TrueScaleAudio
Compare speakers at true scale
Pick two speakers and see them side by side at their real-world size.
Front view — side by side at true scale
Click either cabinet to swap A ↔ B · Reference height: 1330 mm (133.0 cm) · 1 mm = 0.42 px
Canton Reference 1vsBowers & Wilkins 801 D4
The Canton Reference 1 stands 133.0 cm tall — about 10.9 cm more than the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 at 122.1 cm. On footprint the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 is the wider cabinet (41.9 cm versus 36.7 cm). At 90 dB against 88 dB, the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 is the easier load to drive and plays louder from the same amplifier. The Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 reaches deeper in the bass, down to 15 Hz versus 18 Hz. Low frequencies come from a 219 mm cone on the Canton Reference 1 and a 250 mm cone on the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4. On price, the Bowers & Wilkins 801 D4 sits higher — about $35,000 a pair against $25,000 for the Canton Reference 1.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Canton | Bowers & Wilkins |
| Model | Reference 1 | 801 D4 D4 |
| HiFi ladder position | #244 of 281 floorstander | #216 of 281 floorstander |
| Height | 1330 mm | 1221 mm |
| Width | 367 mm | 419 mm |
| Depth | 630 mm | 600 mm |
| Weight | 81 kg | 100.6 kg |
| Enclosure | bass-reflex-down | bass-reflex-down |
| Drivers | 1× 25 mm tweeter (aluminium-oxide ceramic dome), 1× 174 mm midrange (Black Ceramic Tungsten cone), 3× 219 mm woofer (Black Ceramic Tungsten cone) | 1× 25 mm tweeter (diamond dome), 1× 150 mm midrange (Continuum cone with FST surround), 2× 250 mm woofer (Aerofoil cone) |
| Frequency — low | 18 Hz | 15 Hz |
| Frequency — high | 40000 Hz | 28000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
| Impedance | 4 Ω | 8 Ω |
| Recommended amp | — | 50–1000 W |
| MAP (USD) | $25,000 / pair | $35,000 / pair |
| Where to buy | Check availability ↗ | Check availability ↗ |
| Brand website | canton.de ↗ | bowerswilkins.com ↗ |
| Product page | Open product page ↗ | Open product page ↗ |
Larger value highlighted in green. For low-frequency extension, lower Hz = greater bass reach, so the deeper side is highlighted.