Canton GLE 80 S2 Floorstanding Speaker, White (Pair)

The Canton GLE 80 S2 is a 3-way floorstanding speaker with its own midrange driver, bringing full-grown three-way sound into a cabinet just 19 centimetres wide.

In White, the column visually recedes – acoustically it does the opposite. Two 174 mm ATB woofers lay the foundation, a dedicated 174 mm ATB midrange driver keeps vocals free from the bass, and the 25 mm aluminium tweeter with integrated waveguide carries the highs up to 40,000 Hz. The bass reflex port fires rearward (backfire). A complete pair is supplied.

Why the Canton GLE 80 S2?

Because a genuine midrange driver has become rare in this class – and you hear it immediately. In two-way designs, the same cones have to handle bass foundation and vocals at the same time; the GLE 80 S2 cleanly splits the work at 300 and 3,200 Hz. The result: vocals sit calmly centre-stage, even when there's plenty going on below. The waveguide in front of the aluminium dome widens the dispersion angle, so the best seat on the sofa doesn't belong to just one person. And with 89.5 dB sensitivity, it stays amplifier-friendly – a powerhouse amp is nice to have, but not a requirement.

What you get

• 3-way bass reflex with rear-firing backfire port, just 19 cm front width
• 2× 174 mm ATB woofers for solid, structured bass
• 1× 174 mm ATB midrange driver – a dedicated path for vocals and instruments
• 25 mm Aluminum Black tweeter with integrated waveguide, highs up to 40,000 Hz
• Frequency range 23–40,000 Hz, sensitivity 89.5 dB, impedance 4–8 Ω
• Nominal/music power handling 130 / 280 W
• White décor, satin-lacquered baffle, magnetic fabric cover
• supplied as a pair

Who is the Canton GLE 80 S2 suited to?

Straight talk: the GLE 80 S2 is made for living rooms of roughly 15 to 35 m², where a wide floorstander would simply be too much furniture. If you want to permanently fill a large, open living space at cinema levels, you're better served by the GLE 90 S2. And if you were going to put the speakers on a shelf anyway, a compact speaker makes more sense – a floorstander at half height gives away exactly the foundation you're buying it for. For everyone in between, the 80 is the sensible, grown-up answer.

Our verdict

Three ways, slim front, no fuss: the GLE 80 S2 does exactly what a living-room speaker needs to do, and skips the showing off. The trade magazine LowBeats rated it 4.8 out of 5 points and called it "class-best" (LowBeats, 30.12.2025, Holger Biermann). At HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, we'll look with you at whether the 80 suits your room or whether a size up is the smarter investment – and we'll tell you so even when the answer goes against the more expensive speaker.

Technical data – Canton GLE 80 S2

• Type: Floorstanding speaker (GLE S2 series)
• Acoustic principle: 3-way bass reflex, backfire firing direction
• Woofers: 2× 174 mm Aluminum Titanium Black (ATB)
• Midrange driver: 1× 174 mm Aluminum Titanium Black (ATB)
• Tweeter: 1× 25 mm Aluminum Black with integrated waveguide
• Frequency range: 23–40,000 Hz
• Crossover frequencies: 300 / 3,200 Hz
• Sensitivity (2.83 V/1 m): 89.5 dB
• Nominal power handling: 130 W
• Music power handling: 280 W
• Nominal impedance: 4–8 Ω
• Connection: single-wiring screw terminal, banana-plug compatible
• Finish: White décor, satin-lacquered baffle
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 19 × 99 × 30 cm
• Weight: 17.6 kg per unit
• Sales unit: pair
• Scope of delivery: 2× GLE 80 S2 in White, oval fabric covers with magnetic mounting, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

Is the Canton GLE 80 S2 supplied as a pair?

Yes, you receive two floorstanding speakers, i.e. a complete stereo pair. Both cabinets come with a magnetically attached fabric cover and instructions. So you don't need a second order – unpack, position, connect, done. The stated figures always refer to the pair, never to a single cabinet.

What room size is the GLE 80 S2 intended for?

It feels most at home in living rooms of about 15 to 35 square metres. The slim 19 cm front keeps it unobtrusive even in smaller rooms, while the three-way design brings enough reserves for larger rooms. If it gets significantly bigger or you want it loud on a regular basis, the GLE 90 S2 is the more suitable choice.

What's the difference between the GLE 80 S2 and the GLE 70 S2?

The GLE 80 S2 works as a genuine three-way system with a separate midrange driver, the GLE 70 S2 as a 2.5-way design without its own midrange driver. On top of that, the 80 has a touch more depth and considerably higher power handling. Externally, only four centimetres of height and two of depth separate the two.

What amplifier suits the GLE 80 S2?

A solid stereo or AV amplifier is entirely sufficient. With 89.5 dB sensitivity and an impedance of 4 to 8 ohms, the 80 is easy-going and doesn't demand power-amp monsters. Extra power reserve never hurts, but quality is what counts. We're happy to work out together which combination suits your room.

Can I remove the fabric cover?

Yes, the oval cover is held magnetically and comes off without tools. Without the grille you see the black ATB cones, which makes for a nice contrast against the white cabinet. The sonic difference is minor, so decide purely by taste. Worn-out holes or lost pins simply don't happen here.

Why buy the Canton GLE 80 S2 at HD Zürisee?

Because a speaker only shows what it's capable of in the right room. Our experienced team knows the GLE series from everyday use, gives you an honest read on which model suits your living situation, and thinks through amplifier, cabling and placement right alongside it. Your pair is delivered to your home, and our own technician is there for service.

Goes well with

A matching integrated amplifier, decent speaker cable, and – once film joins the mix – a subwoofer as well as a centre speaker from the same house. More models can be found among the floorstanding speakers.