Canton Updates Vento Line of Loudspeakers

Canton Vento Series loudspeakers: Vento 890 DC, Vento 855 CM, Vento 820, Vento 870 DC, and Vento AS 850 SC.
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DENVER (9/05/07) -- Canton, Germany's leading manufacturer of high-performance loudspeakers, unveiled its newly improved Vento series of loudspeakers to custom audio-video installation professionals at the 2007 CEDIA Expo here today. The new line includes subtle aesthetic changes and numerous small but significant refinements for improved performance, particularly in the critical upper midrange frequencies.

The new Vento line consists of two floor standing speakers, the Vento 890 DC and 870 DC, which replace the 809 DC and 807 DC respectively; a horizontal center channel the 855 CM to replace the 805 CM; and the Vento 820 compact monitor replaces the model 802. The model 850 DC subwoofer continues in the line unchanged but, like the four others, it is now available in an optional high-gloss black finish.

"Canton's engineers are masters of the process of continuous improvement," said Canton USA president Paul Madsen. "Just when you think a speaker is about as good as it can get, they make it better. By making small but meaningful changes to driver construction and crossover design, our engineering team has improved the line's dispersion characteristics and linearity without sacrificing their essential character and musicality."

Canton's engineers refined the integration between the tweeter and 7-inch midrange drivers by improving the aluminum diaphragm, soft rubber surround, and associated crossover circuits of the AM-180 midrange driver used throughout the line. The result is improved dispersion characteristics and lower distortion levels. Additionally, the midrange drivers benefit from new basket materials and geometry that results in reduced compression effects due to airflow restrictions for improved cooling and power handling capabilities.

Using a technique that is similar to that used to manufacture high-end pianos, the Vento line's curved panels are made from a thick, six-layer laminate of wood and wood fiber composites molded one layer at a time under very high pressure. This creates an incredibly stiff and sonically neutral enclosure. The outer layer is finished with either cherry wood, silver lacquer, or optional high gloss black lacquer. For the updated Vento line, Canton's design team has added a subtle edge radius that contributes to an even more elegant appearance.

Additionally, for the Vento 890 DC and 870 DC floor standing speakers, the bass reflex port opening has been moved from the front of the cabinet to the bottom, lending the speakers a cleaner front baffle appearance. This change also carries a reduction in port noise effects, and a slight improvement in bass efficiency. Finally, in addition to the popular silver lacquer and cherry veneer finishes of previous models, the Vento line is now available in high-gloss black finish at a modest premium.

The Vento 890 DC floor standing speaker is the largest model in the series. It is a three-way bass reflex design with two 8-inch aluminum cone woofers, a single 7-inch aluminum cone midrange, and Canton's acclaimed 1-inch aluminum-manganese dome tweeter. It also benefits from Canton's exclusive DC (Displacement Control) Technology, which eliminates unwanted excursions below the normal operating frequency of the speaker, and especially infrasonic oscillations. DC technology also provides a strong boost in low-end response, and dramatically reduces bass harmonic distortion.

The Vento 870 DC floor standing speaker is a 2-1/2 way design that uses a pair of 7-inch aluminum cones for deep bass reproduction, but routes midrange frequencies to only one of the cones for improved off-axis dispersion. It also features the same aluminum-manganese tweeter used throughout the line, and benefits from the same DC Technology included in it larger sibling.

The magnetically shielded Vento 855 CM is a horizontally mounted center channel speaker that uses a pair of 7-inch aluminum cone drivers and single tweeter in a 2-1/2 way crossover configuration similar to the Vento 870 DC.

The two-way Vento 820 is a compact loudspeaker with a single 7-inch woofer and 1-inch tweeter in a two-way bass-reflex design with a rear port. It is ideal for pedestal mounting in a compact stereo system, or as a surround speaker in a home theater.

These new loudspeakers will be available in October with suggested retail prices of $5,000 per pair for the Vento 890 DC; $3,500 per pair for the Vento 870 DC; $2,000 per pair for the Vento 820; and $1,500 each for the Vento 855 CM in cherry wood veneer or silver lacquer finishes. The Vento 850 SC subwoofer price is unchanged at $2,500 each. All five models are now be available in high gloss black finish at a modest 15 percent premium.

Canton Electronics Corporation is the US distributor for Canton Elektronik GmbH., Weilrod, Germany. Canton is the largest manufacturer and best-selling brand of loudspeakers in Germany. It was founded in 1973 by a group of audio enthusiasts who defined their mission simply "to always develop the finest loudspeakers in their class." Since the late 1970s, Canton products have been available in the in the U.S., where they are popular with quality-focused specialty retailers and custom installers.
For more information about these and other fine Canton products, go to http://www.cantonusa.com or call 612-706-9250 for the name of your nearest Canton dealer.

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