Bookshelf Speaker Reviews

Subwoofer: AS 85 SC
Connections: Speaker- and line-level, stereo
Enclosure Type: Vented, front
Woofer (size in inches, type): 9, aluminum cone
Power Rating (watts): 100 RMS, 150 peak
Crossover Bypass: No
Available Finishes: Beech, Cherry, Black, Silver, Walnut Vinyl
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 17.7 x 10 x 14.6
Weight (pounds): 26.5
Price: $549

These listings are based on the manufacturer's stated specs; the HT Labs box below indicates the gear's performance on our test bench.

Speaker: GLE 403
Type: Two-way, monitor
Tweeter (size in inches, type): 1, fabric dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 7, aluminum cone
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 4–8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 90–140
Available Finishes: Beech, Ash, Cherry, Silver, Walnut Vinyl
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 14.2 x 7.5 x 10.6
Weight (pounds): 14.8
Price: $300/each

Speaker: GLE 401
Type: Two-way, on-wall
Tweeter (size in inches, type):1, fabric dome
Woofer (size in inches, type): 6, aluminum cone
Nominal Impedance (ohms): 4–8
Recommended Amp Power (watts): 60–100
Available Finishes: Beech, Ash, Cherry, Silver, Walnut Vinyl
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 11.6 x 6.7 x 3.5
Weight (pounds): 6.6
Price: $240/each

Ratings: Canton GLE 403 Speaker System

Build Quality: 92
• Aluminum woofers and fabric tweeters
• Tough metal grilles
• Have vinyl-wrapped enclosures

Value: 93
• The Canton sound at an affordable price
• The Canton look is distinctive

Features: 90
• Metal woofers borrowed from higher-end Canton lines
• Redesigned baskets hold woofer cones

Performance: 90
• Mercurial midrange brings out certain details
• Good coordination between stand-mounts and on-walls
• Subwoofer a bit on the light side

Ergonomics: 93
• Drivers smile behind the metal grilles—the Canton look
• On-walls easy to mount, not bulky or intrusive

Overall Rating: 91
Canton's institutional personality combines an up-front midrange with lean bass and good detail. The GLE 401 on-walls make a great match for the GLE 403 stand-mounts, and together they produce a satisfying soundfield.

General information
GLE 403 Monitor Speaker, $300/each; GLE 401 On-Wall Speaker, $240/each
AS 85 SC Subwoofer, $549
Canton
(612) 706-9250
www.canton.de