In this review, we will be comparing Kanta Center and Sonetto CII, two Passive Center Channel speakers from Focal and Sonus faber.
Let's have a brief look at the main features
of Focal Kanta Center and Sonus Sonetto Center II first before getting into our more
detailed comparison.
| Key Specs | Focal Kanta Center | Sonus Sonetto Center II |
|---|
| Design | 2-way | 3-way |
|---|
| Tweeter | 1.1" Hard-Dome | 1.15" high definition DAD Dome |
|---|
| Midrange | — | 2 x 6" |
|---|
| Woofer | 2 x 6.5" flax cone with TMD (Tuned Mass Damping) suspension | 2 x 6" aluminum cone |
|---|
| Frequency response | 55-44k Hz | 42-25k Hz |
|---|
| Sensitivity | 92 dB | 91 dB |
|---|
| Impedance | 8 ohms | 4 ohms |
|---|
| Power range | 40-200 watts | 50-300 watts |
|---|
| Weight | 18.00kg / 39.6lbs | 16.20kg / 35.6lbs |
|---|
| Dimensions (H x W x D) | 9-11/16" x 22-1/8" x 15-1/2"
247.0 x 562.0 x 394.0mm | 12" x 30" x 16"
289.0 x 743.0 x 409.0mm |
|---|
What size room are the Focal Kanta Center and Sonus Sonetto Center II speakers good for?
The size of the room in which you are planning to use these loudspeakers is an important decision
factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their size
and max power parameters:
| Listening Environment* |
Focal Kanta Center |
Sonus Sonetto Center II |
| Near-field |
Poor |
Poor |
| Small Room |
Average |
Poor |
| Mid-size Room |
Good |
Good |
| Large Room |
Average |
Good |
| Very Large Room |
Poor |
Average |
(* Approximate Room sizes: Small < 100sq. ft / 9 m2,
Mid-size: 100-220 sq. ft / 9-20 m2, Large 220-400 sq. ft / 20-36 m2, Very Large: >
400 sq. ft / 36 m2.
Average Floor Height: 9" / 2.7m. Typical room sizes differ from country to country, and the actual
listening experience changes depending on floor height, room shape, surface materials, listening
position, speaker locations, etc.)
The sections below take each area in turn: drivers, frequency response, physical size and what you get in the box.
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Drivers
One of the fundamental differences between these two speakers is that Kanta Center is a 2-way design whereas the Sonetto CII is a 3-way speaker. 3-way designs utilize a midrange driver in addition to the tweeter and woofer on 2-way designs. Designing a crossover for a 3-way speaker is a complicated process and generally increases the overall cost of the speaker.
Focal Kanta CenterSonus Sonetto Center II
TweeterMidrangeWoofer
Front view, drawn to scale - cabinets and drivers share one scale, so sizes are directly comparable. Hover a driver for its size.
| Driver |
Focal Kanta Center |
Sonus Sonetto Center II |
|
Driver Setup
|
2-way
|
3-way
|
|
Tweeter
|
1.1-inch
|
1.15-inch
|
|
Midrange
|
- |
2 x 6-inch |
|
Woofer
|
2 x 6.5-inch
|
2 x 6-inch
|
Kanta Center features a 1.1" IAL3 Beryllium Hard-Dome Tweeter and 2 x 6.5" flax cone with TMD (Tuned Mass Damping) suspension Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 2400 Hz. On the other hand, the Sonetto CII features a 1.15" high definition DAD Dome Tweeter, a 6" Midrange and 2 x 6" aluminum cone Woofer with a Crossover frequency at 1.650 Hz.
Frequency Response
Kanta Center has a frequency range of 55-44k Hz whereas Sonetto CII has a frequency range of 42-25k Hz. With a minimum frequency of 42Hz, the Sonetto CII can go significantly deeper on the low side and provide stronger bass compared to the Kanta Center's min frequency of 55Hz.
The graph below depicts how these two speakers compare with the max, min and average Low Frequency values of other speakers in the Center Channel class in our database.
Low Frequency
Center Channel Speakers
Neither pair reaches down to 20Hz, the usual definition of full-range, which is normal for speakers of this size. If you want the bottom octave for movies or bass-heavy music, add a subwoofer to whichever you choose. Visit our Powered Subwoofers section to find out more about the available options.
