STEREO GUIDE verdict
An exceptionally powerful and living-room-friendly 5.1.2 home theater system with impressive Dolby Atmos height effects, a musical subwoofer, and rear speakers that are barely noticeable—all at a fair price.
Pros
- Seamless, incredibly vivid 3D surround sound reproduction
- Excellent consistency and precision—even for music playback
- Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast, and Bluetooth
- Hassle-Free Setup
Cons
- Touch buttons on the top of the bar are barely visible
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Tonal balance / transparency9.4
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Bass / Dynamics9.5
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Spatial imaging9.4
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Usability / Connectivity9.3
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Price/Performance9.6
Since the launch of the Smart series, Canton has continuously expanded its wireless audio ecosystem. What began with products such as the Smart Soundbox, Smart Soundbar, Smart Vento, Smart Connect, and Smart Amp has since grown into one of the most comprehensive wireless product lines offered by a German speaker manufacturer. The Smart Soundbar 10, featuring Dolby Atmos support, was unveiled at IFA 2019 and quickly became the centerpiece of many Canton home theater systems. Two years later, the Smart Soundbar 10 S2 followed—a comprehensively redesigned version that included HDMI eARC as well as modern streaming features such as AirPlay 2.
However, the reason for this review is a new addition to the Smart universe: the Smart Libero. These compact active speakers expand the home theater system with additional surround channels and, when paired with the soundbar and subwoofer, promise a full-fledged Dolby Atmos experience without speaker cables running across the living room.
Smart Libero: Small Specialists for Big Surround Sound
At first glance, the Smart Libero speakers look like particularly compact wireless speakers designed for use as a stereo system. In fact, however, they are based on a different concept. The speakers were specifically developed to complement the Smart series home theater components and work exclusively in conjunction with products such as the Smart Soundbar 10, the Smart Amp 5.1, or the Smart Connect 5.1. They cannot be used independently as compact active stereo speakers. Conversely, however, in a Canton home theater system networked via proprietary protocols, you could also use the Smart Soundbox 3 Gen. 2 —which was reviewed years ago—for the surround channels. These can also be operated as a standalone pair of stereo speakers and controlled via the Canton Smart App.
Thanks to their compact design, the Smart Libero speakers can be used flexibly as rear, wall-mounted, or even ceiling speakers. The elegantly designed enclosure, covered in fabric all around, is enhanced by glass panels on the top and bottom. This gives the speakers a particularly high-quality look and allows them to blend unobtrusively into modern living spaces.
Technically, Canton uses a sealed two-way system. A 2.5-centimeter fabric dome tweeter handles the high frequencies, while a 7.8-centimeter mid-bass driver with a cellulose-graphite cone handles the midrange and bass. The built-in amplifier delivers up to 70 watts of power.
Soundbar as a Control Center
Visually, the Smart Soundbar 10 S2, together with the Smart Sub 10 and Smart Libero, forms a harmonious ensemble. The distinctive glass surfaces on the top of all components give the system a high-quality look and set it apart from the often plain designs of many competing soundbars. The soundbar’s glass cover features built-in touch controls that allow you to adjust the most important settings directly on the device.
Inside the Smart Soundbar 10 S2 lies far more speaker technology than its slim design would suggest. For the front channels of the 3-way bass-reflex system, Canton uses a 1.9-cm fabric tweeter and a 5-cm aluminum midrange driver on each side. In addition, there are four 8-cm aluminum woofers angled upward, two of which simultaneously support the height channels for Dolby Atmos via ceiling reflections. Two generously sized passive radiators on the front are designed to further extend the low-frequency response and provide more bass impact.
Connections for Various Applications
As a modern control hub, the soundbar features three HDMI inputs and one HDMI output with eARC, allowing you to control connected audio and video devices via CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) using a single remote control. This represents an improvement over its predecessor. It also features an analog RCA input and a coaxial digital connection. In terms of streaming, the soundbar supports AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, and Spotify Connect. Multi-room functionality is included, as is the ability to wirelessly expand the system with additional speakers from the Smart series.
