQp88
For everyone with tight budget consider also Edifier MR 4 (100$ / 90€) + very small + cheap + adjustable lows / highs + better than Edifier R1280T - lack of base below 50Hz - only 1/4-inch balanced TRS input, an unbalanced RCA MR4 not realy a good fit sound studio work. Look in higher budget class for that.
They’re on the Kanto S4 stands there: amzn.to/3AO8gP2 In my opinion those stands are a little big for the LSX, I’m not sure if the smaller S2 stands would work tho (if they did they’d probably be a little precarious). Edit: I tried them on the S2 and it seemed to work quite well amzn.to/3CAPpYi
Love your style of videos. Just sitting, super chill and reviewing speakers. But can you give me some advice. in my local store, the YU4 is actually cheaper than the ORA (about 70$). Is there any reason outside of usb C for picking the Ora instead of YU4?
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you like the videos 🙏 Hmm - that's a tough one. I think the ORA may sound slightly better as far as accuracy and clarity, but it will be close. The YU4 will be louder and have better bass. Both are great speakers! I'd probably give the YU4 a try given its a bit cheaper if you have the space for it.
If i can be honest, you didn’t really compare these speakers or showed why they are the best of their price point, you surely did some research in advance but it seems like you just bought a pair of speakers from every price point and then declared that one the best. other than that, really great work on getting such a large array of different choices into one video! keep it up
I hear you on this. It’s a tough needle to thread, as speaker performance is inherently very subjective, and comparing many of these speakers is really just apples to oranges. A lot of the values I’m trying to provide is in the up front curation. There are thousands of options out there; these ones are all widely known to be a solid option for their respective price point. This is not to say I can’t try to provide more details on the sound characteristics in the future. I’ll try my best 👍
i was trying know about speakers but there isnt an proper video i find in 2024..This is helpful.. please do a video specifically about center channal speakers...iam looking to build a home theatre.
Great video! New subscriber. Can you recommend a powered speaker to take on the road in a hotel? Looking for great sound at lower volumes as I don’t want to upset anyone. Have a lot of klipsch stuff but am open to other options. I stream Qobuz to a couple jbl portable speakers. Hoping for a little more.
Hmmm. I’d probably recommend these speakers from iLoud. They sound fantastic, are very small, and have a really durable cabinet + speaker grill which makes them perfect for traveling with. amzn.to/4eHxyN2
Great selection and great video! I am looking to something small for a small room but with a great sound on lower volumes (nyc apartment) to enjoy music while I draw. I’ve somehow narrowed it down to Bose soundlink max, Sonos Era 300 and the Kanto Ora. Totally different things imo aware! Any suggestions?
So I actually live in NYC too and have similar needs. I have not personally tried the Sonos or the Bose, but the ORA are widely regarded as excellent (and what I use in my bedroom/office, so that would probably be my recommendation. I think the Era 300 is probably overkill and both rhe Era 300 and the Soundlink max is won’t give you any stereo separation. But… if you want something portable, the Bose could make sense.
@@Jasper_Tech thanks for the response bro! the Sonos is only around a $50 difference and they do have the Spatial Audio. Idk how that compares with stereo though. I guess I will just have to try it! Thanks again man love the videos 🖖🏽
@Yoshimitzus Fair point. I’d be curious to hear what you think of the Sonos once you get them. I’m considering doing a video about connected speakers in the future. Here’s a link to the Sonos for those that are curious: amzn.to/4dhH1tD
Do you not like Edifier? In my shopping, I really like that some of their models have volume AND tone controls on the side. People seem to really like the sound quality.
Hi Jasper - i really enjoy your channel! Thank you for a great video. I just bought a new desktop computer but im completely lost on whether i should get a studio monitor or regular speakers? I heard monitors are more for mixers and producers. I just prefer something where i can really hear all the intracies of the music. Thus - would you suggest a speaker fpr me or monitor? Im also looking for something below 250 if possible. Just let me know if you can narrow it down please? I looked at swam os 10 but there a lot of negatives on the touch controls amd remote. I look forward to your recs! Amit
Maybe it will help to think of it this way. Studio monitors are designed to favour accuracy. Regular speakers aren’t as beholden to that, so the manufacturer can tweak things to make it sound more enjoyable. Everyone will have their own preferences as to what sounds enjoyable, and that is one of the things that sets different companies apart. I prefer speakers over monitors because I rate a pleasing sound higher than an accurate sound. But that’s just me.
@@amitkakkar2077 Honestly I don't. I was watching this video for recommendations just like you. If it's possible, see if you can listen to some different types. Use the same song on each to compare more easily. But worst case if you take a chance on something that seems to be widely loved by the community, you likely won't go wrong. There are many 'correct' choices.
Love seeing the community here help each other out! I totally agree with what wimmy said. Monitors are not for everyone, and unless you really need one, I’d tend to not get one and go for a more pleasing sounding speaker. For your budget and use case, I’d give this Klipsch a try. If you don’t like the way it sounds you can always return it! amzn.to/4d6kwaJ
@@NarutoMinecraft007 - those are fine speakers, but they’re more in the “studio monitor” camp, which means they will have a relatively neutral sound. For most people who just want to casually listen, I think they’ll prefer the Edifier.
