Fun series of articles about Canon's foray into loudspeaker design

[direstraitsfan98]

https://musicandmiscellany.com/2019/06/08/canon-audio-part-1/
https://musicandmiscellany.com/2019/09/21/canon-audio-part-2/
https://musicandmiscellany.com/2019/12/09/canon-audio-part-3/

Did you know Canon made omnidirectional speakers in the 80s and 90s?

There's more parts, just visit the site to see. I've never heard or seen these speakers and it's fascinating that a camera company of all things decided to go all in with serious loudspeaker designs. And not just a conventional dynamic driver in a box design either. If any members have any first or second hand accounts of hearing or owning these speakers I would love to hear about them.

Some pictures.

 

[Wombat]

https://musicandmiscellany.com/2019/06/08/canon-audio-part-1/
https://musicandmiscellany.com/2019/09/21/canon-audio-part-2/
https://musicandmiscellany.com/2019/12/09/canon-audio-part-3/

Did you know Canon made omnidirectional speakers in the 80s and 90s?

There's more parts, just visit the site to see. I've never heard or seen these speakers and it's fascinating that a camera company of all things decided to go all in with serious loudspeaker designs. And not just a conventional dynamic driver in a box design either. If any members have any first or second hand accounts of hearing or owning these speakers I would love to hear about them.

Some pictures.

Great audio history in many ways.

 

[Wombat]

If I was in the UK I would grab these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CANON-S-...524658?hash=item287c440632:g:slYAAOSwnh5cBEz8

They are so architecturally cool.

 

[Wombat]

Lesser models:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rare-Canon-S-35-Twin-Drive-System-Speakers-Retro-Design-Tested-Working/202993360363?_trkparms=aid=1110001&algo=SPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20160323102634&meid=a10b1545a1dc42bf9db6d121171e36fd&pid=100623&rk=3&rkt=5&sd=202971296437&itm=202993360363&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-x-Canon-S35-Wide-Imaging-Stereo-Speakers-Good-Working-Order-SC25/202971296437?_trkparms=aid=1110001&algo=SPLICE.SIM&ao=1&asc=20160323102634&meid=6e3f16b886b243719c3d6165d497d0f3&pid=100623&rk=1&rkt=5&sd=173883524658&itm=202971296437&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2047675&_trksid=p2047675.c100623.m-1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CANON-S-25-BOOKSHELF-SPEAKERS/401762624797?_trkparms=aid=888008&algo=DISC.CARDS&ao=1&asc=20200220090753&meid=657a52a21d904fd4a583539c578a5d67&pid=100009&rk=1&rkt=1&sd=202993360363&itm=401762624797&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2047675&algv=DiscV1&brand=Canon&_trksid=p2047675.c100009.m1982

 

[McFly]

They might do alright if relaunched today

 

[Wombat]

They might do alright if relaunched today

With the 'talk to me' doodad included.

 

[Djsedaw]

I'M in the uk, love the design but holding out for the s70's

 

[Apesbrain]

Similar idea:
https://www.duevel.com/home/loudspeaker.shtml

 

[tw99]

It's interesting, but reading the articles it seems like they took a design that would have a lot of inherent constraints (even if it had some theoretical advantage), and implemented it sub-optimally as well. So perhaps not surprising that we're still mostly listening to 2 or 3 way wooden boxes.

 

[bigx5murf]

I own a Pair, they measured well according to stereo review

 

[bigx5murf]

To be honest I didn't really listen to these much before tonight, other than to verify they work.

I planned on using them in a space I've been procrastinating on working on till tonight. So I just set them up on a corner desk tonight.

Right away I noticed there weren't quite right on a desk. They just sound terrible on a desk. Raised them up about a foot, and they're much better. The tweeter axis seems to be the Canon badge on the very bottom of the speaker. These actually sound best to be wth the whole speaker above ear level.

I may have to wall mount some floating shelves to use these in this space.

 

[stevenswall]

I wonder how much those cabinets cost?

Looks like Canon knew back then that boxes were archaic for loudspeakers.

 

[bigx5murf]

I wonder how much those cabinets cost?

Looks like Canon knew back then that boxes were archaic for loudspeakers.

They're completely plastic, but surprisingly, only the very top seems to vibrate when you touch it while they're playing.

According to the links posted by OP, the designer specialized in mirrors and reflections (camera tech). Which might explain wide waveguides, and rounded cabinet shapes.

 

[ttimer]

Amazing find! I know that some large Japanese companies in the 80s/90s tried their hands at pretty much anything, sometimes to great success, but i never knew of Canons speaker designs.

The floorstander looks suspiciously like a bomb, though. Not surprising that one didn't sell all that well in the 80s. Might be more successful today, with the 'right' marketing....

 

[Archsam]

Sony makes something similar, today:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-LSPX-S1-Wireless-Speaker-Production/dp/B074G3164L

I listened to them in a Sony Store in Malaysia. They actually sounded very good (in a noisy retail environment, so take it with a pinch of salt), clear and detail treble, but not much bass to speak of. Far too expensive for what it is though.

 

[bigx5murf]

It's hard to tell from the picture, but on my S-25, the wafeguide at the bottom isn't a consistent curve, there's lumps in it, similiar to the LSR305.

 

[RickSanchez]

Anyone know how much the S-50 cost when released? I've seen a couple different threads on the interwebs saying £300.00 / $600 USD for a pair. (The exchange rate seems to track; in 1992 the pound:dollar exchange rate was almost 2:1.)

 

[Flindog]

https://musicandmiscellany.com/2019/06/08/canon-audio-part-1/
https://musicandmiscellany.com/2019/09/21/canon-audio-part-2/
https://musicandmiscellany.com/2019/12/09/canon-audio-part-3/

Did you know Canon made omnidirectional speakers in the 80s and 90s?

There's more parts, just visit the site to see. I've never heard or seen these speakers and it's fascinating that a camera company of all things decided to go all in with serious loudspeaker designs. And not just a conventional dynamic driver in a box design either. If any members have any first or second hand accounts of hearing or owning these speakers I would love to hear about them.

Some pictures.

I own the S-70 speakers here in the U.K. and I can tell you now, they sound amazing! U.K. also looking to sell them too as my neighbours absolutely hate me so if anyone’s interested please feel free to hit me up at [email protected]. Or 07772196394

 

[sfdoddsy]

Yamaha did something similar. They are meant to sound very good.

 

[Wombat]

Yamaha did something similar. They are meant to sound very good.

These are current catalogue items.