{"product_id":"kanto-open-box-obi3-gen2-turntable-with-bluetooth5-3-preamp-and-pitch-control-matte-walnut-a-grade","title":"Kanto OPEN BOX OBI3 Gen2 Turntable with Bluetooth5.3, Preamp, and Pitch Control - Matte Walnut - A Grade","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch3 class=\"hp-title\"\u003eKanto Obi3 G2 Review\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/collections\/kanto\"\u003eKanto\u003c\/a\u003e spent over a decade building powered speakers before it made a turntable. The original Obi3 arrived in November 2025 as the company's first source component, and it sold well enough that Kanto followed up with a second generation less than a year later. The Obi3 G2 launches at $249.99, $50 above the original's $199 price, with real engineering changes behind the jump rather than a simple color refresh.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe got hands-on time with the Obi3 G2 around its debut at Audio Advice Live 2026, where Kanto paired it with the brand's also-new second-generation Tuk and Tuk Grand speakers. Here's what carries over from the original, what changed, and what to pair it with.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/3281\/8260\/files\/OBI3G2VMB_Front_9d772e42-999a-44fd-9629-3e1882cacc56.jpg\" alt=\"Kanto Obi3 G2 Turntable\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eWhat Carries Over From the Original\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Obi3 G2 keeps the same core build as the first Obi3: an engineered wood plinth, a weighted aluminum platter, and a J-shaped aluminum tonearm with a cue lever. The wood plinth is denser than the plastic housings on the cheapest all-in-one record players, which keeps vibration away from the stylus. The weighted aluminum platter adds rotational mass, which helps keep speed consistent turn to turn.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe J-shaped tonearm carries a proper offset angle to keep tracking error low across the whole record, and the tonearm bearing has surprisingly little play for the price. A loose bearing lets the arm shift slightly as the stylus pulls against the groove, which adds extra noise and a less precise stereo image. You can't judge bearing quality from a photo or a spec sheet. Finding one this tight at $250 is unusual, since tight bearings typically show up on turntables costing quite a bit more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBluetooth 5.3 and a built-in switchable phono preamp also carry over, so you can run the Obi3 G2 wired into an amp or speaker with a phono input, or skip cables and stream straight to a Bluetooth speaker. The same Audio-Technica AT3600L cartridge comes pre-installed and pre-aligned, and it still ships with a dust cover, felt mat, 45 adapter, RCA cable, and ground wire. It's still a manual deck, so you cue the tonearm and lower it yourself, but auto-stop is here too: the platter stops spinning on its own once a side ends instead of leaving the stylus sitting in the runout groove.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_half\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/3281\/8260\/files\/OBI3G2VMB_Key-Detail---Knob.jpg\" alt=\"Kanto Obi3 G2 Turntable Knob Detail\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_half col_last\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/3281\/8260\/files\/OBI3G2VMB_Key-Detail---Arm.jpg\" alt=\"Kanto Obi3 G2 Turntable Tonearm Detail\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eAdjustable Counterweight and Anti-Skate\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original Obi3 had a fixed, non-adjustable counterweight and a fixed anti-skate setting. That's fine for casual use, but it means tracking force was whatever Kanto set at the factory, with no way to dial it in if you changed cartridges. The G2 adds an adjustable counterweight and a dedicated anti-skate control, so you can set the proper tracking force yourself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToo light, and the stylus can skip and skate toward the inside of the groove. Too heavy, and you're grinding down the stylus and the vinyl every time you play a record. Kanto specs a tracking force of 3.5 grams plus or minus 0.5 grams for the AT3600L, and the G2 lets you check that with an inexpensive gauge instead of trusting the factory setting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe adjustable counterweight also opens up a real upgrade path. The AT3600 is the same cartridge used on the popular Rega P1 and P2, rebadged as their carbon cartridge. Its conical stylus won't dig into the groove as aggressively as an elliptical one, so it won't reveal as much noise on older or well-worn records, though it also won't pull out quite as much fine detail. Audio-Technica makes an elliptical version of this exact stylus, the ATN3600LE, as a drop-in replacement. You don't need to replace the whole cartridge, only the stylus itself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eA Motor That Corrects Its Own Speed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery turntable spins a record at a set speed, 33 1\/3 or 45 RPM, and any wobble in that speed shows up as an audible flutter, most noticeable on sustained notes like a held piano chord or a long vocal. The original Obi3 ran an open-loop motor with no feedback, rated at plus or minus 1% speed variation, meaning the motor spun at whatever speed it