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Canton Sound System?

35K views 27 replies 9 participants last post by  FoxtrotAlpha 
#1 ·
Is it any good?

How many speakers and how many watts is it rated at, please? Does it give you anything else over the standard audio system?

Currently looking at used Kodiaq vRS models - some of them have Canton; Some don't. Just wondering if it's a worthwhile upgrade.

Cheers,

Steve
 
#2 ·
10 speaker (including centre speaker and subwoofer), 570W amp. Has DSP so surround sound and sound focus changing (all, front, driver). Worthwhile if you like listening to music on the road, which I assume you are if you're asking about it. You should however keep in mind that it's not going to be on par with the likes of a Bowers & Wilkins or Burmester sound system. I did test drive a new RS4 over a few days with B&O and wasn't impressed, the Kodiaq's Canton system honestly sounded just as good, surprisingly.
 
#4 ·
I had obligatory Canton as a prezzy from Skoda for being a very early adopter. ( would much rather have had the money off or some other extra that I actually wanted.)
Having had 3 Yetis before the Kodiaq and 2 Karoqs since, I would say, if you have to pay extra, don't bother. My hearing is pretty good and I can hardly notice the difference on radio 3 or classic FM.
Bear in mind, that although well insulated, you are still driving inside a tin box with the attendant tyre and wind noise,
 
#5 ·
Zach said:
10 speaker (including centre speaker and subwoofer), 570W amp. Has DSP so surround sound and sound focus changing (all, front, driver). Worthwhile if you like listening to music on the road, which I assume you are if you're asking about it. You should however keep in mind that it's not going to be on par with the likes of a Bowers & Wilkins or Burmester sound system. I did test drive a new RS4 over a few days with B&O and wasn't impressed, the Kodiaq's Canton system honestly sounded just as good, surprisingly.
I would agree that it doesnt touch B&W in terms of overall performance theres not much that would, that said Canton isn't in that region for price. You get what you pay for and in real terms it's not expensive.

If you like listening to music (other than Radio 3 or Classic FM) then I would recommend it. But as I have said several times on this forum the head unit and speakers are only as good as the source of music. If it's a standard FM signal or low bit rate MP3's then chances are it won't be that noticable, if your listening to high quality FLAC or CDs then you will.

I actually find the extra sub to be a little to heavy and intrusive at times but that's easily changed within Columbus.

Colin was correct in saying that wind and road noise is a slight issue.
 
#7 ·
Fuzzz said:
Still canton is waaaaaay better than standard system. Standard system is totally crap...the worst I ever heard...so if possible take the canton...set the mode to DRIVER and voila...
Strange! I listen to Classic FM, (on DAB), on the standard system and the quality is certainly not crap. That's more than can be said about some of the music played on other radio stations!
 
#9 ·
If you want a bit of depth to your music then it's needed

I've never owned a car without a subwoofer but seriously miss when I'm in a rental you really hear what your missing
 
#11 ·
Silverbear said:
C2atb said:
If you want a bit of depth to your music then it's needed

I've never owned a car without a subwoofer but seriously miss when I'm in a rental you really hear what your missing
I'm not even sure I know what a subwoofer is.
A subwoofer is a loudspeaker component designed to reproduce very low bass frequencies. In the case of the Kodiaq it sits in the spare wheel, hence why you need to have a spare wheel added if you order Canton.

Canton also added a centre speaker which is mounted front centre in the dashboard therefore Canton has 10 speakers versus 8 on the standard spec. I believe the spec is as follows:

1 x 25W center speaker.
4 x 20W tweeters.
4 x 45W mid-bass speakers.
1 x Subwoofer (2x100W).
 
G
#12 ·
FoxtrotAlpha said:
Silverbear said:
C2atb said:
If you want a bit of depth to your music then it's needed

I've never owned a car without a subwoofer but seriously miss when I'm in a rental you really hear what your missing
I'm not even sure I know what a subwoofer is.
A subwoofer is a loudspeaker component designed to reproduce very low bass frequencies. In the case of the Kodiaq it sits in the spare wheel, hencel why you need to have a spare wheel added if you order Canton.

Canton also added a centre speaker which is mounted front centre in the dashboard therefore Canton has 10 speakers versus 8 on the standard spec. I believe the spec is as follows:

1 x 25W center speaker.
4 x 20W tweeters.
4 x 45W mid-bass speakers.
1 x Subwoofer (2x100W).
I understand...I think. This is the first car I have owned with speakers in the back so maybe next time for speakers in the boot. If the subwoofer is in the spare wheel where does the jack go?

I imagine the need for such speakers is dependent on the music one plays. In my wife's car, which only has speakers in the front door, the only music played is Capital Radio (which drives me mad). In my car I have convinced her that the radio is broken and stuck on Radio 3. She plays along. I suspect that subwoofers are not needed for most classical music as many of the instruments are relatively high frequency, eg violin, clarinet, trumpet etc.
 
#14 ·
iwarv said:
Does the Canton sound system not also do (road / wind) noise cancellation?
Even if not playing an audio source?

I recall reading as such somewhere.
Or perhaps in a dream.
They say it does, but I reckon that's a bunch of crock. In NZ, Canton is standard on the 190PS TDI and 180PS TSI so cannot do A/B testing. Nobody options Canton on the lesser variants.
 
#15 ·
Silverbear said:
FoxtrotAlpha said:
Silverbear said:
I'm not even sure I know what a subwoofer is.
A subwoofer is a loudspeaker component designed to reproduce very low bass frequencies. In the case of the Kodiaq it sits in the spare wheel, hencel why you need to have a spare wheel added if you order Canton.

