In this review, we will be comparing Reference 3 2023 and T66, two Passive Floor-standing speakers from Canton and GoldenEar.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Canton Reference 3 2023 and GoldenEar T66 first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Canton Reference 3 2023 | GoldenEar T66 |
|---|
| Brand | Canton
Germany · founded 1972 | GoldenEar
United States · founded 2010 |
|---|
| Design | 3-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1" | Folded Ribbon |
|---|
| Midrange | 6.85" | 2 x 4.5" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 8.6" Black ceramic tungsten | 2 x 5 x 9" |
|---|
| Frequency response | 20-40k Hz | 29-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 88 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 4 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 300-500 watts | — |
|---|
| Weight | 42.00kg / 92.4lbs | 27.22kg / 59.9lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 42.9" x 12.6" x 19.3"
1089.7 x 320.0 x 490.2mm | 49-7/16" x 11-13/16" x 17"
1255.7 x 300.0 x 431.8mm |
|---|
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
Drivers
Both Reference 3 2023 and T66 are 3-way speakers.
Canton Reference 3 2023GoldenEar T66
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Canton Reference 3 2023 |
GoldenEar T66 |
|
Driver Setup
|
3-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1-inch
|
-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
1 x 6.85-inch |
2 x 4.5-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 8.6-inch
|
2 x 5 x 9-inch
|
Reference 3 2023 features a 1" Aluminum oxyd ceramic Tweeter, a 6.85" Midrange and 2 x 8.6" Black ceramic tungsten Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 180 / 3000 Hz. On the other hand, the T66 features a " Folded Ribbon Tweeter, a 4.5" Midrange and 2 x 5 x 9" Woofer.
Frequency Response
Reference 3 2023 has a frequency range of 20-40k Hz whereas T66 has a frequency range of 29-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 20Hz, the Reference 3 2023 can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the T66's min frequency of 29Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Floor-standing class in our database.
Low Frequency
Floor-standing Speakers
Impedance and Sensitivity
Reference 3 2023 and T66 have the same Impedance of 4 ohms but where they differ is the sensitivity levels. Reference 3 2023 sensitivity is rated at 88 dB and the T66's is at 91 dB. This 3 dB difference makes the GoldenEar T66 a more sensitive speaker compared to Canton Reference 3 2023, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
One thing to keep in mind that the lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit comared to higher impedance speakers especially at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Reference 3 2023 and the Reference 3 2023 can provide this impedance level.
Sensitivity
Floor-standing Speakers
Which plays louder on your amplifier?
Starting with a popular amplifier - change it to the one you own, or any you are
considering, and watch both numbers move.
Input Type and Bi-Amping / Bi-Wiring
Reference 3 2023 features Binding post type posts and T66 has a Binding post type posts. None of these speakers feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
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 3 2023's and GoldenEar T66's external dimensions. Canton Reference 3 2023 has external dimensions of 1089.7 x 320.0 x 490.2mm (42.9 x 12.6 x 19.3inch) whereas GoldenEar T66 has external dimensions of 1255.7 x 300.0 x 431.8mm ().
GoldenEar T66 is 20mm narrower and 58.4mm less deeper than Canton Reference 3 2023 but it is also 166mm taller.
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 3 2023 needs about 21% more floor or shelf area. Canton Reference 3 2023 is 58mm deeper, so it stands that much further out from the wall. GoldenEar T66 is 166mm 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 3 2023 is approximately 1568.6cm2 / 243.1inch2 and base area of the GoldenEar T66 is approximately 1295.4cm2 / 200.8inch2. The Reference 3 2023 requires 21% more surface area than the T66 which gives it a small disadvantage on placement in tight spaces.
Weight Comparison The weight of a loudspeaker can become an important factor if you need to move and reposition the unit often. Weight of a speaker can also "sometimes" be an indicator of the rigidity of the enclosure and the quality of the internal components used. The Canton Reference 3 2023 weighs 42.00kg / 92.4lbs and the GoldenEar T66 weighs 27.22kg / 59.9lbs. This makes the Reference 3 2023 54% heavier than the T66.
Here is a comparison of how Reference 3 2023 and T66's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Floor-standing class.
Weight
All Floor-standing Speakers
 Woofer Size |
8.6 inches
vs
5 x 9 inches
|
Larger woofer |
|
Low Frequency Response |
20 Hz
vs
29 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 High Frequency Response |
40k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
1089mm
vs
1255mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Sensitivity |
91 dB
vs
88 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Base Surface Area |
1295cm2
vs
1568cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
| General |
Canton Reference 3 2023 |
GoldenEar T66 |
| Brand |
Canton |
GoldenEar |
| Speaker Type |
Floor-standing speaker |
Floor-standing speaker |
| Sensitivity |
88 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
4 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Frequency Response |
20-40k Hz |
29-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
8.6" |
5 x 9" |
| Woofer Composition |
Black ceramic tungsten |
|
| Tweeter Size |
1" |
- |
| Tweeter Type |
n/a |
Folded Ribbon |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
6.85" |
4.5" |
| Crossover Frequency |
180 / 3000 Hz |
n/a |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
1089.7mm (42.9") |
1255.7mm (49.4") |
| Width |
320.0mm (12.6") |
300.0mm (11.8") |
| Depth |
490.2mm (19.3") |
431.8mm (17") |
| Weight |
42.00kg (92.4lbs) |
27.22kg (59.9lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
|
| Finish |
n/a |
MDF/Lacquer |
| Available Colors |
n/a |
Gloss Black |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
|
5 Years |
| Labor Warranty |
|
5 Years |
No single best speaker here - they are built to different priorities, and the right one depends on your room, your amplifier and what you listen to.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass | A | Canton Reference 3 2023 digs deeper - 20Hz against 29Hz. A subwoofer would even that out. |
| Amplifier needs | B | GoldenEar T66 is more sensitive (91dB vs 88dB), so it goes louder on the same amplifier. |
| Size | depends | Similar cabinet size - neither is easier to fit. |
| Cabinet | depends | Ported vs Passive Radiator. |
A Canton Reference 3 2023 B GoldenEar T66
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 speakers are judged; anything missing on either side is left out rather than guessed.
Which should you choose?
Neither runs away with it - they trade advantages. Let the "depends" rows and your own room settle it. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 29Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. If your amplifier is modest, vintage or valve-based, GoldenEar T66 is the safer partner - the other will want more current or more watts to sound its best.
And remember what a spec sheet cannot show: how each looks in your room and whether the finish suits it, what dealer support and warranty are like where you live, and how they actually sound to you. If you can hear them first - ideally with your own music - that will tell you more than any number above.