Loudspeakers

Streaming Grandaddy's The Sophtware Slump [Universal UMC 9712252; 44.1kHz/16-bit], via Roon to a Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 digital amplifier [HFN Aug '18], proved to be a very satisfying revisit to this seminal turn-of-the-century indie rock album. The first track, 'He's Simple, He's Dumb, He's The Pilot', immediately showcased the Vento 100's ability to both fill the room with a dense and captivating sound without entirely neglecting the finest details. Canton's floorstander created a huge canvas upon which the quiet intro of this melancholic song neatly segued into thick analogue synths.

You can generally count on Canton to serve you a lively midbass, and that was certainly the case when this track slowed down at the six-minute mark and introduced an electronic foundation to the mix that's as thick as treacle. Again, it was engaging, especially as it was not simply bass energy the Vento 100 pumped out; there was a lot of detail in the low-end to be found too. Boomy? Absolutely not.

This lavish but exacting low-end performance was something I experienced with the Reference 7K, so the Vento 100 is upholding tradition. It's a trait that fits well with Bonobo's Fragments album [Ninja Tune ZENCD279; 44.1kHz/16-bit] but is not the only techno-related strong suit of the speaker. Yes, the 220mm woofers can dip low and offer pounding bass notes, but it's the sense of timing and dexterity that kept 'Shadows', with vocals from Jordan Rakei, moving along. The piece felt tight and strictly defined, which is key if you want to be immersed in its sweeping, woozy beats.

Shifting Gears
Throughout my listening sessions, the partnering Lyngdorf amplifier never seemed stressed driving the Vento 100s, even at volume levels exceeding what could be called neighbourly. This suggests, together with PM's own independent measurements, that the Vento 100 isn't the very toughest to drive but does reward quality amplification.

The 1973 Deutsche Grammophon version of Antonín Dvořák's 'New World Symphony' [DG 447 412-2; 44.1kHz/16-bit] might not be the gold standard recording of this rousing work, but it's an exciting listen nonetheless. Conductor Rafael Kubelík has the orchestra playing at speed, making 'Adagio – Allegro Molto' a dynamic rollercoaster ride suited to the Vento 100's penchant for drama. Shifting gear from quiet parts to explosive horns and percussion comes easy to this speaker.

The more romantic 'Largo' movement demonstrated the Vento 100's talent for balancing subtle strings with softly playing horns without losing part of the performance. But when the horn players fully inflate their lungs it was even more convincing, even with the slight rough edge to the brass – which might well be the acoustics in the Berlin concert hall.

Listening to the Dvořák symphony I was impressed by the dynamics and scale delivered by the Vento 100, bringing out the excitement in a recording which, to be honest, is a bit too polite for my tastes. It's an advantage of these speakers that you can play 'lesser' source material – anaemic CD releases from the '80s, for example – and still get a lot of enjoyment out of them.

Live And Kicking
Moreover, while energetic rock anthems, electronic soundscapes and largescale orchestras are right in the Vento 100's wheelhouse, it's no slouch when it comes to more delicate fare. Sophie Zelmani's 'Oh Dear' [Sing And Dance; Columbia 5053932000; 44.1kHz/16-bit] was portrayed intimately, Canton's speaker giving a real 'live' feel to it, with the acoustic guitar sounding natural and full of texture.

Similarly, the flute accompanying Zelmani's soft voice on 'How's Your Heart Doing' had a silky quality that demonstrated the ability of the tweeter to nimbly resolve finer detail. In truth, some rival floorstanders might bring more presence and clarity to the performance, but the appeal of the Vento 100 lies in its offering up music as a whole, even-handed and full-bodied. All in all, it's heaps of fun to listen to.

Hi-Fi News Verdict
Sporting the lavish gloss finish and build quality you'd expect from a more expensive speaker, Canton's new Vento 100 is a mighty performer that punches above its weight. Delivering listening excitement and a full-bodied presentation, this floorstander has a lot to offer discerning music lovers who like to transcend genre borders – finely crafted songs and rousing anthems are both well served.