Edifier R1280T Powered Speakers
amzn.to/4cSOChW
Swans OS-10 HiFi Powered Speakers
amzn.to/4eje01v
▬▬▬▬ $200 - $300 Speakers ▬▬▬▬
Klipsch Reference R-40PM Powered Speakers
amzn.to/4eeCE3k
JBL Professional 305P MkII
amzn.to/3B7XGC8
▬▬▬▬ $300 - $400 Speakers ▬▬▬▬
Kanto ORA Powered Computer Speakers
amzn.to/47hvRna
Kanto YU4 Powered Speakers
amzn.to/3XaF1gA
▬▬▬▬ ~$500 Speakers ▬▬▬▬
Klipsch The Fives Powered Bookshelf Speakers
amzn.to/3ZmGVgZ
Vanatoo Transparent Zero Plus
amzn.to/3ZkH8RB
Audioengine A5+ Bookshelf Speakers
amzn.to/4gsFRya
▬▬▬▬ ~$1000 Speakers ▬▬▬▬
KEF LSX II LT Wireless HiFi Speakers
amzn.to/4eg8TyZ
Before even watching the entire video, I liked and subscribed. Soley because of the way you asked for a sub. I can't stand when people constantly just say like an subscribe, you were way more elegant with your ask.
how tf does this channel only have 1200 Subs. Some high quality you got going on here.
Thank you for the kind words. We’re growing quickly! Fingers crossed it keeps up.
Yeah, its just awesome how much more Info he have in comparison to those other Guys who even sometimes miss to put the Right Speaker on the Right and even dont notice it "after tested some Weeks" - so cool.
how reading specs from amazon turn into high quality content?
To each their own! I believe there’s a ton of value in curation. Just cutting through the noise and showing a few of the top options in a category can be really helpful.
I’m trying to walk the line of accessible and informative without getting too in the weeds. Lots of people seem to like it, so this is for them 👍
@@michaelm2704you can see that he have the speakers physically there - right? You can hear that he tell the correct Specs - right? Thats 95% more then most of thos Channels do which also give "Audio Comparisons" that do exactly nothing with worth cuz you hear it with your own Setup - right?
Hope thats enough...
Absolutely nothing wrong with powered speakers. In fact, ‘active speakers’ can do some really neat stuff by powering each driver independently. The issue with powered speakers is there is no upgrade path and not much versatility. Plus if one thing fails you’re replacing the entire system. I tried some powered speakers- really liked the swans for the price- ended up with some Kanto YUP4. Those are the passive version of the 4” Kantos and I paired them with a Fosi V3, Topping DX1 and a small 8” Pioneer sub. Phenomenal audio quality and lots of options.
Great point! And your setup sounds really nice!
You are correct. The upgrade path of an all in one system is to change it. If you have a rack of boxes you can upgrade the amplifier and then find it doesn't like your existing speakers and have to upgrade that. OR you upgrade your speakers and the old amp will not drive them even to the level you had before. Then the DAC needs upgrading too.
It is rare for an entry level system to be able to upgrade piece my piece and each time get the sonic improvements you spent out on. Depends how long you lie with the intermediate steps before going up a level of performance. I jumped ten times by cost from my first hi-fi to my second 44 years ago. I have heard good systems and could happily live with them but clearly better on all music sources I don't think so, and then having to spend insane amounts of money on, not within my budget.
As to failure. Sure one of my active speakers has needed repair and the amp part sent off for repairs. Some powered and active speakers do not have user removable electronics (a few do). If you hi-fi amp breaks down what powers your passive speakers? Sure you can go into a hi-fi shop and walk out with an amp and plug it in. Maybe the shop will loan or hire out the amp. It is usually the amp whether a separate system or built into the speakers. With active speakers you are likely to have one of them still working, so for a few weeks you live with a mono system. This applies to most equipment otherwise we would have modular component separate TVs, washing machines, ovens and cars! In fact in the early 80s Philips made a modular TV where you could get different screen sizes to the receiver and speakers. If you get a screen (no TV receiver) it costs double to that of a TV.
disagree on the versatility. especially if you get one that has a remote. you can use it for either a TV or a computer speaker. Or as a music listening speaker with a cheap streamer like the wiim
They can all be changed btw. On my active speakers I usually change components, class D amps are cheap too. There is no difference in electronics. Just better and worse components
Great review! I tried the Kanto ORA as I loved their size and input options. One negative was that they have a max volume, which while loud it's not *that* loud. It was a hard volume limit that I couldn't get over. The ORA are definitely meant for very near field monitoring, they do have a very nice bass and a super neutral frequency response. I ended up returning them and got the Klipsch R-40PM since they were $100 cheaper than the ORA at the time and can also get considerably louder. I use the Kanto S6 Tilted Desktop Speaker Stands to raise them off the desk and angle them for imaging.
Old 1byOne speakers just blew a transistor or something and I'm no electrician. So thank you for the brilliaint summary!
Bought the sevens along with a svs pb 2000 pro sub. They sound great. The sub frees up the speakers and all in all I am happy with them.
