Canadian manufacturer Kanto Audio has just announced the second generation of its first ever turntable, the Obi3, less than a year after the original was released.
The first-generation Obi3, released in October 2025 for £179 / $179, was an entry level belt-drive turntable, featuring a switchable phono stage and built-in Bluetooth.
The apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree between the Obi3’s generations, with features such as a switchable built-in phono stage, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity and RCA line-level outputs remaining consistent in the new second-gen turntable. The new Obi3G2 even comes with the same J-shaped aluminium tonearm and pre-fitted Audio-Technica AT3600L moving magnet cartridge as the original model.
But there are a few notable upgrades.
The Kanto Obi3G2 is significantly heavier than the Obi3, weighing 5.5kg compared with the Obi3’s 3.9kg. The company says this extra bulk will help eliminate unwanted vibrations from affecting vinyl replay.
To further help with playback stability, Obi3G2 also features a built-in speed sensor, allowing for continuous speed correction as the record plays. Playback speeds supported are 33⅓ RPM and 45 RPM.
Priced at £180 / $250, the new Obi3G2 is cheaper than our current benchmark for a budget Bluetooth turntable, the excellent five-star Sony PS-LX3BT, which is now available for £233 / $350. Like many turntables in this price range, the PS-LX3BT is fully automatic in operation – where the tonearm automatically cues up at the start of the record with the push of a button – whereas you'll have to position the Obi3G2's tonearm on the record yourself.
There is one convenience added by Kanto: when you reach the end of your record, the Obi3G2’s auto-stop feature will kick into action and stop playback, protecting your stylus from any unnecessary wear.
The tonearm on the Kanto has an adjustable counterweight and anti-skate so there is a degree of setting up required, and there is a ±10% pitch control, too. Kanto Audio says the Obi3G2 is designed to be “a proper manual turntable, without stepping up to a specialist unit”.
According to Brett Smalley, Kanto Audio’s director of marketing: “We wanted the 2nd gen of Obi3 to feel like a high-end turntable at an entry-level price, one you can set up, adjust and grow into.”
The Kanto Audio Obi3G2 is available in five finishes: black, white, green, ice blue and walnut. It is currently on sale in North America, while worldwide sales are set to open in early September.
MORE:
Read our Sony PS-LX3BT review
Best Bluetooth turntables 2026: wireless record players tried and tested by experts
Best turntables 2026: top record players tested by our expert reviewers
