In this review, we will be comparing Reference Sub 2023 and Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo, two Passive Subwoofer speakers from Canton and Focal. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Canton Reference Sub 2023 and Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo first before getting into our more detailed comparison.
The sections below take each area in turn: driver and amplifier, frequency response, physical size and connectivity.
Drivers
The efficiency of a subwoofer is directly proportional to the total radiating are squared hence the woofer quantity and diameter.Canton Reference Sub 2023 and Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo have a totally different setup: the Canton Reference Sub 2023 features x -inch drivers whereas the Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo features 1 x 13-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Reference Sub 2023 has a frequency range of 18-200 Hz whereas Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo has a frequency range of 22-500 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the Reference Sub 2023 can go slightly deeper then the Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo's min frequency of 22Hz.
Below graphs depict how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average values of the Min and Max Frequencies of other speakers in the Subwoofer class in our database.
Low Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Canton Reference Sub 2023
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Canton Reference Sub 2023
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Reference Sub 2023 features Binding post type posts and Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type
The Canton Reference Sub 2023 has a Bass Reflex type cabinet. Bass Reflex type subwoofers (aka Ported, Vented or Reflex Port) have enclosures that uses a port, hole or vent cut into the cabinet. Ported designs are generally more efficient than the Sealed designs. On the other hand the Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo have Acoustic Suspension type enclosure. Acoustic Suspension aka Sealed type subwoofers have enclosures that are sealed hence no ports or holes exists on the cabinet. Sealed designs helps to provide more accurate and tight bass responses compared to ported designs.
Physical Specs
The size of a speaker can sometimes be an important decision factor due to space constraints or in some cases purely for esthetic reasons. In this section, we are going to compare Canton Reference Sub 2023's and Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo's external dimensions. Canton Reference Sub 2023 has external dimensions of 589.3 x 487.7 x 528.3mm (23.2 x 19.2 x 20.8inch) whereas Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo has external dimensions of 634.0 x 483.0 x 622.0mm (24-15/16 x 19 x 24-1/2inch).
Canton Reference Sub 2023 is 44.7mm shorter and 93.7mm less deeper than Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo but it is also 4.7mm wider.
Size, drawn to scale
Both speakers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same surface and pushed back to the same wall, so the deeper one visibly sticks out further.
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo needs about 17% more floor or shelf area. Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo is 94mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo is 45mm taller.
Base Surface Area Comparison
Base surface area of a loudspeaker may become a determining factor when the space in your room or desk is limited.
The base surface area of the Canton Reference Sub 2023 is approximately 2576.5cm2 / 399.4inch2 and base area of the Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo is approximately 3004.3cm2 / 465.7inch2. The Reference Sub 2023 requires 14% less surface area than the Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo which gives it a small advantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a subwoofer may become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often to find the optimal positioning, also known as 'Subwoofer Crawling'. The Canton Reference Sub 2023 weighs 36.74kg / 80.8lbs and the Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo weighs 72.00kg / 158.4lbs. This makes the Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo 96% heavier than the Reference Sub 2023.
Here is a comparison of how Reference Sub 2023 and Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Canton Reference Sub 2023
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo
 Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
22 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
589mm
vs
634mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2576cm2
vs
3004cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
6300USD
vs
20999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| Woofer Size |
13 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
500 Hz
vs
200 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
Size, drawn to scale
Both subwoofers and both views share one scale, so everything here is directly comparable. Hover a box for its dimensions.
One scale for both, standing on the same floor and pushed back to the same wall, so the bigger one visibly takes more of the room.
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo needs about 17% more floor area. Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo stands 94mm further into the room. Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo is 45mm taller.
| General |
Canton Reference Sub 2023 |
Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo |
| Brand |
Canton |
Focal |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Frequency Response |
18-200 Hz |
22-500 Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
1 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
13" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
W sandwich |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
589.3mm (23.2") |
634.0mm (25") |
| Width |
487.7mm (19.2") |
483.0mm (19") |
| Depth |
528.3mm (20.8") |
622.0mm (24.5") |
| Weight |
36.74kg (80.8lbs) |
72.00kg (158.4lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Acoustic Suspension |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
A ported subwoofer against a sealed one. That is the most consequential line on this page: it decides how the bass rolls off, how it behaves in a small room, and how much output you get for the size of the box.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | A | Canton Reference Sub 2023 goes deeper - 18Hz against 22Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Enclosure | depends | Canton Reference Sub 2023 is ported - a ported box gives more output low down for its size, at the cost of a steeper roll-off below tuning; Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo is sealed - a sealed box rolls off gently and is usually the easier one to integrate in a small or awkward room. Neither is better in the abstract; ported tends to suit films and sealed tends to suit music, and both generalisations have exceptions. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Canton Reference Sub 2023 is about 20% smaller by volume. In a subwoofer that is a real trade rather than a preference: box volume is how you get output low down without a bigger amplifier. |
| Price | A | Canton Reference Sub 2023 costs less - $6,300 against $20,999, about 70% less. |
A Canton Reference Sub 2023 B Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, your system or how you will use them. Only specs published for both subwoofers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Canton Reference Sub 2023 has the edge on paper, though not by much. The "depends" rows are more likely to decide this than the score is. Films or music? If this is mainly a home cinema, Canton Reference Sub 2023 will hit harder for the money; if it is mainly for music in a normal-sized room, Focal Sub Utopia EM Colour Evo is usually the easier one to make sound right. Two small subwoofers beat one big one in most rooms - a pair evens out the room modes in a way no single box can, whatever its specs. At $6,300 each, two Canton Reference Sub 2023 cost about $12,600 against $20,999 for one of the other, which is worth a thought.
One thing outweighs everything above: where the subwoofer stands. Room modes can add or remove 10dB or more at a given seat, which is far larger than any difference on this page. Before spending more, try the sub in two or three positions - the crawl test, where you put it in the listening seat and crawl the room to find where the bass sounds best, costs nothing and usually beats an upgrade.