Canton or no Canton ?

[Paikesejanku]

I don't understand why be so angry Compared to other car vendors, it is cheap system and for the money you spend you get audible difference compared to stock. You have to consider that price of the system does not consist only of speakers. There are different door upholstery, dashboard, amp, subbox, additional speakers etc. To compare it 4-6 times more expensive custom made installation does not sound very vise thing to do.

[Roberto280]

Not sure what anger you speak of 

 

Is all about personal choice and the wants from a car.

 

Some want the newest they can buy, others the quickest, others the loudest.

 

We are all allowed our opinions and choices, just have to ensure we play nice

[Bejam]

3 hours ago, Paikesejanku said:

I don't understand why be so angry Compared to other car vendors, it is cheap system and for the money you spend you get audible difference compared to stock. You have to consider that price of the system does not consist only of speakers. There are different door upholstery, dashboard, amp, subbox, additional speakers etc. To compare it 4-6 times more expensive custom made installation does not sound very vise thing to do.

For my part, I would say I'm not angry, but I am disappointed with the Canton system. I spotted this post and thought it a good opportunity to let people know what they actually get, rather than what the marketing blurb suggests. I know what I do only because I've pulled the components out and felt a little cheated by what I discovered.

 

I bought my car online via the Skoda used car finder and travelled to Cardiff to collect. I'm sure many others do the same, so they may well not get a chance to compare the stock system with the Canton upgrade.

 

It's interesting that you mention " different door upholstery, dashboard, amp, subbox, additional speakers etc"

 

And that really speaks to my point - there's very little difference for the Canton premium - agreed, there's an extra speaker grill on the door for the squawky sounding midrange standard VW speaker, but the stock amp and speakers are otherwise unchanged. From a HiFi brand that specialises in loudspeakers (Canton) and with the scant information that's provided to describe the upgrade, I expected more than a crude graphic EQ and a cheap sub.

 

I think Skoda have really missed an opportunity to create a much nicer sounding system - it reminds me of mobile phone manufacturers that do deals with Hasselblad and Leica to simply add their brand magic to the phone, rather than adding actual tech, know how and higher quality. I'd happily pay much more to get it right from the start - out of the factory, rather than having to pay an additional £3K for the new components and door prep etc.

 

Hopefully this convo helps others to make informed decisions - I would have been grateful for this information myself before selecting the "must have Canton" option in the used car finder.

 

Ben.

 

 

[Roberto280]

12 minutes ago, Bejam said:

For my part, I would say I'm not angry, but I am disappointed with the Canton system. I spotted this post and thought it a good opportunity to let people know what they actually get, rather than what the marketing blurb suggests. I know what I do only because I've pulled the components out and felt a little cheated by what I discovered.

 

I bought my car online via the Skoda used car finder and travelled to Cardiff to collect. I'm sure many others do the same, so they may well not get a chance to compare the stock system with the Canton upgrade.

 

It's interesting that you mention " different door upholstery, dashboard, amp, subbox, additional speakers etc"

 

And that really speaks to my point - there's very little difference for the Canton premium - agreed, there's an extra speaker grill on the door for the squawky sounding midrange standard VW speaker, but the stock amp and speakers are otherwise unchanged. From a HiFi brand that specialises in loudspeakers (Canton) and with the scant information that's provided to describe the upgrade, I expected more than a crude graphic EQ and a cheap sub.

 

I think Skoda have really missed an opportunity to create a much nicer sounding system - it reminds me of mobile phone manufacturers that do deals with Hasselblad and Leica to simply add their brand magic to the phone, rather than adding actual tech, know how and higher quality. I'd happily pay much more to get it right from the start - out of the factory, rather than having to pay an additional £3K for the new components and door prep etc.

 

Hopefully this convo helps others to make informed decisions - I would have been grateful for this information myself before selecting the "must have Canton" option in the used car finder.

 

Ben.

 

 

Agreed,

 

To sum up my thoughts, if you are a car audiophile, the Canton system will let you down.

