Canton Reference 5 walnut (pack of 2)

Fifty years of expertise in speaker design have led Canton to completely rethink its flagship range. The Reference 5, introduced in 2023, breaks away from the angular lines of the previous K series to adopt an entirely rounded silhouette. This isn’t just about aesthetics: the organic shape stems directly from acoustic requirements, following the principle that Canton summarizes as “form follows function.”

Entirely German manufacturing

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

The cabinet is constructed from multi-layer laminate, pressed to achieve the characteristic curves of the series. The rounded front baffle, 51 mm thick, is machined on a five-axis CNC milling machine. This process, uncommon in the speaker industry, allows for shapes impossible to achieve through conventional pressing. The internal bracing has been calculated through computer modeling to eliminate standing waves and minimize parasitic resonances.

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

BCT diaphragms: ceramic, tungsten and aluminum

Canton has been developing its own diaphragms for several decades. BCT (Black Ceramic Tungsten) technology represents the culmination of this work. The process involves converting approximately 25% of an aluminum cone’s molecular structure into ceramic, then incorporating tungsten particles and other metals. This chemical transformation modifies the material’s mechanical properties: rigidity increases, internal damping improves, and weight remains contained.

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

The driver mounting rings, manufactured from POM (polyoxymethylene), serve a dual function. They enable flush integration without visible screws and act as asymmetric waveguides to optimize sound dispersion.

The Bass-Guide system: bass throughout the room

Positioning a tower speaker in a living room typically involves compromises. Too close to a wall, the bass becomes overwhelming; too far away, the bass loses consistency. Canton developed the Bass-Guide system to reduce this placement dependency.

The bass-reflex port is integrated into the speaker’s base rather than placed on the front or rear. A channel directs air simultaneously toward the front and rear of the cabinet. This bidirectional diffusion 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 vibration transmission.

Room adaptation adjustments

Each listening room has its own acoustics. Canton integrates a compensation system called Room Compensation (RC) at the terminal level. Two independent adjustments allow the midrange and treble levels to be adjusted in 1.5 dB increments, up or down. The operation is performed by moving small jumpers on the connection panel.

These adjustments remain subtle. They correct a room that’s too dead or too reverberant without disrupting the speaker’s tonal balance. For more significant modifications, acoustic treatment of the room will be more effective.

Connectivity and power handling

The WBT nextgen terminals 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 midrange-treble sections are powered separately, which can improve definition in certain systems. Gold-plated copper jumpers are provided for conventional wiring.

The nominal impedance of 4 ohms and a drop below 2 ohms at certain frequencies make the Reference 5 a demanding load. It requires an amplifier capable of delivering current without flinching. The stated sensitivity of 88 dB remains acceptable for a speaker of this size; an amplifier of 50 to 100 watts per channel is suitable for normal domestic listening, but the Reference 5 accepts up to 200 watts continuously.

Dimensions and integration

At 102 cm in height including base, 30 cm in width and 46 cm in depth, the Reference 5 occupies a moderate floor space. The 36 kg per speaker reflects 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 acoustically neutral fabric grilles attach magnetically to each driver individually. They can be removed for critical listening or kept on to protect the diaphragms from dust and curious fingers.

Technical specifications

Acoustic design

• Type: 3-way passive floorstanding speaker with bass reflex
• Architecture: bass-reflex system with Bass-Guide technology ensuring uniform and controlled dispersion 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
  • Music: 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 multi-layer cabinet limiting vibrations and coloration
• Curved cabinet shape optimizing sound dispersion and stereo imaging
• Internal bracing optimized through computer modeling
• Wave Surround 3.0 technology ensuring precise control of driver excursion
• Room Compensation adjustment: fine-tuning of mid and high frequencies (± 1.5 dB) according to room acoustics
• Isolating base with decoupled construction and CNC-milled feet with PVD coating
• Protective grille
  • Magnetic mounting
  • Acoustically neutral fabric

Connectivity

• High-end WBT-nextgen™ binding posts
• Compatible with bi-wiring and bi-amping
• Optimized signal transmission for high-fidelity setups

Dimensions and weight

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