Canton Ergo SUB 650: Classic subwoofer with a vintage look

It happens that a series of acoustics is not taken out of production for decades. What is the reason for this – the price-quality ratio, positive press reviews and, as a result, the image of universal speakers, time-tested? To unravel the mystery of the Canton classics that have not changed for years, we decided to test it again. But now – in the tract for modern Hi-Res Audio.

The Ergo series, as you may have guessed, is a living representative of that time. The acoustics have been produced since 1980 and have undergone many small upgrades, which, however, have hardly changed their appearance. Wooden cases with rounded edges and stamped metal grilles were already in the first generation models. Narrowed proportions with a narrow front shield covered with velvet appeared on the prototype shown at IFA in 1989.

In modern models, the drivers do not have a central “bullet”, but have an S-shaped elastic suspension. Also note that the caliber of the midrange and low-frequency heads in different systems is either the same or differs by just a couple of centimeters. This decision was not taken out of thin air either: emitters that are different in purpose and electromechanical characteristics, but close in size, are easier to match with each other. When designing crossovers for Ergo, Canton engineers also adhere to certain principles. The separation of the bands should be quite steep, at least 12 – 24 dB / oct., but the filter circuit should not be too complex and cause significant emissions and impedance dips. And such linearity, which significantly simplifies matching with the amplifier, is achieved in another way – the heads are initially optimized so that outside the operating range they have a steep drop in frequency response. For low-frequency drivers, Canton even came up with a separate “feature” – Displacement Control. Its essence is that the sensitivity of the speakers to ultra-low frequency signals, which at high amplitudes lead to distortion and modulation, was as low as possible, and to useful signals of the working range remained equally high. And this, as you might guess, is not a trivial task.

The currently offered speakers in the Ergo line are available in three finishes: wenge, cherry and black ash. We tested the shelf and floor models in a regular stereo configuration. But then we actually repeated the tests, using an advanced AV receiver to systematically evaluate the “theatrical” Ergo components – the central channel and the active subwoofer. The

Ergo series is characterized by three features: the absence of even minor coloring in the mid and high ranges, good spatial resolution and confident, realistic dynamics. All this is expressed to one degree or another in any speaker system. They all captivate with the pedantry of reproduction, but this accuracy is not dry, not analytical, but very artistic. The Ergo acoustics regularly emerge as winners in comparative tests, ahead of many more innovative and ambitious competitors. And they are not even the pinnacle of the Canton model range. It’s just that proven and sound ideas were incorporated into this line from the very beginning.

The new active subwoofer Canton SUB 650 is manufactured in a closed case. The system has a compact cubic design and a massive case construction. Used in home cinema systems, the subwoofer carries the sound base: it seems to transfer the viewer to the epicenter of the action and thereby conveys the emotions of what is happening on the screen. In Hi-Fi systems, this subwoofer emphasizes the feeling of live perception with its clean and precise bass and enhances the power of stereo speakers.

The system features Auto ON/OFF circuitry, long-throw bass system with wave groove technology, aluminum diaphragms in a two-component structure, power amplifiers with High & Low-Level inputs, crossover frequency control, bass level control, phase switching, digital amplifier, down-firing woofer, and SC technology.

Specifications Canton Ergo Sub 650

Type: floor-standing, active, bass reflex type
Acoustic radiation: monopolar
Purpose: subwoofer
Set composition: 1 loudspeaker
Number of bands: 1
Power: 200 W
Maximum power: 300 W
Frequency range: 20-200 Hz
Crossover frequency: 45-200 Hz
Crossover frequency adjustment: yes
Type of emitters: dynamic
LF emitter: 310 mm, aluminum
Removable grille: yes
Dimensions (W x H x D): 360 x 480 x 500 mm
Weight: 23.5 kg