Canton Reference 5 black lacquered (pack of 2)

Fifty years of loudspeaker design expertise have led Canton to completely rethink its flagship range. Launched in 2023, the Reference 5 breaks away from the angular lines of the previous K series and adopts a fully rounded silhouette. This is not just a matter of aesthetics: the organic shape stems directly from acoustic requirements, following the principle that Canton sums up as “form follows function”.

Fully German manufacturing

Canton designs and manufactures the entire Reference 5 in its factory in Weilrod, Hesse. The drivers, the crossover, the cabinet: everything comes from the same workshops. This vertical integration allows precise control of tolerances and consistency between the various components.

The cabinet is built from multilayer laminate, pressed to achieve the series’ characteristic curves. The rounded front baffle, 51 mm thick, is machined on a five-axis CNC milling machine. This process, rarely used in the loudspeaker industry, allows shapes that are impossible to achieve with conventional pressing. The internal bracing has been computer-modelled to eliminate standing waves and minimize unwanted resonances.

The piano black finish, applied in twelve coats then sanded and polished, gives the cabinet a pronounced visual depth. The matte satin white version offers a more understated alternative. Canton also offers a real walnut veneer with a matte varnish finish, which highlights the wood grain while matching the curved design.

BCT cones: ceramic, tungsten, and aluminium

Canton has been developing its own cones for several decades. BCT (Black Ceramic Tungsten) technology is the culmination of this work. The process consists of converting around 25% of the molecular structure of an aluminium cone into ceramic, then incorporating tungsten particles and other metals. This chemical transformation changes the mechanical properties of the material: stiffness increases, internal damping improves, and weight remains contained.

The Reference 5 features four 174 mm BCT-cone drivers. Two are dedicated to bass, one to the midrange. The latter has its own isolated acoustic chamber within the cabinet, preventing interference with the woofers. The tweeter uses a 25 mm dome made of black aluminium oxide ceramic, capable of extending up to 40 kHz.

The driver mounting rings, made of POM (polyoxymethylene), fulfil a dual function. They allow flush integration with no visible screws and act as asymmetric waveguides to optimize sound dispersion.

The Bass-Guide system: bass everywhere in the room

Positioning a floorstanding speaker in a living room usually involves compromises. Too close to a wall and the bass becomes overpowering; too far away and the low end loses substance. Canton developed the Bass-Guide system to reduce this dependence on placement.

The bass-reflex port is integrated into the base of the speaker rather than placed on the front or rear. A channel directs the air simultaneously to the front and rear of the cabinet. This bidirectional dispersion produces a more homogeneous bass field in the room and better tolerates proximity to walls.

The base itself rests on CNC-machined steel feet with PVD coating. The decoupled construction mechanically isolates the speaker from the floor, limiting the transmission of vibrations.

Room adaptation settings

Every listening room has its own acoustics. Canton includes a compensation system called Room Compensation (RC) at the terminal plate. Two independent controls allow you to adjust the midrange and treble levels in 1.5 dB steps, up or down. The adjustment is made by moving small jumpers on the connection panel.

These tweaks remain subtle. They correct an overly damped or overly reverberant room without upsetting the speaker’s tonal balance. For more significant changes, acoustic treatment of the room will be more effective.

Connectivity and power handling

The WBT nextgen binding posts come from German manufacturer WBT, a specialist in audio connections. They accept cables up to 10 mm² in cross-section and allow bi-wiring or bi-amping. In this configuration, the bass and mid/high sections are powered separately, which can improve definition in some systems. Gold-plated copper jumpers are supplied for conventional single-wiring.

The nominal impedance of 4 ohms, with dips below 2 ohms at certain frequencies, makes the Reference 5 a demanding load. It requires an amplifier capable of delivering current effortlessly. The stated sensitivity of 88 dB is respectable for a speaker of this size; an amplifier rated between 50 and 100 watts per channel is suitable for normal home listening, but the Reference 5 can handle up to 200 watts continuous.

