Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.
What reviewers think
Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.
All
Vento 80
reviews
Manufacturer details
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 26 x 103 x 34 cm (10.2" x 40.6" x 13.8")
- Weight: 24.8 kg
- Acoustic Principle: 3-way bass reflex
- Tweeter: 25mm Ceramic
- Midrange Driver: 174mm Titanium-graphite
- Woofer: 2x 174mm Titanium-graphite
- Nominal Load Capacity: 140 watts
- Music Load Capacity: 250 watts
- Transmission Range: 20-40,000 Hz
- Crossover Frequencies: 170/3,000 Hz
- Impedance: 4-8 ohm
Brand highlights
Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:
- Canton's Reference line combines years of experience with advanced computer modeling and a dedicated testing laboratory, resulting in products designed with both precision and innovation.
- The brand emphasizes high-quality construction, utilizing stiff, multi-layer laminate cabinets with strategic internal bracing to minimize unwanted resonances.
- Canton's signature sound aims for a neutral and balanced presentation, delivering clear, detailed sound without excessive coloration.
- They often incorporate advanced driver technologies, such as ceramic-tungsten cones and aluminum-ceramic-oxide tweeters, to achieve optimal stiffness, damping, and dispersion.
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Used
Canton
What if you spend more?
The new Reference 7 Pure aesthetics, breathtaking performance - as the slimmest floorstanding speakers in the Reference series, the Reference 7s blend harmoniously into any room. Despite their compact size, the speakers impress with deep bass response and high dynamics.
This is made possible by the precisely tuned cabinet with bass guide that uses the two woofers with black ceramic tungsten cones. The Reference 7 uses our highest quality BC and BCT drivers on the round baffle. They are elegantly covered by intricately crafted, screwless adapter rings.
As in all Reference models, they are designed as asymmetrical wave guides to perfect the sound dispersion of the speakers. All models in the Reference family are manufactured in Germany with the highest quality and precision.
The slim 3-way Reference 7 floorstanding speaker impresses with its perfectly formed design and offers long-lasting pleasure in music reproduction thanks to high-quality materials, first-class components and the latest Canton technologies.
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Our summary
Product Strengths
- Wonderfully grippy, present fine, and balanced sound image
- Stable bass range and very level stable
- The speaker allows for sensitive adjustment of mid and high frequencies
- Great workmanship
- The curved baffle shape helps with wider sound dispersion
Product Considerations
- High-gloss finishes may require frequent dusting
- Experimentation with toe-in is needed to find the right level of treble bite
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Reference 7 plays the piece finer, more open, more powerful and ultimately more authentic than the Canton Karat GS
- The Canton Reference 7 has a more neutral high end than the Triangle Signature Delta
Takeaway: The Canton Reference 7 offers clear, natural, and high-quality sound, appealing to both audiophiles and general music lovers. It boasts superb construction and is undemanding in terms of amplifier matching.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The Reference 7 K - our second smallest floorstanding speaker from the Reference K series and yet an absolutely grown-up speaker that makes no compromises in sound and boasts the best virtues from Canton. The Reference 7 K grows exactly 100 centimeters in height. It lends itself to any living space thanks to its harmonious proportions and noble surface design.
The two ceramic tungsten bass drivers with a diameter of 174 millimeters, specially developed for the Reference K series, ensure a powerful performance and breathtaking bass. Exactly the same size is the midrange specialist, which with its light and stiff ceramic tungsten cone reproduces mid-range sounds in an inimitable manner highly neutral and balanced.
Thanks to the low-loss wave surrounds that sandwich the midrange and woofer, and the superbly resolving ceramic tweeter, the Reference 7 Ks impress with their excellent fine dynamics even at low volumes. The acoustically optimized enclosures with curved side walls and rounded edges ensure ideal dispersion characteristics of the slim floorstanding speakers.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- The enclosure is formed from several layers of wood glued together to achieve a stiff, well-damped structure
- Premium-quality components in its crossover
- Clear, refined treble and midrange and focused bass with ample weight
- Wide soundstage
- Music plays as a thoroughly human event, touchable textures and silky physicality joined to satisfying, juicy tonality
Product Considerations
- One reviewer destroyed the tweeter of a Reference 7K sample by neglecting to reduce the volume control of the digital audio interface
- High-gloss finishes might require regular dusting
- Finding the optimal positions in the room might be difficult
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to Triangle, the Canton Reference 7K has a more neutral high end, though Triangle has high sensitivity, meaning it would be a better match for low-powered amplifiers
- Compared to Bowers & Wilkins and Focal, the Canton Reference 7K can be viewed as quite the value and equally or even more premium looking
Takeaway: The Canton Reference 7K is a well-engineered speaker employing high-tech materials that plays all styles of music well and casts a giant soundstage. It is a reasonably dynamic speaker producing a satisfyingly thick—detailed sound.
