Audio Engine A5+ vs Kanto YU3 review

[BadBreath]

I have been torn for years between speakers to hook up to my various computers. I have used a Logitech surround system, that was retired very early on as I was not happy with the sound reproduction. I was willing to give up the surround sound for quality stereo.  A decision I will never regret.

Several years ago I purchased 2 pair of Audioengine A5+.  I have been enamored with these speakers.  They are great value and have excellent stereo imaging.  After saying that I have always added a sub woofer to each system after a short time.   The quality and build is second to none.  The packaging is that of an audiophile component.  I have set up a theater in my garage on Halloween on several occasions, and had many remarks that all that sound came from those small speakers.  The 75 watts per channel  is plenty to drive anyone's neighbours crazy.  I would highly recommend these speakers to everyone.  I think in hindsight, if I was to replace my living room sound-bar in the future, I would simply replace it with a pair of a5+ and a sub-woofer, and forget any of the signal processing a sound bar would provide.

I received an email from Staples the other day offering a one day sale on the Kanto YU3 at $169.  I order a lot of products through my business and had a $20 coupon.  A pair of powered speakers for $149, how could i resist?  They finally arrived.  My first impression was of the packaging.  It was not "Elite" like the Audioengine, however the speakers inside were well protected.  The packaging included cables, mini headphone, Speaker wire, and power cable and a remote..  The speakers were wrapped in foam wrap and well protected.  The finish on my speakers (gloss black) seems to be a good quality lacquer like finish. The packaging included stick on feet, which would stop any rattle on your desk, compared to the Audioengines fully rubberized bottom.  There are no wall mount holes on these speakers.   I wont go into the inputs and outputs because I know you all are capable of googling this yourself, but needless to say this speaker will prove more versatile than the Audioengine speakers, as they also provide Bluetooth connectivity. (Don't  lose your remote as this is where the pairing button is).  The sound was impressive, but did not have the imaging and presence the Audioengine speakers had, even before they were broken in.   Do I regret my purchase? NO!  These are great little speakers, and for the price you cant touch them.   Honestly I am a little spoiled.  I have made some awesome purchases over the years, some great purchases, some SO-SO and also bought some dogs- and I don't mean the kind with four legs. I would like to share my experiences with you so as to maybe help prevent you from wasting any hard earned money, 

 

A little about my computer use.  Lets be honest, Games, Games, and some movies, and music

 

So here we go

 

System 1

Audioengine a5+          $399     http://www.ncix.com/detail/audioengine-a5-b-115v-premium-bookshelf-style-5a-63652-1141.htm

Energy Subwoofer        $149    http://www.futureshop.ca/en-ca/product/energy-8-subwoofer-esw-c8/10111882.aspx?path=778262b9245a82ae08604369753936bfen02  Currently $359, watch the sales

 

This system was my main gaming rig, However I got the build itch, that created system 2

 

System 2

Audioengine a5+          $399   http://www.ncix.com/detail/audioengine-a5-b-115v-premium-bookshelf-style-5a-63652-1141.htm

Polk Audio 10" sub       $99     http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/polk-audio-10-100-watt-powered-subwoofer-psw10/10053785.aspx?path=93c688c43389ac588dfdcf916e9cba32en02

This Sub ABSOLUTELY SUCKS DO NOT BUY IT IS SITTING IN STORAGE RIGHT NOW 

Sinclair Audio 310s      $----  http://eastporters.com/estore/cart.php?target=product&product_id=856&category_id=117  got a really good deal, promised I wouldn't tell.

The Sinclair audio sub will blow your mind.  explosions in games actually rattle your organs.

I would say this sub rivals the Paradigm sub in my home theater that cost significantly more.

 

This system is my new gaming rig.   The sub is significantly better than the Energy, but it costs more as well.  Surprise surprise.

 

System 3

Kanto YU3                 $149    http://www.ncix.com/detail/kanto-yu3-powered-bookshelf-speakers-4b-96550-1675.htm  Currently $269

Polk Audio 10"           $99      http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA/product/polk-audio-10-100-watt-powered-subwoofer-psw10/10053785.aspx?path=93c688c43389ac588dfdcf916e9cba32en02

 

 

This sub hasn't been hooked up yet.  But will become the speaker system for my laptop at my cottage.  We'll see if I hate the sub as much then as I did before.  I'm willing to give it a second chance, but I may find that I put the sub back in storage as as it made the Audioengine speakers sound worse.  It is only $99 for a reason. OMG it is bad.  Did I say it was bad... sorry Polk Audio....

 

 

So here are my thoughts.

 

If you have money to burn, love loud music and want the best, replicate System 2.  You will not be disappointed.                  Pricetag  $800ish

If you want a good balance love loud music and games, and don't get complaints from family and neighbours  get System 1  pricetag  $550

If you are on a budget and are willing to wait a bit watching the sales the YU3 and the Energy Sub are an excellent value.    pricetag   $400

If you are patient and willing to wait, pick up the audioengine a5+ and wait for the sub to go on sale                                      pricetag   $399  +159 later

If you are a student and cant justify $399 for the Audioengine, the YU3 are still a great value- you can always add a sub     pricetag   $269

 

As for surround sound for computer games in a small space, get a set of headphones.  If you want a premium gaming experience invest in some good speakers.  The movie industry has known this for years.  Why do people go to the movies?  The angular size of the picture you watch on your TV is going to be very close to what you watch in the theater.  The difference you ask?  It is the sound.  It will change how you game, how you jump out of your chair when a zombie lunges at you, or when you get blown to bits by a mortar.  Would surround be better, sure, but honestly lets look at the costs already incurred.  Is it worth double or more? in my opinion NO. If I want a surround experience, Ill plug my laptop into my home theater and have the room dedicated to the activity.  