landed on with nothing checking its work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe G2 adds a speed sensor that monitors the motor continuously and corrects it in real time. Instead of drifting over the length of a side, the platter holds one steady speed from the first track to the last, which helps music sound more locked in with no waver on long notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eA Heavier Chassis to Cut Down on Vibration\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpeakers push sound through the air and into whatever surface a turntable sits on, and a lighter turntable picks up more of that vibration through its own body. That vibration travels up through the plinth into the platter and into the stylus, an extremely sensitive component built to pick up tiny movements in the record groove. Vibration from the room mixes into the music as extra rumble or muddiness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original Obi3 weighed 8.6 pounds. The G2 comes in at 12.1 pounds, and that extra mass soaks up more vibration before it reaches the stylus instead of passing it straight through. Between the steadier motor and the heavier chassis, the G2 should sound noticeably cleaner and more stable than the original.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/3281\/8260\/files\/OBI3G2MW_Lifestyle_Landscape.jpg\" alt=\"Kanto Obi3 G2 Turntable\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003ePitch Control Carries Over, Even Though It's Less Necessary Now\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pitch control knob carries over from the original too, shifting playback speed up or down 10% from center. It's mostly a DJ-turntable feature you don't see on home hi-fi decks, and it's fun to mess with if you want to hear a record at a different tempo. With the new speed sensor handling correction automatically, you don't need it for that purpose anymore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003ePrice and the One Thing We'd Change\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe upgrades pushed the price up $50, from $199 to $249.99, and it's worth it for the speed-correction sensor, the heavier plinth, and adjustable tracking and anti-skate. The Obi3 G2 lands in a good spot against its competition at this price. It's well built and covers what most people need to get started with a turntable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe one change we'd still like to see is adjustable feet, so the deck can be leveled perfectly on an uneven shelf.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eFive Finishes, Up From Three\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe original Obi3 came in black, white, and green. The G2 comes in five: Matte Black, Matte White, Matte Walnut, Matte Green, and a new Matte Ice Blue. The walnut is the pick if you want the turntable to blend into a living room setup instead of looking like tech gear. The ice blue stands out on a shelf next to darker gear if that's what you're after.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/3281\/8260\/files\/OBI3G2_finishes.jpg\" alt=\"Kanto Obi3 G2 Turntable finishes\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eKanto's Obi3 Accessory Lineup\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKanto built out a full accessory line to go with the Obi3 G2:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-tt-am-anti-static-acrylic-turntable-mat\"\u003eTT-AM\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e An anti-static acrylic mat that replaces the stock felt mat, meant to tighten up bass while cutting resonance\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-tt-crm-anti-static-cork-and-rubber-turntable-mat\"\u003eTT-CRM\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e A cork and rubber blend mat built for a quieter, lower-static surface with more grip during playback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-tt-akit-turntable-setup-and-alignment-kit\"\u003eTT-AKIT\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e A setup kit bundling a stylus force gauge, a cartridge alignment protractor, and a bubble level, which is what lets you use the new adjustable counterweight correctly instead of guessing\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-tt-gkit-record-and-stylus-gel-cleaning-kit\"\u003eTT-GKIT\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e A silicone record roller paired with stylus cleaning gel\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-tt-sb-carbon-fiber-record-and-stylus-cleaning-brush\"\u003eTT-SB\u003c\/a\u003e:\u003c\/strong\u003e A two-in-one carbon fiber record brush with a stylus brush built into the handle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\nBoth mats fit any standard 12-inch platter, not just the Obi3, so they work on other turntables too. Between the two maintenance options, we'd point most people toward the TT-SB brush over the TT-GKIT gel kit. The gel is easier to use incorrectly and can damage the cantilever if you're not careful with it.