Great video Japer. I like good sound, also with my desktop PC, and I read a lot of good reviews about the Audioengine A5 speakers you've tested here. So I decided to swap out my 15+ years old B&W 685's for a pair of Audioengine A5's.. for 5 minutes, because unfortunately that's how long it took to decide the A5's would go back in the box. So maybe good to know, if you like good sound on a budget, second hand older bookshelf speakers can still be very good, but they do need an amp and more space of course. I might try the KEF LS50 some time in the future though.
Fantastically informative video man. Appreciated!
Thanks for the kind words 🙏
I discovered you recently because I'm looking for my first pair of speakers. I'm looking for neutral and compact speakers to put on my desk. Thanks for the comparisons and your vibe, it’s really very useful! I think you could have mentioned the Kali Audio LP-UNF which seem to be excellent value for money
Thank you! And yes, agreed - I should have mentioned the Kali Audio LP-UNF. I don’t love the styling, but can’t deny it’s a great speaker. I may make a similar video all about studio monitors. If I do, I’ll be sure to include it!
Link for anyone curious:
amzn.to/47laL7p
Good pacing on each speaker. It kept me interested.
run down quite a FEW bookshlf monitors and i always go back to my Vanatoo's. love em
Nice video! I have been using the Fives since they came out. I never had an issue with the bass as I used a sub from day one which avoided the DSP aspect. I also plugged the bass ports with foam because I have them about 18 inches from a wall. I have been very happy with this setup. The room is not small yet these speakers put out plenty of great quality sound.
Nice; sounds like you have a great setup. When the Fives are on sale they really are excellent value.
I enjoyed your review! When adding a subwoofer, you should consider whether the subwoofer has a high pass crossover or not. Ideally, you want the signal to travel first to the subwoofer with only the "highs" (say above 100 Hz) passing on to the primary speakers. In addition to providing a more seamless and even bass response, it removes the burden from the primary speakers of supplying bass below 100 Hz thus lowering distortion in the main speakers and cleaning up the sound.
I've got some Edifier R1380DB speakers for my PC which I absolutely love
Nice! I will have to check these out :)
I have had the Kanto Tuks on my desktop for a few years now, and at lower volume levels, they are lovely. The AMT tweeter is super clean and you definitely don't need a sub. Good job and look forward to more videos!
Thanks for the kind note! I’m hoping to get my hands some TUK’s (and their upcoming REN speaker) soon.
That was well worthwhile. I love small speakers with a small sub. I want to hear the little Kanto's.
They have some new products for 2025. I don't think anyone sells Vanatoo in Canada.
I've had the Edifiere in the kitchen for about 3 years, I thought it would be used as a radio for a long time. Far from it, they play some compact systems that are twice as expensive under the table Don't expect too much. But great bass, good highs. Great video by the way
😳
love hearing you talk about speakers!! love your takes and also, KEF's are something I want to end up with so it was a pleasure hearing about you enjoy them
Nice video 👍
For a desktop or small room I always recommend Edifier MR4s, great bang for buck.
Definitely dont use them with a turntable though, they have ADC on the analog inputs.
The Kef LSX II are active speakers with each speaker needing mains input. Kef LSX II LT have a USB-C connection providing both power and signal from the primary to the secondary speaker. Most powered speakers have a passive secondary speaker with all the amplification and connection in the primary. Fully active speakers perform better but usually cost more. More speakers are now using an active crossover even when the amplification is all in the primary and the cable is four way or more to control each drive unit.
Kanto YU6 and TUK would also fit within this budget but are larger. Triangle AIO Twin, Wharfedale Diamond A1, Ruark Audio MR1 MKII, Audio Pro A28, Q Acoustics M20 also worth consideration. You can never test everything in a review.
What is missing from this line up are the Adams Audio speakers. These near field monitors are active speakers with amplification in each speaker, usually sold separately T5V, T7V, T8V (5", 7", 8" bass). No Bluetooth, no wi-fi, no DAC, just RCA and XLR. They are liked for their detailed sound. The T range is the entry level with A, S and new A series costing more.
Not all powered speakers will work with computers or TV as they have poor latency (lip synch issues). Having USB, optical, 3.5mm inputs is does not mean they are video compatible. Most Bluetooth and wireless speakers have poor latency and not suitable for use with a TV or computer unless they have HDMI eARC inputs or include the use of video as a source in their specifications. This is not a problem with analogue speakers (powered, active or passive). If using Bluetooth few have a low latency or lossless codec. If they have wi-fi/Chromecast with DNLA and uPnP over Ethernet or wi-fi the signal is lossless and uncompressed. Whether this is noticeable is down to your source and own hearing.
A sub added extends the bass of the stereo pair not the start of scaling up to a 5.1 surround system. Powered or wireless (Bluetooth, wi-fi) speakers will not scale up to surround. Analogue Active speakers will otherwise special configuration from a manufacturer or WiSA speakers are the way to go from stereo to 5.1 or 7.1 surround systems.
Thank you for such a detailed and thoughtful response! I really appreciate you taking the time to write this up. I thought about diving into the nuance of active vs powered, but decided to try and keep things high-level.
It’s a tough balancing act of being too superficial vs too deep. I will continue to experiment and refine as I create more content. Comments like yours are so helpful as I attempt to find this balance. 🙏
I will be sure to take a look at the speakers you mentioned. I will likely do an update to this video in the future so this list is very helpful.
