Canton recently introduced its new GLE series of speakers for stereo and multichannel audio, and we got our hands on the GLE 403 bookshelf models. These sharp speakers continue the Canton tradition of great looks and precision sound.

In 1972, four hi-fi enthusiasts founded Canton in a vacant village school building in Germany. Their goal was to create speakers that would not only excite audiophiles, but would be aesthetically pleasing as well. The resulting speakers were compact, stylish units capable of producing enormous power and superb sound. Since then, Canton has become Germany's largest and best-selling loudspeaker manufacturer.

The GLE series incorporates the same aluminum bass and midrange drivers used in Canton's higher-end lines, but at a much more affordable price. The line also includes heavy cast baskets, powerful driver magnets and vented voice coils. The silk dome tweeter employs Canton's transmission mounting plate, which is subtly flared to improve frequency response and efficiency. The GLE 403 speakers have a rear port, as well as high-quality 5-way binding post connectors.

As a result, the GLE 403 speakers are a perfect example of quality German engineering. The two-way, bass-reflex design is large and deep, but not unmanageable. Silver faceplates match the aluminum driver cones, giving the speakers a high-tech look that blends well with many flat-panel displays. Our review samples had a top-quality walnut veneer finish with removable silver-steel grills, and the GLE 403 speakers also come in beech with silver grills, black ash with black grills, cherry with titanium grills and silver with silver grills.

Vocals were rendered with excellent clarity and character, as was the entire midrange. We especially enjoyed the way the GLE 403 speakers reproduced the texture of a bow being pulled across a cello, as well as the crisp, clean imaging across the entire soundstage. They lacked a bit of warmth and were sometimes a tad boomy at higher volume levels with rock music, but they overall provided a bright and pleasing sonic quality.

Canton recommends that you don't toe in these speakers. We followed that advice when positioning them, and it did indeed provide better imaging for our listening position in the center of the room. We auditioned the GLE 403 speakers on 23-inch stands, and Canton offers its own LS 600 and LS 650 loudspeaker stands at an additional cost.

These attractive speakers offer fine performance in a large bookshelf design. When matched with other speakers in the GLE line, the Canton GLE 403 speakers would be suitable not only for stereo music, but also as the front left and right speakers in a very respectable home theater system.

The MSRP of $599 is per pair.


Pros: Excellent vocal rendering, quality engineering and construction, modern styling, outstanding warranty coverage
Cons: Lack warmth, can get boomy at high levels

Warranty
5 years