Bookshelf Speakers — Canton Reference 9

The Reference 9 is the only compact model in Canton's current Reference line, a passive two-way stand-mount speaker from the German maker and part of the Reference generation launched in 2023. The series around it consists of five floorstanders from the Reference 1 to the Reference 7, a Reference Center and a Reference Sub with a 12 inch driver, so this box is the way into the range for owners without floor space for a tower. Passive Reference models carry a 10-year warranty from the maker.

Key specs that matter

One 174 mm mid-bass driver with a Black Ceramic Tungsten cone works with a 25 mm tweeter whose dome is made of black aluminium oxide ceramic. The stated frequency range is 25 Hz to 40,000 Hz, efficiency is 87 dB at 2.83 V and 1 m, and impedance is given as 4 to 8 ohm. Power handling is 125 W nominal and 220 W music. The cabinet measures 26 x 45 x 39 cm, or 46 cm tall including its base construction, and each unit weighs 18 kg. Finishes are black piano lacquer applied in 12 layers, white silk matt and walnut veneer.

Engineering and use context

The layout is unusual for a monitor, because the tweeter is mounted below the mid-bass driver rather than above it. The bass reflex port fires downward through the bottom of the cabinet into a gap formed by a separate plate, a downfire arrangement that means neither the baffle nor the back of the box carries a port opening. Inside, a chamber system optimised by computer and internal bracing are meant to stop standing waves, and the curved enclosure of multi-layer heat-formed laminate has rounded edges to reduce diffraction. The mid-bass cone rides on a Wave surround, which is built for long cone travel. On the rear, WBT nextgen terminals take either one cable pair or two, and the connection hardware also changes the tweeter level up or down in 1.5 dB steps. A fabric cover holds on by magnets. Optional Reference LS stands are sold separately by Canton.

Pairing

The moderate efficiency and the low impedance limit call for a solid-state amplifier that is stable into 4 ohm, with output close to the nominal rating of the speaker. Bi-amping with separate channels for the tweeter and mid-bass sections is possible through the split terminals. For home cinema, the Reference Center and Reference Sub complete a system from the same series.

Alternatives

The Canton Vento 20 is a smaller two-way compact speaker with a 154 mm mid-bass driver and 100 W music power.