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German speaker manufacturer, Canton, has replaced the company's popularly priced LE series with the new GLE series of full-range speakers. Canton says the new speakers utilize some of the materials and designs from the higher-end Vento, Ergo, and Karot lines. The GLE series includes a total of six models: two floorstanders, two bookshelfs, a horizontal center channel, and an on-wall version.

The original LE series' polypropylene cones have been replaced with aluminum bass and midrange drivers in the new GLE series. The drivers' motor structures have been beefed up with more powerful magnets and vented voice coils that improve the dissipation of heat. To accommodate the increased power handling, upgraded heavy cast baskets are used, and Canton claims the combination results in overall greater power handling, increased sensitivity, and improved accuracy over the bass and lower midrange frequencies. (Well, I guess if it didn't, they wouldn't have gone to so much trouble, would they?)

The GLE's silk dome tweeter used in all models have been improved and also includes a more powerful motor structure. Canton couples the tweeter with a specially flared transmission mounting plate that is designed to improve frequency response and efficiency. The crossover networks have been re-engineered, as have the GLE series' enclosures, which now feature narrower front baffles for improved imaging.

The GLE 409 floorstanding speaker ($1,299/pair) features a three-way bass reflex design with a pair of 8" woofers, one 7" midrange, and a 1" silk dome tweeter.

The smaller GLE 407 ($999/pair) is a 2-1/2 way design that uses a pair of 7" cones for the deep bass frequencies while midrange frequencies are sent only to the top 7" cone.

The GLE 405 CM ($449/each) is a magnetically shielded center channel speaker that can be used either horizontally or vertically. The speaker includes two 6" aluminum woofers in a 2-1/2 way design similar to that found in the GLE 407.

The GLE 403 ($599/pair) is a mid-sized bookshelf model employing a single 7" woofer and is ported on the front.

The two GLE compact speakers, GLE 402 ($449/pair) and GLE 401 ($479/pair), each use a 6" woofer. The GLE 402 is designed as a shelf/stand-mounted speaker and utilizes a rear-firing port. With a depth of only 3 1/2", the GLE 401 is meant to be used primarily as an on-wall speaker. Due to the small cabinet volume and mounting requirements, the on-wall model uses a sealed cabinet.

All of the GLE models are available in one of three bicolor finishes (beech cabinet with silver front baffle, cherry cabinet with a graphite front panel, or walnut cabinet with silver front baffle) or in either of the two single-color finishes (black ash, or silver).