Kanto Ren

Clear, accomplished midrange ; HDMI ARC support ; Wide soundstage ; Easy to set-up

Lacks bass weight ; No batteries included for the remote

A powered speaker with accomplished sound, the Kanto Ren is a versatile powered speaker for those that can’t get into all the complications that come with traditional hi-fi. It doesn’t boast Wi-Fi, and the bass performance could use more depth, but for...

Tasteful-lookin’ modern speakers ; Incredible breadth of connectivity ; Huge, robust sound

Vaguely unshapely bass response ; Matte finish can collect scuffs and fingerprints ; Remote control inputs sometimes slow

When it comes to reviewing tech, particularly in audio and hi-fi spaces, it’s not common to find a product that ticks all the boxes with respect to a given reviewer’s criteria and instincts; there’s always some form of compromise, whether with build...

Easy setup, a bit more involved if you get the SX26 stands, but still easy. ; No apps, just plug and play. ; Very nice design and well-built. ; Optional front screens, so you can leave them off, which I think looks better. ; Many ways to connect,...

No batteries included for the remote. ; Remote is a chunky boy, slimmer next time, please. ; These are pricey and when you add the optional stands and optional subwoofer, it gets really pricey. That said, the sound does justify the price. But you can...

I have to admit, I wasn’t all that surprised by the sound the Kanto REN was able to achieve. The ORA speakers are the best desktop speakers I’ve used, and I even use those to edit video and watch movies. But while I was surprised, I was initially...