Impedance and Sensitivity
Kanta Center is a 8 ohms speaker compared to the Sonetto CII which has a nominal impedance of 4 ohms. Lower impedance speakers, especially the ones that are rated at 4 ohms may put more pressure on the amplifier unit especially when played at high volume levels, so make sure the amp you pair with the Sonetto CII can provide this impedance level.
These two speakers also have different sensitivity levels. Kanta Center sensitivity is rated at 92 dB and the Sonetto CII's is rated at 91 dB. This 1 dB difference makes the Focal Kanta Center a more sensitive speaker compared to Sonus Sonetto Center II, hence will play louder with the same amount of watts.
Sensitivity
Center Channel Speakers
Power Range
Power
range is the range of input power in watts RMS that a loudspeaker is designed to handle. Staying
within that range gives nominal performance; driving the speaker beyond its maximum wattage can damage it.
Sonetto CII can handle a max power of 300 watts RMS, whereas Kanta Center has a max power handling value of 200 watts RMS, 100 watts less than the Sonetto CII.
Note that higher power handling does not make a speaker louder: that depends mainly on
sensitivity and impedance. The calculator below shows how loud each of these actually plays
on a real amplifier.
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
Sonetto CII features Binding post posts which make bi-amping or bi-wiring possible. Kanta Center has a Binding post which doesn't feature bi-amping/bi-wiring.
Focal Kanta Center's Binding post terminals
Sonus Sonetto Center II's Binding post terminals allows Bi-amping or bi-wiring
Cabinet Type and Port Position
Both Kanta Center and Sonetto CII have rear firing ports. Rear ported speakers generally need more room between the backside of the speaker and the wall compared to sealed and front/bottom ported speakers. Placing the speakers too close to the walls may cause the bass to sound boomy.
If you are limited in space and can't get the speakers away from the backwall, check our Speakers with Front Firing Ports page.
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 Focal Kanta Center's and Sonus Sonetto Center II's external dimensions. Focal Kanta Center has external dimensions of 247.0 x 562.0 x 394.0mm (9-11/16inch x 22-1/8inch x 15-1/2inch) whereas Sonus Sonetto Center II has external dimensions of 289.0 x 743.0 x 409.0mm (12 x 30 x 16inch).
Sonus Sonetto Center II is clearly the larger of the two speakers. Its body is 181mm wider, 42mm taller and 15mm deeper than Focal Kanta Center.
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 Focal Kanta Center is approximately 2214.3cm2 / 343.2inch2 and base area of the Sonus Sonetto Center II is approximately 3038.9cm2 / 471.0inch2. The Kanta Center requires 27% less surface area than the Sonetto CII which gives it a small advantage 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 Focal Kanta Center weighs 18.00kg / 39.6lbs and the Sonus Sonetto Center II weighs 16.20kg / 35.6lbs. This makes the Kanta Center 11% heavier than the Sonetto CII.
Here is a comparison of how Kanta Center and Sonetto CII's weights compare with the average, max and min weights in Passive Center Channel class.
Weight
All Center Channel Speakers
What's in the Box of Focal Kanta Center?
Here are the items that are included inside the box of Kanta Center:
- Center-channel loudspeaker
- 2 Grilles
- 4 Slicone pads
- User Manual
What's in the Box of Sonus Sonetto Center II?