To connect to the network, the Smart Soundbar 10 lets you choose between LAN and Wi-Fi. Bluetooth is also available as an additional wireless interface. Running the now-outdated version 4.1 and lacking AAC or aptX support, it’s intended more for guests who want to quickly stream some music from their mobile devices.
Atmos and more
The Smart Soundbar 10 S2 is also up to date when it comes to supported audio formats. Via HDMI eARC, it processes high-resolution multichannel audio tracks and supports Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby TrueHD—including Dolby Atmos. This allows you to take advantage of the object-based audio information found in modern streaming services and Ultra HD Blu-rays. The maximum resolution is 24-bit/192 kHz.
Music fans also benefit from the soundbar’s networking and streaming capabilities: Using Chromecast built-in and AirPlay 2, high-quality audio can be streamed directly from compatible mobile devices or streaming services. This makes the soundbar ideal not only as a TV speaker but also as a central music solution for the living room.
Noteworthy: Canton has deliberately chosen not to include built-in microphones. Voice control is possible, but it works exclusively through external devices such as smartphones or smart speakers. Those who value privacy are likely to welcome this approach.
A Slim Subwoofer with Big Ambitions
The Smart Sub 10 handles the low frequencies. Its standout feature is its extremely slim design. With a height of just 15.5 centimeters, this active subwoofer can be placed relatively inconspicuously in the living room and, if desired, can even be hidden beneath various pieces of furniture. Incidentally, it didn’t work with my own couch, though. The similarly designed Teufel T10 subwoofer also failed to fit under it during testing with the Cinebar 22.
Despite its compact dimensions, a 21.8-centimeter woofer with a cellulose-graphite cone operates inside the sealed MDF enclosure. The integrated digital power amplifier delivers up to 200 watts of music power. The driver radiates downward, distributing bass energy evenly throughout the room. Canton specifies a frequency response down to 27 hertz.
Like the other Smart components, the Smart Sub 10 also communicates wirelessly with the compatible speakers in the series. Volume, phase (0/180 degrees), and level adjustment are conveniently managed via the respective Smart hub—in this case, the Smart Soundbar. This creates a completely wireless home theater system that can be set up without complicated wiring. The subwoofer, available with a housing finished in either black or white multi-layer lacquer, also features a line input with RCA jacks for wired applications, allowing it to be connected via cable even to devices outside the Smart Series. To do this, simply select the appropriate operating mode using the slide switch, which is also located on the bottom of the down-firing subwoofer.
Usage: A bit more challenging without the app
Canton ships the Smart Soundbar 10 S2 with a very compact mini remote control. It isn’t much bigger, but in terms of the buttons—rubber instead of foil—it feels sturdier than a credit-card-sized remote. Despite the limited number of buttons, it offers comprehensive control. In our test, the display hidden behind the metal front grille proved to be a makeshift solution, for example when listening to music. It only has three digits, which puts certain demands on your imagination and memory. For example, what is the three-digit LED display trying to tell us with abbreviations like “SPS” (or is it supposed to be “SP5”)?
Setting up the home theater system is easier using the OSD menus displayed on the screen or projector via HDMI. While the on-screen display isn’t exactly a contender for a design award, its logical layout makes it possible to set up the soundbar without necessarily having to consult the user manual.
The app is really well designed
I decided to go with the most convenient solution. I downloaded the Canton Smart app from the Apple App Store onto my iPhone and got set up quickly and easily. After all, I was already familiar with the other solutions from a previous review of a Canton surround sound system with the Smart Amp for a home theater magazine. With the temperature in my apartment over 30 degrees, I wanted to keep things as quick and easy as possible. And I wasn’t disappointed: Using the Smart App doesn’t require setting up an account—not even manually entering a password—to connect the 5.1.2 home theater system to my Wi-Fi. And the wireless subwoofer and rear speakers connected automatically to the soundbar as soon as I turned them on. That’s how it should be! You could even play music via Bluetooth right after turning them on, before setting them up with the Smart App.
