Canton AM 5 Active Bookshelf Speaker, White (Each)

The Canton AM 5 is an active 2-way compact speaker with a closed cabinet and 100 watts of amplifier power, designed as a nearfield monitor for studio, home recording, gaming and multimedia use.

In white satin, it blends in discreetly next to bright desks, shelves or TV furniture. The electronics already sit inside the cabinet: no external amplifier needed, just connect signal and power, done.

Why the Canton AM 5?

Because not every second listening spot can handle a full amplifier plus wiring. A 115 mm aluminium woofer and a 25 mm aluminium dome sit in a closed cabinet, plus balanced XLR and RCA inputs and a three-band tone control – a speaker that simply works as soon as power and signal are present.

What you hear

A controlled, clean sound with surprising level headroom – up to 97 dB maximum output without becoming unpleasant. For nearfield monitoring, PC audio or as a compact addition to a TV, the AM 5 delivers more definition than the 14 cm cabinet suggests.

Who is the Canton AM 5 for?

For anyone who needs a compact, active speaker without a separate amplifier – at a desk, in a home recording setup or as an extra TV speaker. Bottom line: it's too small for large rooms or party-level volume, and if you expect wireless Bluetooth, you'll only find classic wired connections here.

Our verdict

The AM 5 is the pragmatic route to serious sound without an extra amplifier unit on the shelf – in white especially discreet next to bright furniture. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we'll show you whether a pair is the right solution for your desk or small studio.

Technical data

• Type: Active compact speaker, 2-way bass reflex, closed cabinet
• Drivers: 1× 115 mm aluminium woofer/midrange, 1× 25 mm aluminium tweeter
• Frequency response: 50–38,000 Hz
• Crossover frequency: 3,000 Hz
• Amplifier power: 100 watts
• Maximum output level: 97 dB SPL
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 95 dB
• Inputs: 1× RCA, 1× balanced XLR
• Output level: fixed (active speaker, no volume control of its own for downstream devices)
• Headphone output: not available
• Tone controls: bass, mid, treble, each ±6 dB
• Mounting: free-standing or wall mount (Cantomount XL bracket optional, not included)
• Finish: white satin
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 14 × 24 × 16 cm
• Weight: 3.1 kg
• Sales unit: piece
• Scope of delivery: 1× AM 5, power cable, decoupling feet, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a separate amplifier for the Canton AM 5?

No, the 100-watt amplifier already sits inside the cabinet. Connect a signal source via RCA or XLR, connect power, done.

Does the Canton AM 5 have its own volume control?

No, the output level is fixed; you control volume at the connected source. The AM 5 has no headphone output.

Can I mount the AM 5 on a wall?

Yes, with the optional Canton Cantomount XL bracket, which is not included. Out of the box, it's primarily intended for free-standing use.

Does the AM 5 work as a stereo pair for music?

For close-range listening at a desk or in a small room, absolutely; for filling a large living room, it's too small. Two units make a fully-fledged active stereo pair without a separate amplifier.

Why buy the Canton AM 5 from HD Zürisee?

Because we'll tell you whether an active compact speaker like the AM 5 really is the simpler solution, or whether a classic passive setup pays off more. Our specialist team in Wädenswil helps with connection and level matching. Give us a call or drop us a line.

Goes well with

An audio interface or DAC with adjustable output as a signal source, plus stands or a shelf at ear height. You'll find more models from the brand in the CANTON overview.