Also, great point regarding latency with some inputs. I use an Apple TV which actually has a great functionality that allows it to compensate for audio lag by measuring the audio delay and then adding the same delay to the video playback. It’s not ideal, but it does allow for a lot of flexibility for those with laggy speakers. Fortunately, the LSX II LT don’t need to use this feature.
@@Jasper_Tech I bought in several wireless speakers because I could not get the level of details from customer service and rightly a manufacturer will not comment on the competition and not all dealers will stock those of interest to me and may push the one with the biggest return to them. I was surprised how seamless Airplay 2 worked and it was able to resolve the latency with an iphone but not Airplay 2 from a desktop PC. The sound quality of Chromecast DNLA and uPnP appears to be better than Airplay 2. Makes no sense to me both being lossless but these are very much inferior to the same speaker over WiSA (Beolab 28). Wi-fi 7 with low latency and designed to transmit audio and video might change everything in a year or two.
Devialet took several years to get low latency with an operating system software update. To go 5.5 customer speakers and an AV are needed for 14,000 EUR.
B&O added low latency to the 3.5 mm input three years after launch and now have a product Beolink Surround based on their sound bar to enable the life style speakers to be satellite speakers to it lowing their entry cost from 2900GBP to 599GBP per speaker. (plus the 8990GBP Beosound Theatre).
These new wireless DSP room correcting speakers are offering a lot of high tech, better quality in a smaller box, but there are new limits not often mentioned.
@@Jasper_Tech I purchased several system speakers because reviews, dealers and manufacturers did not provide me with the details I needed. I was surprised that Airplay 2 with an iPhone worked when Chromecast DNLA uPnP had poor latency over wi-fi. I ran TuneBlade on a PC to cast over Airplay but it also has poor latency. The PC software does not do what Apple 4K TV does to adjust the audio to match the video.
I am also surprised that I can hear (think I hear perhaps) a difference in audio quality between Chromecast and Airplay. Chromecast is lossless and not compressed. Airplay 2 is lossless but compressed. Bluetooth is even more noticeable. My speakers (Beolab 28) also have WiSA. This uses the band width above 5GHz wi-fi to avoid/reduce interference. the speakers sounds a fuller, bigger sound stage that using other wireless methods from the same audio file. WiSA provides multi-channel audio in a room but is not useful for multi-room use. Over wi-fi I can synch stereo systems across the house so moving room to room with them in synch and not up to 30 seconds out of synch if I tune them to the same internet radio station separately.
In researching speakers to replace my 44 year old speakers I created a list of powered and active speakers trying to see what was offered and how they compare (via reviews if not able to hear for myself as few stores stock more than a couple of models). My short list, documented in a spreadsheet, is now 111 systems.
Wi-fi 7 available now on some desktop computers may change this with the low latency, and designed for multi-channel audio and video distribution. I have not seen it included in any speakers or hi-fi or plans for the future.
Some interesting developments coming or are changes being forced upon us?
I have concerns about these smart streaming speakers for the future. My active speakers have provided good service over 44 years. I have needed repairs and can still get them repaired. My 2016 speakers with internet radio and streaming services changed their software making some positive improvements but to use internet radio or stream you need a mobile phone to cast to them. It is not longer in the speakers. Another manufacturer released a new model with a faster processor unit and the bug fixes and improvements not provided on the older model. Others have bricked their old model if used in the latest configuration but had offered a part exchange. Last year the BBC got some internet radio stations blocked from the UK and changed the system they had used to one that counts connections and records channel usage of their services. This means that many internet radios can not get any of these channels and can not be upgraded to the new system (FM/DAB/internet radios, leaving internet users to use DAB with mono 64kbits instead of 320 kbits internet service). We see this with computers with the OS lasting maybe 10 years and then slowly the browser does not work and it and programmes fail. Things that had worked no longer do so particularly if they need internet access. In the UK Freeview and Freesat are moving to internet based channels needing a new TV set as there are no set top boxes, although there might be. Samsung can disable your TV remotely (e.g. when it reported stolen). Speakers manufacturers can log into your hi-fi speakers and change the software, read logs, fix bugs to individual speakers. Great when everything works but when one speaker gets the update and the other one does not they refuse to work together and you have to be an IT guru to fix or pay for a dealer to solve the problems for you. Urban myths or concerns to the future of what this tech is going to do.
@@geraldmcmullon2465Great details you’ve provided. You sound like you need to be doing your own reviews.
"Kef LSX II LT have a USB-C connection providing both power and signal from the primary to the secondary speaker. " I think it supplies signal only with both speakers having their own amplification. KEF states "LSX II LT has a combined 200 Watts of system power. Both the primary and secondary speakers are equipped with dedicated amplifiers for the tweeter and woofer, ensuring the delivery of room-filling sound in its remarkably compact cabinets."
Bought the Edifier 1280DB which just got delivered today. Havent had a chance to try them out yet, but I was looking up videos about them and yours came up in my search. How you don't have more subs is beyond me- I really was only looking for info on the Edifiers but ended up watching just because you were so entertaining to liaten to. Your enthusiasm about them is awesome! Subbed just because im looking forward to seeing what you do with the channel.
