You probably decided to go with Kanto YU2 due to its compactness and sound quality but then realized something is missing and that would be the deep lower frequencies. It is no surprise the YU2 active speakers are lacking in the bass department and this issue can easily be resolved by connecting an active subwoofer.
The Kanto YU2 has a dedicated subwoofer output that we can use and now the question is which powered sub should we go for. Finding the right subwoofer for the job will require us to learn more about the YU2 active speakers.
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Sound Characteristics of Kanto YU2 and Potential Requirements
As mentioned earlier, the Kanto YU2 are very compact active speakers and have only 3″ (75mm) composite drivers. Above the 3″ composite drivers will be their 0.75″ silk dome tweeters and behind the speaker cabinet, you will find small rear-firing bass slots. The frequency response is only 80Hz-20kHz which is expected from a compact-sized speaker with such small drivers. The amplifier output on the other hand is surprisingly high though and it could reach up to 100 Watts peak power via its Class D amp.
Usually, we will recommend setting the subwoofer crossover at 80Hz but for the Kanto YU2, you might want to try setting it at 100Hz instead. The Kanto YU2 active speakers will certainly need a powered sub to supplement the bass. Its low-end delivery lacks weight and doesn’t go deep into the bass extension either. If you are listening to bass-heavy music or watching an action movie, you will notice the YU2 speakers are unable to give you a satisfactory performance. There are times when the bass reproductions can sound a bit muddled. A subwoofer will certainly help with delivering the sub-bass frequencies and how deep you need will depend on your music or usage. For listeners who watch a lot of action movies, you might want to go for an active subwoofer that can reach below 30Hz bass extension.
More Details of Kanto YU2 at Amazon
If you are aiming for a powerful subwoofer, you must prepare your wallet as it is going to cost more than your Kanto YU2 speakers. You should set a price range which you are willing to pay for a subwoofer and this will help you set your expectations too. When it comes to the upper registers, the YU2 active speakers are much better performers. The highs and mids are clearly delivered without hearing any audible distortions. The scale of the soundstage is decent and the stereo imaging is amazing for a speaker at this price. For casual music listening at a nearfield distance, the Kanto YU2 is certainly an excellent choice.
Their size and built-in amplifier also make them ideal as desktop speakers. If you are using Kanto YU2 as desktop speakers for your PC, Mac, laptops, etc., you probably wouldn’t need a large subwoofer as we will assume your listening room is small in size and you should be listening to them at a close distance. You will still need to check if you have enough space to place a sub inside your room though. The Kanto YU2 are speakers which are suitable to be used inside a small listening room and at a nearfield listening distance. They are less warm sounding than the bigger models in the YU series. We have prepared a list of the best subwoofers to match the Kanto YU2 speakers for your review, you can take a look at them below.
Kanto YU2 Specifications
- RMS Power Output: 50 Watts
- Drivers: 0.75″ Soft Dome Tweeter, 3″ Composite Driver
- Frequency Response: 80Hz-20kHz
- Audio Inputs: USB, Aux
- Audio Outputs: Subwoofer Out
Best Subwoofers to partner with your Kanto YU2
The Klipsch R-12SW is a very highly rated subwoofer and is closely priced to the Kanto YU2 active speakers as well. This ported sub has an amplifier driving up to 400 Watts of peak power to its 12″ driver. R-12SW can go loud when it needs to and delivers room-shaking deep bass frequencies. It is also quite agile enough for music playbacks and this is partly thanks to its tight bass delivery. The Klipsch R-12SW will be a good match with the Kanto YU2 active speakers and could hit just below 30Hz low frequencies.
More Details about the Klipsch R-12SW at Amazon
The Polk Audio PSW10 is a budget subwoofer with incredibly high ratings and is more affordable than the Klipsch R-12SW. The PSW10 has lesser amplifier power and doesn’t reach as deep as the R-12SW subwoofer though. If you are just looking for an affordable ported sub with clean and tight bass delivery then the Polk Audio PSW10 will certainly be a suitable match with your Kanto YU2 active speakers. The PSW10 is quite capable of delivering powerful deep bass frequencies but we don’t suggest pushing it too hard.
More Details about the Polk Audio PSW10 at Amazon
Prefer to stick with a subwoofer made by the same company as your Kanto YU2 speakers? Then the Kanto SUB6 will be an ideal choice for you. Furthermore, it is a very compact powered sub and will be great for listeners who are facing space constraints. The Kanto SUB6 only has a 6″ bass driver but it is still capable of delivering low frequencies of down to 35Hz. We find the SUB6 performs better when it is near the sitting position as the sub-bass sounds clearer and feels tighter. It is affordably priced as well.
More Details of Kanto SUB6 at Amazon
If you have the budget and want a subwoofer that could deliver subterranean bass frequencies of down to 19Hz, you might want to take a look at SVS PB-1000. This 10″ ported subwoofer is most definitely a worthy match for your Kanto YU2 powered speakers. It is capable of delivering powerful bass frequencies with weight and prominence. It is best for listeners who use Kanto YU2 speakers and watch a lot of movies, especially action flicks. The PB-1000 subs will be worth your time to have an audition with them.
More Info on SVS PB-1000 at Amazon
Are you still looking for a compact subwoofer to match your Kanto YU2 speakers? The Yamaha NS-SW050 will be an exceptional choice for you. This is a ported subwoofer with an 8″ Cone Woofer and has a dynamic power of 100 Watts. The NS-SW050 has a surprisingly wide frequency response and could reach deep into the bass extension which is incredible for a subwoofer of this size and price. The overall bass performance is tight and punchy, well suited to be used inside a small room and with compact speakers like the Kanto YU2.
More Information on Yamaha NS-SW050 at Amazon
For listeners who only use Kanto YU2 to play music and want a high-quality subwoofer that will further enhance their listening experience. The SVS SB-1000 will be one of the best sealed subwoofers to partner up with your YU2 speakers for this case. The SB-1000 is able to deliver articulate bass frequencies of down to 24Hz and has the agility to keep pace with most music as well as your Kanto YU2 speakers. If you want even better performance, you should check out their newer Pro version.
More Information on SVS SB-1000 at Amazon
To Wrap It Up
Please take some time to have a look at each listed subwoofer or you can shorten the list by filtering out the subs that exceeded your budget. Once you have chosen 1 or more potential subwoofers to match with your Kanto YU2 active speakers, you should arrange an audition with them so to find out which one sounds the best to you. If you need a bigger subwoofer than the ones listed here due to your large listening room size, we suggest upgrading your speakers first.
