Canton Reference 5 GS sand (pack of 2)

With the Reference series launched in 2023, Canton laid the foundations for its new premium range made in Germany. The Reference 5 GS takes this 3-way floorstander and improves it on several technical points: a DLC tweeter with diamond coating inherited from the Reference Alpha series, a reconfigured crossover using selected Mundorf capacitors, and the addition of the Room Compensation system to fine-tune the sound according to the room’s acoustics. The “GS” is a reference 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 BC dome made of aluminum oxide ceramic in favor of a 25 mm DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) dome covered with a thin layer of diamond-structured carbon. This material combines lightness and rigidity: the diaphragm extends high in frequency (up to a claimed 40 kHz) without breakup modes coloring the signal.

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

BCT diaphragms: when aluminum becomes ceramic

The two 174 mm woofers and the midrange driver of the same diameter share a BCT (Black Ceramic Tungsten) diaphragm. The manufacturing process starts with an aluminum cone, about 25% of whose molecular structure is converted into ceramic by electrochemical oxidation. Tungsten particles and other metals are then deposited onto this surface. The result combines the lightness of aluminum, 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 behavior, even at large excursions. The drivers operate in separate chambers inside the cabinet, preventing acoustic interaction between frequency ranges.

A redesigned passive crossover with Mundorf components

Canton has completely reworked the crossover network of the Reference 5 GS. The capacitors are MKP models supplied by Mundorf, a German manufacturer whose components are used in many high-end loudspeakers. These polypropylene film capacitors feature 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, which limits the number of transitions in the range where the ear is most sensitive. The crossover incorporates a system that Canton calls “Displacement Control”: a high-pass filter calibrated to limit excessive woofer excursion in the infrasonic range, allowing lower frequency extension without overloading the drivers.

Room Compensation: tailoring 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 level of the midrange and the tweeter separately, in 1.5 dB steps above or below the neutral setting.

This brings a twofold benefit. In a very reverberant room, you can slightly reduce the treble to avoid an overly bright sound. Conversely, if the speaker is placed near an absorbing wall, a small gain compensates for the loss of energy. This adjustment is nothing like an equalizer: it operates at the source, within 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 exits beneath the speaker rather than at the front or rear. The low-frequency energy radiates 360° from the base, reducing interaction with the rear wall. In practice, the speaker can be placed relatively close to the back wall without the bass becoming overpowering.

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

Rounded cabinet and German manufacturing

The cabinet of the Reference 5 GS departs from the traditional rectangular box. The thick front baffle is milled on a 5-axis CNC machine to obtain a rounded profile that reduces edge diffraction. The sides and top feature continuous curves with no sharp edges. This complex geometry requires multilayer construction using 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 unit and contributes to mechanical isolation. The acoustically neutral fabric grille attaches magnetically, with no visible fasteners.

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

WBT terminals and bi-amping

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

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

Usage conditions and placement

The Reference 5 GS is 102 cm high including the plinth, 30 cm wide, and 46 cm deep. At 36 kg per speaker, its weight remains manageable for one person, though it is best to have two people for the initial setup.

The speaker performs best with some space in front of it: one meter or more from the rear wall yields the best soundstage results. The Bass-Guide system, however, allows for compromises if the room layout requires it. In a living room of 20 to 35 m², the floorstander can perform comfortably; beyond that, 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 units handle this without difficulty, but small entry-level integrated amps may struggle.

Technical specifications

Acoustic characteristics

• Type: 3-way floorstanding bass-reflex loudspeaker
• 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 with BCT cone
• 1 × 25 mm tweeter with DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) dome and optimized waveguide

Power handling

• Nominal: 200 W
• Music: 370 W

Technologies and design

• BCT (Black Ceramic Tungsten) cones: ceramic-tungsten cone technology offering an excellent stiffness-to-mass ratio for precise, fast, and distortion-free reproduction
• DLC tweeter with acoustic lens: extremely rigid and lightweight DLC diamond 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
• Curved-profile 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 attachment

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