Canton Reference 3.2 DC
Cam -- Fri, 08/27/2010 - 10:58
Has anyone heard these speakers before? I'm looking for similar performance as I've heard from the Revel Studio 2s but in a more attractive package and my Revel dealer suggested these might fit the bill. Stereophile suggests that the Canton Reference 3.2 DC is similar in performance to the Revel Studio 2s (as well as the B&W 802Ds and Pioneer S1-EXs), with the main difference being that the 3.2 DCs have a slightly warmer balance.
Is it worth it for me to ask the dealer to get a pair of 3.2 DCs in for me to hear based on what you've heard?
Thanks!
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In my HT, I use Canton Vento 890s ($5000/pr) driven by Bryston electronics. When I bought the Cantons, I was hoping their performance wouldn't be too much of a let-down compared with the Dynaudio Confidence C1s (driven by Mark Levinson electronics) that I use in my 2-channel listening room. I can testify that the Cantons are very impressive and among high-end audio's underappreciated gems! What I hear is transparency and speed coupled with natural timbres. Therefore, it did not surprise me when I read Kal Rubinson's review of the Reference 3.2s. My only complaint with my Cantons is that LF extension isn't as deep as my Dynaudio standmounts! Make sure you check Stereophiles Measurements in this regard as Canton's specs are laughably optimistic. Oh, and in Piano black, these speakers are simply georgeous!
Apparently aspects of the new Canton Reference Series have addressed the lack of bass in previous models:
"Thanks to engineering advances in the driver suspensions, motor systems, and the new designed TCC (triple curved cone) diaphragms, the upgraded Reference series drivers exhibit improved power handling, greater bass extension, and a 6-9 dB increase in deep bass output compared to the extremely capable versions previously used in the company's floor-standing loudspeakers."
Hey JLeeMD, I was looking into a Canton Vento set for HT use.. specifically the 855 center and 890 towers. This would be a blind (or deaf?) buy as I can't audition them anywhere near me, but the looks are just drop dead gorgeous. I was wondering how they do in HT? I've heard they're a little on the bright side, but I like bright. I'm actually easy to please just as long as the sound is forward and not laid back. Any input and opinions is greatly appreciated!
I've since changed my HT speakers to Definitive Technology Mythos ST ($4k/pr) in order to get more LF extension. They aren't quite the lookers the Canton Ventos were but, surprisingly, I find the Mythos ST more transparent with better dynamics.
I never found the Ventos bright. In fact, I found their HF performance to be extended / airy with very low distortion. The 890s have very limited LF extension (see Stereophile's Measurements of the Vento 809s...pretty much mirrors what I found with the Vento 890s) so a subwoofer is a must. The Ventos can play very loud with no sign of strain. The build quality is typicaly German: exquisite.
So.... you still have those 890's? The pair I was going to buy got snagged right underneath my nose!
Sold. Sorry.
Thanks for the comment JLeeMD! I'd not heard of these speakers before but apparently Canton is a huge company - must just not invest much in advertising and marketing here...
Good call about checking the measurements! While the reported specs are 18Hz to 40kHz (which I take it is the range of ANY output), John Atkinson's measurements show that bass starts to roll off sharply at about 40Hz (-6dB at 30Hz, -10dB at 25Hz and -20dB at 20Hz) and the treble has dips sharply at 22kHz.. I'm sure the 2.2 and 1.2 would have better bass extension, however I expect they are beyond my budget. The 3.2 is already $16k!!
Hopefully I'll get to listen to the 3.2s in my room and see how the bass is with the 3.2s. Piano black would be my choice as well!
Cheers,
Cam
Despite what Kal wrote, all 4 speakers manufacturer's products are frequently described as accurate or neutral. I doubt you can go wrong with any of them. That being said, whatever you choose should please the eye, especially considering the size of these speakers.
I got a chance to hear the Canton Reference 3.2 DCs about a month ago at a dealer in Toronto so I thought I should follow up.
Appearance-wise, these are drop dead gogeous speakers. Oftentimes you see something that looks great online or in a magazine and are disappointed when you see the actual product in real life. The opposite is true for the Canton Reference 3.2 - the pictures you see online do not do them justice. These are very attractive and extemely well-built speakers!
Overall, the sound from the Canton Reference 3.2 DCs is very engrossing. I, too, felt there was a warmth of sound to these speakers that was emotionally engaging. I attribute that warmth to the excellent bass these speakers produced. There was some discussion above about the Vento 890s lacking in bass. The Canton Reference 3.2 DCs had excellent bass extension that was tight and well controlled. The Stereophile review mentioned that the Canton Reference 3.2 DCs had bass extension on par with the Revel Studio 2s and a bit better than the B&W 802Ds. I'd go as far as to say the Cantons' bass was more powerful and a bit more extended than the Revels' bass. With the Reference 3.2 DCs, Canton has figured out the bass issue.
