Canton GLE 100 S2 black lacquer (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 speakers in Europe. With this S2 generation, the German manufacturer has completely overhauled the design: new drivers, new tweeter, new aesthetics. The GLE 100 S2 sits at the top of the series with its 1.15 m height, two 22 cm woofers and a weight of 33 kg.

Completely redesigned drivers

For this series, Canton developed a new family of transducers called ATB (Aluminium Titanium Black). The cones combine titanium and aluminium to achieve both lightness and rigidity, two acoustic qualities that can sometimes be at odds. The lighter a cone is, the better it follows fast musical transients; the more rigid it is, the less it deforms under acoustic pressure.

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

The 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 sweet spot and maintain a consistent tonal balance even off the central axis. The stated frequency response extends up to 40 kHz, a value beyond direct human hearing but one that can influence the reproduction of transients and harmonics at the top of the audible spectrum.

Wave surrounds and polycarbonate baskets

The outer suspensions of the drivers use “triple-folded wave surround” technology: a triple-pleated surround that allows for long excursions while keeping the cone properly centred. This type of surround promotes linear behaviour over the entire travel of the cone, with a precise return to the resting 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 some metal baskets that can deform slightly when they heat up after prolonged high-level listening sessions.

The 3-way crossover points are set at 170 Hz and 3200 Hz. These crossover frequencies place the midrange driver in a central band where most vocals and the majority of acoustic instruments reside.

Four finishes and magnetic grilles

The speaker is available in white, black, Makassar (an exotic wood with striped grain) and walnut. The front baffles are lacquered with a satin finish, an intermediate treatment between matte and glossy 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 choose whether or not to use them based on aesthetic 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

With a measured sensitivity of 90.5 dB (2.83 V at 1 m), the GLE 100 S2 is among the easier speakers to drive. A modestly powered amplifier is sufficient to achieve comfortable listening levels. The continuous power handling of 200 W (380 W peak) also allows the use of more powerful electronics without risking damage to the drivers.

The nominal impedance of 4 to 8 ohms indicates that it varies with frequency. Most modern hi-fi amplifiers handle these loads without difficulty, but very old or entry-level models will benefit from being set to the 4-ohm position if available.

Integration in a multichannel system

The GLE S2 series includes centre speakers (GLE 50 S2), compact models for surround duties (GLE 30 S2) and even a version with an integrated Dolby Atmos module (GLE 90 AR S2). A Power Sub 12 S2 subwoofer rounds out the range for low frequencies. The entire lineup shares the same visual identity and the same 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 setup without a traditional AV receiver, with a smaller footprint.

Technical specifications

Type and design

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

Power and performance

• Nominal 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

Key features

• Huge sound volume: 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 front panels and magnetic grilles
• Versatile use: high-end hi-fi, home cinema, large audio installations