STEREO GUIDE test verdict
The Hama Canton UltiMate Pro offers 120 W of power, a 24-hour battery life, a power bank function, a wide range of connectivity options, and IPX6 water resistance—all at a relatively affordable price. It’s the perfect Bluetooth speaker for the garden and parties.
Pros
- Balanced sound with deep, clean bass
- Carrying strap, long battery life
- Microphone input for karaoke
- Clear control panel with large, easily recognizable buttons
Cons
- High weight
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Usability / Connectivity8.8
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Price / performance8.9
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Tonal balance / transparency8.5
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Bass / Dynamics9.2
Accessories specialist Hama and the well-known speaker manufacturer from the Taunus region in Hesse are at it again: With the Hama Canton UltiMate Pro, the two German companies aim to crown their partnership. Together, they’re introducing a boombox “German-style”: The Hama Canton UltiMate Pro is a powerful Bluetooth speaker designed for both relaxing background music on the patio and lively parties in the garden. It thus complements the collaboration collection of the two long-established brands as an ambitious Bluetooth speaker positioned above the Mate Pro BT and the Glow Pro BT.
Technical equipment & sound architecture
At the heart of the UltiMate Pro is a two-way speaker configuration featuring one tweeter and one low-midrange driver per stereo channel, specifically designed to deliver a balanced sound between deep bass and clear highs. Two passive radiators on either side of the round, mesh-covered enclosure support the low-frequency range for rich, powerful sound. The tuning, developed in collaboration with Canton, is designed to deliver a high-fidelity sound. With an output power of 120 watts RMS, the Boombox delivers enough power to convincingly fill medium-sized rooms or outdoor areas with sound.
Battery, charging times & power features
A powerful lithium-ion battery (11.1 V / 4500 mAh) is designed to provide power for up to 24 hours of music playback —enough for extended outdoor sessions. Charging is done via USB-C with Power Delivery support (10–45 W), which allows for a full charge in about 2.5 hours. If you want to charge your smartphone on the go, you can use the built-in power bank function —a handy feature for spontaneous use.
Weather resistance & mobility
The boombox is IPX6-rated, meaning it’s protected against heavy rain and water jets—ideal for outdoor use by the pool or during unexpected showers. The sturdy handle and the included adjustable shoulder strap make it easy to carry, even though its weight of just under 5.2 kg doesn’t exactly make it a lightweight.
Connections & connectivity
The UltiMate Pro offers a wide range of connectivity options: It connects wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3 (A2DP), while wired options include USB-A (for music from a flash drive, for example), a 3.5-mm AUX-in, and a 6.3-mm jack for a microphone or guitar. This makes the German answer to the popular JBL party speakers ideal for karaoke, announcements, or a spontaneous jam session. Thanks to True Wireless Stereo (TWS), two speakers can be paired for a true stereo setup.
Smart features & operation
Pressing the power button briefly displays the battery charge level via four blue LEDs. This works even when the device is turned off. Three preset sound modes— Bass Sound, Power Sound, and Balanced Sound —can be selected directly using a dedicated button by pressing it repeatedly. A voice announces the selected mode after each press. Das Bedienfeld auf der Oberseite ist vorbildlich gestaltet, die Buttons sind groß und gut gekennzeichnet.
Für detailliertere Klang-Anpassungen steht die kostenlose Hama Smart Home App für iOS und Android bereit, mit der sich der 10-Band-Equalizer verwenden, der Akkustand genauer als mit den LEDs einsehen oder das Gerät umbenennen lässt.
The app is very simple and focuses on the essentials when it comes to the Bluetooth speaker’s features. After all, the name itself makes it clear that it’s designed for controlling a smart home. In that sense, the Ultimate Pro is more of a bonus feature, but that doesn’t change the fact that to use the app, you have to register with your email address and click through countless menus and permissions that are irrelevant to Canton.
Sound test: How the Hama Canton UltiMate Pro sounds
Der Klang der Hama Canton UltiMate Pro war in sofern keine Überraschung, als dass ich in meiner Funktion als Test-Autor für Magazine wie die inzwischen fusionierten AUDIO oder stereoplay immer wieder Lautsprecher-Schwergewichte aus dem Taunus mit teuer Elektronik ausgiebig hören konnte. Und da hat die Marke unter Chefentwickler Frank Göbl viele wirklich tolle Boxen hervorgebracht, die endgültig alle Spuren des einst berüchtigten “Taunus-Sounds” abgestreift haben. Man denke nur an die Reference-Serie, die mir auch als eher anglophiler Audiophiler sehr gut gefällt. Und auch die für STEREO GUIDE getestete Smart Vento 3 S2 oder die kompakte Heimkino-Lösung Sound L lieferten für ihre Klassen richtig gute Klangergebnisse.
But the fact that an unassuming Bluetooth speaker—which, judging by its appearance, could just as easily have come from JBL & Co.—sounds so powerful yet balanced at the same time really exceeds even my wildest expectations. With the Hama Canton UltiMate Pro, you can listen to more than just dance tracks, pop, or rock with really deep and rich bass. With this 5.2-kilogram Bluetooth speaker, you can even enjoy sophisticated singer-songwriter music. Take Anette Askvik, for example, with her solemn song “Liberty” from our Qobuz playlist. The Scandinavian singer’s voice had true hi-fi quality, and the deep bass created an intense sense of tension.
Balanced up to high levels
But it wasn’t just the balance and immense dynamic range—spanning from deep, rich bass to finely detailed highs that lacked any harshness—that gave it a certain hi-fi quality. It can also hold its own against a small stereo system in terms of volume. A positive aspect was that the UltiMate Pro didn’t sound as aggressive or strained at higher volumes as many other speakers of this type. The three sound presets are also extremely well-designed. With “Bass Sound,” acoustic drums and beats become incredibly deep and powerful, yet remain pleasantly clean even at high volumes. “Power Sound” also has good punch and sounds very lively. “Balanced” offers a truly astonishing level of hi-fi quality for a relatively small price.
Hama Canton UltiMate Pro: Conclusion and alternatives
If you don’t care about lighting effects and aren’t worried that an amazingly natural sound profile will take the fun out of electronic beats and sound effects, the Hama Canton UltiMate Pro is an exceptionally affordable Bluetooth speaker with long battery life, a microphone input for karaoke nights, and exemplary ease of use. But the black box with the large handle can do much more. After extensive, entertaining listening tests, I wouldn’t hesitate to call it perhaps the smallest hi-fi system in the world. Its natural rival would be the JBL Boombox, which we tested in its 3rd generation. But that one costs more, and a new model is in the starting blocks.
Weitere Alternativen finden Sie in unserer Bluetooth-Lautsprecher-Bestenliste
Technical data Hama Canton UltiMate Pro
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 250 Euro
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 46.5 x 19.2 x 25.4 cm
- Weight: 5.2 kg
- Batterielaufzeit: Bis zu 24 Stunden, Ladezeit 2,5 Stunden
- Besonderheiten: Bluetooth 5.3, Schutzklasse IPX6, Mikrofon- und AUX-Eingang, Powerbank-Funktion, USB-A-Anschluss für Wiedergabe vom Memory Stick, Trageriemen
- For more information, visit www.canton.de
