Bookshelf Speakers — Canton Vento 20

The Vento 20 is a compact two-way reflex model in the Vento series from Canton, the loudspeaker maker in Weilrod, Germany. Production started in November 2021, with a launch price of about EUR 1,198 per pair, and the German Canton site now lists one speaker at EUR 649.

Key specs that matter

A 154 mm bass-midrange driver built as a double cone in titanium-graphite is paired with a 25 mm tweeter using an aluminium oxide ceramic dome. The crossover frequency is 3,000 Hz. The frequency range given by Canton reaches from 32 Hz to 40,000 Hz and an impedance of 4 to 8 ohm, with a minimum of 3.5 ohm at 1,500 Hz. Load capacity is 60 W nominal and 100 W music. The cabinet measures 19.5 cm wide, 30 cm high and 27 cm deep, and each speaker weighs 6.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

The bass-midrange unit relies on the newer generation of Canton wave surrounds, designed for large excursions, which Canton links to deeper bass and higher power handling. Canton describes the titanium-graphite chassis as stiffer and better damped at lower weight than before, so that they work as piston transducers. The multilayer laminate cabinet is built in many individual steps, braced several times inside and damped to reduce resonance, and its internal volume is tuned to extend the low range of the reflex system, whose port fires to the rear. The drivers sit in the high gloss lacquered baffle without visible screws, and the cabinet has discreetly curved side panels and rounded edges. Canton lists TCC and DC switch technology among the features of the crossover section. The gold-plated terminal is laid out for bi-wiring or bi-amping and accepts cables up to 10 mm2. Finishes are white, black and dark walnut high gloss lacquer, and a fabric cover attaches magnetically. Canton gives a 5 year warranty on its passive loudspeakers, and the speaker ships in a standard parcel.

Pairing

As the impedance drops under 4 ohm in the midrange, the amplifier should handle low loads without strain. The split terminal allows separate amplifier channels for the low and high sections of each speaker. Within the Vento series the compact model can be combined with the Vento 50 center and Vento 80, 90 and 100 floorstanders, and Canton sells the series as single units or as 5.1 and 5.1.2 home theater sets.

Alternatives

The Canton Vento 10 is the other compact passive model in the same Vento series.