Fantastic video! You have earned my subscription, mate! Keep it up.
Powered speakers are a brilliant solution for bedrooms, kitchens etc... where separates would be too big/complicated.👌👌👌
I have the Edifier R1280T for my PC in the working room (recently bought a cheap external DAC for it to replace the internal Soundblaster Audigy FX 5.1, it was absolutely worth the price) and JBL 305P MkII in the living room for the HTPC via Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen. The JBL + Focusrite setup is pretty good 🤩
You have a great setup!
Very happy you included the R-40PMs here, I've been thinking of creating a 2.1 desktop system with them.
They’re a great set of speakers - if you get them, let me know how you like them!
I tried the Kanto ORAs and while it had all the input options I liked, it didn't have a remote and didn't get very loud at all. It's for very near field monitor. I returned them and got the Klipsch R-40PMs, which were $100 cheaper than the ORAs at the time of purchase. So much happier. The R-40PM get very loud as they are bookshelf speakers. Not as much bass impact as the ORA but it does have nice bass extension. The R-40PM has a sub out if you want added bass and it has all the same inputs (optical, USB, RCA, Bluetooth) and has a remote.
This is great advice. The ORAs really don’t get loud, so if that’s what you’re looking for and you have the space, the R-40PM is a great option.
The Fives for TV is the best one you have on the table. It has the most impact for that kind of use.
Great video Jasper. BTW that is a class AB amp on the Audioengine 5 not a class D. That’s why it needs heat radiators. I have the earlier generation of that bamboo model and it sounds phenomenal. Amazing sound for that class of speaker.
I love my Vanatoo T0s. I am constantly surprised at the sound, especially compared to my passive HiFi setup (Paradigm S2s and EVO 150). The T0s live on my desk, but I wouldn’t hesitate to have them in an alternate config in the right size room. Great list!
HEY! It's Kyle, from Last Man Standing! Thanks Kyle, subbed and liked.
Been using jbl 308 mk2s for around 5 years maybe. I added an svs sb3000 with minidsp flex 2x4 & Dirac. It sounds great without room treatment. I'm satisfied with the neutrality, bass depth ~45hz and dynamic range of the jbls for the cost. Want better soundstage / imaging. Fwiw jbls 308 mk2 sound great but are shoddily built
Want to upgrade to either kef r3 meta or mofi source point 8 + amp in the future.
I'd love to see you review some more casual desktop speakers, like the Pebble X, Z407 etc.
Thanks for the review. Think I'll go with the klipsch r 40pm
good video, thanks. Edifier model sounds good for what im looking for.
I currently have the Edifier R1280T and while they sound phenomenal, I will be looking more into the R1280DBS because the Bluetooth and sub out option 😁
fantastic review! great style! keep going...really enjoyed it! thanks so much...
Watched a few of your speaker review videos now and enjoy the down to earth reviews that aren't littered with graphs and jargon. Just a good, honest opinion with good details on specs etc.
I have been using a REALLY old Creative Digial 5700 setup for my PC for a long time now, but it's starting to fail on me. One of your previous reviews brought my attention to the Oras. I'm UK based and saw another start of August that the white versions were on their way. Ordered them pretty much immediately with a matching Kanto Sub8. Eagerly awaiting delivery now. Thanks so much for your insightful reviews. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for the kind words - appreciate your support! Excited for you to hear the ORAs - let me know how it goes!
Awesome video!
Following for more.
Genelec have many great speakers for this, worth watching.
How about an Addendum video to this one, that adds 2 or 3 more speakers into the mix and talks about how they compare to the full list you've reviewed so far. I ended up picking up the Kali LP-UNF and have been mostly happy. Would love to know how you think they compare.
This is a great idea. Still trying to figure out how to structure any update videos without being totally redundant; will think more deeply on your suggestion.
I would add more back and forground lighting, otherwise excellent review and you have a new sub
Thank you! Learning about lighting as we speak 🙏
I own the Kanto Ora paired with the Kantu Sub 8. This is for my desktop listening and I will admit, it is the best and most enjoyable audio set up I have for gaming, or music listening when I am focusing or doing projects. They sound great and definitely would recommend the combo if you're looking for a quick and great set up at a price range between 400-500$
Are they good for movies?
@@AllenVarden I wouldn't watch them in a living room set up or anything. But for nearfield on my computer, I watch countless of youtube videos and other things like that, and it has been perfectly fine.
great work jasper, honestly thought this was a 500k suscribers channel, keep up the good work, it will come!
Thank you for the kind words. More coming soon 💪
I went with the Swans. I really like them. The problem I have is not being able to find the remote when I'm on my computer in the dark. I'm going to add a DAC. I have no idea if I need one or not, but we'll see.
You should have included Acoustic Energy AE1. Fully active/analogue design. Great sound and reasonably priced.
Hey Jasper thanks for the info on all these active speakers, i was wondering are you ever going to make a video about passive bookshelf speakers aswell?
Love your reviews, brother! Keep up the great work and this will take off to the moon
Thank you for the kind words 🙏
Great! It would be interesting to include subs in your tests 👍🏻
great video, thanks. Love the hat too
I love his hat more!! 😊
Your videos are great! Next time maybe get a great condenser mic and blast some sound.
