With all of these technical considerations, the build quality of these speakers, and the pain staking effort it was to move these 139-lb behemoths to Reference System 2, we briefly pondered if it was worth all our efforts. But from upon the first listen, we knew we were in for a real treat.

Sound quality is an extremely subjective subject that really depends on many factors, including listening position, room acoustics, personal tastes and a host of others. To be as objective as possible, we did our listening tests with four different listeners each using their most familiar music and soundtracks. Since there needed to be a basis for comparison, our reviews of the Canton speakers were compared with the RBH modified Signature Series 1266-LSE's ($5999/pr MSRP).

I have to say that the Canton Karat Reference 2 DC speakers were the first pair of speakers installed in Reference System 2 thus far, that were able to hold their own. We ran the speakers through an array of different media and sources, including Dolby Digital, DTS, SACD, DVD-Audio, and two channel music, all derived from DVD-Movies, DVD-Concerts and high quality CD's. The music varied between jazz to rock, with a balanced mix of vocals (male and female) and instruments. The movie tracks included Terminator 3, Star Wars - Attack of the Clones, Yes - Symphonic Live, Rush - Live In Rio, Eric Clapton - One More Car, One More Rider, Peter Gabriel - Growing Up Live, and a slew of others. Two channel CD's consisted of the tremendous recording quality cd from Steely Dan, "Two Against Nature," Yes - "Ladder," Marillion - "Brave," Fish - "Sunsets on Empire." topped off with female vocalists such as Annie Lennox, Jewel and Melissa Etheridge.

First impressions are always important, and our first impression of the Canton Karat Reference 2 DC loudspeakers was, "WOW." We started our listening experience in two channel with no subwoofer. The bass which emanated from these speakers was indescribably tight, deep and radiant and filled the room. After listening to only a few brief tracks, I was convinced that the passive bass reflex system implemented in this design was extremely effective and produced some of the tightest bass I've heard in a pair of non-powered loudspeakers thus far. Drums and electric bass instruments seemed to come to life while the sound bellowed throughout the room. I was shocked to be able to clearly hear subtle bass-guitar and drum details which seemed somewhat more subdued in other speakers incorporated in this Reference System. On the Canton speakers, bass-guitars seemed to sustain and resonate in way's I've only heard previously coming from a bass guitar amplifier during live performances. Drums seemed to snap and resonate with more dynamics and kick drums especially, were deep and radian t.

What was most notable was how the mid-range projected such a wide listening field, especially when compared to the RBH 1266 LSE's which also incorporated D'Appolito style configured drivers but with a phase-plug design. The Canton Karat Reference 2 DC loudspeakers created a wider dispersion angle encompassing near equal performance throughout the room at almost any listening angle indicating that these speakers were designed for mid-size (12') to larger (22'+) theater rooms.

Based on my experience with RBH Sound, I've become a believer in aluminum drivers, especially when they are of good quality and implemented correctly. But I have heard other loudspeakers with aluminum drivers which were harsh or overly bright. This was not the case here as it seems Canton also implemented metal drivers in a way that allowed them to sound tight, dynamic and vibrant. While they were not quite as detailed and articulate as the RBH's, they seemed to take on a more of a laid back character in the vocals while sounding open, and produced a rich and accurate soundstage that was well suited to this size speaker.

This was one of the rare times I've heard a metal dome tweeter perform as well as the one implemented in Canton 's Karat Reference 2 DC loudspeakers. This was a shock to me, especially after listening to the Scan Speak D2905/9500 soft dome tweeter (found in the RBH LSE Signature Series) for so long. Until now, I was almost conditioned to think that metal domes were bright based on past listening experiences with lesser designed metal dome tweeters for so long. The Canton tweeter performed extremely well, without sounding harsh, lispy or compressed. While it may not have had quite the refinement of the soft dome Scan Speak D2905, it did provide tremendous detail and clarity and coupled nicely with the wide dispersion sound of the mid-range. Based on its apparent uniform on/off axis frequency response, we advise little or no toe-in when installing these speakers.

The Canton Karat Reference 2 DC loudspeakers produced a well balanced, uniform even sound that was rich and radiant. The bass was remarkable, however we felt that perhaps the vocals and acoustic guitars may not have been quite as articulate or refined as our Reference Speakers. This was mainly noticeable with female vocals on a handful of soundtracks such as some well recorded Jewel CD's or Annie Lennox's new Academy Award winning track from The Lord Of The Rings. When listening to the 1266 LSE's these vocals sounded a tad more detailed to the point where you could hear the most subtle of nuances of their voices and breathing. On the Karat Reference 2 DC's, the vocals seemed a tiny bit less delicate, yet still very detailed and full. Keep in mind that we listened hours on end switching frantically back and forth just to notice only very minor differences which most less critical listeners may not even notice. With that, the Karat Reference did clearly provide a wider angle of dispersion which is more significant in most applications and installations. This speaker imaged extremely well in every area of the room, and in this aspect, it clearly out performed the Reference RBH Speakers. This means the "sweet spot" for the Karat Reference 2 DC's was extremely large making it ideal for larger home theater rooms where many people would be enjoying the sound in different locations throughout the room.

The Canton Karat Reference 2 DC loudspeaker can be described as dynamic, robust, earth shattering, and stellar all married with beauty and esthetic delight which even passed the Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF) . These speakers were unlike any I've reviewed before. From the build quality, complexity of the cabinet design, bracing and chambering, cabinet finish and crossover electronics all the way to the rich deep bass and wide listening field, the Karat Reference 2 DC's truly do rate among some of the best in their class especially when considering their size.

Even though they were a mighty sized tower speaker at a whopping 139-lbs each, they could be considered as small when compared to other speakers we've seen and heard in this price range as they took on a much smaller physical presence based on their slick cabinet geometry . Yet as "small" as they appeared to be, they produced a large soundstage and presence fully holding their own in any comparison and listening test.

The Karat Reference 2 DC's were a delight to review and examine and will be missed dearly when returned. It was equally as delightful to meet and dialog with Frank Gobl (head of research and development). Bravo to Frank and Canton for producing an attractive, fine sounding speaker system.