Canton Reference 5 walnut (pack of 2)

With the Reference series launched in 2023, Canton laid the foundations for its new premium range manufactured in Germany. The Reference 5 GS revisits this 3-way floorstanding speaker and improves it on several technical points: a diamond-coated DLC tweeter taken from the Reference Alpha series, a redesigned crossover with selected Mundorf capacitors, and the addition of the Room Compensation system to fine-tune the sound according to the room’s acoustics. The “GS” refers to Günther Seitz, the brand’s founder, who oversaw the development of this version.

A DLC tweeter borrowed from the flagship

The main change compared with the standard Reference 5 lies in the high-frequency driver. Here, Canton abandons the aluminium oxide ceramic BC dome in favour of a 25 mm DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) dome coated with a thin layer of diamond-structure carbon. This material combines lightness and rigidity: the diaphragm extends high in frequency (up to a claimed 40 kHz) without breakup modes colouring the signal.

The tweeter is topped with a waveguide that plays a dual role. On the one hand, it controls horizontal and vertical dispersion in the transition zone with the midrange, around 3000 Hz. On the other hand, it creates an air cushion in front of the dome, acting as a mechanical damper that limits parasitic resonances. Canton developed this system for the Reference Alpha series; the Reference 5 GS benefits from it directly.

BCT cones: when aluminium becomes ceramic

The two 174 mm woofers and the midrange driver of the same diameter share a BCT (Black Ceramic Tungsten) cone. The manufacturing process starts from an aluminium cone, around 25% of whose molecular structure is converted into ceramic by electrochemical oxidation. Tungsten particles and other metals are then deposited on this surface. The result combines the lightness of aluminium, the rigidity of ceramic, and the damping provided by tungsten.

Canton has been using this technology since 2015 and has refined it over successive generations. On the Reference 5 GS, the three-fold concentric “Wave Surround” suspensions ensure symmetrical cone behaviour, even during large excursions. The drivers operate in separate chambers within the cabinet, preventing acoustic interaction between frequency ranges.

A reworked passive crossover with Mundorf components

Canton has completely redesigned the Reference 5 GS crossover. The capacitors are MKP models supplied by Mundorf, a German manufacturer whose components equip many high-end speakers. These polypropylene film capacitors offer low losses and good long-term stability.

The crossover frequencies are set at 170 Hz between bass and midrange, then 3000 Hz between midrange and tweeter. The midrange therefore covers a wide band, limiting the number of transitions in the range where the ear is most sensitive. The crossover incorporates a system Canton calls “Displacement Control”: a high-pass filter calibrated to limit excessive woofer excursion in the infrabass, allowing the response to extend lower in frequency without overdriving the drivers.

Room Compensation: adapting the sound to the room

The Reference 5 GS inherits the RC (Room Compensation) system already present on other models in the range. On the rear terminal plate, two sets of jumpers allow you to adjust the midrange and tweeter levels separately, in 1.5 dB steps above or below the neutral setting.

This has two benefits. In a very reverberant room, you can slightly attenuate the highs to avoid an overly bright sound. Conversely, if the speaker is close to an absorbing wall, a slight boost compensates for the loss of energy. This adjustment is nothing like an equalizer: it acts at the source, in the passive crossover, without adding active components that could degrade the signal.

Bass-Guide: bass vented towards the floor

On this floorstander, Canton uses its “Bass-Guide” bass-reflex loading, where the port vents underneath the speaker rather than at the front or rear. The bass energy radiates 360° from the base, which reduces interaction with the rear wall. In practice, the speaker is more tolerant of being placed relatively close to the back wall without the bass becoming overpowering.

The claimed response extends down to 21 Hz, a low value for a floorstanding speaker of this size. The 88 dB sensitivity and 4-ohm nominal impedance call for an amplifier capable of delivering current. A quality integrated amplifier from around one hundred watts per channel is suitable, but the speaker reveals its full potential with more powerful electronics.

