Ref 5k vs 7k vs 3k
 

I have been bitten by the upgrade bug and I’m looking at my speakers first. I’m considering the Cantons and I’m trying to understand if there is a noticeable difference between the 5k vs 7k vs 3k. My room is only 18 x 12. I was thinking the larger size of the 3k might be overkill for the room. These will replace my Harbeths in my primary 2 channel system. I was leaning to the 5k as it would free up some funds for other upgrades but could stretch to the 3k if it was a substantial improvement. I mostly listen to (80%) 1980s to current rock with some (10%) acid jazz and (10%) broadway shows. Any advice would be appreciated.

Am a 9K user in 12x30x7 room with my listening postion & speakers at one of the ends of same. I've been thinking of upgrading to the 7K but refuse to do so until I can audition them. Unfortunately, neither dealer in NA (Ivan & David Lewis) that I'm aware of has them available to listen to. David Lewis, my most local dealer. tells me that I should listen to his 5K as the only difference between them and the 7K is the 5K would go somewhat deeper in the bass. That said, I'm pleased enough with the 9K that I'm in no particular hurry. Good luck making your decision. They are great speakers.

Glenn
Thanks for the input, the base is one of the areas I feel the Harbeths are lacking. That’s why I fave the Rel sub. I was hoping with this upgrade to get a fuller, more cohesive sound. I love the vocals from the Harbeth but when playing rock they I know I’m missing out, when compared to other speakers

You can even consider the 9Ks plus a sub (or a pair of subs).
This makes it easier to finetune the bass in a small room than a pair of larger speakers.

Jd… I own all models of the Ref series up to and including the 1K. My room that these are all in is not much bigger than yours at all.

I would highly recommend the 3K’s, it is the sweet spot in their line. You won’t need Subs either, the Bass is outstanding.

We can talk offline, anytime to discuss delivery/pricing etc. :ok:

PS: Dean aka Maxsmart here just took delivery of his new 3K’s and is smitten.

Yes. I've often thought of adding the Canton (or other) sub to my Ref 9Ks, but I am simply not a bassophile (listen mostly to classic/jazz at moderate levels & the bass & drums are my least favorite instruments) so would mostly be a waste for me.

As Ivan states, bigger is better if you want bass. Can't imagine that any of the floor standing Canton Refs would disappoint in any way.

Will my Pass 260.8s have enough power to drive the 3Ks? Granted I don’t usually have them really loud and I have a smaller size room.

Am driving my Ref 9Ks with 25wpc of Class A power and am very pleased.
Check Ivan's signature to see what he is using to drive his Cantons.

I ended up getting a pair of 3Ks from Ivan. Now just have to wait for delivery and sell the Harbeths.

Congratulations. Am sure you will be more than pleased.
Pic's, of course, when you have them set up.

Congratulations indeed Smoke! You are going to LOVE the new Canton's. Setup correctly they will disapppear in your room. :yes:

What finish did you choose?

And, of course, pics are obligatory. :yes:

Black Lacquer :naughty:

A great finish. My 9Ks still look new after owning for 4yr (this month).

Guess I'm happy with the Canton Reference as I've owned them longer than any other pair of speakers in the past 40yr and will likely 'go big' with the 8K or 7K next year.

Congrats, you chose the right one (like Ivan said), and is not just the bass is better the whole speaker sounds bigger, the room going to be sound like is big.

JD - Any word on delivery of your Ref 3Ks?

About another 4~6 weeks.

3K vs 2K vs 1K
 

I am starting to plan a speaker change in my living room. Had many speakers including B&W 800 D2, Sonus Faber Elipsa, Burmester B80, Focal Sopra 3, Piega Classic 80.2 (Piega`s are still in my stereo room) and now playing on my Infinity Kappa 9.2i. Amps are MC2KW.
I use subwoofers most of the time but want frontspeakers that can play both super loud and down to 25 hz at least. But I do not want speakers that scream, the sound needs to be nice well above 100 dB in he sofa area. I want to shake the room and at the same time experience clean sound and a beautiful soundstage. Since you know these 3 models well, could you give me a hint what you believe would work for me? Hoping for some good advice.:thumbsup:

Dag… having owned every Canton Reference model, and the MC2KW’s as you, here is my best guidance.

The top 3 Canton Reference speakers K1, K2, K3 are all voiced the same. The biggest difference is the Bass and power handling capacity.

In your situation I would highly recommend/endorse you hear, and then purchase the Reference K1’s. They are phenomenal speakers at their price point, that come awfully close to the TAD R1 MII’s (that I also own)

Together with your MC2KW’s these would be your forever speakers. I often don’t endorse a speaker so strongly, but these K1’s are ever so worthy.

I have sold more than 7 pairs to fellow AA’rs here. Perhaps they will chime in too. :ok:

Still having fun... :)

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...1&d=1545000328

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...1&d=1545000343

https://www.audioaficionado.org/atta...1&d=1545000351

1K
 

Thank you so much for you advice. I apprechiate it a lot. Next step is travelling to listen to a pair of 2K, then hopefully arrange a test in my house of the 1K. There are only the Aida that are a future alternative but 1K could as you say be my forever speakers as I see it. Thanks again!

K1’s are very heavy at over 300lbs each.

heavy
 

yes hard to get out if you got them in to begin with....but I always test first if possible. ( I have done a lot of heavy lifting thru the years...) Once I experienced the Revel Ultima Salon 2 in my house and they just did not work at all, the midbass was completely gone. I wanted them so much but had to return those demo speakers sadly. The Revels have all the talents that I normally look for, (except midbass in my place) including the ability to produce really low bass combined with the talent to play more than loud without compression or distortion.I believe the Canton Reference 1K can do that as well.
Another speaker is the Quadral Aurum Titan 9 that have these qualities covered. Have been studying the Monitor Audio Platinum 500ii and think they are interesting in many ways.
But the Canton Reference 1K are on top of my list since the Aida`s are out of my reach financially for now.