Canton speakers.

[Trell]

After reading reviews about the two speakers I cover in my previous post I am surprised by your comment? Perhaps the reviewers don't know but I see no mention of passive crossovers, instead they detail independent amps for each driver unit!
What am I missing?

On canton.de there is no mention at all about active crossovers for any of their "smart" speakers.

 

[hawk01]

unless i understood the literature below incorrectly, the Chrono SL 8 does not have passive crossovers as they have no more purpose in such implementation. the entire system is DSP contolled typical of this active speaker design.

At first glance, the approximately 100 centimeter high Chrono SL 8 looks like normal floorstanding loudspeakers, but the interior of the elegant and high-quality loudspeaker housing contains the very finest modern technology. A high-quality amplifier unit consisting of four individual output stages with a total output of 350 watts supplies the four individual drivers of each individual SL8 with sufficient power and makes an external integrated amplifier superfluous. In addition, a high-performance signal processor also functions as a phase-neutral crossover network and, thanks to active equalization of all drivers, ensures optimal acoustic performance of the 3-way bass reflex loudspeaker. A multitude of analog and digital inputs on both speakers of the stereo combination SL8 allows the connection of various sources, Of course, the Chrono SL8 also accept wireless music playback from a tablet PC or smartphone via Bluetooth. Since both SL8s communicate with each other using Canton’s own wireless network, they only need to be connected to one of the two loudspeakers. The extremely low latency of this radio transmission guarantees maximum precision and saves additional signal or loudspeaker cables.

 

[Trell]

unless i understood the literature below incorrectly, the Chrono SL 8 does not have passive crossovers as they have no more purpose in such implementation. the entire system is DSP contolled typical of this active speaker design.

At first glance, the approximately 100 centimeter high Chrono SL 8 looks like normal floorstanding loudspeakers, but the interior of the elegant and high-quality loudspeaker housing contains the very finest modern technology. A high-quality amplifier unit consisting of four individual output stages with a total output of 350 watts supplies the four individual drivers of each individual SL8 with sufficient power and makes an external integrated amplifier superfluous. In addition, a high-performance signal processor also functions as a phase-neutral crossover network and, thanks to active equalization of all drivers, ensures optimal acoustic performance of the 3-way bass reflex loudspeaker. A multitude of analog and digital inputs on both speakers of the stereo combination SL8 allows the connection of various sources, Of course, the Chrono SL8 also accept wireless music playback from a tablet PC or smartphone via Bluetooth. Since both SL8s communicate with each other using Canton’s own wireless network, they only need to be connected to one of the two loudspeakers. The extremely low latency of this radio transmission guarantees maximum precision and saves additional signal or loudspeaker cables.

https://www.canton.de/en/products/hifi/chrono-sl-series/smart-chrono-sl-8?number=04112

>>>The Smart Chrono SL 8 not only impresses with its neat appearance, it also delivers excellent sound performance in all situations. This is ensured by the precisely tuned Class D amplifiers with 350 watts of power per speaker, the two long-throw woofers with 160 mm double-cone titanium cones, the 160 mm mid-range specialist with wave surround and the fine-resolution tweeter with 25 mm aluminium oxyceramic. This quartet of loudspeakers operates in a very solidly constructed cabinet with internal bracing and strategically placed damping material, which ensures optimal resonance. <<<

The speakers are delivered in a master/slave configuration and from the description they are powered speakers.

 

[thewas]

The speakers are delivered in a master/slave configuration and from the description they are powered speakers.

Master/slave in genereal doesn't necessary mean though that a loudspeaker is powered, but can also be that only one loudspeaker has all the connections and settings. In the case of Canton though its unfortunately really unclear what it is, but as they only mention the total amplifier power per loudspeaker I am also afraid that they are just powered.

 

[eriksson]

Regarding passive crossovers or DSP.... from this review: https://www.lowbeats.de/test-multimedia-standbox-canton-smart-vento-9/
Google translated bits from the article:

The concept of the Canton Vento Smart 9 But what does “Smart” mean? Nothing less than the variety of a wireless multimedia speaker with the equipment of a full-blown AV receiver - in addition to a lot of intelligence and DSP power, in this case also with the corresponding performance.
.....

Practice: setting up the Canton Smart Vento 9

The simplest-looking remote control is the easiest to use. The “M” button takes you to the Canton Smart Vento 9 menu, which is comparatively complex. There are settings like an AV receiver. LipSync, for example, distance settings, a highlighting of the voice reproduction (VOI) or - very important for playback at night - the Dynamic Range Control (DRC), with which you can level the dynamics. The bass presetting for the different setup variants is also important. Canton has programmed three EQ levels in the DSP for this purpose: "EQ1" for free installation, "EQ2" for positioning close to the wall, "EQ3" for placing the box in the corner of the room. That works pretty well. In our living room, the Smart Vento 9 was in the corner of the room - so the EQ3 filter was the right one.

