Canton was celebrating the »your_World« premiere at the IFA 2011. What at first sight looked like a series of docking station variants, soon turned out to be a useful, because extendable and a simple, because self-explanatory system. With it Canton has successfully left behind the league of manufacturers who launch »yet another« docking station, and deservedly aroused attention.
The your_World family comprises different members that can operate on their own or in a team. So prior to their acquisition, the requirements must be assessed first. Do I only need a docking station? Is stereo reproduction desired? Which source will be used for music? In which rooms shall music be played? To these and other questions the Canton concept gives conclusive answers.
your_Solo
This device is a simple and elegant active loudspeaker solution which conjures a respectable low-end from a small size. Furthermore, it is portable and remote controlled. The attractive system has two amplifiers whose output power Canton specifies at 50 watts. Just like Play/Pause, Skip or Playlist Selection, the volume level of your_Solo can be controlled with the included infrared control. But where does the music come from?
your_Dock
This may be the most beautiful docking station for products made by Apple, however, your_Dock can do more: music signals coming in via an Aux input or from an iPhone or iPod are transmitted by the station to all sounding receivers of the your_World range. Apart from your_Solo, these are your_Duo and your_Sub. In order to avoid getting into trouble with your kids or neighbours, you can optionally select between three different channels. How nice this gadget operates, can be read in the set-up description.
your_Duo
your_Duo are compact active loudspeakers with a ported design. Each cabinet houses a 50 watt amplifier to deliver power to the 2-way system. Two finish versions are available, the user may choose between black or white. Via an included external power supply the Duos are fed with 24 volts DC. Just like with your_Solo, the »Zone Select« switch is used to activate any of three possible zones. If the music doesn’t come from your_Dock, it will reach the loudspeakers via …
... your_Stick
which translates the USB signals into a radio signal with a range of 20 metres. your_Stick can be used e.g. on laptops, PCs or Macs. Upon connection with the computer it will automatically log in at the »sound output«; no software is required to be installed. Music can then simply be distributed within the building through your_Stick. Of course, to make sure that your_Solo, your_Duo and your_Sub can understand it, identical channels are a prerequisite. Canton specifies the wireless range at 20 metres, which we surpassed in several tests. As usual, the actual range of wireless systems depends on the local circumstances.
your_Set-up
Just a quick preliminary note it: i-fidelity.net got Canton’s your_World system up and running in a shorter period of time than any other multiroom solution we have reviewed so far. Neither a software must be loaded nor does the system request any programming work. Add to this the ingenious idea of assigning different colours to the transmission channels. The channels 1, 2 and 3 correspond to red, green, and blue. If the transmitter has the green light on, the receiver must confirm reception readiness with the same colour. What may not yet come into effect in a simple set-up consisting of your_Dock and your_Solo e.g., really makes sense with advanced applications.
For instance, you can place your_Dock close to the TV set to transmit - in addition to music from the iPhone - also the TV sound, fed in via the Aux input, in a far superior quality. To this end you’ll select the »blue« transmission channel. In the home office you’ll be using your_Stick to send the music from the PC to a your_Solo loudspeaker. For this job you would certainly select the green or red channel to simultaneously drive the your_Duo twins in your bedroom. Now guests are coming for a visit and you’d like to hear the music from the PC on all loudspeakers. Let’s say the computer is transmitting on the »green« channel. All you have to do now is set the receivers to the same colour with the push of a key. If you wish to distribute the TV sound all over the house, you’ll need to reset all receivers to »blue«. In each test assembly this system performed fast and dependably with no exception. For this useful comfort they have developed, we pay the Canton designers a big compliment.
your_Listening Check
At first we were dealing with the your_Solo that was fed with music via iMac and your_stick. »Facing The Sun« by Fritz Kalkbrenner was played by your_Solo with relaxed easiness. We particularly liked the precision of electronically produced finger snapping noises and the clear bass fundament. The latter deserves a special emphasis just because mobile docking systems »made in USA« are probably made primarily for cloth-eared rappers who appreciate nothing more but bloated lows. No chance for such things with Canton, however, as is also demonstrated by Lisa Doby with »Hold On«: A clear portrayal of her voice can be noted, just like a decent separation of the acoustic events from the cabinet. The maximum achievable listening volume level is amazing and, given the size, seems almost impossible. Of course, one can also connect several your_Solos in series, if need be.
your_Duo is to satisfy higher demands, as it naturally enables a far wider stereo imaging. For instance, the live version of »Paradise«, which is found on Sade’s latest album, can benefit from this. Here, too, we were marveling at the imaging precision which in the end creates the comprehensible concert impression. Owing to their onboard amplifiers the loudspeakers are also very »fast« which has a beneficial effect on the transient reproduction in tracks like »Hit That Jive Jack« by Diana Krall whose piano playing gets »through« with elegant precision. The exception in the docking station category!
your_Idea
While the editors were working with the your_World products, the number of possible applications was rising every minute. After all, the your_loudspeakers can be easily extended as you wish, which also makes larger sound distribution tasks a breeze. Leaving aside the audiophile idea for a quick moment, we’ve got to admit that not only summerly chillout music, floating all over the house, can provide a private lounge ambience. Irrespective of all plannings, the use of Canton’s your_World will definitely bring a gain in terms of comfort and sound quality.
Canton your_World
your_Stick:
- USB adapter (PC/Mac) plug & play
- Wireless signal transmission
- Compatible with your_Solo, your_Duo, your_Sub
- Line in for additional sources
- Three selectable radio channels
- Dimensions (W x H x D): 5 x 2 x 10 cm (2 x 0.8 x 4 in.)
- Price: 99 EUR
- Warranty: 2 years
your_Dock:
- iPod and iPhone docking station with charging function
- Wireless signal transmission
- Compatible with your_Solo, your_Duo, your_Sub
- Remote-controlled
- Line out for connection to stereo system
- Line in for additional sources
- Three selectable radio channels
- External power supply
- Price: 149 EUR
- Warranty: 2 years
your_Duo:
- Active loudspeakers
- 2 x 50 watts music power output
- Remote control
- Two-way ported bass system
- Wireless reception of all your_World stations
- Three selectable radio channels
- External power supply
- Integration into loudspeaker group possible
- Finish options: black, white
- Price/pair: 499 EUR
- Warranty: 2 years
your_Solo:
- Mobile active loudspeaker
- 2 x 50 watts music power output
- Remote control
- Wireless reception of all your_World stations
- Three selectable radio channels
- External power supply
- Price: 499 EUR
- Warranty: 2 years
your_Sub:
- High-performance active subwoofer
- 100 watts music power output
- Adjustable crossover frequency
- Adjustable bass level
- Wireless reception of all your_World stations
- Three selectable radio channels
- Finish options: black, white
- Price: 599 EUR
- Warranty: 2 years
Canton Elektronik GmbH & Co KG
Neugasse 21 - 23
61276 Weilrod
Phone: +49 (0) 60 83 / 28 70
Fax: +49 (0) 60 83 / 2 81 13
Internet: www.canton.de
your_Conclusion
Canton’s your_World offers an exciting and state-of-the-art access to the music. With a simple construction, an ingenious operability and an excellent sound quality – the various combinable components are successful all the way. For this reason the »Top design« award is explicitly bestowed not only for the form, but also for the concept behind them. Without any reservations you’re welcome to turn Canton’s your_World into a my_World home! Olaf Sturm
TEST
- :
- Canton your_World
- Author:
- Olaf Sturm
- Date:
- 16.07.2012
- Manufacturer:
- Canton