Canadian audio company Kanto has a new option if you’re looking for powered desktop or bookshelf speakers with better bass response. Its Ora4 Reference Speakers are similar to its Kanto Ora model — which we consider to be some of the best desktop speakers you can buy — but with larger woofers and more power. They’re available starting November 1 for $400 in either matte white or matte black, from Amazon and several other retailers.
The Ora4 are only slightly larger than the Ora (4.7 x 6.7 x 8.3 inches versus 3.9 x 5.6 x 6.9 inches) but they weigh nearly twice as much (4.3 pounds versus 2.1), which should give you an indication that there’s a lot more going on inside.
The difference is the amplification and drivers. The Ora4’s bi-amplified drivers are fed by two class D amps: 12 watts per tweeter and 23 watts per woofer, for 70 watts of total power (RMS). That’s 40% more power than the Ora’s 50-watt total.
While the 3/4-inch silk dome tweeters remain the same as the Ora, the woofers are now bigger (4-inch versus 3-inch) and are made from magnetically shielded aluminum instead of paper.
This is what accounts for the Ora4’s deeper bass. Kanto says the Ora4 has a frequency response of 60Hz-22kHz (10Hz lower than the Ora), and the company has set the automatic crossover at 80Hz when you connect a wired subwoofer.
Speaking of wired connections, the Ora4 repeats the Ora’s formula: on the back of the powered satellite, you’ll find a USB-C port for PC audio, a stereo RCA connection for analog sources, and a subwoofer output. There’s also a Bluetooth 5.0 wireless connection for streaming audio with AAC and SBC codec support.
What you won’t see is the Ora4’s hidden spec improvement. Its USB-C input is now compatible with digital sources up to 24-bit/96kHz for lossless, hi-res audio. The original Ora is limited to CD quality 16-bit/48kHz.
At $400, the Ora4 are only $50 more than their smaller, less powerful Ora siblings, which may make them very attractive for those who need just a little more punch in their desktop setup for monitoring and mixing music.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
Technology evolves every day, transforming how we live and work. Our devices are becoming more than tools we use. They are increasingly capable companions that help streamline day-to-day routines and spark creative ideas. If you have been waiting for the right moment to upgrade your tech setup, the Discover Samsung Shopping Event offers an opportunity to explore what connected, AI-powered living can look like.