Songmeesay touched upon a reputation for Canton speakers being a bit "bright". Perhaps to balance out the robust bass, I found the treble to be notched up just a tad. The upside of this, for me, was that the warmth of the bass didn't come at the expense of detail that let me hear deep into the music. The downside is that on some close miked or bright recordings the tweeter on the Reference 3.2 DCs could be a little unforgiving. In this way, they were a little like the Wilson Sophia 2s in their unforgiving nature on bright recordings. Some, like Songmeesay may prefer this presentation over a silkier high end presentation, finding speakers like the Revel Studio 2s a lacking in high frequency "sparkle". Others may find it a little too much. I wish the 3.2 DCs had the ability to adjust the high frequency response like the higher end Canton Reference speakers.
Not much to talk about in terms of mid-range performance - the Canton Reference 3.2 DCs were excellent here. Great clarity and realism in presenting voices. Lots of detail in strings and brass. Very realistic. The only exception was, again, with bright recordings of female vocalists these speakers can be a little "in your face".
Imaging and soundstage were also top notch!
Overall a great speaker, the Canton Reference 3.2 DC. I would say, unlike what was mentioned in Kal's Stereophile review, that the presentation of the Canton Reference 3.2 DC, the Revel Studio 2 and the B&W 802D are all significantly different. Although all 3 are great speakers, I would encourage potential buyers should audition the 3 speakers to choose the one that best suits their musical taste. I think most people will have a preference after spending some time with each of these great speakers!
Awesome post, Cam. By far one of the simplier, yet informing reviews I've read on Canton. Do you think that the bass extension over the Vento series is across the entire Reference series (including the 7.2 and 5.2), or does it start with the 3.2's?
Thanks for the positive feedback! Honestly, since it's been over a month since I heard the Canton Reference 3.2 DCs, I'm not able to provide much more detail than what I've mentioned above - hence the simplicity of my comments :)
I've not heard any of the other Cantons other than the Reference 3.2 DCs so unfortunately I don't know if the 5.2s and 7.2s dig deeper than the Vento series products. However, all of the Reference Series Cantons do appear to share the same Displacement Control technology to "increase bandwidth" and patented wave surrounds for the woofer for "increased bass dynamics", so maybe they also share some of the great bass I heard from the 3.2s (although the smaller speakers must trade off some bass for their smaller drivers/size). I think you'd have to hear them to be sure - or maybe this is a good question for Canton (http://reference.canton.de/en/contact/adresscontactform.htm)?
Good luck!
Cam
Thanks for the info. I have listened to b & w 800's and like the canton 3.2 better, am also considering piega c40's. Have yet to hear the monitor platinums. Any thoughts?? Am replacing von schweikert 4's.
Sorry, I've never heard of the piega c40's so I can't help you there.
I did listen to the Monitor Audio Platinums, though, and thought they were also a very good speaker. I distinctly remember they had an incredibly silky and unbelievably extended high end, likely due to their ribbon tweeter. Fit and finish on the MA's was also fantastic with the high gloss wood finish and leather wrapped front baffle - very nice! Other than that, I can't remember much other than I found them to be a very emotionally engaging speaker which made it great fun to listen to them. Not sure what made them so "emotionally engaging" - I suspect it was the realism in the vocal range (I wonder if that was in part due to the great detail the ribbon tweeter imparted to the music?). I was listening to a Bette LaVette blues tune and the emotion in her rendition of the Elton John tune she was covering came through in spades! The Platinums are definitely worth a listen.
If you have the space, I highly recommend you also check out the Usher Audio Dancer 8571's. I think they are in the same price range as the MA Platinums and they are also a fantasic and incredibly engaging speaker. While they work well in a medium size room sonically, they are very big speakers and not something you can easily plop into any room without them becoming a focal point. They would make a beautiful focal point, though!
PMC was a speaker company I'd not heard of before but I thought their PB1i was also a fantastic speaker. They are incredibly neutral but also detailed and extended. Although they were one of the smallest speakers I auditioned, they had the best bass extention with their transmission line design. In fact, the bass extension blew me away! These things dug deeper in the bass than the Wilson Sophias. And the bass was tight, accurate and controlled as well. The rest of the frequency spectrum was top notch as well and well integrated from top to bottom. Definitely worth an audition!
Have fun!
Cam