Clear highs, good mids, good match with AS25 sub, impressive soundstage for sub/sat system, good efficiency (certainly when compaired to KEF KHT 2005), price

Sub might need some finetuning, need some time to run in properly

This is a review for the Plus XL as part of a complete Canton HT setup. Originally I went out to buy the KEF KHT2005 home theatre set. The sound technician suggested to listen to some other setups as well. I was a little sceptic, because I really had my mind set on those cool looking KEFs but I agreed to give it a shot. After listening to sub/sat systems from Infinity, JBL, Bose, KEF, B&W,... I almost gave up (even the KEFs were disappointing for me), but I gave one setup a last shot. I had been 'ignoring' it because I hadn't heard from Canton yet. It was a setup with 4 Plus X satellites, the AV700 center and AS25 sub. This was by far the best sub/sat setup I heard the whole afternoon. I heard details I never heard before with the other setups. Highs were crystal clear, something that cannot be said from the KEFs for example. I also had the impression that the KEFs were very inefficient speakers, the amp (Onkyo 696) had to work a lot harder to get the same SPL. Mids on the Cantons were well defined, bass was a bit heavy for my taste but could easily be solved by controls on the sub. The sub matched the sats very well, the front soundstage with the AV700 was well matched, although I sometimes had the impression that the AV700 sounded just a little bit 'thinner' than the Plus XLs. According to the but sound technician this was because the AV700 wasn't run in yet and he was right:-) The depth of the soundstage in stereo mode blew away the other setups, even the KEF satellites, by a large margin. Things even got even better when the Plus X were replaced by Plus XL sats. The difference was very subtle but I liked the Plus XL's better. I must admit, their looks are not exactly my taste but I didn't care. The Cantons are well built and offer excellent sound for the money. I end up buying the AS25 sub, AV700 center, 5 Plus XL sats including stands and the Yamaha RX-V1200. The speakers including stands, cost me about 1050 euros, even cheaper than the KEF KHT 2005 (with only 5 sats and no stands). So, I'm giving it 5 stars for value. For overall rating I'll give it 4 stars, not because it has a major flaw but it remains a sub/sat combo. Full range speakers would still be better, although these come very very close... If I had to make a top 3 of the sets I listened to that afternoon it would be 1) Canton - 2) B&W - 3) Kef

Similar Products Used:

Parents own Bose Acoustimas 15, listened to KEF KHT2005, Inifinity Modulus, Bose AC10, Bose AC15, B&W VM1+AS1, various JBL combinations

outstanding sound for a small speaker. i liked them so much i bought a second pair for outdoors.

Grills come loose if not watched

all round great sound for a small speaker Highs clean and full mid great for a two way. Bass Clear and loud for a small woffer im very impressed.

Similar Products Used:

B+W LM1 celestion mp1 JBL 52 Boston