Video review
Our take on the brand
We've redesigned the look and technology of our Vento premium speaker series. Thanks to the modern design, with discreetly curved side panels, rounded cabinet edges and high-quality surfaces with a perfect finish, the new Vento speakers have a very self-assured appearance. The harmoniously proportioned premium speakers offer a perfect balance between timeless elegance and powerful performance. This makes the Vento models universally applicable - they are an enrichment for the most diverse living spaces. Our flagship speaker in the series, the Vento 100, looks elegant and refined, despite its impressive cabinet size. Thanks to its excellent technical components, the large 3-way bass reflex floor-standing speaker inspires with its stupendous dynamics and makes the hearts of audiophile music fans beat faster. The Canton Vento 100 impresses with its incomparably good Canton sound, maximum durability and finest workmanship.
Product Strengths
- Strong all-around sonic performance with a balanced sound across the audible frequency spectrum
- Exquisite construction and finish quality, with an elegant appearance and curved side panels
- Impactful and articulate bass, a natural and full midrange with textures, and a treble with sufficient extension and great resolution
- Wide and deep soundstage while maintaining image focus on individual instruments
- Conveys the energy in the music and captures the texture of instruments
Product Considerations
- The speaker's packaging was not thick enough, as the Styrofoam padding protecting the speakers was brittle
- The speaker is large and may dominate smaller rooms
- Speakers should not be operated too close to the wall
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The Vento 100 distances itself from the Vento 896.2
- The difference in sound quality compared to the Reference K models is not as great as the difference in price
- The Vento 100 is a more neutral speaker than the Sonetto III
Takeaway: The Vento 100 speakers deliver great value with excellent build and a vibrant sonic performance, excelling in extracting musical textures with a high degree of transparency. The speakers check all the important aspects of a great-sounding loudspeaker with no discernible weaknesses.
Video review
Our take on the brand
The new Reference 5 Immerse yourself in a new era of sound with the Reference 5 and let the medium-sized floor-standing speakers inspire you. The perfectly formed design, in line with "Form Follows Function", makes no compromises. Thanks to the use of the latest technologies, they are bursting with resolution and playfulness and offer excellent sound. The Reference 5, like all Reference models, are manufactured in Germany with the utmost care and precision. This and the use of first-class materials and components, ensure a long-lasting and reliable quality. The speakers shine with irrepressible dynamics and excellent stage imaging - for a lively and natural sound of your music.
Our summary
Product Strengths
- A complete and satisfying sound from top to bottom
- Well-built speaker cabinet with a stiff, low-resonance enclosure due to curved sides and laminated layers of fiberboard
- A cool, dry and neutral tonal balance
- Midrange shines with excellent voice rendition and believable subtle textures of instruments
- Exceptionally wide dynamic range due to very low cabinet coloration
Product Considerations
- Bass lacks output in the lowest (20-40Hz) octave
- High frequencies weren't quite as extended as some other speakers
- Depth perception of the imaging seems a little constrained
- The simple stud-like spikes supplied are clearly intended to avoid damaging wooden floors, and are probably insufficiently sharp to pierce carpets
- Mid-bass output is a little strong
Takeaway: The Canton Reference 5 DC gives a complete musical experience and its quality ensures enjoyment of the music. For speakers that sound good, the Reference 5 DC speakers are a possible choice.
Video review
Our take on the brand
What competes at this price?