The integration of additional loudspeakers into the multi-channel set also took a few minutes. Class. But Canton has another ace up its sleeve on the smart platform: an inconspicuous wireless AV pre-stage with 14 (!) Outputs and 3D audio à la Dolby Atmos.

Canton Smart Connect 5.1

That brings us to a wonderful teammate: Smart Connect 5.1. A cigar box. But which can break down, distribute and harmonize all signals. Most of it works wirelessly when communicating with the loudspeakers. We can bask in Dolby Atmos in one fell swoop - that is not possible with the Smart Vento 9 alone.

We simply connect our receiver, our television set via HDMI. Done, no really huge effort during the initial installation - especially with the Connect 5.1. The Canton Smart platform in the Smart Vento 9 is already quite far ahead, but in the form of the Connect 5.1 it is the icing on the cake. With the small box, discrete 3D audio comes into the system as well as a control center with eight wireless radio speaker outputs plus six wired ones. That adds up to 14 channels. You can use it as a 3D home cinema system or for multi-room speakers. As soon as the Canton Connect 5.1 is part of the system, it is the boss in the ring; he takes over the scepter wirelessly and the master is then also subordinate to him With this inconspicuous control center you can easily build a real 7.1.4 configuration.

The competition calls for a lot of money for such a potent control center. Canton is modest with 500 euros (also via the website, also with a right of return). That’s smart. Because with this control center, interest in additional speakers from the Canton system house will increase considerably. So again: instead of Sonos, instead of Apple, instead of Amazon, we plunge into the soundscape of Canton. And are richly rewarded. It sounds better here, it works stably here. Canton can keep up with the big ones.

I don't see any reason to believe Canton put passive crossover into this mix. These speakers use DSP.

 

[bloodshoteyed]

looking for firsthand experience with their Chrono SL series, looking at the 526.2 bookshelfs (which i believe should be their cheapest model with the ceramic tw?)
couldn't find any review so far, even the data on the manufacturer site is pi** poor (impedance "4...8ohm"?!; freq response doesn't say if it's at -3 or -10dB, which i'd suspect with it being stated 33-40k..), no local dealers have them in stock or are not willing to do a demo...

 

[Trell]

looking for firsthand experience with their Chrono SL series, looking at the 526.2 bookshelfs (which i believe should be their cheapest model with the ceramic tw?)
couldn't find any review so far, even the data on the manufacturer site is pi** poor (impedance "4...8ohm"?!; freq response doesn't say if it's at -3 or -10dB, which i'd suspect with it being stated 33-40k..), no local dealers have them in stock or are not willing to do a demo...

The Canton specs are fairly worthless, and most reviews with measurements are in German magazines but they can be bought in PDF format.

Below is the measurements of a tower version of your speaker you are looking at, and for a bookshelf in the Vento series (a step up). Hope it helps

 

[bloodshoteyed]

The Canton specs are fairly worthless, and most reviews with measurements are in German magazines but they can be bought in PDF format.

Below is the measurements of a tower version of your speaker you are looking at, and for a bookshelf in the Vento series (a step up). Hope it helps

i don't mind german (actually better at it than english) and yes, i've bought tests there before

thanks a lot anyway for the attachemed pics, i appreciate it

 

[Ultrasonic]

This is 100% just subjective opinion but I remember being impressed by a pair of Canton GLE 496 BT active speakers at a show about 3 years ago. At the time they sold for about £1400 seemed good value at that to me.

 

[Streamc]

A large variety of Canton speakers use to be sold at accessories for less and quite a few like them on audioholics. I have the CANTON Vento Reference 9.2 DC 7" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker in Piano Black. They have a nice tweeter and a bit of a kick in the lower midrange. It's not a bad speaker, but I prefer the crisp, crystal clear BMR monitor in this price range.

View attachment 136762

Look similar to Heco Celan Revolution 3

 

[Trell]

A large variety of Canton speakers use to be sold at accessories for less and quite a few like them on audioholics. I have the CANTON Vento Reference 9.2 DC 7" 2-Way Bookshelf Speaker in Piano Black. They have a nice tweeter and a bit of a kick in the lower midrange. It's not a bad speaker, but I prefer the crisp, crystal clear BMR monitor in this price range.

View attachment 136762

A4L no longer sells Canton speakers and USA has got a new dealer along with a substantial price hike. What A4L typically sold for good prices where the previous generation of a speaker (which Canton updates frequently, Vento like every three years or so).

