KĒNTO Carbon

The KĒNTO Carbon represents a ground-up re-thinking by Richard and Nathan Vandersteen. The answer came in a totally new design at the historic Model 5 price point. This speaker brings together the Model 5A carbon tweeter and the patented Carbon/Balsa core midrange from the Model Seven MK II, the Mid-Bass from the Quatro CT, with the all-new built-for-Vandersteen side-firing Counterforce pistonic 9" powered bass drivers. The result is a level of adjustment, unlike any other speaker. Available uniquely in both wood veneer and painted finishes.

Starting at $44,500 / Pair


Prices shown do not include duty, taxes, or freight

Available Finishes

Click on Finishes to Enlarge

(*) indicates upgrade finishes.

Vandersteen Audio has done its best to photograph these wood finishes on each product page, but please know that while the woods we receive from our vendors are unfailingly high in quality, no two pieces of wood are ever exactly alike. This is dictated by nature. We promise that your speakers will look gorgeous, but not that they will precisely match the photos you see on our website or on our dealers’ in-store demo speakers.

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Vandersteen Audio is very proud to premiere the KĒNTO Carbon, the newest Vandersteen loudspeaker. The previous model at this price level, the Model 5 represented the first Vandersteen speaker with an adjustable powered subwoofer built into the full range enclosure to pursue the ideal time and phase alignment of all drivers. The original Model 5 had been in constant production for over twenty years, where it was firmly ensconced as a Stereophile Class A Recommendations, and was a perennial TAS Editor's Choice and winning universal praise from reviewers and consumers around the world. All of which is a testament to the fact that it’s a tough speaker to improve upon! However, Richard and Nathan Vandersteen, the architects of this ambitious project, found that using side-firing 9-inch drivers allowed for further bass and mid-bass integration adjustment in any space. This breakthrough along with the existing carbon tweeter and newly combined with the patented Model Seven midrange yields results never seen at this price point. Early measurements and listening show this speaker’s performance will be a good part of the Model Seven Mk.II and a significant step forward with its new proprietary technological features. This speaker is priced per pair in painted or wood veneer finishes.

KĒNTO Carbon Specifications

Kento Impedance curve

Tweeter

1” Exclusive Aerodynamic Dual-Chamber, Transmission-Line Loaded Carbon Dome with Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling 

Midrange

4.5” Patented Perfect Piston™ Midrange with 3-Layer Carbon Fiber/Balsa/Carbon Fiber Cone, Die-Cast Aerodynamic Basket with Neo-Magnet Assembly and Ferrofluid Voice-Coil Cooling

Mid-Woofer

6.5” Woven-Fiber Cone and Precision-Formed Magnet Assembly Copper Faraday Ring 

Subwoofer(s)

 (2) 9" Aluminum Drivers with Long-Throw Motor Assemblies 

Phase

 Positive

Subwoofer Amplifier

Linear 400-Watt Amplifier with Power Factor Correct Switching Power Supply

Recommended Amplification

40-200 Watts Into 8 Ohms

Frequency Response

 23 Hz – 40kHz +/- 3dB

Sensitivity

 87 dB, 1 meter/2.83 volt input

Impedance

 8 ohms +/- 3 ohms

Crossovers

 First order/6dB per octave, 200Hz, 900Hz, 5kHz

Input Terminals

 Barrier strips, 7/16" max width

Dimensions (WHD)

12” x 47” x 19”

Weight

 170 lbs. Ea. Net / 200 Shipping Gross

Country of Manufacture

 Made in the USA
  • Jun 4, 2024
    KĒNTO Carbon

    Richard Vandersteen's KĒNTO Carbon speakers are wonderful.  They lay out a palpable soundstage, reaching deep and wide.  The music moves!  You feel that you are there.  Dynamic without exaggeration.  Realistic timbres and accurate portrayal of the musicians and voices.  The KĒNTOs capture the musical rhythms in ways that are seductive.  I lived with the Quatros for years and did not expect to hear music on this much higher plane.  

    customer

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  • Oct 23, 2021
    KĒNTO Carbon

    "Next up was another great-sounding room (it felt so good to be back!)."

    Robert Schryer

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  • Feb 19, 2021
    KĒNTO Carbon

    "The Vandersteen Kēnto is the English gentleman who is sincere, polite, and refined. Highly respected, impeccable, and well regarded, but you’re not getting a hug. "

    Graig Neville

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  • Jan 29, 2021
    KĒNTO Carbon

    The Vandersteen Kento Carbon is no exception; as you will read, it synchronized with the room in imaging and soundstaging pretty quickly, establishing itself in the top tier of loudspeakers I’ve reviewed.

    Andre Jennings

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