The hardest part about picking speakers is not being able to hear them first.
Thank you! Sound tests are always tricky and I go back and forth since it's hard to properly capture the differences.
I picked up the Kanto Ora because of your videos. I got it at my local microcenter for 122 bucks! lol legit brand new. The person who used it just put the little rubber feet on them so I might take those off since I ordered the stands for them and I have them sideways on my desk. I also plugged them via RCA with my dac/amp and it boosted the audio quality and volume by like 20-30% I wanted them in white but its okay. I also see the Ora 4 is about to drop next month so ill be on the lookout for the review on those down the road. I want to know if its worth the upgrade. Thank you for making content like this. You do such an amazing job!
Whoa! That’s an amazing deal! Hope you enjoy them 🙏
Great video with great info! Thank you, and keep it up!
Thanks for the kind words and support! I appreciate you 🙏
Just the video i was looking for. Good job 👍
I have a pair of Klipsch The Fives and one important product you left out was their promedia heritage 2.1 computer speaker system. If you want that Klipsch sound on a budget, that’s where it’s at. Two satellites with an 8 inch sub. Goes for $350, but on sale I was able to get mine for $160.
Ah, thanks for this! I’ll look into them.
They don’t have HDMI, and I think this comment more applies to your videos about computer speakers than bookshelves lol.
Kanto will also be releasing their new lineup of Kanto Ora 4s and Kanto RENs soon, gonna be an interesting upgrade for sure!
If you'd like to increase your collection, would also recommend trying out Adam Audio speakers, the T5V or T7Vs to fit within this budget range.
gonna wait on the ora 4s 💪🏽
Thanks for this note! I will be doing a video on the ORA 4s as soon as I can get my hands on them.
Great vid, Im sold on those kef speakers, just a snag on the budget for me otherwise I'm in.
Really informative, keep doing what youre doing
@@StormforceChannel thank you for the kind words! More coming soon 🙏
i would definitely add Elac DCB41, PSB Alpha and Triangle Elara/Borea
Thank you! Will check these out
Just found your channel. Love the reviews!🙂
channel needs more subs💯
Would choose the Neumann KH80 for under 1000eur (or on ebay an used KH120 or Genelec 8030 CP). These companys are leading in their field and you get great quality (specially when you look at the measurements of the speakers)
I’m a big fan of buying used! Thanks for the note, I’ve never used these ones before, but will keep an eye out for them.
You could consider Swans D1100 to replace the OS-10. Similar technicality and tonality, but you get a better veneer enclosure and classic knob instead of finicky touch panels. This little thing is a gem.
I’ll have to check them out! I’m not sure if they use the same woofer / tweeter of the OS-10. Do you know? The woofer least looks different.
Great video! Loved it! I have been using the Edifier R1280DB for 5 years now and I agree that for the price it’s really good. I use them as my desk speakers and they have served me well. I am currently looking for an active setup that would be a replacement for the retail soundbars from Samsung and all. Are there any that come with HDMI and have decent sub-bass? Say a powered/active version of the Polk Audio Reserve R200? Any suggestion is welcome with your analysis! Thanks a ton for making the video!
I have good news! I’ll be making a video on powered speakers with HDMI to replace a sound bar in the next few weeks 👍👍
@@Jasper_Tech Sounds amazing!
Great collection of speakers you got there! Hopefully you can make another comparison video that dives a bit deeper into the sound comparison between each of these rather than just the port selection and their general sound characteristic for us who wanna know a bit more about it :D
100% - I’m hoping to do more of this in the future. It’s just tough given sound can be so subjective; want to make sure I am accurate and use appropriate language that everyone understands.
Watch this space 🙏
Liked and Subbed - Lets get this channel off the ground!
Im coming from a Klipsch pro media 2.1 I was gonna go for the updated version of that, but the Kanto yu4 and the ora do look like a good option too.
Muy buena revista. Saludos desde Chile.😃
People who always say don't get powered speaker have no idea what they're talking about. Ignore them. All powered speakers sound better than any passive+AMP combos for the same money. I am still yet to see passive speakers sounding better than active speakers for same money.
I actually own the JBL 305P MKII, there are no passive speakers + AMP beating them for even 50% more price!
I also had the Edifier 1280, they are simply amazing for the price, great entry level speakers.
It's very much a personal preference thing; but I definitely think that for many people, powered speakers make way more sense. The success of Sonos and HomePod Mini's are a testament to this; many people just want something simple.
I'd love to see a ranking of all these speakeres sound-wise. I do believe the 1280T will sound better than the Kanto Aura, despite the price difference.
Great Presentation Dude ~ Subscribed ~ Would love some listening test comparing the speakers ~ Good Luck Hope Your Channel Takes Off Currently have the JBL ...
Thanks for your video, which is really helpful when I am choosing my speakers as a green hand.
Just one question, I am quite interested in the Klipsch R40PM, but I found the price is $698 (but you mentioned $250 in your video).
Is that I should buy R40M instead of R40PM? which R40M is priced at $248.
