Kanto ORA4 Powered Bookshelf Speakers with Bluetooth (Pair)

Ever since we launched ORA our customers and retailers have asked for a larger version. Something that can get louder, dig deeper, and work in more places. Well, we answered and developed a 4” version of ORA that is more capable but still comes in at a fraction of the size of traditional bookshelf speakers. ORA4 pushes further into the realm of pro audio providing a neutral frequency response and covering a larger range of the audio spectrum than ORA can. While it’s perfectly comfortable being used as a near-field speaker on desktop, its larger size allows it to be used in places ORA may have struggled with. Read on for a technical deep dive into ORA4 and how it measures up to its smaller sibling.

Internal
ORA4 utilizes the same bi-amplified topology as ORA with an increase in wattage to sufficiently power its larger woofers. It’s fully active which means that each driver in the speaker is separately powered and tuned. We’ve split the 70 W RMS class-D amplifier into four separate channels, sending 12 W to each tweeter and 23 W to each woofer.

In traditional setups, a passive crossover made of electrical components directs high frequencies to the tweeter and low frequencies to the woofer using analog components. But with ORA4, we went digital. The built-in DSP (digital signal processing) creates precise crossover points, giving us greater control over the frequency range each driver handles compared to passive designs.

This DSP control also extends to the sub-out port. When a subwoofer is connected, the ORA4 automatically applies a steep 24 dB/octave filter and sends everything below 80 Hz to the sub. Meanwhile, a matching high-pass filter frees up the ORA4’s 4” woofers to focus on the midrange, reducing distortion and allowing the speaker to handle loud transients with greater clarity and power.

ORA4 comes equipped with a range of inputs to suit both modern and vintage setups. For retro gamers or those using analog gear like turntables or cassette players, an RCA input is provided. USB-C lets you bypass the often-lackluster onboard audio of a computer and supports audio up to 24-bit/96 kHz. And lastly, Bluetooth® 5.0 allows for wireless pairing with smart phones or smart home devices.

The LED on the front changes color to indicate the selected input – Green for RCA, Yellow for USB, and Blue for Bluetooth®. A multifunctional knob on the front handles input switching with a press, volume control with a twist, and powers the speaker on or off with a hold. ORA4 also includes ¼”-20 inserts at the rear and bottom, perfect for wall mounting or attaching to a compatible Kanto speaker stand.

The Sacrifice of Studio Sound
Savvy audiophiles have always had an ace up their sleeve when it comes to great sound – studio monitors. You don’t have to sift through marketing fluff or scour the internet for objective audio measurements to make sure you’re making a good buy. You can safely buy a set of good studio monitors and end your journey. Because they are designed for critical monitoring of audio, they are inherently neutral and prioritize linear frequency response over everything else.

Sounds perfect, but this laser sharp focus on audio quality has its downsides. Studio monitors are large, need an external audio interface to easily control volume and connect audio sources, and can sound “flat” due to their analytical tuning. ORA4 was designed to address these downsides, but still deliver studio sound.

While ORA is still the champ when it comes to compact speakers, ORA4 is still shockingly small for what it’s capable of. Compare ORA4 to full-size studio monitors – you can fit six ORA4’s in space that two JBL 305P MkII’s take up. ORA4 is only 2 cm wider than ORA which means it’s still narrow enough to place sideways under a monitor. Try that with nearly any other 4” speaker.

ORA4 has RCA, Bluetooth 5.0, and a USB-C input built-in directly into the speaker, and a knob at the front that acts as a volume control and input select. No need for additional gear like a DAC or interface to get the devices you need connected to ORA4.

If you’re seeking studio sound without sacrifices, there’s not much else that can compare to ORA4. Deeper full range sound than ORA, but at a third of the size as a traditional studio monitor. When we say we’re bringing pro audio to the people, we truly mean it.

Drivers
ORA4 uses the same ¾” tweeter found on ORA providing smooth, extended treble that can be listened to for hours at a time. ORA4’s woofers are upgraded to aluminum and allow ORA4 to dig deeper into the bass register providing a fuller sound. The extra cone area allows ORA4 to push more air increasing amplitude. Expect higher SPL and lower bass with ORA4 allowing it to be used in more applications beyond the desktop.

Because ORA’s tweeter and woofer are closer together than ORA4, it acts more like a coaxial speaker and has smoother directivity when used sideways. If you intend to use ORA4 on its side, make sure you toe in the speakers so that they are aimed directly at your ears.

Magnetic Shielding
ORA and ORA4 bring back a feature that’s rare in modern speakers – magnetic shielding. While this was once the standard to protect CRT monitors from the powerful magnets in speakers, it largely disappeared with the rise of LCD screens as they aren’t susceptible to magnetic fields. So if everything is flat panel then why did we bring it back? Retro gaming.

Games were created for the display medium at the time – tube TVs and monitors. Old games just don’t look right on LCD – they need the scan lines and smoothing effects of a CRT to truly shine as they did when those games were first released. And those games play better on CRT because of its imperceivable lag. You can only nail frame-perfect combos and use a light gun with these analog relics. If you really care about this experience, you’re probably wanting great sound as well. ORA4 can be placed directly beside a TV to provide pixel-perfect sound without the risk of damaging your CRT or PVM.

Use Cases
ORA4 is capable of handling almost any scenario. Equal parts bookshelf speaker, studio monitor, and computer speaker – it’s perfectly sized for stand mounting or desktop use.

WORK
Used on desktop, ORA4 is the perfect companion to get you through the workday. Large enough to provide full-range sound but compact enough to not overwhelm a home office setup. When desktop real estate is at a premium, but you aren’t willing to sacrifice sound quality, ORA4 fills the niche perfectly.

PLAY
ORA4 delivers accurate music playback to faithfully capture the artists’ intent. Paired with a turntable or connected to a network streamer, it serves as a dedicated two-channel system anywhere in the home. It heightens immersion in modern games and breathes new life into retro soundtracks, reproducing audio flawlessly.

CREATE
ORA4 is DSP-tuned to have a neutral sound-signature, allowing musicians to hear the true timbre of their instruments and creators to fine-tune their video edits. Its reference-grade sound goes toe-to-toe with dedicated studio monitors, yet it’s compact enough to take on the road. One set of speakers that can handle it all.

Summary
ORA4 takes the legacy of ORA to the next level by pushing bass extension even deeper while maintaining the same, great, reference-quality sound. Its additional headroom makes it a more versatile speaker, able to be used in a wide range of scenarios from desktop to a dedicated two-channel audio system. Leaning further into the world of pro audio, ORA4 offers a neutral frequency response, but at 1/3 the size of traditional studio monitors, can be placed in tight spaces. With its multiple input options there’s no need for external gear and the automatic high-pass filter lets you expand your system and gain higher fidelity with a subwoofer down the road. ORA4 is a true reference quality speaker without compromise – it delivers studio-quality sound in a compact package that should impress any gamer, creator, or audiophile that demands accuracy.