Setting up the surround sound system’s speakers using the app wouldn’t be rocket science, even for beginners. During setup, you’ll need to enter parameters such as the height of the soundbar on its stand and the distance between the soundbar and the ceiling so that the upward-facing speakers for the treble channels can create a 3D soundstage using reflections. Of course, you also need to enter the distance of each channel from the listening position. This really only takes a moment, assuming you don’t have to fiddle around with a folding ruler. The only thing that would be faster and more convenient would be automatic calibration.
Things to keep in mind:
A quick tip: If, for example, you’re adjusting the speaker distances using the app and reach for the remote control to change the volume independently, you’ll end up changing the distance instead. Here’s why: In setup mode, the buttons labeled “+” and “–” perform the same function they would have when adjusting settings via the front display or OSD, even though you’re using the app. You’ll get used to this quickly, though, once you’ve gotten over your initial surprise at the speaker settings changing as if by magic.
For various applications, such as home theater or music playback, you can save specific setups—including tone controls and other settings like the associated sound presets (Stereo, Movie Surround, and Music Surround)—to three memory slots. These can then be recalled at the touch of a button using the remote control or directly on the soundbar itself. However, the unlit buttons on the top of the unit are barely visible.
Sound Test: Here’s How the Soundbar, Subwoofer, and Rear Speakers Sound Together
Due to the design featuring up-firing speakers on the top of the Smart Soundbar 10 S2, you’ll need to accept certain placement limitations. The height speakers require an unobstructed line of sight to the ceiling to function properly. However, what they are capable of delivering is truly impressive. Even in the 5.1.2 configuration we reviewed—that is, without discrete height speakers mounted on the ceiling—this home theater system delivers a surprisingly precise and spacious three-dimensional sound experience.
With its virtual height effects, the Canton Smart Soundbar 10 S2 delivers an astonishingly stable and precise sense of height. The width and depth of the soundstage are also exceptionally well-rendered for a soundbar design. The horizontal localization within the three-dimensional soundstage is equally impressive. In combination with the Smart Libero speakers used as rears, Canton achieves an immersive sound panorama that inevitably reminds me of the old sports TV slogan, “Right in the middle of the action, not just watching.” Of course, the 3D spatiality can also be experienced beautifully in action movies like “Top Gun: Maverick,” where the jets really put the system’s volume headroom to the test. In apartment buildings, however, only a lucky few will likely be able to even begin to tap into that volume headroom.
Off to the Alps
In terms of sound, the Canton brand—founded in 1972—has left the sensationalist “Taunus Sound” —especially under the leadership of current chief developer Frank Göbel—to such an extent that it now playfully alludes to its roots in the Hessian low mountain range with the Townus series. The balance and fine resolution of the Smart Soundbar 10 S2 are truly spectacular—more like Mont Blanc than the Großer Feldberg.
The Smart Soundbar 10 S2 delivers a very detailed and transparent sound, yet despite its liveliness, it avoids any harshness. As a result, it shines with rock and pop just as much as with complex, delicate classical music. This was beautifully demonstrated by the nuanced rendition of the “Concierto de Aranjuez” in Jacob Kellermann’s arrangement with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. From the violins to the acoustic guitars to the woodwinds, the exceptionally lively and airy performance turned into a celebration full of vibrant colors and elegance.
As if cast from a single mold
To complement this, the Smart Sub 10 impresses with a seamless transition. You can’t pinpoint its location: The drums on Foreigner’s live version of “Urgent” sit firmly on the imaginary stage on the TV screen—and not even half a meter off to the side, where I’ve positioned the subwoofer. The wirelessly controlled subwoofer reproduces the contours of the drums and electronic beats with remarkable precision. As a result, even in a fairly large, well-damped living room, it leaves nothing to be desired when it comes to low-end performance.
