Main trade-off
Kanto REN
A turntable without a preamp still needs a phono stage before REN’s line input.
Head-to-head
Kanto REN vs Audioengine A5+ Wireless: REN separates work and TV sources, A5 keeps analog inputs open
The short answer
Choose REN when a desk becomes the shared TV system after work. Its USB audio and HDMI ARC provide distinct computer and TV connections, while A5+ Wireless lacks both. Choose A5+ Wireless for an existing analog setup where always-open RCA and 3.5 mm inputs are useful and Bluetooth handles occasional phone music. Mute an unwanted analog source on A5+ rather than expecting selective input isolation. Neither model includes a phono stage.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Leaving the work computer connected can mean two different things
On A5+ Wireless, leaving a computer on one analog input and music on the other leaves both audible. That can be useful for deliberate mixed audio, but a work notification can interrupt another person’s evening. REN’s source-selection arrangement, including separate USB and HDMI inputs, suits a room that changes roles through the day. If you choose A5+, make muting or rerouting computer alerts part of the handoff rather than assuming the speakers will isolate them.
What this is based on
Verified simultaneous analog input behavior versus discrete selectable sources. No claim about Bluetooth mixing or system notification privacy beyond audible output.
Main trade-off
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
Always-open analog inputs can allow computer alerts to overlap the other source.
Kanto REN
- Choose it for
- A USB computer and supported HDMI television should remain connected with normal source selection.
- A future subwoofer should trigger documented filtering of both speakers and sub output.
- Main trade-off
- A turntable without a preamp still needs a phono stage before REN’s line input.
Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Choose it for
- Two compatible analog sources should remain active together and that mixing is intentional.
- Analog and Bluetooth cover the setup without USB or HDMI adapters.
- Main trade-off
- Always-open analog inputs can allow computer alerts to overlap the other source.
About this comparison
REN vs A5+ Wireless for a room used for work and evening TV. Compare source isolation, computer adapters and what really happens when adding a subwoofer.
These powered pairs compete for a medium-sized desk or living-room setup. Their input handling creates more practical separation than the generic Bluetooth-speaker description suggests.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
USB work laptop and HDMI TV share the room
REN provides direct dedicated connections for both.
- Kanto REN
- Better fit
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Caution
Two analog sources should intentionally remain audible together
A5+ documents always-open analog inputs.
- Kanto REN
- Good
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Better fit
Need optical TV audio without another converter
REN has optical input and A5+ does not.
- Kanto REN
- Better fit
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Caution
Raw MM turntable signal needs amplification
Neither includes a phono stage.
- Kanto REN
- Caution
- Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- Caution
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Leaving the work computer connected can mean two different things
On A5+ Wireless, leaving a computer on one analog input and music on the other leaves both audible. That can be useful for deliberate mixed audio, but a work notification can interrupt another person’s evening. REN’s source-selection arrangement, including separate USB and HDMI inputs, suits a room that changes roles through the day. If you choose A5+, make muting or rerouting computer alerts part of the handoff rather than assuming the speakers will isolate them.
How we reached this conclusion
Verified simultaneous analog input behavior versus discrete selectable sources. No claim about Bluetooth mixing or system notification privacy beyond audible output.
Two digital sources can turn one cheaper-looking connection plan into two adapters
A USB-only computer and an optical-output television do not have a direct wired audio route into A5+ Wireless. Each needs a suitable conversion or alternate path. REN accepts computer USB and optical TV audio directly, and can also use HDMI ARC where supported. The consequence is fewer separate source boxes on a room shared for work and television. It does not imply a measured sound improvement or a fixed amount of money saved.
How we reached this conclusion
Two explicitly digital source constraints crossed with the complete input sets. Alternative outputs and converter compatibility are not assumed.
Adding a subwoofer does not mean the main speakers stop handling deep bass
REN documents automatic 80 Hz high-pass and low-pass filtering when a subwoofer is connected. A5+ provides a variable RCA output, which should not be treated as proof of the same main-speaker filtering. For a desk where compact placement and a separate bass unit are planned together, REN gives a clearer built-in division of work. You still need to place and adjust the subwoofer, and neither arrangement is a promise of less disturbance in the next apartment.
How we reached this conclusion
Documented crossover behavior compared with a variable line output. No unverified A5+ high-pass behavior or acoustic performance is inferred.
Choice A
Kanto, REN
REN
A USB computer and supported HDMI television should remain connected with normal source selection.
- Best matched use
- A USB computer and supported HDMI television should remain connected with normal source selection.
Checked facts
- Computer: USB-C audio
- TV: HDMI ARC with CEC and optical
- Analog behavior: Selectable RCA and auxiliary source inputs
- Subwoofer: Automatic 80 Hz high-pass and low-pass
Choice B
Audioengine, A5+ Wireless
A5+ Wireless
Two compatible analog sources should remain active together and that mixing is intentional.
- Best matched use
- Two compatible analog sources should remain active together and that mixing is intentional.
Checked facts
- Computer: Analog or Bluetooth, no USB audio
- TV: No HDMI or optical
- Analog behavior: RCA and 3.5 mm inputs open together
- Subwoofer: Variable RCA line output
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Kanto REN | Audioengine A5+ Wireless | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer | USB-C audio | Analog or Bluetooth, no USB audio | A USB-only laptop needs another audio route with A5+. |
| TV | HDMI ARC with CEC and optical | No HDMI or optical | REN can avoid a converter for a digital-output TV. |
| Analog behavior | Selectable RCA and auxiliary source inputs | RCA and 3.5 mm inputs open together | Choose between isolating sources and intentionally hearing both. |
| Subwoofer | Automatic 80 Hz high-pass and low-pass | Variable RCA line output | An output socket alone does not establish filtering of the main speakers. |
| Records | Line-level input, no phono stage | Line-level input, no phono stage | Both need a preamp when the turntable does not provide one. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Kanto REN
- CEC behavior depends on the TV. Check the USB audio port rather than using the separate charging socket.
If you choose Audioengine A5+ Wireless
- The variable RCA output does not establish an automatic 80 Hz high-pass for the main speakers.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
The room needs clean handoffs between TV and computer
Choose Kanto REN. REN has the direct selectable digital source paths.
Always-open analog playback is an intentional requirement
Choose Audioengine A5+ Wireless. A5+ explicitly supports that behavior.
What matters in practice
Before you choose
You want the computer left plugged in, but its work sounds should not interrupt the room’s evening music or TV.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- No sound-quality, latency, hearing or neighbor-disturbance ranking. Input routing and filtering are the verified differences.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current powered speakers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
See the checked facts and calculation notes
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanto REN |
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| Audioengine A5+ Wireless |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Kanto REN
A USB computer and supported HDMI television should remain connected with normal source selection.
A future subwoofer should trigger documented filtering of both speakers and sub output.
See price & reviews on AmazonAudioengine A5+ Wireless
Two compatible analog sources should remain active together and that mixing is intentional.
Analog and Bluetooth cover the setup without USB or HDMI adapters.
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.