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- More precise and tighter bass, and a separated sound, meaning the instruments do not go missing in the bass
- A ceramic tweeter that performs well
- Close to the GLE Series, but has a cleaner sound
- Made with very nice finishing, and the structure of the veneer is very beautiful
Product Considerations
- Might be a bit overwhelming at high volumes, but it is good at lower volumes
- According to measurements, after setting all models to the same volume, it has an intensity that submerges under the Silver 500 and R7 in the higher mid range
Takeaway: The Canton Taunus 90 is good for those who want a specialist speaker for Big Beat and also has a clean sound. The speaker is made with high-quality materials, so it has a beautiful design.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Stays true to neutral sound across all levels
- Skillfully maintains the balance between a powerful bass, transparent midrange, and rather mild, low-distortion treble reproduction
- Good impulse response and high efficiency
- Offers plenty of excursion, without linearity, low distortion, and reach into the low frequencies suffering in return
- Dynamic and reliable across all levels
Product Considerations
- A trace of additional warmth in the midrange was missed
- Lacking the very last degree of precision in the bass range, as well as definition
Takeaway: The Karat GS Edition provides high-quality music reproduction with neutral sound, and it offers a balanced and dynamic listening experience across different music genres
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Fit and finish plus performance that is a bargain for around $3k/pair
- Gelcore cabinet construction minimizes unwanted sound energy from resonance and vibrations
- A tweeter that is hermetically sealed and mechanically isolated (floating) from the baffle provides lower distortion
- Size, weight, and richness of tone belies their size, with a wider baffle to each loudspeaker pointing at you
- A mild sound throws emphasis back to the midrange that in itself seems almost holographic, as well as deeply insightful in a gentle but revealing manner
Product Considerations
- A medium to large size room is required to shine, otherwise the bass will dominate
- Flaws in poor recordings can be revealed due to their detail and accuracy—warts and all performance
- The top-end is a little soft and gentle—classic BBC like—which may require amps with some zing to compensate
- Listeners seeking absolute detail or transparency might not be satisfied because of Q Acoustics' house sound that massages treble and plumps up bass and lower mid
- They don't go sub-40Hz deep, frequency response is rated at 42 Hz – 30 kHz (-6dB)
Takeaway: The Q Acoustics Concept 50 offers excellent value with its blend of innovative design and high-quality sound, making it a great choice for enjoying music with a sense of depth and engagement. The Concept 50s are easy to listen to and fun.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Retro aesthetics reminiscent of vintage speakers, with a well-applied veneer and woven front panel
- Balanced sound with clarity in the midrange and treble, creating an immersive listening experience
- Good sensitivity makes them relatively easy to drive with a range of amplifiers
- Acoustic suspension design provides tight bass and allows for flexible placement near walls
- Three-position attenuation switch allows for adjustment to different room acoustics
Product Considerations
- Can sound a bit bright out of the box, requiring a break-in period
- Sound can harden a little when provoked by poor or bright recordings, and they are finicky about upstream electronics
- Bass might not be punchy enough for some listeners, potentially requiring a subwoofer or EQ adjustments
- Lack of provision for spikes to fasten the speakers to the carpet
- Grilles need to be off for best sound, according to one reviewer
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- Compared to the JBL L100, the Model Five is better balanced and more enjoyable to listen to
- Compared to the NHT C3, the Model Five is an upgraded variant, offering deeper, wider sound and more resolution
- Compared to the Buchardt S400, the Model Five sounds more open, brighter, and more detailed—with better instrument placement
- Compared to the Aurender S5W, the Model Five reaches lower frequencies and has better overall resolution and detail
- Compared to the Graham LS6, they perform on par, albeit via a different approach, trading in some refinement for a more direct—in-your-face sound
Takeaway: The KLH Model Five is a speaker with retro style and balanced sound. They are versatile and can be used in different listening spaces.
Video review
Our take on the brand
Our Summary
Product Strengths
- Excellent clarity and detail resolution, with leading edges of notes crisply defined
- Accurate reproduction, with precise tonal accuracy and fine spatial definition within the soundstage
- Superb build quality for the money, and they look more expensive than they are
- Easy to drive without requiring excessive power to perform to their best
- Soundstage width is better than the 3050i
Product Considerations
- Needs care in system matching, as they are transparent and will reveal shortcomings in the source or amplifier
- Can sound slightly lean throughout the lower midrange, and the highs can sometimes present as a bit hot depending on the content
- Does not plumb the depths that some other floorstanders do
- Not designed for pokey rooms and cupboard-sized man caves, they need to breathe and require adequate space
- Some reviewers felt the build quality of the binding posts could be better
Comparisons (according to reviewers)
- The 5040 has a more neutral tonal balance with better-defined bass and exceptional clarity, while the 3050i delivers greater overall impact with its larger drivers and cabinet
Takeaway: The Q Acoustics 5040 is a well-built speaker that sounds great and looks modern, making it a good choice for those who want clarity and detail in their music, but system matching is important to avoid a bright presentation. These speakers are a strong statement in the right listening environment for the price.
Video review
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