Kanto OBI3 Gen 2: The Budget Turntable Grows Up

Kanto Audio OBI3 Gen 2 turntable in black, in a living-room hi-fi setup with speaker and vinyl
TL;DR: The Kanto Audio OBI3 Gen 2 keeps the original's Bluetooth-and-phono formula but adds the two things that actually change how a budget deck sounds and behaves: a platter speed sensor and auto-stop, wrapped in a heavier 5.5 kg body. Pre-order price at Soundium: €199.99, in five finishes, shipping in September 2026. The honest catch: it still runs the entry-level AT3600L cartridge and only two speeds (33⅓ and 45 RPM).

Introduction

Less than a year after the first OBI3, Kanto has already redone it. The OBI3 Gen 2 looks familiar, but the changes are the kind you feel rather than see: it's heavier, it corrects its own speed, and it lifts the needle for you at the end of a side.

The pitch from Kanto is refreshingly direct. "We wanted the 2nd gen of Obi3 to feel like a high-end turntable at an entry-level price," says Brett Smalley, Kanto's Director of Marketing, "one you can set up, adjust and grow into." At €199.99, that's a €20 jump over the original, and the extra buys real hardware rather than a new paint option.

It's still a belt-drive deck with a pre-installed Audio-Technica cartridge, built-in Bluetooth 5.3, and a switchable phono stage, so it drops straight into a wireless speaker setup or a traditional amp. What's new is how steady and how forgiving it is.

Kanto Audio OBI3 Gen 2 in black, top-down view of the platter, J-style tonearm and speed controls
Top-down on the black OBI3 Gen 2: J-style aluminium arm, weighted platter, and the new speed controls. Photo: Kanto Audio.

Key Features & Benefits

  • Platter speed sensor. The Gen 2 measures its own rotation and corrects it on the fly, so 33⅓ and 45 RPM stay locked instead of drifting. That's the single biggest upgrade over the original.
  • Auto-stop. The platter halts automatically at the end of a record, which protects the stylus and your vinyl if you walk away or fall asleep to a side.
  • Heavier, better-damped build. At 5.5 kg (up from 3.9 kg on the original), the Gen 2 fights vibration harder and feels considerably more planted.
  • Bluetooth 5.3 and a switchable phono stage. Stream to wireless speakers or headphones, or flip to the RCA output and run it into any amp or powered speakers.
  • Pre-installed Audio-Technica AT3600L. The moving-magnet cartridge is fitted and aligned at the factory, so setup is mostly unboxing.
  • Five finishes. Black, White, Green, Ice Blue and Walnut, so it fits a shelf without shouting.

What the Press Is Saying

The OBI3 Gen 2 only just broke cover, so these are first-look impressions rather than long-term reviews, but the read on it is consistent.

"For an extra $50, that is substantially more interesting than another color... The Obi3G2 makes the most sense for first-time turntable buyers who want convenience without buying something they will immediately outgrow."

"A few smart features to make it easy for novices to use, and it's lovely and compact too."

Gallery

Kanto Audio OBI3 Gen 2 in green, front three-quarter view
Green, front three-quarter. Photo: Kanto Audio.
Kanto Audio OBI3 Gen 2 in walnut, close-up of tonearm, cue lever and speed controls
Walnut, controls close-up: cueing, pitch and speed. Photo: Kanto Audio.
Kanto Audio OBI3 Gen 2 in white on a wooden console
White, on a console. Photo: Kanto Audio.
Kanto Audio OBI3 Gen 2 in walnut in a living room
Walnut, at home. Photo: Kanto Audio.

Who It's For

This is a first turntable that you won't outgrow in six months. If you want to drop a good-looking deck onto a shelf, pair it with wireless speakers today and a proper amp later, and not think about speed accuracy or forgetting to lift the arm, the OBI3 Gen 2 is squarely aimed at you.

Who should look elsewhere: if you already own a deck with a mid-tier cartridge, or you need 78 RPM and USB recording, the Gen 2's fixed AT3600L and two-speed design will feel limiting. This is an entry point, not an end game.

Quick Specs

  • Drive: Belt-drive with platter speed sensor
  • Speeds: 33⅓ and 45 RPM, ±10% pitch control
  • Platter: Weighted aluminium
  • Plinth: Engineered wood
  • Tonearm: J-style aluminium with auto-stop and manual cue lever
  • Cartridge: Audio-Technica AT3600L (moving-magnet, pre-installed)
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3, RCA output with switchable phono preamp
  • Dimensions: 43.2 x 36.3 x 12.4 cm, 5.5 kg
  • Finishes: Black, White, Green, Ice Blue, Walnut

Pros & Cons

  • Pro: Speed sensor and auto-stop are genuine step-ups, not cosmetic
  • Pro: Wired and wireless in one deck, with a factory-aligned cartridge
  • Pro: Heavier build calms vibration at the price
  • Con: Entry-level AT3600L cartridge and two speeds only, no 78 RPM

Where to Buy

The Kanto Audio OBI3 Gen 2 is open for pre-order at Soundium at €199.99, in all five finishes, shipping in September 2026. We stock gear locally for fast, secure delivery.

  • Free pickup shipping on orders over €149
  • Free courier shipping on orders over €299
  • Secure checkout and interest-free payments
  • Support from people who actually know the gear

Pre-order the Kanto Audio OBI3 Gen 2 from Soundium

Final Thoughts

The first OBI3 already made the "cheap turntable worth owning" shortlist. The Gen 2 quietly fixes the two things that separate a toy from a real deck: it holds its speed, and it protects your records when you're not watching. For €199.99, that's the upgrade worth waiting a few weeks for.

Still Unsure?

Not sure the OBI3 Gen 2 is the right first turntable, or which finish suits your room? Reach out to our team and we'll help you find the right match.