I just wanted to set the record straight on the difference between the Vento and Chrono SL models that have the Ceramic tweeter!
I have both, the Vento 820.2 and the Chrono SL 536.2. These are bookshelf models which have the same driver complement except the Chrono has a 7" woofer while the Vento has a 6" woofer.
I attempted to disassemble them and got a good look at the crossover for the Vento after removing the woofer. The Chrono SL came out later after they started using a trim-ring on this woofer that I was not comfortable removing without cosmetic damage to the trim piece. However I could use an inspection mirror to compress the fiberfill dampening material and look around from the terminal plate opening which I could remove.
Doing this, I saw that the exact same number of components located in the same positions was used in both crossovers (the Vento XO was located on the terminal plate, the Chrono XO was mounted on one of the cross braces for the cabinet). The components were not identical, but I would not expect them to be, given different woofers.
Next, I compared these in an A-B configuration with instant level matched switching while listening to a wide array of music.
As far as I am concerned, these are sonically equivalent speakers (except that every now and again the larger woofer of the Chrono made a lower-bass distinction). But for upper-bass, mid-range, and treble, the Chrono SL matched the Vento too closely for me to notice any differences in the sound!
I am pretty convinced that the only difference between the Vento and the Chrono SL (models with the ceramic tweeter) is exclusively the cabinet! The manufacture of the Vento cabinet which is steamed and pressed into the curved shape is expensive, and while it is a very good looking cabinet, I believe that a standard box with judicious bracing can effectively match it for sound quality.
It is not surprising that Canton is doing this. That is exactly what they did with their Reference speakers and their A45 Anniversary Edition (which offers their Reference drivers in a standard box at a substantial reduction).
I believe these are an exceptional value because the Canton ceramic tweeter (which is clearly better than the very good ceramic tweeter used by Infinity in their Reference Series) is in the same class as the RAAL and Focal Be tweeters (which are more expensive to produce). IOW, Canton has developed a tweeter that delivers World Class performance at less expense. The one caveat is that the Canton tweeter is made with a fairly aggressive wave guide, while the RAAL and the Focal Be offerings are designed with broad dispersion. IME, the advantage/disadvantage of the wave guide depends on he type of music and room. For me, in my room, comparing the Vento against my Philharmonic BMR with different music content gets roughly a 60%/40% preference for the BMR. My room is more acousticly lively than ideal and I suspect that ratio would bias even more towards the BMR with room treatments (absorption).
Surveying Accessories4Less for the Chrono SL models that use the Ceramic tweeter gets:
Tower:
Chrono SL-596.2 @ $1280/pr (white only)
Bookshelf:
Chrono SL-536.2 @ $520/pr
Chrono SL-526.2 @ $440/pr (white only)
Center:
Chrono SL-556.2 @ $400/ea.
On-wall:
Chrono SL-516.2 @ $400/pr.
Most of the above indicate low stock, but I expect there will be more inventory arriving next year (I noticed these models listed as "Coming Soon" on the A4L site on 12/26/18). This year was the first that the version of the Chrono SL with this ceramic tweeter made it to the US/A4L!
(they also have in-wall and ceiling speakers with the ceramic tweeters, but the model numbers are totally different and I have not heard any of them, so consider them outside of the scope of this post)
If anyone in the Atlanta area want to listen to a pair of these, let me know and we'll set it up. I'll even let you take them home to compare with your own (after you sign over your first-born as collateral)!
I would consider any of the above a great buy because you are getting Vento equivalent sound at a greater discount and I know most of us are not too distraught over missing out on the curved "bug-shape" cabinets as long as the sound is not compromised.