For me, I knew whatever system was in the car was going to be replaced with after market, because I have never heard any stock system or factory upgrade sound or produce the clarity and frequencies that I want.

Discussions are all about opening peoples eyes, then let them make their choices.

[freelunch]

15 minutes ago, Bejam said:

... there's very little difference for the Canton premium - agreed, there's an extra speaker grill on the door for the squawky sounding midrange standard VW speaker, but the stock amp and speakers are otherwise unchanged. From a HiFi brand that specialises in loudspeakers (Canton) and with the scant information that's provided to describe the upgrade, I expected more than a crude graphic EQ and a cheap sub.

Yeah. My Sportline was the sales manager's car – it came with the Canton. It plays quite well and as loud as I can stand without breaking up, but if I was specifying a car, I would just get standard system and upgrade via an audio specialist. The sound from the Canton sub is just a tune-less thud. (Oh, heck, I just realise I've already posted that comment once. Senior moment...)

 

@Roberto280 I think "angry" may have been a bad choice of word from our Estonian friend or Google translate. Maybe "vehement" is better. 

[Roberto280]

4 minutes ago, freelunch said:

Maybe "vehement" is better. 

I'll go with that 

[Paikesejanku]

Stock system does not have amp at all. Anyway, for pricerange 460£ (this is how much it cost back in 2017), it is good enough upgrade. Sound deadening made it bit better and I agree that you wont get the result of 3k£ system.

But, if I had such money for sound system, then I would choose another car that is quiet on coarse tarmac. You cannot enjoy normal volume Hi-Fi in such noisy car :(

[Bejam]

1 minute ago, Paikesejanku said:

Stock system does not have amp at all.

 

I wasn't aware of that. How does that work? The stock Columbus/Amundsen headunit doesn't have a built-in amp, does it?

 

Also, when I looked up the amp, it appears as a stock item for all sorts of regular VW Group MIB cars.

 

Ben.

 

 

[Roberto280]

5 minutes ago, Paikesejanku said:

Stock system does not have amp at all. Anyway, for pricerange 460£ (this is how much it cost back in 2017), it is good enough upgrade. Sound deadening made it bit better and I agree that you wont get the result of 3k£ system.

But, if I had such money for sound system, then I would choose another car that is quiet on coarse tarmac. You cannot enjoy normal volume Hi-Fi in such noisy car :(

 

Fair enough, not sure what other cars you have driven.

But I come from older JDM (Subaru Legacy (2004) and Mitsubishi Legnum VR4 (1997) estates) and the Superb is by far the quietest car I have owned.

 

Maybe you need to look at your choice of tyres? Is it excessive road noise?

[Paikesejanku]

Luckily it is not excessive anymore, I have done lot of sound deadening and chosen relatively quiet tyres. I had all MK-1, MK-2, MK-3 Superbs, 3-series BMW (most quite of the cars I have owned, Honda (that was quite noisy). Recently drove with friends Kodiaq and it did not have problem with coarse tarmac noise or wind noise from mirrors. Friends  2018 Audi A6 Estate was very quite, and it had 20" wheels, compared to my 17". This is allready another topic  

Edited 27 April, 2021 by Paikesejanku

[Paikesejanku]

They have inner amp as regular HU. 

Edited 27 April, 2021 by Paikesejanku

[Bejam]

9 minutes ago, Paikesejanku said:

They have inner amp as regular HU. 

 

Ah thanks - good to know.

[digifish]

20 hours ago, LukasK said:

Sure, for the additional price, compoments are cheap, but overall quality is not bad and certainly worth over standard sound. Subwoffer is certainly powerful enough for most people.

 

The overall quality is bad to my ears. I have never heard the stock system so I am taking Canton at face value here.

 

In Australia it comes bundled with a package of other features. So I was actually after the electric adjustable and leather seats and other stuff. 

 

The sound is mid-range deficient. Flabby one-note-bass. Bizzare front vs rear speaker response and sounds like a smiley-curve EQ has been applied to it. 

Edited 27 April, 2021 by digifish

[Paikesejanku]

There is an option to create your own EQ curve.

