Retrofit of Canton or Canton Sub

[Danny77]

So, cut a long story short, we ordered a Sportline.  I wanted the Canton upgrade, the missus wanted the car quickly, and the two didn't go together.  The wives always win, as you know.  Grrr...

 

Being massively into music myself, I was very impressed with the Canton system on our three day extended test drive of a L & K.  Particularly the bass, which was really nicely balanced up and controlled.  The only OEM system I've heard that was definitely better (to my taste, anyway) is the B & O systems on Audis.  I've heard Range Rovers, Dynaudio stuff in Volvos, BMs, Beckers in Mercs, allsorts and the Canton is really well put together.  For £600, it's really very, very good.  

 

But I haven't got it.   

 

I thought the standard system is pretty good actually, as bog standard systems go.  But it was no Canton.  All about the control and the bass.

 

Does anyone have any knowledge of whether you can retro fit it without TOO much hassle?  Or, just the sub for a bit of extra guts?  I miss it already!

 

Cheers.

[john999boy]

My previous car was specced with Dynaudio and i have to agree that it isn't a patch on the Canton in the S3. i sincerely doubt that the retrofit would be achievable though.

[Danny77]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking.  Sadly.  

[simhub]

I can't say specifically for the Canton, but with most cars you can spend the same amount at a car audio specialist and get a better system than the factory upgraded one.  The components for the Canton probably cost Skoda far less than £600.

[Danny77]

Normally I'd agree with you simhub.  But, having had many custom audio installs of mid-high end costing me a **** load over 25+ years, I know how difficult it is to get yourself a system which is so well suited to the vehicle's speaker positions and the layout/dynamics/materials of the interior.  They've smashed it with the Canton on this one.  To get it sounding so right normally requires MDF/fibreglass mounts and DSPs.  I'd equate this to an aftermarket install costing three times as much.  It's not just the components you're paying for - and even then, I'd disagree.  You'd be looking at around at least the £600 mark for the speakers, sub and amp of equivalent SQ alone.  Not including the head unit.  Then when you add in such a high quality install/location/DSP you're suddenly into thousands.

[simhub]

Interesting, thanks.  I have an L&K on order and I wasn't expecting anything amazing from the stereo, but I might be pleasantly surprised.

[Danny77]

If you like dance music.  House, Techno, or anything bassline - Hip Hop, Breakbeat, DnB.  Then I'm certain you will be.

 

[Didescharlie]

22 hours ago, simhub said:

I can't say specifically for the Canton, but with most cars you can spend the same amount at a car audio specialist and get a better system than the factory upgraded one.  The components for the Canton probably cost Skoda far less than £600.

 

I would suggest the components cost less than £60 let alone £600. Remember that article that took a set of $$$ Beats headphones apart for a total component cost of $14.

[Danny77]

£60 for a sub, amp, 2 DECENT sets of component speakers and a central speaker?  No way!!

 

Anybody that knows Beats headphones knows what an overrated heap of crap they are anyway.

 

[Didescharlie]

On 30/07/2017 at 12:19, Danny77 said:

£60 for a sub, amp, 2 DECENT sets of component speakers and a central speaker?  No way!!

 

Anybody that knows Beats headphones knows what an overrated heap of crap they are anyway.

 

 

I'm not disagreeing with you, just being cynical. I do think there's an element of "emperor's new clothes" in the Canton system as £600 seems a hell of a lot of money when the standard system is pretty good as it is.

 

Maybe someone has a link to a proper, rigorous comparison of the two systems - a serious hifi test - otherwise there seems a lot of smoke and mirrors when it comes to branded OEM ICE upgrades,

[Danny77]

Haha.  That's how it is with the likes of Bose and Dre Beats.  Hype makes you hear stuff that isn't there.  At the end of the day, if you can't notice the difference, there's no need to spend the extra money, whether it be the Canton or anything     Personally?  I noticed a significant difference.  But then I'm ridiculously fussy, and music is my main interest in life.  The average person on the street may not notice any improvement.