R-40M - passive speakers, R-40PM - active and yes, there is a mistake? Their price is about 600-700 USD
The P is for powered, so you must buy that version unless you have a separate amp. It looks like the price on the PM has increased dramatically since publishing the video; I bought mine for ~$250.
Hi Jasper,
Thank you for your video! I’m looking to improve how I listen to music, and after some thought, I’ve decided to start by buying speakers. In the future, I might get a turntable or even build a full sound system, but for now, I think powered bookshelf speakers are the way to go. I’ve realized that powered speakers are also a world of their own, with countless reviews and options to consider. Your video really stood out and gave me the clarity I needed-thanks again!
After some research, I’ve narrowed it down to the Kanto YU4 and the Audioengine A5+. Could you share any advice to help me decide? I need something versatile (I’ll likely move several times over the next six years) and compatible with my phone and computer. In the future, I’d also like the option to add a subwoofer or turntable.
Greetings from Australia!
Glad my videos have been helpful! The larger driver on the A5 will give you more bass response, and the A5 has a better build quality. That being said, the YU4/YU6 have a phono preamp, which is necessary to make them work with most turntables (the A5 does not have this). You could get an external preamp to solve this too. The Kanto's also have a optical input which could be valuable to you in the future (again, the A5 does not have this). The other option to consider is the Audioengine HD5; I have never tried them, but I have heard they are excellent (no phono preamp, but they have optical).
Based on all this, if it were me and I had your interests, I'd probably go for the YU4 or potentially the YU6. Overall, the YU4 is a solid speaker that is widely loved. The hope this helps!
Links for those who are curious:
YU4: amzn.to/4fGMegq
YU6: amzn.to/4110snK
A5+: amzn.to/4eJCPn8
HD5: amzn.to/3V9SaGC
Great video! Are you thinking of reviewing home theater setups? Would be great to know a budget system for my home!
Check out Swan M10 Plus if available in your region. Afaik it's not too expensive.
Thank you! I’m not totally sure right now, but I will definitely add home theater setups to my list of potential future videos. 🙂
JBL 4305p is on sale $1500.00 I just got the Klipsch The Nines. Or I would be all over them.🎉 Amazon has Klipsch The Fives for 399.00 if you don't care about a damaged box that it's packaged in. But the speaker is in new condition.
A great addition to the lineup would be the Kali LP-UNF~!
Agreed! Will consider making a video all about studio monitors; if I do, I will for sure include them. 👍
Amazing roundup. Would love to know your thoughts on where the Genelec’s fit among this list
cool video! which speaker stands are you using in the video? thanks!
I’m using these little stands from Kanto:
amzn.to/3ZgJn8o
They work well! Kanto also has some elevated / bigger options that I like depending on what you’re putting on them.
Hey, Jasper. Great videos. Thank you. Question I'm trying to decide on a pair of versatile speakers I can use in my shop for music or take out on our deck for a party. I was thinking of the Edifier R1280 DB, or maybe the Adam Audio D3Vs? What would you suggest? Thank you in advance.
If it’s just for playing pretty loudly in a shop/patio, I’d avoid the Adam audio. They’re great speakers, but they’re made for near field listening.
A solid step up from the edifier would be the Klipsch R-41PM; they’re a bit bigger, but definitely will give you a better sound (link below). Good luck!
amzn.to/4fTQp88
For everyone with tight budget consider also Edifier MR 4 (100$ / 90€)
+ very small
+ cheap
+ adjustable lows / highs
+ better than Edifier R1280T
- lack of base below 50Hz
- only 1/4-inch balanced TRS input, an unbalanced RCA
MR4 not realy a good fit sound studio work. Look in higher budget class for that.
what stands do you show the Kef LSX on during the b-roll shots? and awesome run through, thank you
They’re on the Kanto S4 stands there:
amzn.to/3AO8gP2
In my opinion those stands are a little big for the LSX, I’m not sure if the smaller S2 stands would work tho (if they did they’d probably be a little precarious).
Edit: I tried them on the S2 and it seemed to work quite well
amzn.to/3CAPpYi
What a great review!
Could you also check out the pioneer dm50 and vm50? Would love to hear your opinion on them
Those look to be great value! If you’re going to DJ seems like a solid option
Love your style of videos. Just sitting, super chill and reviewing speakers. But can you give me some advice. in my local store, the YU4 is actually cheaper than the ORA (about 70$). Is there any reason outside of usb C for picking the Ora instead of YU4?
Thanks for the kind words. Glad you like the videos 🙏
Hmm - that's a tough one. I think the ORA may sound slightly better as far as accuracy and clarity, but it will be close. The YU4 will be louder and have better bass. Both are great speakers! I'd probably give the YU4 a try given its a bit cheaper if you have the space for it.
Great video. Just pulled the trigger on the LSX II LT's - super excited for them to arrive :).
How are you liking them?
@@Alex_Eder They’re glorious! Very good looking and they sound a lot more “spacious” than the Edifiers I had been using up till now.
@@Thomas-rq9lj Nice! Are you running a sub with them or no?
@ not as of now. I use them on my desk and don’t really feel the need for a sub, but I might add one in the future.
