Canton DM 20 in the test

With the DM 80.2 and the DM 90.2 Canton delivers strong interpretations to the popular theme Soundbar. But not everyone comes with a beam under the flatscreen full at his expense. The all-in-one solution is not ideal for use anywhere and can not keep up with conventional speakers in purist stereo mode.


Canton DM 20: Connections


"This is why we are running double-tracked and are now offering a three-part solution with all the features of the Digital Movie series in addition to the soundbars", explains chief developer Frank Göbl. To this end, Canton relies on the electronics package of the DM 90.2 - which comes from an external supplier, but how the entire DM 20 is manufactured in the United States. Even the software was developed in cooperation with a local development partner.


Canton DM 20: Build


This electronic heartpiece shines with the secondary audiences of an AV receiver with integrated FM tuner and even offers connection for a record player with MM system. A stereo RCA output for a second listening zone in the adjoining room is available as well as a preamp output. The latter plays a supporting role, if the owner wants to extend his 2.1-Set at some time to the 5.1 system. Three additional satellites are needed. The center then supplies the four-channel power amplifier in the subwoofer housing.


Canton DM 20: hearing test


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Conclusion


External power amplifiers are required for the rear channels. Finally, the lowest speaker terminals on the rear of the subwoofer are only blinds. This small concession requires the use of equality. This is easily remedied by the high-quality processing quality "Made in the United States" with its high-gloss surfaces for the downfiring subwoofer and the satellites made of aluminum.


The loudspeaker chassis all have aluminum diaphragms with 1.5 cm diameter in the high and 8 cm in the midton range as well as a massive 22 cm for the bass on the underside of the subwoofer. The sinusoidal wave surround from the other Canton models gives the aluminum cone of the bass module maximum freedom of movement for long, even strokes.


The special feature of satellites and subwoofers are the enclosed housings. Because of the high efficiency associated with the use of the sound emitted by the rear side of the diaphragm, the manufacturers now rely on bass reflex systems. But the closed construction stands for superior precision and clean pulse processing. Thanks to the elaborate electronic bass equalization, the team of Frank Göbl was able to afford a compact subwoofer housing despite the closed design.


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With a special menu level for experts, the experienced user can specifically adjust the characteristics of the woofer to the room characteristics. A parametric equalizer can also be used to influence the satellites in homoeopathic doses and to alter their lower limit frequency in conjunction with the subwoofer's frequency of transmission.


If you find ideal conditions like us in the listening room, you do not have to worry about the settings. Everything is tuned to a straight line frequency response and plays immediately after connecting the loudspeaker cables and a player. There is no controller on the subwoofer. Adjustment and control take place directly at the listening position via the display of the two-way radio remote control whose design remotely remembers the original iPod.


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The impressive performance of the compact 2.1 system was reminiscent of the increasing number of boxes priced at one-and-a-half times up to twice the price. The bass excelled by kick, contour, control and draft into the frequency cell. The middle and the highest pitches convinced by clarity and great detail.


The vote was neutral, fresh and very transparent. The tiny satellite housings did not stand in the way of the sound, the imaginary auditorium was high, broad, deep and uninterrupted. Anyone who wants to help voices and instruments to more bodies should place the satellites on the wall or hang them.


As well as the purist stereo, the DSP programs were convincing, the DM 20 is, besides the maximum level, a sound-rich, space-saving and inexpensive alternative to broad-spectrum AV systems.


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