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May 19, 2007 - 8:11am
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Canton Speakers
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You did not say which speakers in the other lines you are considering or what you maximum price for speakers will be.
If you go to a Canton dealer they will give you a second opinion, which would be that the speakers are the best in the world. Whichever store you go to they will sell what they have in most cases and not speak highly of another brand because it isn't what they carry. You need to decide which speakers are best for your needs after having heard them.
Thanks for your reply. The price range is $3000 or less. The other models are: Paradigm Studio 100, B&W 703, and Focal/JM Lab, Chorus 836V. These three speakers all share the multiple, smaller, bass driver design, where the Canton model has a single 10" side-firing woofer.
I guess the question is....which design will produce the quantity, and quality of bass I'm looking for; which is deep, punchy bass, but not too strong that it overwhelms the mid/hi frequencies.
I really like the features of the Canton's, but no one here has them in a store; between two of my local dealers, I can audition the three mentioned above.
My gut tells me that the Canton's are very high quality speakers, and even though I listened to a pair, which are very similar to the ones I'm looking at, I would still like to hear the EXACT speaker that I'm looking at.
I think if you wait long enough someone with more knowledge regarding the speaker systems you are looking at will come along and help you out...it may take more than a day or two however.
What are the dimensions of the room where the speakers will be located? How is the room constructed and what type of diffusing elements are in the room? Do you have bare wood floors or a lot of windows?
You are going to have to also consider the dimensional size and construction of your room to find out what frequency you will get extension too. If the room is in the basement and you have wallboard over concrete, or plaster walls the bass will be different than new construction using wallboard construction.
The side firing bass may or may not sound louder. MLSSA measurements performed by Stereophile reviewers have in the past revealed the direct sound to be stronger or as strong as the reflected.
I also do not see anything wrong with or ever heard anything wrong with Canton speakers. Read everything you can on the manufacturers.
Here are some reviews on the speakers you mentioned.
Paradigm Studio 100
http://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/105paradigm/
B&W 703
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/speakersystems/1004bw/
And on Canton speakers:
http://stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/605canton/
http://stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/1106canton/
Thanks again! I re-read the review on the Canton, Vento Reference($30K), and the way I see it is that if they can build that good of a speaker, they must know what they are doing. So, logiclly speaking, there is no reason why the Canton's don't belong in the company of Focal/JM Lab, B&W, Paradigm, etc....which are very high quality.
The Karat line is the first step down from the Vento line, so they should be a very solid contender for the others I just mentioned.
It's just a little scary dropping $2600 on a speaker you can't audition! I guess I could ask him to order a pair, and agree not to MAKE me buy them, unless I'm very happy with how they sound.
I spoke with someone from Canton, and found out that based on my room characteristics, the Ergo(609) speakers would be better than the Karat.
I also found out that Canton is a 'vertically integrated' company, just like Focal/JM Lab, B&W, and Paradigm. Stereophile has had a few reviews of their speakers, and no red flags; quite the opposite actually.
I feel that most of the negative comments I've heard are based on some kind of predjudice?
Anyway, just an opinion. My system is slowly coming together; Krell KAV 400xi, NAD T-532 DVD/CD player, Axiom Audio M22ti speakers, and PS Audio Quintet Power Cond. & Power Supply.
Speakers are next....
If anyone has any comments, please share them.
Given the components named it sounds like you have the making of a fine system!
I didn't know Canton was a vertically integrated company like Focal. I do know of Focal's vertical integration. I'm looking into using Focal drivers on a pair of speakers that I am building. Thanks for the information regarding Canton.
No problem....good luck with your speakers!
I spoke with the Canton Sales Mgr. today, and I may be able to arrange an in home audition of the Karat 609DC, that I'm interested in. He was very nice, and seemed very willing to try to accomidate my request. We'll see what happens. It won't be for a while, but I just wanted to feel them out. So far, it's all positive...
And yes, he did mention that Canton manufactures their own cabinets, speakers, and cross overs, just like Focal, Paradigm & B&W.
So how did you like the Canton speakers? I am debating between the Vienna Acoustics Bethoven Baby Grand and the Canton 609DC's. Can I get the name of the Canton rep who let you do a home demo? I am interested too. I'm having the same issue finding a local dealer. I am familar with Canton from my time living in Germany and they were great, however, that was 10 years ago.
Thanks,
Mark
Well, I have not got that far yet; I was feeling them out to see if it was even possible. You could tell that it is something that's normally not done, but he seemed open to the possibility. I'm still waiting to hear back from him, as to the details of how, or if, it will be done. One thing is for sure, if they agree to it, I will have to pay the shipping cost. There are other details yet to be discussed.
His name is Tom Underhill. He was a very nice guy, very willing to answer my questions.