In this review, we will be comparing Reference Sub 2023 and DWM, two Passive Subwoofer speakers from Canton and Magnepan. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Canton Reference Sub 2023 and Magnepan DWM 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 2023and Magnepan DWM have the same driver set up: Both subwoofers have x " drivers.
Frequency Response
Reference Sub 2023 has a frequency range of 18-200 Hz whereas DWM has a frequency range of 40-200 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 18Hz, the Reference Sub 2023 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the DWM's min frequency of 40Hz.
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
High Frequency
Subwoofer Speakers
Canton Reference Sub 2023
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 Magnepan DWM have Dipole type enclosure.
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 Magnepan DWM'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 Magnepan DWM has external dimensions of 489.0 x 571.5 x 31.8mm (19.25 x 22.5 x 1.25inch).
Magnepan DWM is 100.3mm shorter and 496.5mm less deeper than Canton Reference Sub 2023 but it is also 83.8mm 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.
Canton Reference Sub 2023 needs about 1318% more floor or shelf area. Canton Reference Sub 2023 is 497mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Canton Reference Sub 2023 is 100mm 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 Magnepan DWM is approximately 181.7cm2 / 28.2inch2. The Reference Sub 2023 requires 1,318% more surface area than the DWM which gives it a small disadvantage 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 Magnepan DWM weighs 8.62kg / 19lbs. This makes the Reference Sub 2023 326% heavier than the DWM.
Here is a comparison of how Reference Sub 2023 and DWM's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Canton Reference Sub 2023
 Driver Setup |
1-way
vs
-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
 Low Frequency Response |
18 Hz
vs
40 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Height |
489mm
vs
589mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
181cm2
vs
2576cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
1295USD
vs
6300USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
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.
Canton Reference Sub 2023 needs about 1318% more floor area. Canton Reference Sub 2023 stands 497mm further into the room. Canton Reference Sub 2023 is 100mm taller.
| General |
Canton Reference Sub 2023 |
Magnepan DWM |
| Brand |
Canton |
Magnepan |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
n/a |
86 dB |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
18-200 Hz |
40-200 Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
|
| Woofer Size |
" |
" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
|
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
589.3mm (23.2") |
489.0mm (19.3") |
| Width |
487.7mm (19.2") |
571.5mm (22.5") |
| Depth |
528.3mm (20.8") |
31.8mm (1.3") |
| Weight |
36.74kg (80.8lbs) |
8.62kg (19lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Dipole |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
|
| Labor Warranty |
|
|
A ported subwoofer against a dipole 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 40Hz. 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; Magnepan DWM is dipole - a dipole cancels to the sides and excites room modes less, but needs far more power. 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 | Magnepan DWM is about 94% 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 | B | Magnepan DWM costs less - $1,295 against $6,300, about 79% less. |
A Canton Reference Sub 2023 B Magnepan DWM
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 is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 4.9x the price. Magnepan DWM is the sensible buy unless your room is large enough to need the extra. 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 $1,295 each, two Magnepan DWM cost about $2,590 against $6,300 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Magnepan DWM is the one that will actually go there, and a well-placed small subwoofer beats a badly-placed big one every time.
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.