The Smart Sub 10 earned high praise in our review. This slim subwoofer delivers impressive performance with both movies and music. Canton knows how to make subwoofers—that much is clear once again. Over the past 20 years, I’ve reviewed many subwoofers from the Hessian company for the magazines AUDIO, Video, and—if I recall correctly—stereoplay as well. And time and again, these bass modules delivered performance that could usually hold its own against significantly more expensive competitors.
The Thing About the Sub
However, this flat subwoofer—optimized for seamless integration into living spaces—starts out at a slight disadvantage. With its enclosure measuring just 16 centimeters in height and the 21.9-centimeter woofer built into it, it’s no match for the Smart Sub 12, which is only slightly more expensive. The 38 × 45.3 × 40-centimeter cube not only boasts more enclosure volume but also features a 30.8-centimeter down-firing woofer. If style isn’t a top priority—for example, in a dedicated home theater room—the Smart Sub 10’s bigger brother can add an extra dose of punch and precision for a moderate upcharge.
For standard living rooms, however, the combination we reviewed is the one we recommend. Compared to some boomy, simplistic bass-reflex subwoofers in the affordable price range, the sealed Smart Sub 10 proved to be a solidly built and elegantly designed alternative that integrates perfectly into a home theater setup, both sonically and visually.
Conclusion: Smart Soundbar 10 S2, Smart Sub 10, and Smart Libero
With its 5.1.2 surround sound system—comprising the Smart Soundbar 10 S2, Smart Sub 10, and Smart Libero—Canton delivers a user-friendly, exceptionally high-performance home theater system with a high-quality finish at a reasonable price. In addition to the exceptionally well-controlled subwoofer—which is particularly well-suited for demanding music playback—I was especially impressed by the exceptionally good reproduction of the 3D height effects.
You’d have to look long and hard to find such a three-dimensional Dolby Atmos soundstage with so few visible speakers. As rear speakers, the Smart Libero—which are virtually impossible to locate even up close when properly adjusted and are also very unobtrusive in appearance—do a great job. Not only are they much more compact and aesthetically pleasing than the Smart Soundbox 3 S2, which are also suitable for the rear role, but they’re also more affordable.
The KEF XIO, which is also ideally suited for uncompromising music reproduction, costs slightly more than the four-piece set from the Taunus region—even without an external subwoofer and discrete rear speakers—according to the price list. And the equally excellent Yamaha True X-Surround 90A costs quite a bit more still.
One could almost say, in reference to a legendary comic series: The entire market for 3D soundbars is dominated by big names, most of which come from overseas. The entire market? No! A small village in the Hochtaunus region has been successfully holding its ground for years. And with the Smart Soundbar 10 S2, Canton proves once again that impressive home theater sound requires neither a huge pile of money nor an armada of individual components. For this, Canton has earned a highlight. Chances are pretty good that the Taunus Gauls will once again get to celebrate with wild boar and magic potion.
You can find more alternatives in our STEREO GUIDE soundbar best list
Technical Specifications for the Canton Smart Soundbar 10 S2 5.1.2 Set
- Manufacturer’s suggested retail price: 1,000 / 750 / 390 euros (soundbar, subwoofer, rear speakers)
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 10 x 6.4 x 99 / 42 x 16 x 42 / 11 x 15 x 8 cm (Soundbar, Subwoofer, Rear Speakers)
- Weight: 5.7 / 14 / 0.7 kg (Soudbar, subwoofer, rear speakers)
- Special Features: 3-way soundbar, AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth; Inputs: optical S/PDIF, RCA; 2 x subwoofer outputs; 3 x HDMI inputs, 1 x HDMI eARC output, wireless rear/sub channels can be paired, remote control, 1 x HDMI, 1 x Toslink, and 1 x RCA cable (stereo) included with the soundbar.
- For more information, visit www.canton.de