If i can be honest, you didn’t really compare these speakers or showed why they are the best of their price point, you surely did some research in advance but it seems like you just bought a pair of speakers from every price point and then declared that one the best.
other than that, really great work on getting such a large array of different choices into one video! keep it up
I hear you on this. It’s a tough needle to thread, as speaker performance is inherently very subjective, and comparing many of these speakers is really just apples to oranges.
A lot of the values I’m trying to provide is in the up front curation. There are thousands of options out there; these ones are all widely known to be a solid option for their respective price point.
This is not to say I can’t try to provide more details on the sound characteristics in the future. I’ll try my best 👍
Great video! Earned a sub!
Amazing lineup of speakers. Honestly, I’d be pretty happy with any of them. The KEFs are definitely ones to aspire too though
Thank you! And agreed- the KEFs are pretty special.
Hey mate if you ever get a chance could you please do a video for passive speakers also :)
i was trying know about speakers but there isnt an proper video i find in 2024..This is helpful..
please do a video specifically about center channal speakers...iam looking to build a home theatre.
Thanks for the suggestion! Will add it to my list of potential video ideas. 🙏
Great content! You just earner a sub
Great video! New subscriber. Can you recommend a powered speaker to take on the road in a hotel? Looking for great sound at lower volumes as I don’t want to upset anyone. Have a lot of klipsch stuff but am open to other options. I stream Qobuz to a couple jbl portable speakers. Hoping for a little more.
Hmmm. I’d probably recommend these speakers from iLoud. They sound fantastic, are very small, and have a really durable cabinet + speaker grill which makes them perfect for traveling with.
amzn.to/4eHxyN2
Great selection and great video!
I am looking to something small for a small room but with a great sound on lower volumes (nyc apartment) to enjoy music while I draw. I’ve somehow narrowed it down to Bose soundlink max, Sonos Era 300 and the Kanto Ora.
Totally different things imo aware! Any suggestions?
So I actually live in NYC too and have similar needs. I have not personally tried the Sonos or the Bose, but the ORA are widely regarded as excellent (and what I use in my bedroom/office, so that would probably be my recommendation.
I think the Era 300 is probably overkill and both rhe Era 300 and the Soundlink max is won’t give you any stereo separation. But… if you want something portable, the Bose could make sense.
@@Jasper_Tech thanks for the response bro! the Sonos is only around a $50 difference and they do have the Spatial Audio. Idk how that compares with stereo though.
I guess I will just have to try it! Thanks again man love the videos 🖖🏽
@Yoshimitzus
Fair point. I’d be curious to hear what you think of the Sonos once you get them. I’m considering doing a video about connected speakers in the future.
Here’s a link to the Sonos for those that are curious:
amzn.to/4dhH1tD
Edifier!!!!
Do you not like Edifier? In my shopping, I really like that some of their models have volume AND tone controls on the side. People seem to really like the sound quality.
I don’t dislike them! I think from a value for money perspective they can be solid. 👍
@@Jasper_Tech Oops. I didn't notice that you actually mentioned one here. Sorry about that. I'm enjoying your channel.
Hi Jasper - i really enjoy your channel! Thank you for a great video. I just bought a new desktop computer but im completely lost on whether i should get a studio monitor or regular speakers? I heard monitors are more for mixers and producers. I just prefer something where i can really hear all the intracies of the music. Thus - would you suggest a speaker fpr me or monitor? Im also looking for something below 250 if possible. Just let me know if you can narrow it down please? I looked at swam os 10 but there a lot of negatives on the touch controls amd remote. I look forward to your recs!
Amit
Maybe it will help to think of it this way. Studio monitors are designed to favour accuracy. Regular speakers aren’t as beholden to that, so the manufacturer can tweak things to make it sound more enjoyable. Everyone will have their own preferences as to what sounds enjoyable, and that is one of the things that sets different companies apart.
I prefer speakers over monitors because I rate a pleasing sound higher than an accurate sound. But that’s just me.
That's very helpful! Do you have a good recommendation for me?
@@amitkakkar2077 Honestly I don't. I was watching this video for recommendations just like you. If it's possible, see if you can listen to some different types. Use the same song on each to compare more easily. But worst case if you take a chance on something that seems to be widely loved by the community, you likely won't go wrong. There are many 'correct' choices.
Love seeing the community here help each other out! I totally agree with what wimmy said. Monitors are not for everyone, and unless you really need one, I’d tend to not get one and go for a more pleasing sounding speaker.
For your budget and use case, I’d give this Klipsch a try. If you don’t like the way it sounds you can always return it!
amzn.to/4d6kwaJ
Great video but for the low budget what about the Presonus Eris 3.5? Are they better or worse then the Edifier R1280T
@@NarutoMinecraft007 - those are fine speakers, but they’re more in the “studio monitor” camp, which means they will have a relatively neutral sound. For most people who just want to casually listen, I think they’ll prefer the Edifier.
Great job …love your style
Great video
Great job! One of the better review vids I've seen. Make more!!😀
Great content brother
Hi Jasper! I'll buy the Kanto Ora soon; for a near field desktop use do you think the amount of bass is good? I have no space for a sub... Thanks!
One thing I'd like to share is higher wattage ratings doesn't mean better sound quality
Absolutely
Totally agree! Did not intend to imply otherwise! Will be more precise with my language in the future.