Canton Reference 3
Built around larger Black Ceramic Tungsten bass and midrange drivers, Canton’s Reference 3 is a substantial three-way floorstander engineered for serious systems. Hi-Fi News identifies a claimed 88dB sensitivity, giving it a technical edge over the smaller Reference 7. With 500W music-load capacity and WBT terminals, it brings unmistakably high-end intent to the listening room.
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Kinda Soggy
Sound Quality
50/100
Build Quality
50/100
Value for Money
85/100
Pros
Larger Black Ceramic Tungsten bass and midrange drivers than the Reference 7, paired with a higher claimed 88dB sensitivity.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 50/100
The available Hi-Fi News extract is primarily a technical comparison with the smaller Reference 7, rather than a listening review. It identifies larger Black Ceramic Tungsten bass and midrange drivers and slightly higher claimed sensitivity, but offers no direct conclusions on tonal balance, imaging, bass performance or musical engagement.
Bass
50/100
Hi-Fi News notes that the Reference 3 uses larger Black Ceramic Tungsten bass drivers than the Reference 7. The extract does not describe bass extension, control, weight or behaviour in a room.
Mid
50/100
The report confirms larger Black Ceramic Tungsten midrange drivers, but does not provide listening observations about vocal realism, tonal colour, crossover integration or midrange clarity. Reviewers therefore say little about how the midrange sounds in practice.
Treble
50/100
The supplied review extract contains no commentary on treble extension, detail, air, brightness or refinement. There is no listening evidence here to characterise the high-frequency performance.
Soundstage Imaging
50/100
The available material does not discuss stereo width, depth, image focus or placement sensitivity. Reviewers say little about the Reference 3's spatial presentation in this extract.
Dynamics
50/100
Hi-Fi News reports a modestly higher claimed sensitivity than the Reference 7, linked to the larger bass and midrange drivers. It does not describe dynamic range, slam, ease at high levels or compression with demanding music.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
50/100
The supplied material identifies the Reference 3 as a larger three-way model using Black Ceramic Tungsten bass and midrange drivers. However, the review extract does not assess cabinet finish, resonance control, terminal quality, fit and finish or long-term construction quality.
Value for Money
85/100
At roughly 13,200-14,600, the Reference 3 sits in a very expensive high-end segment. None of the supplied review material weighs in on whether its performance, engineering or finish justifies that asking price against competing floorstanders.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
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Specifications
- Dimensions
- 32 x 109 x 49 cm (W x H x D) including base construction
- Power
- 500 watt music load capacity
- Weight
- 42 kilogram
- High-End Sound
- Iconic sound for the highest quality demands
- BCT diaphragm
- Chassis with new BCT diaphragm (Black Ceramic Tungsten)
- Cabinet shape
- Sweeping cabinet shape for unlimited music pleasure
- WBT-nextgen™
- WBT terminals for optimal signal connection
- Fabric cover
- Acoustically neutral cover with magnetic attachment
- Warranty
- 10 years warranty on Reference passive loudspeakers
Manufacturer's Description — Canton
Informations
- 3-way bass reflex system
- Black Ceramic tungsten technology
- 500 watts
- 325 x 109 x 49 cm (W x H x D)
POWERFUL ELEGANCE
The new Reference 3
The edge-free design of the Reference 3, with curved cabinet roundings not only ensures a modern design - it is the basis for perfect sound development, which is characterized by authentic spatial imaging and staggering of the music. Two woofers with high-strength BCT cones made of black ceramic tungsten and the large midrange driver made of the same material ensure excellent dynamic characteristics in the perfectly tuned 3-way speaker. In the BCT diaphragm, 25 percent of the molecular structure of an aluminum cone is converted into a ceramic structure and refined with tungsten and additional metal particles. As a result, the diaphragms achieve a perfect stiffness-to-weight ratio and turn black on the front and back surfaces during the creation process. In addition, the specially shaped black midrange ceramic cone in TCC technology stabilizes the membrane and reduces unwanted resonances. Thus, we achieve a precise and distortion-free reproduction. At the same time, the latest generation bass guide design allows uncomplicated placement of the speakers in medium-sized rooms with even distribution of bass waves.
Modern technology
The Reference 3 speakers contain the musical and sonic characteristics of their larger Reference siblings. For the impressive sound image, they use the BCT cones, the technically latest components in the mid- and low-frequency range. High-quality crossover components in the filter network, such as generously dimensioned air coils, low-loss metal oxide resistors and film capacitors, enable perfect interaction between the four speaker drivers. All drivers are clamped in triple folded wave surrounds, which allow enormous excursions and can thus generate intense dynamics. The two 192 mm woofers can fully develop in the ideal cabinet volume and deliver deep, powerful bass up to 20 Hertz with the support of the bass guide. The 174 mm midrange driver, with its broadband action in the frequency range from 180 Hertz to 3,000 Hertz, which is important for localization, provides a desired point source dispersion. The trio is rounded off by the precise 25 mm tweeter with black membrane made of aluminum oxide ceramic.
Sweeping design
The 109-centimeter-high Reference 3 are powerful speakers in elegantly shaped cabinets. Their curved side panels, gently sloping curved tops and round baffles create a flowing, harmonious design that skillfully conceals the large cabinet volumes. The newly designed base is not only a stable foundation for the speaker - it also forms the bass guide, which selectively radiates low-frequency tones to the front and back of the room in equal parts. Thanks to the newly developed asymmetrical cover rings, the four loudspeaker drivers sit flush with the surface and without visible screw connections in the baffle. In addition, the cover rings act as waveguides, optimizing sound dispersion in the midrange and treble range. Four individual, acoustically transparent and form-fitting fabric covers nestle against the baffle with magnetic adhesion.
Elegant appearance
We develop and manufacture the Reference loudspeakers in our factory in Weilrod in the Taunus region. The Reference 3 cabinets, which are made of high-quality multi-layer laminate, are extremely stable and undergo extensive surface finishing. Twelve layers of lacquer are required for the high-gloss black version with "piano finish" alone. Layer by layer, the cabinets are lacquered, sanded and finally polished. The result is a flawless high-gloss piano lacquer with an overwhelming depth effect. Equally impressive are the alternatively available finishes in white satin, which perfectly set off our Reference 3 in combination with the matte black diaphragms.
Perfect contact
The Reference 3's high-end binding posts come from established German manufacturer WBT. The low-mass WBT nextgen™ binding posts enable single, bi-wiring and bi-amping operation. The lower mass of the binding posts reduces eddy currents and ensures a superior sound image. If you do not want to use the bi-wiring or bi-amping mode, high-quality hard-gold-plated copper bridges are included.
Perfect contact
The Reference 3's high-end binding posts come from established German manufacturer WBT. The low-mass WBT nextgen™ binding posts enable single, bi-wiring and bi-amping operation. The lower mass of the binding posts reduces eddy currents and ensures a superior sound image. If you do not want to use the bi-wiring or bi-amping mode, high-quality hard-gold-plated copper bridges are included.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Canton Reference 3
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- à la carte productions — in-store — Palm Coast, Florida, United States (website)
- A Tube High Fidelity — online and in-store — Almere, Flevoland, Netherlands (website)
- Acoustic Sounds — online and in-store — Salina, Kansas, United States (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
- Anquan — online and in-store — Glika Nera, Greece (website)
- Audio Excellence (CH) — Switzerland (website)
- Audio Magic - EU — online and in-store — Wola, Województwo mazowieckie, Poland (website)
- Audio Video Integration — in-store — San Rafael, California, United States (website)
- Audio Vinyl — online and in-store — Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland (website)
and 33 more verified dealers