[Shhhkoda]

I ordered the Canton with my SE Business, had it nearly 18 months now and still enjoy it, but it does seem a bit marmite with some who find it a bit top heavy.  I personally love that open sound with a bit of thump which the sub brings.  I'm also a fan of the B&O systems on Audis and the A4 is on my short list for the next car and the audio upgrade will be first on the list.  

 

Pound for pound the Canton is good value for what you get with Skoda, but I think you know the answer it would be difficult to re-create the sound in the S3 for the initial £600 price tag by the time you've paid for the individual components and installation.  The central dash speaker adds a lot to the sound which I'm guessing the standard system doesn't have.  A simple and relatively cheap solution might be one of those under seat subs if you can find the room.  

[Danny77]

I think that's going to be the sensible compromise, something along those lines.  I'm not sure the under seat subs give you all that much extra kick tbh.  With the boot the size it is, it makes sense to use the cubby hole where they put the Canton sub, so it may well be I'll add an active sub only.

[FRSkoda]

Previous Audi A4 I had and I upgraded the speakers with these http://www.rainbow-audio.de/en/ and added an under seat sub and used the standard headunit, that and some sound deadening in the doors and it was a high quality (if not very loud) system - much better sound quality than the canton system in the s3... 

[Danny77]

Nice mate.  I've had a few Rainbow products over the years.  Got a Rainbow Dream 1 powering the sub in my Audi A3   

 

Edited 4 August, 2017 by Danny77
Sausages

[walrus]

The standard system has the central dash speaker, which I agree adds a lot.

 

I would have plumped for Canton for £600 but it's just not the case in the UK. As soon as you select Canton, you also have to take KESSY and suddenly you're spending a grand on a stereo upgrade. It's a shame.

[Danny77]

Yeah, depends on the trim level.  Some have KESSY as standard.  But then the L & K has Canton as standard.  To be honest the Sportline's inability to handle potholes is starting to make me think I should've gone for a L & K anyway.

[MajorGaz]

Not to bump a very old thread, but has anyone had success either retrofitting the Canton System or adding aftermarket speakers (or sub) to the stock system?

 

I got mine second hand and it didnt have the Canton system pack when bought. The stock system is fine, but just want a little more from it.

[adamjackdrew]

Love my Canton!  I crank the volume occasionally, but have to give up before my ears bleed - there's absolutely no distortion whatsoever...but she does seek out some rattles...   

[JR RS]

2 hours ago, adamjackdrew said:

Love my Canton!  I crank the volume occasionally, but have to give up before my ears bleed - there's absolutely no distortion whatsoever....   

 

+1

The Canton setup in the Superb is really great, and the music a pleasure to listen out of.

Solid performer.

[JackySi]

From my experience (I took whole interior apart for noise insulation), I would say If your truly want Canton VERY much its totally doable. But the price will be 1000€+ and not as factory option and it will require really heavy work. Basically there are power lines that go from battery to Canton amplifier (under driver's seat), then from there you need extra wires for center speaker (not sure if non-canton dashboard is made the same way) and sub in trunk (2 set of wires, sub uses 2 coils, so needs 4 wires total). Then the door speaker wires are probably not the same thickness, but that shouldn't be that big of an issue. Then you need two extra wires for "middle" in front doors. I also believe front door panels are not same, so you need to replace those as well. Then you need to wire optical wire from "media" in passenger compartment to amplifier. You need to replace all existing speakers with Canton obviously and that should be it.  Then you can code Canton in (VCDS or VCS) and voila. 

If you ask me, getting new speakers in existing holes and purchasing additional sub which would go into space of replacement tyre, is cheaper option and can sound not far off. 

[MajorGaz]

Thanks for the response JackySi. Perhaps it's something I would look into in the future, when the car is out of warranty. I was hoping it might be a "add sub, replace amp under seat and code in Canton" type of upgrade. 

 

If it requires different door panels and extensive wiring I might just stick with the stock system. It's not terrible, but I came from a full custom install in my old car.