Canton Debuts New In-Wall and In-Ceiling Loudspeakers
By Chris Boylan
At CEDIA Expo in Denver last month, German Loudspeaker manufacturer,
Canton introduced several new models in their "architectural line" of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers including their first in-wall LCR (Left/Center/Right) speaker, and a unique single point stereo speaker for in-ceiling use. The company showcased a total of four new in-wall and four new in-ceiling speakers, as well as an active tower speaker for its flat-screen plasma line, and their latest top of the line tower loudspeaker, the Vento Reference 1 DC.
The new Canton InWall 500, InWall 650 and InWall 800 are two-way speakers with 5-1/4-,
6-1/2-, and 8-1/4-inch polypropylene woofers. The InWall 500 LCR is a two-way home theater speaker with two 5-1/4-inch woofers arrayed to provide a wider soundstage for use in home theater applications. All four models use a Canton high-output 1-inch aluminum-dome tweeter that can be pivoted for ideal dispersion. A three-position tweeter level control provides for further optimization to individual rooms. For installation convenience, each speaker's driver and baffle assembly can be removed from the mounting bracket, allowing frames and grilles to be painted before being installed, thereby preventing damage or overspray to the baffle and drivers. The Canton InWall 500, InWall 500 LCR, InWall 650, and InWall 800 will be available in September for $214.50, $349.00, $274.50, and $324.50 each, respectively.
Canton's new in-wall loudspeakers include the InWall 500 LCR (left), designed specifically for use in home theater systems.
The Canton InCeiling 500, InCeiling 650, and InCeiling 800 are two-way speakers with pivoting 1-inch aluminum dome tweeters and 5-1/4-, 6-1/2-, and 8-1/4-inch polypropylene woofers respectively. The InCeiling 650 DT is a single-point stereo speaker with two 1-inch aluminum tweeters and a 6-1/2-inch dual-voice-coil woofer. By including both channels in one speaker, the intent is to create fuller sound in secondary listening locations, like hallways or foyers, where two-speaker installations might not be feasible. Like the in-wall models, all of the ceiling speakers include three-position tweeter level controls to optimize each speaker to its acoustic environment, and removable speaker assemblies to facilitate painting frames and grilles to match the room. The Canton InCeiling 500, InCeiling 650, InCeiling 650 DT, and InCeiling 800 will be available in September for $214.50, $274.50, $299.00, and $324.50 each, respectively.
Canton's CD 3200 powered towers feature plenty of power, 200 Watts to be precise, more than enough for most home theater and music systems.
Canton's chief of loudspeaker design, Frank Göbl, peeks playfully from behind his new baby, the Vento Reference 1 DC.
Canton's new CD 3200 powered tower ($1,600/each) is an active loudspeaker, featuring a 200-watt IcePower™ amplifier module, four aluminum 4-inch mid/bass drivers, and the company's signature 1-inch aluminum-manganese tweeter. The CD 3200 is based on the same extruded aluminum enclosure design and driver arrangement as their current CD 300 speaker, but has been re-engineered to make optimal use of the increased power and response of its IcePower™ internal amplifier.
As for the Vento Reference 1 DC ($30,000/pair), it's a no-holds-barred assault on the state of the art in loudspeaker design. "The Vento Reference 1 DC was designed by a five man engineering team over the course of three years, " comments Canton's head of engineering Frank Göbl. "This is intended as a definitive statement - the ultimate expression of Canton's design philosophy and manufacturing capabilities. The results have exceeded our highest expectations, and we feel confident that it is one of the finest loudspeakers the world has ever heard. "
The Canton Vento Reference 1 DC is a large 3-1/2-way floorstanding model that stands 56.3-inches tall, 15-inches deep, 22.2-inches wide, and weighs 194 pounds. The cabinet walls are over an inch thick (28 mm) and are constructed from seven layers of acoustically inert fiberboard, pressure laminated one at a time into a sturdy monocoque structure. Internally, the cabinet is separated into four isolated chambers, allowing for optimal matching of internal volume to each individual driver. The lowest of these chambers, housing the bass transducers, is a bass reflex design, with a port that is flared at both ends, and open to the cabinet's bottom for enhanced bass response linearity with virtually no port noise at any sound pressure level.
Although the system was on silent display, it's certainly impressive looking, with exceptional fit and finish, and a solid chassis that is completely inert when knocked. If it sounds as good as it looks, then owners are in for a treat.
