Canton Ergo GS Edition Review
Canton’s Ergo from 1979 was a milestone for the then-young company. With its refined design and excellent sound, it became a timeless bestseller and a true classic. Even today, this loudspeaker still delivers an exceptional performance.
by Tom Frantzen
Especially now, as it has been upgraded for the anniversary with Reference-K technology.
The company’s very first floorstanding speaker stands at around one meter tall—perfect for modern living rooms in the 2020s. Called the “GS Edition” in honor of company founder Günther Seitz, and available in black oak or light oak, this already distinctive speaker is strictly limited to 50 pairs, making it a coveted collector’s item and a true fan favorite.
This gem costs about $7,600 per pair. Despite drawing on history, Canton doesn’t simply copy the past—at most it only hints at it.
Modern Reincarnation
Naturally, we looked into our archives and found an early test of an active Ergo in the HiFi Stereophonie 82/83 yearbook (rated “Spitzenklasse,” which we’d interpret as 10/10). It was praised as a “relatively slim, well-shaped, and flawlessly crafted three-way active box…capable of delivering a notably voluminous, very uncolored, and transparent sound,” placing it in the top class.
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It was around this same time, when I was thirteen, that I was searching for speakers and had my eye on the related Canton GLE 70, but that’s just a personal note.
The wave surround—seen here in the Reference series—allows greater cone travel, with more control and symmetry. Rigidity increases as the cone moves.
50 years and still going strong: The Ergo GS Edition is limited to 50 pairs, after which production truly ends!
In black, you might think the stand is plastic at first glance, but it’s actually high-quality MDF.
FINISH: Honestly, I find the Ergo more striking “in wood” than in “black,” even though both versions are crafted from real wood.
At first glance, in both looks and dimensions, you might think it belongs to the older Ergo series. But on closer inspection, you’ll quickly see that this is one of Canton’s most up-to-date and highest-performing speakers. Technology from the Reference line is everywhere, from the wave surround to the ceramic tweeter dome to the powerful double-magnet systems in the woofers and midrange. Compared to earlier, simpler Ergos, the midrange and tweeter positions are swapped, so group delay is more about the crossover. Even the premium internal wiring is from the Reference line, and the terminals use the latest WBT NextGen connectors—outstanding and expensive.
Bass Section
The lower portion, which is generously sized, forms its own bass-reflex enclosure. It supports the two 20 cm drivers for a deep bass response. Unfortunately, referencing it at 1 kHz doesn’t fully show how well it performs. The two drivers’ cone areas effectively combine to form one large woofer, but with quicker response.
Canton states a frequency range of 20 to 40,000 hertz. Below 20 hertz, there’s deliberate roll-off. No real instrument goes that low, so there’s nothing musical to reproduce there.
Canton’s DC technology blocks unnecessary, power-wasting cone movement at infrasound frequencies—the realm of record warp and noise—acting like a subsonic filter inside the speaker. Vinyl and tape lovers should be especially pleased, as this feature tightens and stabilizes the bass and, according to Canton, provides overall improvements.
In the midrange, the natural 12 dB/octave roll-off of the driver combines with a second-order crossover, forming a 24 dB/octave result. For the tweeter, the –6 dB/octave slope plus an 18 dB/octave filter does the same. In the bass range, the bandpass effect can reach sixth-order filtering. Overall, the Link-Riley design results in excellent dispersion and group delay behavior.
Typical Canton
And you can hear it! Like other Canton speakers, this one is incredibly dynamic, punchy, and lively, which is chief developer Frank Göbl’s signature. Naturally, since it’s part of Canton’s higher-end offerings, the Ergo GS Edition also excels in balance, detail, spaciousness, and fatigue-free listening. You won’t miss any clarity, even though the Ergo—like the rest of the current lineup—sounds a bit more relaxed and pleasant in the highs compared to older Cantons. This may be partly due to the excellent ceramic dome tweeter, which helps create a spacious soundstage and precise detail.
Getting Right to It
The sound of this classic-meets-modern Canton design is truly captivating. The bass, for instance, has a gritty texture while staying clear and fast, yet it’s still warm and nicely rounded. In the STEREO listening room, its physical heft was obvious. For a speaker that many would still call “reasonably sized,” it reaches surprisingly deep and can literally shake the room—if the music calls for it. AC/DC certainly does.
We go through a stack of CDs and it’s a blast! With “Oh Yeah,” Yello sends spacious effects, subtle sounds, and extremely deep bass straight at us in unique layers. Adele captivates us at the Royal Albert Hall, delivering a spirited performance and a cover of Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” that, on the Ergo, could easily become a new favorite. It’s breathtaking!
The shape, materials, motor, centering, and suspension of each driver make a huge difference in sound quality.
A look inside: With the driver removed, revealing its solid frame and strong double magnet, you can glimpse the crossover.
Weighing 34 kilograms, the tower from the Taunus region not only handles loud, bold sounds with ease but also soft, pastel tones—pianissimos and the layered sounds of a large classical orchestra. That’s exactly what the esteemed HiFi Stereophonie once saw in the original Ergo. Although conductor Carlo Maria Giulini never heard this model, he would have enjoyed it, as it fits his musical temperament.
Looking Ahead
According to Frank Göbl, the Ergo’s modernization will influence future Canton developments. We’re excited—especially for those black drivers.
The Ergo GS Edition is more than just a tribute to its predecessor. It’s a modern, very capable, and extremely versatile speaker that can stand confidently next to Canton’s own Reference models or any other high-end competitor. In fact, it stands out. Here’s to another 50 years!
THAT’S WHAT WE LISTENED WITH
Various Artists: Canton Reference Check No.1
We have to mention Canton’s excellent in-house test music.
Recommended track: Carolin No.
AC/DC: Highway To Hell
Any Canton test without AC/DC would be incomplete. Recommended track: Highway To Hell.
A classic that meets the modern age. This anniversary edition is a real success. Well done!
TEST DEVICES
Turntable: Clearaudio Ovation
CD Player: T+A MP 2000R
Integrated Amplifier: Audionet WATT
Speakers: DALI Epicon 6
Cables: AudioQuest, HMS, Supra
Canton Ergo GS Edition
Price: about $7,600 (black oak or light oak)
Dimensions: 40 x 103 x 40 cm (W x H x D)
Warranty: 5 years
A 50-pair limited anniversary speaker in a retro real-wood cabinet. It delivers very dynamic, powerful yet evenly balanced sound with Canton’s trademark high volume capability, plus an impressively wide soundstage and fine detail.
Measurement Results
Measurements
- DC Resistance: 4 ohms
- Minimum Impedance: 3.49 ohms at 37 Hz
- Maximum Impedance: 12.76 ohms at 3364 Hz
- Sensitivity (2.83 V/m): 89 dBSPL
- Power for 94 dBSPL: 6.22 W
- Lower Cutoff Frequency (-3 dBSPL): 50 Hz
- Distortion at 63 Hz / 3 kHz / 10 kHz: 0.35% / 0.12% / 0.16%
Lab Comment
Aside from a dip around 2900 Hz, the frequency response remains linear with no noteworthy drop-off off-axis. Relative to 1 kHz, the efficiency is quite high, with a -3 dB extension down to 50 Hz (in practice, it reaches even deeper). The impedance curve is forgiving, and the solid impulse response shows resonances are well-controlled, with very low distortion overall.
Features
Three-way design with bass-reflex support, included stand, metal grille, and a real-wood cabinet available in black oak or light oak.
Verdict
- Sound Quality: 9/10 (converted from 90%)
- Price/Performance: 8/10 (converted from 4/5 stars)
- Overall Verdict: Excellent
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