Loudspeakers

Broadly, the Reference 3 is a bigger version of the three-way Reference 7 [HFN Sep ’24], claiming higher sensitivity (88dB vs. 87.5dB) from its larger ‘black ceramic tungsten’ bass and mid drivers. In practice, these drivers support higher bass output/lower THD (0.16% vs. 0.4% re. 100Hz/90dB SPL) and improved extension (33Hz vs. 38Hz) but the larger cone substrates have more complex resonant modes [see Graph 2, below] and deliver slightly poorer ±3.5dB and ±4.4dB (200Hz-20kHz) response errors, despite maintaining the same shallow midrange/treble-forward response ‘shape’ [see Graph 1 below]. Again, pair matching is below average at 1.4dB just as the (treble) grille is best avoided [blue trace]. Canton’s ceramic-coated treble dome retains its fine 45kHz extension (–6dB re. 10kHz) but the primary 25kHz mode and resonances at 14kHz and 38kHz are also more obvious on the CSD waterfall [again, see Graph 2].

The Reference 3’s tonal balance may be ‘sweetened’ by toeing the speakers inwards by ±15° [grey trace] while the three-way response adjustment bars offer a maximum ±1.1dB cut and boost below 400Hz and from 3kHz-20kHz [orange and green traces, Graph 1]. Sensitivity is 88.2dB/1kHz (or 87.1dB averaged over 500Hz-8kHz) while the impedance mirrors the Reference 7 by increasing below 20Hz (21ohm/5Hz). There’s a dip to 3.2ohm/41Hz, but the real minimum here is 3.05Hz/350Hz. However, with impedance phase swinging down to –6°/13Hz the minimum EPDR (equivalent peak dissipation resistance) remains in the deep bass at 1.45ohm/35Hz, so the Reference 3 will still place a toll on your partnering amp.