 

[Crosstalk]

All cantons have high distortion in upper mids. None of them are therefore worth when speakers like kef or revel exists in 2022. It’s ridiculous considering the prices

 

[Everett T]

All cantons have high distortion in upper mids. None of them are therefore worth when speakers like kef or revel exists in 2022. It’s ridiculous considering the prices

All? Also it seems odd that would be where they *all* would occur.

 

[Crosstalk]

All? Also it seems odd that would be where they *all* would occur.

All models with ceramic tweeters

 

[TheBatsEar]

Back in 97 i heard a pair of Canton Digital 2. Changed my perspective in a fundamental way. Couldn't afford it, but the cleverness and quality was something of note.

There is someone seelling a pair on Ebay Germany right now and i would get them, if i had the space.

Canton "Digital 2" Lautsprecher Paar mit "Digital Controller 10 (SW update 2.1)" | eBay

Kurzer Soundcheck mit Musik+Ohr auch bei hohen Lautstärken: Alles OK, das Konzept mit dem Koax-Treiber und den großen Bässen geht auf. Check mit Pink Noise: Alles OK, Check mit Sinus-Sweep: Alles OK.

www.ebay.de

 

[Crosstalk]

Back in 97 i heard a pair of Canton Digital 2. Changed my perspective in a fundamental way. Couldn't afford it, but the cleverness and quality was something of note.

There is someone seelling a pair on Ebay Germany right now and i would get them, if i had the space.

Canton "Digital 2" Lautsprecher Paar mit "Digital Controller 10 (SW update 2.1)" | eBay

Kurzer Soundcheck mit Musik+Ohr auch bei hohen Lautstärken: Alles OK, das Konzept mit dem Koax-Treiber und den großen Bässen geht auf. Check mit Pink Noise: Alles OK, Check mit Sinus-Sweep: Alles OK.

www.ebay.de

back in 90s, they might have been cool, but in this age and day, there are modern speakers like revel and KEF for same or cheaper prices that can outclass any canton out there. Also, there is not measurement of directivity of cantons anywhere. From what i have listened they alter sound very much in horizontal plane., suggesting poor directivity.

 

[TheBatsEar]

back in 90s, they might have been cool,

They are even cooler today. Imagine, DSP corrected speakers 25 years ago! Whats not to like?

but in this age and day, there are modern speakers like revel and KEF for same or cheaper prices that can outclass any canton out there.

Maybe. Who can tell, without measurements? But you wouldn't add them to your collection because they beat temporary stuff. You wouldn't say no to a Ferrari that is 25 years old, just because recent Ferraris are faster.

From what i have listened they alter sound very much in horizontal plane., suggesting poor directivity.

Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.

Some things age, but never get old.
Canton Digitals are amongst them.

 

[Crosstalk]

They are even cooler today. Imagine, DSP corrected speakers 25 years ago! Whats not to like?


Maybe. Who can tell, without measurements? But you wouldn't add them to your collection because they beat temporary stuff. You wouldn't say no to a Ferrari that is 25 years old, just because recent Ferraris are faster.


Well, that's just, like, your opinion, man.
View attachment 188566

Some things age, but never get old.
Canton Digitals are amongst them.

May be true, but generally now Canton is bad with upper mid distortion. Its there on their every modern speakers with Ceramic drivers, which is a shame that their own aluminum cone models performed superior. For the money there are tones of non flawed options.

 

[Scottso]

I bought a pair of Canton 9K reference off Audiogon over a year ago, they are powered by my technics SUG700 integrated amp 75watts Great looking and sounding amp built like tank but Technics absolutely sucks at consumer support I mean terrible. But I digress, Wow great detailed sound with all the attributes of a stand-mounted speaker coming forth at a high level plus a surprisingly powerful tight bass. Then I bought a Schiit's Loki equalizer and I was stunned it took those Cantons to another level of performance. I guess what I'm saying is these speakers are only limited by the electronics used to drive them. I heard them compared to their peers from B&W, Revel, Focal great speakers in their own right and they were by far to my ears the most pleasing to listen. If you can buy used jump at the deal. oh and parts quality in the crossover and outward appearance in piano black are top shelf.

 

[TheBatsEar]

Canton 9K reference

They look real classy i think. A bit like the Yamaha NS-3000:

May be true, but generally now Canton is bad with upper mid distortion. Its there on their every modern speakers with Ceramic drivers, which is a shame that their own aluminum cone models performed superior. For the money there are tones of non flawed options.

I think in the lower end of their stuff i would agree. No experience with their better offerings.