Canton AR 4 S2 Dolby Atmos Speaker, Black (Pair)

The Canton AR 4 S2 is a 2-way add-on speaker with a sealed enclosure that plays as a Dolby Atmos height channel via the ceiling, or works as an effects speaker via its prepared wall mount.

A 154 mm mid-woofer with an Aluminium Titan Black cone and a 25 mm aluminium dome tweeter with waveguide sit in a compact 17 × 14.5 × 26 cm cabinet. Place the pair on top of your floorstanding or bookshelf speakers and it fires up towards the ceiling and back down to your listening position – height channels without a drill. Supplied as a complete pair in black.

Why the Canton AR 4 S2?

Because Dolby Atmos without height channels is mostly a logo on the box. Installing ceiling speakers means cables in the ceiling, holes, and usually a discussion at home. The AR 4 S2 takes the detour via ceiling reflection instead: set it up, connect it, calibrate it as a height channel in the receiver, done. Because it uses the same ATB cones and the same aluminium dome as the rest of the GLE-S2 series, the tonal colour stays consistent across all channels – and that's exactly where mismatched Atmos setups usually fail. The sealed enclosure keeps the reproduction tight, which does more up top than any extra hertz.

What you hear

Height instead of width. Rain that actually falls from above, helicopters passing overhead, reverb tails that open upwards. The AR 4 S2 has a frequency response of 50 to 40,000 Hz – deep bass is deliberately absent, because a height channel shouldn't boom, it should open up the space. At 86 dB sensitivity it's a bit quieter than the larger GLE models; your AV receiver evens that out automatically during calibration.

Who is the Canton AR 4 S2 for?

Plain talk: for home cinema setups that want to upgrade to Dolby Atmos or DTS:X without opening up the ceiling – ideally paired with a GLE-S2 front. It's no good as a stereo speaker: a 50 Hz low-end cutoff and 60 watts nominal power are simply too little for main channels. And honestly: in rooms with a sloped ceiling, wooden beam ceiling, or heavily damped ceiling, the reflection principle only works to a limited extent – ask us first in that case, before you order.

Our verdict

The AR 4 S2 is the pragmatic route to real height channels: tonally a clean fit with the GLE-S2 family, ready to use immediately, no building work required. If you have a smooth, solid ceiling above you, it brings surprisingly convincing height effects into the living room – and if you don't, you should know that before you order. At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil we check beforehand whether your ceiling height and surface support the principle, and plan the channel assignment along with it.

Technical data – Canton AR 4 S2

• Type: Dolby Atmos speaker (height/effects channel), GLE-S2 family
• Acoustic principle: 2-way, sealed enclosure, designed for ceiling reflection
• Tweeter: 1× 25 mm aluminium Black with waveguide
• Mid-woofer: 1× 154 mm Aluminium Titan Black (ATB)
• Frequency response: 50–40,000 Hz
• Crossover frequency: 3,200 Hz
• Sensitivity (2.83 V/1 m): 86 dB
• Nominal power handling: 60 W
• Music power handling: 100 W
• Nominal impedance: 4–8 Ω
• Connection: screw terminal, banana-plug compatible – no bi-wiring
• Placement: set on top of existing speakers or wall-mount (prepared)
• Certification: Dolby Atmos licensed
• Finish: black satin
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 17 × 14.5 × 26 cm (lying down)
• Weight: 3 kg per unit
• Sales unit: pair
• Scope of delivery: 2× AR 4 S2 in black, feet, oval fabric covers, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

Is the Canton AR 4 S2 supplied as a pair?

Yes, you get two speakers – exactly what an Atmos setup needs for the front height channels. The box also includes feet, the oval fabric covers, and the manual. For a four-height-channel configuration, order two pairs accordingly.

How does the AR 4 S2 work as an Atmos speaker?

It's placed on top of your floorstanding or bookshelf speakers and fires upwards. The sound hits the ceiling and reaches you from there as a height channel. Your AV receiver measures the longer travel time during calibration, so the effects genuinely end up sounding like they're above you.

Can I also mount the AR 4 S2 on the wall?

Yes, the enclosure is prepared for wall mounting. That also lets you use it as a surround or effects speaker at the back or sides. Mounted on the wall it works as a normal direct radiator – the ceiling reflection is then absent, but localisation becomes more precise.

Does the reflection principle work in every room?

No, not equally well everywhere. It needs a ceiling that's as flat, smooth, and hard as possible; sloped ceilings, wooden beams, or heavily damped ceilings absorb the effect. At ceiling heights well above three metres, the effect also weakens. Describe your room to us and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth it.

Is the AR 4 S2 any good as a stereo speaker?

No, it's not built for that. With a 50 Hz low-end cutoff and 60 watts nominal power, it lacks the foundation for main channels. As a height or effects channel in a multichannel setup, on the other hand, it's exactly right. For stereo, we stock more suitable bookshelf and floorstanding speakers.

Why buy the Canton AR 4 S2 from HD Zürisee?

Because height channels need more planning than a click in the shopping cart – ceiling height, material, channel assignment, and calibration all decide the outcome. Our specialist team knows the GLE-S2 series from hands-on practice, plans your home cinema with you, delivers, and stays reachable afterwards via our own technician for installation and service.

Goes well with

An Atmos-capable receiver or a power amp from our home cinema range, matching home cinema speakers for front and centre, a subwoofer for the foundation, and speaker cable of sufficient length.