Here are the items that come with the Sonetto CII:
- 1 Masks
- 1 Fabric dust guards
- 1 Basis
- 2 Jumpers
- 1 Manual
 Sensitivity |
92 dB
vs
91 dB
|
Play louder with same amount of amplification power |
 Nominal Impedance |
8 ohms
vs
4 ohms
|
Less selective with amplifiers |
 Woofer Size |
6.5 inches
vs
6 inches
|
Larger woofer |
 High Frequency Response |
44k Hz
vs
25k Hz
|
Generates higher frequency |
 Height |
247mm
vs
289mm
|
Easier to fit in smaller spaces |
 Base Surface Area |
2214cm2
vs
3038cm2
|
Takes less floor space |
 Max Input Power |
300 watts
vs
200 watts
|
Handle more power from your amplifier |
 Driver Setup |
3-way
vs
2-way
|
Have a dedicated mid-range driver |
|
Low Frequency Response |
42 Hz
vs
55 Hz
|
Generates deeper bass |
 Bi-Amping and Bi-Wiring |
Yes
vs
No
|
Allows bi-amping and bi-wiring connections |
 Price per pair* |
2199USD
vs
3999USD
|
costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time) |
| General |
Focal Kanta Center |
Sonus Faber Sonetto Center II |
| Brand |
Focal |
Sonus faber |
| Speaker Type |
Center channel speaker |
Center channel speaker |
| Power Range |
40-200 watts |
50-300 watts |
| Sensitivity |
92 dB |
91 dB |
| Impedance |
8 ohms |
4 ohms |
| Impedance |
3.5 ohms |
n/a |
| Frequency Response |
55-44k Hz |
42-25k Hz |
Drivers |
|
|
| Woofer Quantity |
2 |
2 |
| Woofer Size |
6.5" |
6" |
| Woofer Composition |
flax cone with TMD (Tuned Mass Damping) suspension |
aluminum cone |
| Woofer Surround Material |
Rubber |
n/a |
| Tweeter Size |
1.1" |
1.15" |
| Tweeter Type |
Hard-Dome |
high definition DAD Dome |
| Aimable Tweeter |
No |
No |
| Midrange Driver |
No |
6" |
| Crossover Frequency |
2400 Hz |
1.650 Hz |
| Firing Direction |
rear |
rear |
Physical Specs |
|
|
| Height |
247.0mm (9.7") |
289.0mm (11.4") |
| Width |
562.0mm (22.1") |
743.0mm (29.3") |
| Depth |
394.0mm (15.5") |
409.0mm (16.1") |
| Weight |
18.00kg (39.6lbs) |
16.20kg (35.6lbs) |
| Enclosure |
Bass Reflex |
Bass Reflex |
| Finish |
Multi-ply/Polymer/Veneer |
n/a |
| Available Colors |
High-Gloss Carrara White,High-Gloss Black/Deep Black,Matte Walnut/Dark Grey,Matte Walnut/Ivory |
Wood, White, Black, Wenge |
| Grille |
Yes |
n/a |
| Moisture Resistancy |
No |
No |
Connections |
|
|
| Biamp Inputs |
No |
Yes |
Other |
|
|
| Parts Warranty |
5 Years |
|
| Labor Warranty |
5 Years |
|
These sit in different price classes - Focal Kanta Center costs roughly 1.8x what Sonus Sonetto Center II does. Expect it to lead on paper; the question is whether the gap is audible enough in your room to be worth it.
| Area | Better | Why |
|---|
| Bass |
B |
Sonus Sonetto Center II digs deeper - 42Hz against 55Hz. |
| Amplifier needs |
evenly matched |
Similar sensitivity (92dB vs 91dB) - both want much the same power. |
| Amplifier match |
A |
Focal Kanta Center is the easier load at 8 ohms; the other is 4 ohms and wants an amplifier rated for it. |
| Headroom |
B |
Sonus Sonetto Center II takes more power (300W vs 200W) - more in hand in a big room. |
| Size |
depends |
Focal Kanta Center is easier to place; Sonus Sonetto Center II is bigger, which usually goes with fuller bass. Your room decides. |
| Expandability |
B |
Sonus Sonetto Center II: bi-amping. Sonus Sonetto Center II sits in a wider range (11 models), so a matched surround system is easier later. |
| Price |
B |
Sonus Sonetto Center II is cheaper - $2,199 against $3,999, about 45% less; arguably a different class. |
A Focal Kanta Center
B Sonus Sonetto Center II
depends neither is better in the abstract - it turns on your room, placement 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?
Sonus Sonetto Center II is the easier recommendation: it leads on most of the measured areas and costs less. Take Focal Kanta Center if its size, looks or fit in your room suit you better. If a subwoofer is in your plans, the bass gap largely stops mattering - you would be crossing over above 55Hz anyway, so judge these on the other rows instead. Match it to your room: we rate Focal Kanta Center the better fit for a small room, and Sonus Sonetto Center II for a large room and a very large room.
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.