Curved cabinet and German manufacturing

The Reference 5 GS cabinet departs from the classic rectangular box. The thick baffle is milled on a 5-axis CNC machine to obtain a curved profile that limits edge diffraction. The sides and top feature continuous curves with no sharp edges. This complex geometry requires a multilayer assembly made from laminated wood panels, reinforced and braced from the inside.

The decoupled metal plinth rests on machined feet with a PVD finish. It ensures the stability of the 36 kg speaker and helps with mechanical isolation. The acoustically neutral fabric grille attaches via magnets, with no visible fixings.

Canton manufactures the Reference series in its factory in Weilrod, Hesse. Each speaker undergoes individual quality control: frequency response measurement, connection checks, visual inspection. A hand-signed certificate accompanies the product, and the manufacturer’s warranty extends to ten years.

WBT terminals and bi-amping

The rear plate houses gold-plated WBT nextgen binding posts, doubled to allow bi-wiring or bi-amping. In the latter case, one amplifier powers the bass while another handles the midrange and treble, each operating in its optimal range.

For standard wiring, Canton supplies gold-plated copper jumpers. These quality links avoid the bottleneck sometimes caused by the low-grade straps supplied with other speakers.

Operating conditions and placement

The Reference 5 GS is 102 cm high including the plinth, 30 cm wide, and 46 cm deep. Its weight of 36 kg per speaker remains manageable for one person, although it is better to be two for the initial setup.

The speaker performs best with some free space in front of it: one metre or more from the rear wall yields the best soundstage results. However, the Bass-Guide system allows for compromises if the room layout requires it. In a 20 to 35 m² living room, the floorstander can fully express itself; in larger rooms, the Reference 3 or Reference 1 models are more appropriate.

The 4-ohm impedance, which dips lower in certain parts of the spectrum, requires an amplifier that is stable with low-impedance loads. Quality modern amplifiers handle this without difficulty, but small entry-level integrated amps may struggle.

Technical Specifications

Acoustic characteristics

• Type: 3-way floorstanding loudspeaker with bass-reflex loading
• Frequency response: 21 Hz – 40 kHz
• Crossover frequencies: 170 Hz / 3000 Hz
• Nominal impedance: 4 ohms
• Sensitivity: 88 dB (2.83 V / 1 m)

Drivers

• 2 × 174 mm woofers with BCT (Black Ceramic Tungsten) cone
• 1 × 174 mm midrange driver with BCT cone
• 1 × 25 mm tweeter with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) dome and optimized waveguide

Power handling

• Nominal: 200 W
• Musical: 370 W

Technologies and design

• BCT (Black Ceramic Tungsten) cones: ceramic-tungsten cone technology offering an excellent stiffness-to-mass ratio for accurate, fast, and distortion-free reproduction
• DLC tweeter with acoustic lens: extremely rigid and lightweight diamond DLC dome transducer combined with a waveguide that optimizes dispersion and high-frequency accuracy
• Audiophile-grade crossover: high-precision passive crossover using selected Mundorf components to ensure faithful and transparent sound reproduction
• Optimized multi-layer cabinet: reinforced structure with internal bracing optimized by computer simulation to reduce unwanted resonances and improve tonal neutrality
• Optimized Bass-Guide loading: even distribution of low frequencies for better room integration and greater placement flexibility
• Profiled curved cabinet: rounded shape promoting even dispersion and reducing acoustic diffraction
• Isolating base with CNC-machined PVD feet: decoupled plinth with high-precision feet ensuring stability and mechanical isolation
• Magnetic acoustic grille: acoustically neutral fabric grille with invisible magnetic mounting

Connectivity

• High-end WBT nextgen™ binding posts
• Bi-wiring / bi-amping compatible
• Optimal signal transmission
• Low-loss, high-conductivity connectors

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions with base
  • Width: 30 cm
  • Height: 102 cm
  • Depth: 46 cm
• Dimensions without base
  • Width: 27 cm
  • Depth: 43 cm
• Weight: 36 kg