Powered Speakers · Mid-range
Kanto REN Powered Bookshelf Speakers
Kanto's first pair with HDMI, and the best-reviewed active speakers in the middle of the market. ARC with CEC means the TV remote controls the volume, which is the single feature that makes a pair of speakers feel like a system instead of an accessory.
$650 pair typical, as of September 2026
- HDMI ARC with CEC
- 100 W RMS, 200 W peak
- 5.25 in aluminium woofer, 1 in silk dome
- 50 Hz to 22 kHz
This is the most consistently praised product in the category: five stars from T3, positive reviews from Audioholics, TechRadar, Trusted Reviews, SoundStage Access and Sound and Vision. The subwoofer output applies an automatic 80 Hz high-pass filter when you connect a sub, which is proper bass management rather than a passthrough, and matters because every one of those reviewers said the same thing about the bass.
Watch out: Reviewers agree the bass runs out before the volume does, so budget for a subwoofer in anything larger than a small room.
Pros
- HDMI ARC with working CEC volume control
- The best professional review record in the category
- Automatic 80 Hz crossover when a sub is connected
Cons
- Bass is the acknowledged weak point
- No phono stage and no Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth lacks aptX or LDAC
Specifications
| TV connection | HDMI ARC with CEC volume control |
|---|---|
| Amplifier power | 100 W RMS, 200 W peak, Class D |
| Drivers | 1 in silk dome, 5.25 in aluminium concave woofer |
| Streaming | Bluetooth 5.3 (AAC, SBC); no Wi-Fi |
| Phono input | No |
| Subwoofer out | Yes, with automatic 80 Hz filter |
| Dimensions (each) | Not published |
Specs come from manufacturer documentation and published reviews; check the retailer listing for the current revision.