Review: Kanto ORA Reference Desktop Speakers

Finding the best studio-quality desktop speakers is all about the right balance. On one hand, you want audio quality that’s on par with studio monitors, and on the other, you need a compact, space-saving design. Kanto’s ORA Reference Desktop Speakers aim to bridge this gap, offering a studio-grade listening experience while maintaining a compact footprint.

Features

One of the ORA’s most striking features is its compact size. Taking up a mere 20% of the volume of a standard 5-inch studio monitor makes it an ideal choice for those who desire high-quality audio without sacrificing desk space. Its slim black casing design even allows it to be placed sideways under a monitor, catering to the needs of users with ultrawide or dual monitors without losing audio quality.

The ORA doesn’t merely rely on its size advantage. It’s been thoughtfully tuned to provide studio-level performance with deep bass and minimal listener fatigue during extended listening sessions. This feature caters to content creators, gamers, and music enthusiasts who seek the best audio quality in various scenarios.

To enhance sound quality, the ORA employs bi-amplification. This design features separate amplifiers for the tweeters and 3” woofers, offering more precise sound reproduction while conserving power. The result is a cleaner, more defined audio experience.

Additionally, the ORA features an intelligent crossover network. When a subwoofer is connected, it automatically redirects frequencies above 100 Hz to the speakers, while sending the lower frequencies to the sub. This allows the ORA to excel in reproducing mid and high frequencies, delivering a distortion-free performance.

The ORA boasts an array of connectivity options. It includes an RCA input for analog gear, a USB-C input for high-quality audio from your PC or Mac, and Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless wireless pairing with your smartphone or smart home devices. Additionally, an LED indicator on the front shows what input you’ve switched to.

An interesting addition to the ORA is magnetic shielding, which caters to retro gamers. This feature harks back to the days of CRT monitors when magnetic shielding was used to prevent interference. Now, the ORA can sit next to your vintage CRT screen, offering a detailed and immersive audio experience for retro gaming enthusiasts.

Testing Experience

TWICE had the opportunity to test out the ORA Reference Desktop Speakers over the last month and we were very impressed with their performance, especially for speakers this size.

Setup was fairly easy, and we connected the speakers without any issues in a matter of minutes. The speakers come with a power cord, a 4-pin cable that connects them together, and a sheet of soft feet with adhesive backs you can attach to either the back or side of a speaker – depending on your desired configuration.

We went with traditional upright as we also tried out the Kanto S2 angled speaker stands. Those stands were a game changer for us as they tilted the speakers perfectly towards our ears instead of our torso, and it was amazing how something that small could enhance our listening experience. They’re a must-have accessory in our books!

We’ve tested a large number of desktop speakers over the past decade, and it takes a lot to really impress us as, for the most part, most models all hit an acceptable level of sound quality. But, oh my, we weren’t expecting the ORA to sound as good as it did.

Usually, like a tiny dog, smaller speakers try to overcompensate for their size, but the sound quality of the ORA was exceptional. It didn’t pierce the air with shrill highs and muddy mids or cloud the sound with overreaching bass, quite the contrary. Our ears were met with crisp mids and highs and relatively distortion-free bass as we ran through our testing playlist that included classical music from Bach, electronica dance with Erasure, symphonic metal from artists like Within Temptation and Ra, classic rock from Boston and the Beatles as well as various Top 40, country hits and more. (We’re showing our age here)

The Kanto ORA speakers performed exceptionally, particularly in producing the same quality regardless if the input was from our computer via USB-C or by Bluetooth from our Samsung smartphone. We’re hoping to test out a Kanto subwoofer in the future to experience the active crossover feature.

The only issue we had with the speakers besides it not coming with a USB-C to USB-C cable was not knowing what the different LED colors meant without pulling the manual out to see what connection we selecting. This was an extremely minor irritation until we memorized it, but that’s a very small price to pay to not have distracting printed text or multiple LEDS detracting from the sleek design of the ORA speakers. (Just for knowledge’s sake, here’s what the LED colors mean: Green=RCA, Yellow=USB, Blue=Bluetooth).

Plenty of other devices in our testing area have extremely bright LEDs, and we appreciated that ORA’s LED light didn’t light up the entire room and distract us when the lights were off, particularly during movie viewing.

Using the ORA speakers while PC gaming gave us an immersive sound experience and we often stopped while playing to see how ORA performed with ambient environments outside the action. We were impressed yet again with how well these desktop speakers deliver and how they allowed us to enjoy our favorite games like Skyrim, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Genshin Impact (Hey, don’t judge, its music is top-tier!) even more than usual.

Verdict

Kanto’s ORA desktop speaker is a testament to the perfect fusion of compact design and studio-grade sound. Its notable features, including bi-amplification, DSP tuning, and a clever crossover network, contribute to its remarkable audio quality. The diverse connectivity options make it versatile for various use cases.

The ORA’s small footprint is a game-changer, allowing it to fit comfortably in tight spaces without compromising sound quality. Its magnetic shielding adds a nostalgic touch for retro gamers, making it a unique addition to the desktop speaker market.

In conclusion, the ORA desktop speaker is an excellent choice for creators, gamers, musicians, and audio enthusiasts who demand top-notch audio quality in a compact form. Kanto has successfully delivered a speaker that competes with larger studio monitors while addressing the limitations of traditional desktop speakers. The ORA is a testament to Kanto’s commitment to providing innovative solutions for a wide range of audio needs. It’s a compact powerhouse that’s sure to impress even the most discerning audiophiles.

To learn more about the ORA and Kanto’s other products, visit kantoaudio.com.

See also: Tivoli Introduces SongBook And SongBook MAX Premium Bluetooth Sound Systems