Weilrod, Germany-based Canton have built their flagship Reference GS loudspeakers in an edition limited to 50 pairs worldwide.
I don’t know about you but I love when a company goes all in to create a statement piece, a reflection of their current know-how built on decades of experience.
Which is what Canton’s Reference GS Limited Edition Loudspeakers are:
Unconstrained by restrictions, Canton endeavored to push the limits of what was technically possible to create the best sounding and best performing loudspeaker in Canton’s history. In over 50 years of company history, never before has a Canton loudspeaker been developed and manufactured with this level of complexity.
I also appreciate the wording—to create the best sounding and best performing loudspeaker in Canton’s history—as opposed to making a broader claim.
The 340lbs a piece 5 ft+ tall Reference GS are a 3-way, 6-speaker bass reflex system that, for the first time in Canton’s history, incorporates a diamond tweeter. Around back we find tweeter and mid-range level adjustments as well as adjustment for the bass sensitively in 1.5 decibel steps to adjust response to room and taste. Two pair of WBT nextgen binding posts allow bi-wiring and bi-amping.
Transmission range is stated at 18-40,000 Hz, a full-range reach as you’d expect from a flagship, with efficiency rated at 89db (2.83V/1m) and 4-8 Ohm impedance.
The Canton Reference GS Limited Edition Loudspeakers are shipping now and come with a US retail price of $60,000/pair.
Here’s the press release:
The Ultimate Canton Reference Loudspeaker
Unconstrained by restrictions, Canton endeavored to push the limits of what was technically possible to create the best sounding and best performing loudspeaker in Canton’s history. In over 50 years of company history, never before has a Canton loudspeaker been developed and manufactured with this level of complexity.
The Reference GS are a statement: the mighty floor-standing loudspeakers stand 64” tall, 18” wide, 28” deep and weigh 340 pounds. The Reference GS loudspeakers are painstakingly handcrafted, elegant in design and spoil you with their high quality materials, exquisite workmanship and impressive surface finish.
The designers of the Reference GS harmoniously combine elements of wood, metal and lacquer to create an irresistible work of art. The result is a speaker that not only fulfills the highest demands in terms of sound, but also aesthetically.
Multi-Layer Specially Reinforced Cabinets
For the completely redesigned Reference GS cabinet, round baffles have been used for the first time. These 3” thick baffles are manufactured on a special 5-axis CNC milling machine.
The elaborately curved side panels, bases and lids are made of multi-layer, 1” thick wood laminate, which ensures the cabinets are extremely stable and significantly reduces natural resonance behavior.
In order to control the enormous forces inside the Reference GS loudspeakers, a special computer-optimized reinforcement is required. Internal standing waves are prevented by careful selection of the front shape, baffle and, a precisely defined damping material made of a special fleece.
In addition, side panels of fine real wood veneer, which are firmly attached to the side panels, stiffens the enclosures further reducing unwanted resonance. The sweeping curves enable an acoustically optimized enclosure design, whose freedom from edges effectively prevents edge reflections.
Diamond Tweeter
For the first time in Canton’s history, a diamond dome tweeter has been used. This cone material enhances tweeter reproduction with the finest detail. The tweeter retains its accuracy and natural reproduction even at the highest volumes – completely effortless and stress-free.
Powerful Crossovers
With the help of Displacement Control, the crossover prevents uncontrolled excursion of the woofers and increases the bandwidth with the same cabinet size. The result is extremely precise bass even at the highest sound pressure levels. As the control centre of the speakers, the newly developed crossovers make a decisive contribution to stress- free music enjoyment at all levels. They ensure brilliant highs, impressive bass and maximum precision in the fundamental range.
Canton Room Compensation Technology
In addition to the tweeter and mid-range level adjustment found on the Reference Series, Reference GS adds adjustment for the bass sensitively in 1.5 decibel steps. This allows the speakers to be optimized to suit personal listening tastes and room acoustics.
Wave Sicke 3.0
Three congruent surround bends ensure balanced force symmetry, which guarantees even transient and decay behavior even at higher levels and cone excursions. This is achieved with equal utilization of the area and weight of the transducer system.
Absorbent Sealing Rings
For the new Reference GS Edition, special sealing rings were developed that are flocked with a special fabric in a complex process. This innovation achieves two important goals: It ensures complete sealing of the air volume in the speaker enclosure and effectively reduces the transmission of structure-borne vibrations. The result is improved sound perception without unwanted resonance of the baffle.
Insulation Base Plate
The Reference GS Edition has been equipped with a completely redesigned base plate that enables the installation of solid, height-adjustable stainless steel feet. In combination with the supplied absorbers, these serve to almost completely decouple the speaker from the floor.
As with all Reference Series loudspeakers, a ten year warranty is included.
Pricing, Finishes and Availability
The Reference GS is limited to 50 pairs worldwide. It is offered in one finish as shown above. Retail price is $60,000 in USA and $79,000 in Canada. Shipping now.
US Distributor Website: Bluebird Music
Specifications
Acoustic principle: 3-way downfire bass reflex system
Principle passive resonator: Bass reflex
Radiation direction resonator: Downfire
Tweeter quantity: 1
Tweeter size: 25 mm
Tweeter material: DCC Diamant Ceramic Carbon (diamond tweeter)
Midrange driver quantity: 1
Midrange driver size: 174 mm
Midrange driver material: Black ceramic tungsten (Wave surround, TCC)
Woofer quantity: 4
Woofer size: 219 mm
Woofer material: Black Keramik-Wolfram (Wave surround, double cone)
Nominal load capacity: 500 watts
Music load capacity: 950 watts
Transmission range: 18…40.000 Hz
Crossover frequencies: 160 / 3.100 Hz
Impedance: 4…8 ohm
Level adjustment: yes
Efficiency 2.83V/1m: 89 db
Weight: 155 kg
Packing dimensions: 60,5 x 180 x 80,5 cm
Dimensions (WxHxD): 46 x 163 x 72 cm