The name may be unfamiliar, but Canton is still a force to be reckoned with. This German brand is the largest and most powerful indigenous manufacturer of high-grade loudspeakers on its home market. Internationally distribution is patchy, but Canton has been available in a limited way in Australia in the past.
One reason why the brand hasn't been a roaring success here previously is that their speakers have tended to be a little too quintessentially, well, German. The treble, in particular, has tended to be a little too intrusive, too chrome-plated for comfort, but earlier in 2006 we were told there had been a rethink, and that there would soon be models voiced to suit our ears. The Vento system reviewed here clearly shows that Canton meant what it said, with speakers that turn out to be much
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more subtle, though some elements of the design are distinctly, well, different. But not in a bad way...
Design and build
The speakers look conventional enough, to a point. These are large boxes: the AS850ASC subwoofer is a substantial lump of furniture, and the main front speaker, the 809DC, is a full 112cm tall; it towers above a normal listening position. The rear enclosures, the 802s, are essentially a truncated version of the front main speakers (the active drive unit complement consists of the tweeter and midrange unit from the 809DC). Canton's approach is to produce a rear effects unit straight from the high-fidelity tradition, rather than being a wall hugging bi or dipole. The latter would be preferable if partnered with THX-certified electronics, as they offer a more immersive, less localised surround soundstage. As it is you will need to ensure that these models are not obscured by furniture. Providing centre duties is the substantial 805CM.