 

I hope I have helped some of you make a good purchase.

 

I would be happy to do a comparison of 

 

Corsair Vengence 2100 gaming headset vs Sennheiser PC350

 

just give me a shout if you are interested.

BB

[ZetZet]

Or if you live in Europe and can buy Microlab and Edifier products just buy SOLO 7C or Studio 7.  :lol:

[BadBreath]

Zetzet,  they look pretty nice.

[spoons33]

This may be  a little late but Im using the Audioengine A5+ and absolutely love them, my main use is gaming and music and the sound quality from these speakers is top notch, (they replaced a pair if Bose).  My intention was to get the Audioengine S8 sub at a later date when I could make room,  but since hearing these on their own, the sub would be a complete waste of money for me as these give out a fair amount of base by themselves.  I originally bought the black but returned them due to the fact that finger marks are easily visible, I now have the glossy white and they look really smart.  Look at Amazons reviews .uk and .com on these speakers, really positive. 

[BadBreath]

I am in the process of a aquiring a SVSound PB-2000.  Is anyone interested in a comparison with a paradigm PS 1000?  vs Energy vs Poilk Audio ?

[spwath]

er wut?

 

Polk PW10 sucks?
 

It is one of the most highly regarded subs in the under 150$ price range....

[BadBreath]

sorry spwath, It really does suck.  I cant describe how much better the other subs are.

 

As for the SVS - OMG , it blows the Paradigm PW 1000 out of the water.  The only drawback is that you can NOT IMAGINE how big it is.  All the reviews say it is big,  But it is really freaking HUGE.  DO NOT TRY AND SLIP THIS SUB PAST YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER.    

 

I also have a sinclair audio 310s.  This is a pretty good sub but falls apart if you start to overdrive it.  So here in order is my thoughts on the subs

 

SVS  PB-2000 Clearly the best - Seriously don't try to sneak this into your living room. $900

Paradigm PS 1000  - Size friendly- served me well for home theater, was happy for years.  Just cant move the air like the SVS-  Easier to pass the wife test. $500-550

I'm torn between the ENERGY and the Sinclair Audio 310s.  I think The Sinclair seems a little better, its in a bigger room. So 

Sinclair Audio 310s - Do not over drive this sub- it will get messy. $450 to $500

Energy ESW-C8  YOU CANT BEAT THIS SUB FOR $150 ON SALE.

Polk Audio PW-10 - Seriously don't do it.  Mine is sitting under my basement stairs.  Maybe ill pass it off to one of my kids before they appreciate the difference.

 

SO MONEY NO OBJECT - GRAB THE SVS PB 2000

WANT GREAT VALUE, AND VALUE YOUR MARRIAGE - PARADIGM PS-1000 

BEST BUDGET SUB EVER - ENERGY

 

Dont get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the Sinclair audio sub, but it is priced so close to the Paradigm, get the Paradigm

 

Spwath, I'm sorry if you own this sub.  I don't mean to insult you.  If you are happy that is great, that is what matters.  I have been very lucky to be able to try all this stuff out.  

[reckless]

sorry spwath, It really does suck.  I cant describe how much better the other subs are.

 

As for the SVS - OMG , it blows the Paradigm PW 1000 out of the water.  The only drawback is that you can NOT IMAGINE how big it is.  All the reviews say it is big,  But it is really freaking HUGE.  DO NOT TRY AND SLIP THIS SUB PAST YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER.    

 

I also have a sinclair audio 310s.  This is a pretty good sub but falls apart if you start to overdrive it.  So here in order is my thoughts on the subs

 

SVS  PB-2000 Clearly the best - Seriously don't try to sneak this into your living room. $900

Paradigm PS 1000  - Size friendly- served me well for home theater, was happy for years.  Just cant move the air like the SVS-  Easier to pass the wife test. $500-550

I'm torn between the ENERGY and the Sinclair Audio 310s.  I think The Sinclair seems a little better, its in a bigger room. So 

Sinclair Audio 310s - Do not over drive this sub- it will get messy. $450 to $500

Energy ESW-C8  YOU CANT BEAT THIS SUB FOR $150 ON SALE.

Polk Audio PW-10 - Seriously don't do it.  Mine is sitting under my basement stairs.  Maybe ill pass it off to one of my kids before they appreciate the difference.

 

SO MONEY NO OBJECT - GRAB THE SVS PB 2000

WANT GREAT VALUE, AND VALUE YOUR MARRIAGE - PARADIGM PS-1000 

BEST BUDGET SUB EVER - ENERGY

 

Dont get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with the Sinclair audio sub, but it is priced so close to the Paradigm, get the Paradigm

 

Spwath, I'm sorry if you own this sub.  I don't mean to insult you.  If you are happy that is great, that is what matters.  I have been very lucky to be able to try all this stuff out.  

 

I've got a SVS SB13-Ultra in my bedroom along with their Ultra Bookshelves. I would rather see a comparison on their prime satellites. I know they're not powered but I'd think they would put up a decent fight against them. Even though they only have a 4.5" mid range driver.

[BadBreath]

I've got a SVS SB13-Ultra in my bedroom along with their Ultra Bookshelves. I would rather see a comparison on their prime satellites. I know they're not powered but I'd think they would put up a decent fight against them. Even though they only have a 4.5" mid range driver.

They look great too.  But alas, I have only a use for the powered speakers now.    If I consider changing out my Home theater speakers, these will be on my list.

[zhuppzz]

nice one!

[Majestic]

My intention was to get the Audioengine S8 sub at a later date when I could make room,  but since hearing these on their own, the sub would be a complete waste of money for me as these give out a fair amount of base by themselves. 

 

They do honestly. Maybe the extreme lows, like some rap songs they don't quite reach, but that's it.