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Review 2 of 2
Price Paid:
$450.00
from Abt Summary:
Since I read reviews here, I thought I'd contribute one. I had switched from an all-Mirage (OM-5 based) HT surround system to Canton for two reasons:
1. Incredible attack time from the aluminized midranges and Al/Mn tweeters, and:
2. The Canton Karat M70s (main L,R front speakers)in beachwood matched the Ikea cabinets modified to hold all of the audio/video equipment yielding a high WAF. Hey, what can I say?
I rigged a harness to instantly compare the otherwise fine sounding Mirage center speaker to the Canton. The comparison was startling. The Mirage seemed much more neutral in its frequency range and the Canton had more of a midrange pronouncement. Now on the surface, this might not sound good, but it is not the whole picture.
Along with this forward midrange comes the incredible ability to project dialog forward giving you total control over the movie sound balance. It did this with no sacrifice of treble which is as clear as a bell. Note that if you hooked an equalizer to the Mirage and tried to balance it to the Canton they would still sound much different. The Canton's instantaneous attack time (dynamic range) provided a detail in sound which made, for example, metal objects (i.e. swordfights... see chapter 2 - Gladiator in DTS) figuratively scrape across your ears but without the occasional stridency of Klipsch type horns which, BTW, I rate highly specifically for HT for that very reason.
Another example is when Cuba Gooding Jr. is shooting down a Japanese Zero in Pearl Harbor (also DTS). The difference in sound detail was so extreme when compared to the Mirage using my harness that it seemed like two different weapons were being fired. You can hear the slide clanking with the Canton.
It's crystal clear and excellent for music, especially intimate (jazz saxophone, i.e.), but it is PERFECT for home theater.
I also have a pair of Canton LE-109s (more modest retro looking tower style speakers) for the bedroom which may be the best hidden bargain around for sound/dollar ratio but it there is no entry for a detailed review on this website.
I have no personal interest in Canton nor did I hear of them before a few years ago but I strongly urge you to audition them if value and great sound is important to you. Strengths:
Does what a center speaker should do: incredible dialog clarity. Similar Products Used:
Mirage RC2, Klipsch reference center speaker
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5 of 5
