Kanto UKI matte black (pack of 2)

Succeeding the YU2, one of Kanto’s best-selling desktop speakers, was no trivial matter. The UKI takes the compact format of its predecessor, adds Bluetooth 5.3 and USB-C, and in the process abandons angular lines for an enclosure with soft curves inspired by handcrafted ceramic ware. All of this with bi-amped class D amplification delivering 100 W peak (50 W RMS) through two drivers per speaker. This is a far cry from generic little PC speakers.

A clamshell enclosure that stands out from the competition

The UKI looks unlike any conventional desktop speaker. Its injection-molded plastic enclosure adopts a two-part clamshell shape, with no sharp edges or right angles. The matte, slightly textured finish, with fine speckles visible depending on the lighting, comes from the fact that Kanto uses partially recycled materials in manufacturing. Each pair has a subtly different appearance.

Five colors are available: Onyx, Chalk, Pumice, Cornflower, and Sage. The dimensions remain very compact: 112 × 110 × 165 mm per speaker, with a weight of 1 kg (active speaker) and 0.9 kg (passive speaker). On a desk, the footprint is minimal.

The drivers, a 19 mm silk dome tweeter and a 76 mm paper-cone woofer, are recessed into the front baffle with no protective grille. A rear bass-reflex port completes the acoustic loading. You’ll need to keep fingers (and children’s fingers) away from the exposed diaphragms.

Bi-amplification and sound reproduction

Active bi-amplification is the UKI’s most notable technical feature. Each channel has its own class D amplification stage: 9 W RMS for the tweeter, 16 W RMS for the woofer. This separation allows each driver to receive a filtered and amplified signal independently, which reduces distortion and improves power handling compared with a single amplification stage.

The stated frequency response goes from 80 Hz to 22 kHz. So bass extension is limited: that is the direct consequence of the compact format and a 76 mm driver. In the mids and highs, reproduction is detailed and airy, with a silk dome tweeter that avoids harshness during long listening sessions. The stereo image, at close range on a desk, proves surprisingly wide for speakers of this size.

One point worth noting: Bluetooth only supports SBC and AAC codecs. No aptX or LDAC. For the best audio quality, the USB-C connection (16-bit / 48 kHz) remains the preferred choice, especially since it bypasses the computer’s audio converter and feeds the speaker’s built-in DAC directly.

Connectivity and integration with a subwoofer

The UKI offers three inputs: Bluetooth 5.3 for a wireless connection, USB-C for a digital link with a computer, and a pair of RCA inputs to connect a turntable (provided it has a built-in phono preamp, since the UKI does not include one). A front LED changes color depending on the active source: blue for Bluetooth, yellow for USB, green for RCA.

The subwoofer output (Sub Out) deserves closer attention. When a subwoofer is connected, the UKI automatically activates a 100 Hz high-pass filter and redirects lower frequencies to the subwoofer. The 76 mm drivers then focus on the midrange and treble, which reduces distortion and frees up power. Connection is simple: an RCA cable between the Sub Out output and the subwoofer input is all that’s needed, with no manual crossover-point adjustment required on the speaker side.

A 3.5 mm headphone jack output is also present on the front, permanently accessible.

Controls designed for the desktop

The active speaker concentrates all controls on the front on a single rotary knob: a short press changes the source, a long press turns the system on or off, and rotation adjusts the volume. No app, no software, no menu. Setup simply consists of plugging in the power cable, connecting the two speakers with the supplied 4-pin cable (1.8 m), and choosing your source.

The left/right switch on the back of the active speaker is a practical feature that is all too rare in this category. It lets you place the main speaker (the one with the volume knob and headphone jack) on whichever side of the desk is most convenient, whether the power outlet is on the left or the right. The internal DSP processing then automatically corrects the stereo image. No more running cables from one end of the desk to the other.

Mounting and positioning

A ¼”-20 threaded insert on the back of each speaker allows it to be mounted on a wall bracket or on the SU2 desktop stands offered by Kanto (sold separately). These stands raise and tilt the speakers to aim the tweeters toward the ears, which noticeably improves the soundstage in nearfield listening. Placing the speakers directly on a wooden or glass desk can cause unwanted resonances in the lower part of the spectrum: decoupling, even with the eight supplied rubber feet, is still recommended.

The cable linking the two speakers measures 1.8 m, which leaves enough room to install them on either side of a monitor, or even a moderately sized television.

Technical Specifications

Speakers

• Tweeters: 2 × 19 mm (¾”) silk dome
• Woofers: 2 × 76 mm (3”) paper cone

Amplification and Audio

• Amplification type: Bi-amplified Class D
• Total power: 100 W peak (50 W RMS)
• Power distribution
  • Tweeter: 9 W RMS per channel
  • Woofer: 16 W RMS per channel
• Frequency response: 80 Hz – 22 kHz
• Filtering
  • Automatic active filter (high-pass / low-pass) at 100 Hz
  • Automatic crossover management for subwoofer

Connectivity

• Bluetooth 5.3
• USB-C (up to 16-bit / 48 kHz)
• RCA analog input (line level)

Outputs

• Subwoofer output (Sub Out)
• 3.5 mm headphone output

Features

• Active bi-amplification
• Automatic left / right switching (speaker orientation)
• Automatic crossover for subwoofer integration
• Built-in front-panel controls

Dimensions and Weight

• Dimensions per speaker (W × D × H): 112 × 110 × 165 mm
• Weight
  • Active speaker: 1 kg
  • Passive speaker: 0.9 kg
• Thread: ¼”-20 rear insert for mounting

Included Accessories

• Speaker link cable (4-pin, 1.8 m)
• Power cord
• 8 rubber feet
• User manual