Canton also added a centre speaker which is mounted front centre in the dashboard therefore Canton has 10 speakers versus 8 on the standard spec. I believe the spec is as follows:

1 x 25W center speaker.
4 x 20W tweeters.
4 x 45W mid-bass speakers.
1 x Subwoofer (2x100W).
I understand...I think. This is the first car I have owned with speakers in the back so maybe next time for speakers in the boot. If the subwoofer is in the spare wheel where does the jack go?

I imagine the need for such speakers is dependent on the music one plays. In my wife's car, which only has speakers in the front door, the only music played is Capital Radio (which drives me mad). In my car I have convinced her that the radio is broken and stuck on Radio 3. She plays along. I suspect that subwoofers are not needed for most classical music as many of the instruments are relatively high frequency, eg violin, clarinet, trumpet etc.
I would suggest classical music uses the entire frequency range.
 
G
#16 ·
FoxtrotAlpha said:
I would suggest classical music uses the entire frequency range.
Indeed it does but mainly the middle and higher frequencies I suspect. Not much call for tuba, and the base drums and timpani are relatively rare. It's interesting to watch one of my children play piano. They play the usual stuff, currently learning a Chopin piece, but it is true of other stuff they have played like Mozart and it tends to be the middle and upper parts of the keyboard being used. I'm not a musician myself and this is obviously anecdotal but I suspect classical music is not a genre that has much action in the lower frequencies. That said I don't know the frequency range covered by subwoofers but my musical children have not criticised the car audio.

Their one complaint about the Kodiaq is that it is not a Superb which I had originally intended to purchase. They were looking forward to the yards of rear legroom but have now accepted the Kodiaq is not bad either, just not quite so roomy. It is irritating that the Kodiaq is not as long as a Superb, not for rear legroom, I need a larger boot!
 
#17 ·
Fuzzz said:
Still canton is waaaaaay better than standard system. Standard system is totally crap...the worst I ever heard...so if possible take the canton...set the mode to DRIVER and voila...
I have the standard sound system and I enjoy listening to MP3 music in the car, and I think it's fine. It's certainly not high end, but I wouldn't describe it as crap.

JR
 
#18 ·
Personally I find any kind of music sounds completely different with a sub even classical and also with classical the canton surround really brings it to life
 
G
#19 ·
C2atb said:
Personally I find any kind of music sounds completely different with a sub even classical and also with classical the canton surround really brings it to life
I did not know Canton included surround sound or even considered having surround sound in a car as never had it at home. Interesting point but thinking about listening to orchestras the sound is uni-directional all coming from the stage so if used to live orchestra not sure surround would give realistic sound. Isn't surround sound for listening to films so you hear something sneaking up behind you? I remember my parents used to have surround sound for their TV.
 
#20 ·
It is but the left right and centre works well , the canton has canton effects that you can adjust low frequencies aren't directional and come from beneath if that makes sense . I always have it set for driver and works well . Obviously if heard better systems and built better systems in my time but for an upgrade it's not bad at all
 
#21 ·
You'll see what I mean if you listen to one or a proper set up system even my elderly mother understands after being in various cars then sitting her in the drivers seat and getting her to close her eyes it brought a smile to her face bless her
 
G
#22 ·
C2atb said:
It is but the left right and centre works well , the canton has canton effects that you can adjust low frequencies aren't directional and come from beneath if that makes sense . I always have it set for driver and works well . Obviously if heard better systems and built better systems in my time but for an upgrade it's not bad at all
Actually I can see the use of surround sound if one plays in orchestras as my children do. They of course do hear classical music from the other musicians sitting around them, not from the stage sitting in the audience. So the ideal for me would be standard sound in the front seats and surround sound in the second row with violins from the right rear door and cello from the left with percussion from under the spare wheel unless my children want to hear it as their audience does. Maybe for the next car!
 
G
#23 ·
C2atb said:
You'll see what I mean if you listen to one or a proper set up system even my elderly mother understands after being in various cars then sitting her in the drivers seat and getting her to close her eyes it brought a smile to her face bless her
The last time my elderly mother sat in a drivers seat was 40 or more years ago when, after moving my dads car forward in 1st gear down their driveway, she decided driving was too complicated for her and gave up. I remember it now, seeing this car creep forward past the sitting room window. My dad liked the surround sound on the TV. I found it a bit spooky. Not sure my mother cared one way or the other.
 
#24 ·
My mother's never driven and has bad dementia now but likes to listen to music in the car
 
G
#25 ·
C2atb said:
My mother's never driven and has bad dementia now but likes to listen to music in the car
Very sorry to hear that. My mother loves listening to classical music except in the car, indeed I remember as a child my mother telling my father that if he installed a radio in the car she would not get in the car. Bit extreme, but there we are. Many years later, they did start having a radio in their cars but I don't remember it ever being on.
 
#26 ·
Silverbear said:
C2atb said:
You'll see what I mean if you listen to one or a proper set up system even my elderly mother understands after being in various cars then sitting her in the drivers seat and getting her to close her eyes it brought a smile to her face bless her
The last time my elderly mother sat in a drivers seat was 40 or more years ago when, after moving my dads car forward in 1st gear down their driveway, she decided driving was too complicated for her and gave up. I remember it now, seeing this car creep forward past the sitting room window. My dad liked the surround sound on the TV. I found it a bit spooky. Not sure my mother cared one way or the other.
Modern TVs dont really produce a decent surround sound, not even a decent Dolby Atmos soundbar which are pretty good, you only get decent surround sound from a decent 7.1 receiver and seperate good quality speakers (I have Bowers & Wilkins - superior quality and Brirish).

The standard Kodiaq sound system could be likened to the TV sound, the Canton to a TV and Soundbar and the top of the range B&W systems to a dedicated receiver and speakers setup. The head unit is also key and I.would suggest Columbus is the only one to have.

It's all a scale of quality and what you are happy with.
 
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