\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eDebut at Audio Advice Live 2026\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Obi3 G2 made its first public appearance at Audio Advice Live 2026, paired with Kanto's brand new second-generation Tuk and Tuk Grand speakers. The Tuk Grand is Kanto's first real step upmarket for its speaker line, with a 6-inch aluminum woofer and a reworked AMT tweeter pushing 320 watts peak power. The standard Tuk got the same tweeter update along with a squared-off cabinet redesign. A full review of both speakers is coming soon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eWhat to Pair the Obi3 G2 With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want to keep the system affordable, the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-yu4-gloss-teal\"\u003eYU4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is the natural match. It's an active bookshelf speaker with Bluetooth and a built-in phono preamp of its own, but we'd recommend using the Obi3 G2's built-in phono stage instead when setting it up. For a desktop setup, the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-ora-4-powered-reference-desktop-speakers\"\u003eORA4\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is worth a look too. It doesn't have a phono input, but that's not a problem since the Obi3 G2 has one built in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant more power behind a refined AMT tweeter? The second-generation \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-tuk-powered-speaker-with-headphone-out-usb-dac-dedicated-phono-pre-amp-and-bluetooth-matte-black\"\u003eTuk\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is the step up. For a larger room, the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-tuk-gen-2-grand-320w-large-premium-powered-speaker-system-pair\"\u003eTuk Grand\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e brings a 6-inch woofer that reaches down to 40 Hz, a real jump in low end over the standard Tuk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you want one system to double as your TV sound, the \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-ren-200w-powered-bookshelf-speakers\"\u003eREN\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e is worth a look. It doesn't have a phono input either, so you'd set the Obi3 G2 to line out the same way as the ORA4. The reason to pick the REN over the YU4 is its HDMI ARC input, which delivers TV audio through one remote instead of two.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_full\"\u003e\u003cimg style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%;\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/3281\/8260\/files\/YU4G2VMU_OBI3G2-Blue_Lifestyle.jpg\" alt=\"Kanto Obi3 G2 Turntable on a console with Kanto speakers\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"col_narrow\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eFinal Thoughts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Obi3 G2 is the turntable to point people toward if they're starting a vinyl setup from scratch and want the flexibility to go wired or wireless without spending a lot of money. It costs less than most of its direct competition, it gives real control over setup instead of locking everything at the factory, and it slots straight into Kanto's own speaker ecosystem if you want to build out from there.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor someone upgrading from an old all-in-one record player with a built-in speaker, the Obi3 G2 is a real jump in build quality and sound without moving into a whole different price category. And if you already have a system with a phono input sitting unused, this is a cheap way to finally put it to work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"subhead margin\"\u003eWe’re Here to Help!\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you have further questions, contact our experts via \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/pages\/contact\"\u003echat, phone, or email\u003c\/a\u003e. Or simply visit one of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/pages\/locations\"\u003eworld-class showrooms\u003c\/a\u003e to experience speakers, projectors, TVs, and everything in between for yourself before you make a purchase!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you’re planning your home theater or media room, check out our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/pages\/home-theater-design\"\u003eHome Theater Design page\u003c\/a\u003e, where we have everything Home Theater related, including our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/pages\/home-theater-design#shopify-section-template--15579935178836__custom_liquid_tXCbWJ\"\u003eFREE Home Theater Design Tool\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhen you buy from Audio Advice, you’re buying from a trusted seller since 1978. We offer \u003cstrong\u003eFree Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e, \u003cstrong\u003eLifetime Expert Support\u003c\/strong\u003e, and our \u003cstrong\u003ePrice Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e. We look forward to serving you!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Kanto","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48063125028948,"sku":"KANTO:OBI3G2WMW-BSA","price":199.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0572\/3281\/8260\/files\/OBI3G2WMW_OpenCover_Main_RIght_-_Cover_b2afbcd4-f7b8-4c47-991d-be4f6eb4eb77.jpg?v=1793380565","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvice.com\/products\/kanto-open-box-obi3-gen2-turntable-with-bluetooth5-3-preamp-and-pitch-control-matte-walnut-a-grade","provider":"Audio Advice","version":"1.0","type":"link"}