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References
Front view — side by side at true scale
ACanton Reference 1BBowers & Wilkins 802 D4
Canton Reference 1vsBowers & Wilkins 802 D4
The Canton Reference 1 stands 133.0 cm tall — about 11.2 cm more than the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 at 121.8 cm. On footprint the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 is the wider cabinet (38.5 cm versus 36.7 cm). At 90 dB against 88 dB, the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4 is the easier load to drive and plays louder from the same amplifier. Low frequencies come from a 219 mm cone on the Canton Reference 1 and a 200 mm cone on the Bowers & Wilkins 802 D4. Both land in a similar price bracket, around $24,500 a pair.
| A | B | |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Canton | Bowers & Wilkins |
| Model | Reference 1 | 802 D4 D4 |
| HiFi ladder position | #244 of 281 floorstander | #213 of 281 floorstander |
| Height | 1330 mm | 1218 mm |
| Width | 367 mm | 385 mm |
| Depth | 630 mm | 602 mm |
| Weight | 81 kg | 88.1 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× 200 mm woofer (Aerofoil cone) |
| Frequency — low | 18 Hz | 17 Hz |
| Frequency — high | 40000 Hz | 28000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 90 dB |
| Impedance | 4 Ω | 8 Ω |
| Recommended amp | — | 50–500 W |
| MAP (USD) | $25,000 / pair | $24,000 / 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.