Dimensions and integration

At 102 cm high including the base, 30 cm wide, and 46 cm deep, the Reference 5 occupies a moderate footprint. The 36 kg per speaker testify to the cabinet’s density. These dimensions make it suitable for medium to large rooms, typically between 20 and 50 m². In a smaller space, the Reference 7 or Reference 9 models will be more appropriate.

The protective grilles, made of acoustically neutral fabric, attach magnetically to each individual driver. They can be removed for critical listening or left in place to protect the cones from dust and curious fingers.

Frequently asked questions

Which amplifier should I choose to drive the Reference 5?

The 4-ohm impedance with dips below 2 ohms requires an amplifier that is stable into low-impedance loads. Well-designed Class A/B units or modern Class D amplifiers are suitable. Avoid entry-level amplifiers that struggle to deliver current. Canton recommends at least 50 watts per channel, but the Reference 5 truly shines with more powerful amplifiers.

Can the Reference 5 be used without a subwoofer?

Yes. The frequency response extends down to 21 Hz, covering virtually the entire musical spectrum. A subwoofer can complement the system for home cinema, or if the room naturally attenuates low frequencies, but most users will not need one for stereo listening.

Are ceramic cones fragile?

BCT cones are stiffer than bare aluminium but remain sensitive to direct impacts. The supplied magnetic grilles effectively protect the drivers. In case of damage, Canton manufactures its own drivers and ensures spare parts availability.

What is the difference compared with the previous Reference K series?

The 2023 series adopts a fully rounded cabinet (as opposed to the more angular K series), new-generation BCT cones, and a redesigned Bass-Guide system. The dimensions are slightly reduced with equivalent performance. The RC adjustment now covers midrange and treble separately.

Is the Reference 5 suitable for home cinema?

Yes. Within the same series, Canton offers a centre speaker (Reference Center), compact speakers for surround effects (Reference 9), and a subwoofer (Reference Sub). The tonal matching between models ensures consistency across all channels. The Reference 5’s dynamics can handle soundtrack peaks without audible compression.

Technical specifications

Acoustic design

• Type: 3-way passive floorstanding bass-reflex loudspeaker
• Architecture: bass-reflex system with Bass-Guide technology ensuring homogeneous and controlled distribution of low frequencies

Drivers and transducers

• 2 x 174 mm woofers with BCT (Black Ceramic Tungsten) cone
• 1 x 174 mm midrange driver with BCT cone
• 1 x 25 mm BC tweeter with asymmetrical waveguide
• Cone technology: new-generation BCT offering maximum rigidity, enhanced precision, and minimal distortion
• Crossover frequencies: 170 Hz, 3,000 Hz

Acoustic performance

• Frequency response: 21 Hz – 40,000 Hz
• Power handling
  • Nominal: 200 W
  • Musical: 370 W
• Nominal impedance: 4 ohms
• Sensitivity: 88 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)

Technologies and construction

• BCT (Black Ceramic Tungsten) cones combining extreme rigidity and low mass
• Reinforced multilayer cabinet limiting vibrations and coloration
• Curved cabinet shape optimizing sound dispersion and stereo imaging
• Internal bracing optimized by computer modeling
• Wave Surround 3.0 technology ensuring precise control of driver excursion
• Room Compensation adjustment: medium and high-frequency level adjustment (± 1.5 dB) according to room acoustics
• Isolating plinth with decoupled construction and CNC feet with PVD coating
• Protective grille
  • Magnetic mounting
  • Acoustically neutral fabric

Connectivity

• High-end WBT-nextgen™ binding posts
• Bi-wiring and bi-amping compatible
• Optimized signal transmission for high-fidelity installations

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions with plinth (W × H × D): 30 × 102 × 46 cm
• Dimensions without plinth
  • Width: 27 cm
  • Depth: 43 cm
• Weight: 36 kg