[digifish]

On 27/04/2021 at 23:57, Paikesejanku said:

There is an option to create your own EQ curve.

 

Yes ... on top of the already mid-range deficient hardware. You can't polish a turd

 

Look its not the worst sound in the world, but if I could save money by not having it, I would have. 

[Paikesejanku]

1 hour ago, digifish said:

 

Yes ... on top of the already mid-range deficient hardware. You can't polish a turd

 

Look its not the worst sound in the world, but if I could save money by not having it, I would have. 

 In my setup, I have plenty of mid-range. Mine lacks mid-bass.

[Bejam]

This is turning into one of those decent home-cooked food vs McDonalds conversations.

 

Both are OK - but I know which I prefer in the long term and there's no point discussing the finer points of whether McD's use too much ketchup or dill pickle. It's subjective - but we all know their nosh comes with well defined limitations and trade-offs. And lots of salt...

 

I work professionally with audio and deliver demanding and complex sound dub mixes for a living, using a custom Genelec monitoring system and I used to write a monthly column in Car HiFi Magazine. Unfortunately, I no longer have time to build my own systems, or I'd just be doing this myself.

 

While a Canton "upgrade" will suffice for many with less educated ears, it won't satisfy those who have invested in decent HiFi systems and have tasted the forbidden fruit of decent sound reproduction. There - I said it.  

 

TLDR - if your idea of good sound quality is based on Sonos or Bose home audio, you might be OK with the Canton. If your ears are used to Naim, Linn, Arcam, Shahinian, PMC, Genelec etc, skip the Canton - and buy an aftermarket system.

 

Hopefully I haven't offended too many people 

 

Ben.

[Roberto280]

2 minutes ago, Bejam said:

While a Canton "upgrade" will suffice for many with less educated ears, it won't satisfy those who have invested in decent HiFi systems and have tasted the forbidden fruit of decent sound reproduction. There - I said it.  

Well said Ben, sums things up nicely me thinks....

4 hours ago, Paikesejanku said:

 In my setup, I have plenty of mid-range. Mine lacks mid-bass.

And the reason you are missing mid-bass in the 'sub' is the same size as the door speakers... all of 6.5inches

 

My new door speakers are bigger than the Canton 'subwoofer' 

[k.young]

17 minutes ago, Roberto280 said:

Well said Ben, sums things up nicely me thinks....

And the reason you are missing mid-bass in the 'sub' is the same size as the door speakers... all of 6.5inches

 

My new door speakers are bigger than the Canton 'subwoofer' 

 

 

Have you kept the Columbus or is the entire system bespoke ??

[Roberto280]

1 minute ago, k.young said:

Have you kept the Columbus or is the entire system bespoke ??

Kept the control unit.

 

Fibre optic output back all replaced.

[Paikesejanku]

 

 

2 hours ago, Roberto280 said:

Well said Ben, sums things up nicely me thinks....

And the reason you are missing mid-bass in the 'sub' is the same size as the door speakers... all of 6.5inches

 

My new door speakers are bigger than the Canton 'subwoofer' 

I believe that one reason why Canton lack them might be the filters in the Canton amp. If there would be an option to play around with frequency filters, the outcome would be much better. 

Edited 29 April, 2021 by Paikesejanku

[Roberto280]

3 minutes ago, Paikesejanku said:

 

 

I believe that one reason why Canton lack them might be the filters in the Canton amp. If there would be an option to play around with frequency filters, the outcome would be much better. 

 

Or it's just the quality of the Canton system 

[Paikesejanku]

45 minutes ago, Roberto280 said:

 

Or it's just the quality of the Canton system 

I believe that those paper speakers are far more capable, especially in the back doors.

[Roberto280]

6 minutes ago, Paikesejanku said:

I believe that those paper speakers are far more capable, especially in the back doors.

 

Fair enough, hopefully you get what you want out of your system.

 

I'm not using my rear speakers at all (I don't think rear fill is important at all)

[Paikesejanku]

It is what it is, better than nothing.