Head to head
Edifier R2750DB MKII vs Kanto REN
The two soundbar replacements at the lower end of the category: Edifier's three-way pair with eARC against Kanto's best-reviewed pair with ARC and CEC. The deciding factor is driver count versus review record and bass management.
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Both pairs plug into a TV over HDMI, both have a subwoofer output, and neither has Wi-Fi or a phono stage, so they compete head on for the same spot under the screen. The Edifier is a true three-way, with a dedicated midrange driver, and adds optical, coax, and LDAC Bluetooth. The Kanto is a two-way with the strongest professional review record in the category and a proper 80 Hz crossover when you add a sub. The one question that decides it: are you adding a subwoofer?
| Spec | Edifier R2750DB MKII Active Stereo Speakers The most speaker per dollar with a real eARC input View on Amazon | Kanto REN Powered Bookshelf Speakers A genuine soundbar replacement for a small to medium room View on Amazon |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | The most speaker per dollar with a real eARC input | A genuine soundbar replacement for a small to medium room |
| Price tier | Budget | Mid-range |
| TV connection | HDMI eARC, plus optical and coax | HDMI ARC with CEC volume control |
| Amplifier power | 144 W RMS, quad amplification | 100 W RMS, 200 W peak |
| Drivers | Three-way: 7 in woofer, 4.5 in mid, 1 in dome | Two-way: 5.25 in woofer, 1 in dome |
| Streaming | Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC | Bluetooth 5.3 (AAC, SBC) |
| Subwoofer out | Yes, RCA | Yes, with automatic 80 Hz filter |
| Phono input | No | No |
Pick the Edifier R2750DB MKII if
- You will run the pair without a subwoofer; the 7-inch woofer has more bass to give than the Kanto's 5.25-inch.
- You want the lower price and the most drivers for it.
- You use Android and want LDAC, or need coax for an older source.
Pick the Kanto REN Powered if
- You plan to add a subwoofer; the automatic 80 Hz filter keeps bass off the small woofers so they play cleaner.
- You want the pair with five-star reviews from several publications.
Verdict
Buy the Edifier R2750DB MKII if the pair runs on its own; a real three-way with a 7-inch woofer gives more bass and a more cohesive midrange than anything else at the price. Buy the Kanto REN if a subwoofer is in the plan, because its built-in 80 Hz crossover makes a 2.1 system that sounds integrated, and its review record is the best in the category. The exception is sub-free bass: every Kanto reviewer flagged it, so do not buy the REN alone for a medium room.
Common questions
- Will the TV remote control the volume?
- Yes, on both. HDMI CEC lets the TV remote raise and lower the speakers' volume, which is the main reason to choose a pair with HDMI.
- Does eARC versus ARC matter here?
- Very little for stereo speakers. Both carry the TV's stereo audio cleanly. eARC's extra bandwidth matters for lossless surround formats, which a stereo pair does not decode.
- What sub should I pair with them?
- A compact sealed sub suits both. The SVS SB-1000 Pro is our small-room pick, and the Kanto's 80 Hz filter makes the crossover setting automatic.