Kanto YU Review (PC Speaker)

[pierre]

And here is another EQ, I didn't correct below 300Hz so you still see a bump but the PIR is very flat.

EQ for Kanto Yu computed from ASR data
Preference Score 3.5 with EQ 5.5
Generated from http://github.com/pierreaubert/spinorama/generate_peqs.py v0.7
Dated: 2021-04-10-06:54:53

Preamp: -0.6 dB

Filter  1: ON PK Fc  1294 Hz Gain -4.23 dB Q 0.10
Filter  2: ON PK Fc   527 Hz Gain +4.25 dB Q 0.99
Filter  3: ON PK Fc  1038 Hz Gain -2.46 dB Q 5.30
Filter  4: ON PK Fc  1596 Hz Gain +2.17 dB Q 9.17
Filter  5: ON PK Fc 16000 Hz Gain -3.37 dB Q 0.64
Filter  6: ON PK Fc  1305 Hz Gain -1.56 dB Q 11.57
Filter  7: ON PK Fc   554 Hz Gain -1.35 dB Q 12.00
Filter  8: ON PK Fc  8999 Hz Gain +1.24 dB Q 7.58
Filter  9: ON PK Fc  3575 Hz Gain -1.58 dB Q 7.04
Filter 10: ON PK Fc  5469 Hz Gain -1.33 dB Q 7.21
Filter 11: ON PK Fc  3978 Hz Gain +0.68 dB Q 12.00
Filter 12: ON PK Fc  2034 Hz Gain +1.00 dB Q 4.84
Filter 13: ON PK Fc 10762 Hz Gain -0.50 dB Q 11.98
Filter 14: ON PK Fc  2489 Hz Gain -0.98 dB Q 12.00
Filter 15: ON PK Fc  2282 Hz Gain +0.81 dB Q 12.00
Filter 16: ON PK Fc  2740 Hz Gain +0.61 dB Q 12.00
Filter 17: ON PK Fc   585 Hz Gain +0.52 dB Q 0.60
Filter 18: ON PK Fc  2071 Hz Gain -0.72 dB Q 12.00
Filter 19: ON PK Fc   571 Hz Gain -0.86 dB Q 7.25
Filter 20: ON PK Fc   328 Hz Gain +1.64 dB Q 4.29

 

[MZKM]

The mean SPL on-axis is 90.69 dB (300Hz to 3kHz).

This is a powered speaker (though the other unit of the pair is passive).

 

[DSJR]

If any of youy lot want to hear roughly what the'BBC' LS3/5A might sound like on the cheap, this is it - and probably better!!! The 3/5A has a more fizzed up hf post 10kHz region to emphasise hiss in the programme material, but the 'midrange scoop' is very similar in B110 equipped versions (the '3/5A quack' at 1.5kHz varies with maker and era when made). Amazing what such low cost boxes like these can do though

 

[wwenze]

I thought BBC sound *is* the cheap.

 

[DSJR]

This is cheap? I don't get irony so apologies if I misunderstand

https://www.audioaffair.co.uk/falco...KFrPm914iICVhiDDWpxiMGsqXbCMgHnwaAvJ9EALw_wcB

 

[GWolfman]

How would one easily integrate a LPF for the RCA out on this (or any other, generally speaking)? Similarly, does any solution exist for LPF of an XLR connection?

 

[whazzup]

So for those who can't be bothered with EQ, just toe out these speakers 45 degrees and you'll get a sloping Harman response?

 

[More Dynamics Please]

... Let me preface this section by saying that I had a terrible headache when I started the listening tests. My allergies have also gotten bad as well. So read this section with a grain of salt. ...

This is an exceptional comment that deserves praise. Acknowledging that our moods can affect our impressions of audio represents a true breakthrough in speaker reviews as the reviewer's mood has traditionally not been commonly acknowledged. What would add further weight to this would be to conduct a second listening test when the headache and allergies are under control and the mood is more receptive. Documenting the difference in perceived sound quality from bad mood to good mood would be educational for both the reviewer and those reading this and future ASR listening tests.

 

[BrokenEnglishGuy]

too small for pc speakers! xD

 

[sharpty]

I've always wondered how much different the unpowered speaker would measure when it comes to designs like this.

One box has an amp and PSU inside and the other is passive, but usually the external dimensions are the same.

 

[amirm]

Generally a passive amp can be powered to play louder. The all-in-one designs by definition have to keep the cost and size small which puts a limit to maximum loudness. That said, the gap may be small with the driver bottoming out as well.

 

[MZKM]

So for those who can't be bothered with EQ, just toe out these speakers 45 degrees and you'll get a sloping Harman response?

The 4kHz region which is boosted in the PIR graph is still maintains energy at 45° off-axis, so you’d be reducing midrange and upper treble but that mid-treble will remain.

Not ideal.

It would be interesting to see what effect the tone controls on the remote have. Really wish companies would provide graphs for tone controls.

 

[whazzup]

The 4kHz region which is boosted in the PIR graph is still maintains energy at 45° off-axis, so you’d be reducing midrange and upper treble but that mid-treble will remain.

Not ideal.

It would be interesting to see what effect the tone controls on the remote have. Really wish companies would provide graphs for tone controls.

Ya, it wasn't meant to be a serious comment.

That dip, could it have been done intentionally to account for desktop reflections?

 

[sharpty]

Generally a passive amp can be powered to play louder. The all-in-one designs by definition have to keep the cost and size small which puts a limit to maximum loudness. That said, the gap may be small with the driver bottoming out as well.

Apologies, what I meant was the internal volume (space) difference between left and right speakers. Since the left speaker contains the amp and PSU for both speakers, while the right is empty.

 

[3rdShift]

I have the YU4s; the version of these with all the other features. Connected to a sub, I've been very happy with them at my desk on custom built stands. They really open up when played loud.

 

[Xii-Nyth]

would love to see a yu-6 with the built in amplifier, whoever sends it would have to be ok with it being taken apart to test that though.

 

[KantoLiving]

would love to see a yu-6 with the built in amplifier, whoever sends it would have to be ok with it being taken apart to test that though.

They've been tested

 

[Xii-Nyth]

They've been tested

oh thanks! guess stuff doesnt get added to the index right away

 

[unfit327]

I have the YU4P's which I think sound really good, but what would be a big upgrade over these that has the same or close to the same dimensions? I have space limitations but am open to ideas.

 

[AnalogSteph]

Here's a somewhat more advanced EQ setting (and FR data file) for the YU4 lite. Most notably, a bass boost is included to flatten things out to <60 Hz anechoically (with a -10 dB lower response limit of about 50 Hz). Corresponding placement (i.e. on stands or similar) is assumed.