In this review, we will be comparing Reference Sub 2023 and Subsonic, two Passive Subwoofer speakers from Canton and Wilson Audio. Let's have a brief look at the main features of Canton Reference Sub 2023 and Wilson Audio Subsonic 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 Wilson Audio Subsonic have a totally different setup: the Canton Reference Sub 2023 features x -inch drivers whereas the Subsonic features 3 x 12-inch drivers.
Frequency Response
Reference Sub 2023 has a frequency range of 18-200 Hz whereas Subsonic has a frequency range of 10-150 Hz. With a minimum frequency of 10Hz, the Subsonic can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Reference Sub 2023's min frequency of 18Hz.
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
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Reference Sub 2023 features Binding post type posts and Subsonic has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Cabinet Type
Both Canton Reference Sub 2023 and Wilson Audio Subsonic have Bass Reflex type cabinets. 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.
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 Wilson Audio Subsonic'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 Wilson Audio Subsonic has external dimensions of 1653.0 x 459.0 x 691.0mm (65-1/16 x 18-1/16 x 27-3/16inch).
Canton Reference Sub 2023 is 1063.7mm shorter and 162.7mm less deeper than Wilson Audio Subsonic but it is also 28.7mm 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.
Wilson Audio Subsonic needs about 23% more floor or shelf area. Wilson Audio Subsonic is 163mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. Wilson Audio Subsonic is 1064mm 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 Wilson Audio Subsonic is approximately 3171.7cm2 / 491.6inch2. The Reference Sub 2023 requires 19% less surface area than the Subsonic 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 Wilson Audio Subsonic weighs 229.00kg / 503.8lbs. This makes the Subsonic 523% heavier than the Reference Sub 2023.
Here is a comparison of how Reference Sub 2023 and Subsonic's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Subwoofer class.
Weight
All Subwoofer Speakers
Canton Reference Sub 2023
 High Frequency Response |
200 Hz
vs
150 Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
589mm
vs
1653mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2576cm2
vs
3171cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Price per pair* |
6300USD
vs
47250USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
 Woofer Size |
12 inches
vs
inches
|
Larger woofer |
| Low Frequency Response |
10 Hz
vs
18 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
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.
Wilson Audio Subsonic needs about 23% more floor area. Wilson Audio Subsonic stands 163mm further into the room. Wilson Audio Subsonic is 1064mm taller.
| General |
Canton Reference Sub 2023 |
Wilson Audio Subsonic |
| Brand |
Canton |
Wilson Audio |
| Speaker Type |
Passive Subwoofer |
Passive Subwoofer |
| Sensitivity |
n/a |
87 dB |
| Impedance |
n/a |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
18-200 Hz |
10-150 Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
|
3 |
| Woofer Size |
" |
12" |
| Woofer Composition |
|
Paper pulp |
| Tweeter Size |
- |
- |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
No |
| Firing Direction |
n/a |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
589.3mm (23.2") |
1653.0mm (65.1") |
| Width |
487.7mm (19.2") |
459.0mm (18.1") |
| Depth |
528.3mm (20.8") |
691.0mm (27.2") |
| Weight |
36.74kg (80.8lbs) |
229.00kg (503.8lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Grille |
Yes |
Yes |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
n/a |
No |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
Different price classes - Wilson Audio Subsonic costs roughly 7.5x what Canton Reference Sub 2023 does. Before paying it, read the note below about two smaller subwoofers.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass depth | B | Wilson Audio Subsonic goes deeper - 10Hz against 18Hz. Under 20Hz is felt more than heard - the bottom of a pipe organ and the bottom of a film mix. |
| Enclosure | evenly matched | Both are ported designs, so they roll off in much the same way. |
| Cabinet size | depends | Canton Reference Sub 2023 is about 71% 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 $47,250, about 87% less. |
A Canton Reference Sub 2023 B Wilson Audio Subsonic
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?
Wilson Audio Subsonic is ahead, but on only 1 of the measured areas, and it costs about 7.5x the price. Canton Reference Sub 2023 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 $6,300 each, two Canton Reference Sub 2023 cost about $12,600 against $47,250 for one of the other, which is worth a thought. If placement is the constraint - a corner, behind a sofa, under a desk - Canton Reference Sub 2023 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.