Canton GLE 100 S2 white (pack of 2)

The flagship of the GLE range continues a lineage that began in 1979. At the time, Canton’s GLE 50, 70 and 100 were among the most sought-after loudspeakers in Europe. With this S2 generation, the German manufacturer has completely reworked the design: new drivers, new tweeter, new aesthetics. Standing at 1.15 m tall, the GLE 100 S2 sits at the top of the series, with two 22 cm woofers and a weight of 33 kg.

Completely redesigned drivers

For this series, Canton has developed a new family of transducers called ATB (Aluminium Titanium Black). The diaphragms combine titanium and aluminium to offer both lightness and rigidity, two qualities that can sometimes be contradictory in acoustics. The lighter a diaphragm is, the better it can follow fast musical transients; the more rigid it is, the less it deforms under sound pressure.

The GLE 100 S2 houses two 22 cm ATB woofers in a generously sized bass-reflex cabinet. These two units share the low-frequency work up to 170 Hz, where a dedicated 17.4 cm midrange, also equipped with an ATB diaphragm, takes over. This midrange driver has its own sealed enclosure inside the cabinet, a separation that prevents interference from the air movements generated by the woofers.

A 2.5 cm AB (Aluminium Black) tweeter completes the setup. Its aluminium dome is paired with a waveguide that controls high-frequency dispersion. The goal is to widen the listening area and maintain a coherent tonal balance even off the central axis. The stated frequency response extends up to 40 kHz, a value beyond the direct perception of the human ear but one that can influence the rendering of transients and harmonics in the upper audible spectrum.

Wave surrounds and polycarbonate baskets

The drivers’ outer suspensions use “triple-folded wave surround” technology: a triple-pleated surround that allows for large excursions while keeping the diaphragm centred. This type of suspension promotes linear behaviour over the full travel of the cone, with an accurate return to the rest position.

The baskets holding the drivers are moulded from reinforced polycarbonate. This material has the advantage of being both rigid and insensitive to temperature variations, unlike certain metal baskets that can deform slightly when temperatures rise after prolonged, high-level listening.

Crossover between the three ways occurs at 170 Hz and 3200 Hz. These crossover points place the midrange in a central band where most vocals and the majority of acoustic instruments are found.

Four finishes and magnetic grilles

The speaker is available in white, black, makassar (an exotic wood with streaked grain) and walnut. The front baffles are lacquered with a satin finish, an intermediate treatment between matte and gloss that limits reflections without looking dull.

The fabric grilles attach magnetically to the front. Their oval shape with rounded corners gives the speaker a distinctive silhouette when they are in place. Canton states that their acoustic impact on the tweeter is minimal, leaving users free to keep them on or off according to visual preference.

With a width of 24 cm, a height of 115 cm and a depth of 39 cm, the proportions remain slim despite the substantial internal volume. Four feet integrated into the base ensure stability on the floor.

High sensitivity for greater versatility

The measured sensitivity of 90.5 dB (2.83 V at 1 m) makes the GLE 100 S2 an easy loudspeaker to drive. An amplifier with modest power is sufficient to reach comfortable listening levels. The continuous power handling of 200 W (380 W peak) also allows the use of more powerful electronics without risk to the drivers.

The nominal impedance of 4 to 8 ohms indicates variations depending on frequency. Most modern hi-fi amplifiers handle these loads without difficulty, but very old or entry-level models will be more comfortable set to the 4-ohm position if available.

Integration into a multichannel system

The GLE S2 series includes centre speakers (GLE 50 S2), compact models for surround use (GLE 30 S2) and even a version with an integrated Dolby Atmos module (GLE 90 AR S2). A Power Sub 12 S2 subwoofer completes the range for low frequencies. The entire line shares the same visual identity and driver technologies.

Canton also offers the Smart Amp 5.1, a compact amplifier with multichannel decoding and built-in streaming. This combination makes it possible to build a home cinema system without using a traditional AV receiver, while keeping the footprint to a minimum.

Technical specifications

Type and design

• Type: floorstanding speaker
• Design: 3-way, bass reflex

Power and performance

• Rated power: 200 W
• Music power: 380 W
• Frequency response: 20 – 40000 Hz
• Crossover frequencies: 170 Hz / 3200 Hz
• Impedance: 4 – 8 Ω
• Sensitivity (2.83 V / 1 m): 90.5 dB

Drivers

• Woofer: 2 × 22 cm Aluminium Titanium Black (ATB) Wave
• Midrange: 1 × 17.4 cm Aluminium Titanium Black (ATB) Wave
• Tweeter: 1 × 2.5 cm Aluminium Black (AB)

Dimensions and weight

• Dimensions (W × H × D): 24 × 115 × 39 cm
• Weight: 33 kg

Highlights

• Huge sound output: ideal for large rooms and immersive home cinema
• Powerful bass and balanced mids: precision and detail across the entire spectrum
• ATB / AB technology: maximum rigidity for faithful, dynamic sound reproduction
• Modern, timeless design: lacquered fronts and magnetic grilles
• Versatile use: high-end hi-fi, home cinema, large audio installations