Canton Townus Sub 12 Active Subwoofer, Black (Piece)

The Canton Townus Sub 12 is an active subwoofer with a 308 mm titanium driver and downfire passive radiator that delivers the low-end foundation that floorstanding and bookshelf speakers can't manage alone.

The active driver sits up front and fires forward, while the equally sized passive radiator works on the underside. Canton calls this principle bass reflex with passive radiator – in plain terms: the co-resonating membrane takes over the role of the bass reflex port, just without an open port and its associated chuffing noise. It's all driven by a Class-D amplifier delivering 250 watts nominal and 400 watts music power. In gloss black, the result looks considerably more restrained than it sounds.

Why the Canton Townus Sub 12?

Because it delivers volume and control at the same time. The 30 cm titanium driver with double-folded wave surround moves plenty of air while staying precise instead of blurring at high levels. The passive radiator below delivers deep bass without port noise and makes placement closer to a wall more forgiving. Down low, the sub reaches to 20 Hz – the range you feel more than hear.

What you hear

In film, the impact that separates an explosion from a mere noise. In music, something many people don't expect from a subwoofer at all: not a thick carpet of bass, but contour. A kick drum gains body, a double bass gains space, and your main speakers suddenly sound freer because they no longer have to carry the basement alone.

Who is the Canton Townus Sub 12 for?

Honestly: for rooms of around 20 square metres and up, and for anyone running home cinema and music on the same system. With controls for level, phase, and crossover frequency (50–200 Hz) plus three-stage room adaptation, it fits into practically any system, not just the Townus series. For a small city apartment with thin walls, though, it's a size too big – plan a step smaller in that case.

Our verdict

A powerful, precisely adjustable subwoofer with grown-up depth and furniture-grade finish instead of a plastic box. And because a subwoofer only becomes good through proper placement: at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, our technician Mauri helps you set position, phase, and crossover so it stays punchy without booming.

Technical data

• Type: Active subwoofer
• Acoustic principle: bass reflex with passive radiator, active driver front-firing, passive radiator downfiring
• Amplifier: Class-D
• Nominal/music power: 250 / 400 watts
• Woofer: 1× 308 mm (12") titanium, double-folded wave surround
• Passive radiator: 1× 308 mm MDF, downfire
• Frequency range: 20–200 Hz
• Crossover frequency: 50–200 Hz, adjustable
• Phase control: adjustable
• Room adaptation: 3-stage switchable
• Inputs: 2× high-level (speaker terminals), 2× low-level (RCA)
• Output: 1× low-level (RCA) for daisy-chaining to a second subwoofer
• Additional features: auto on/off (amplifier mode), adjustable volume
• Finish: gloss black, lacquered
• Dimensions (W×H×D): 36 × 47.2 × 49.8 cm
• Weight: 21 kg
• Included: Townus Sub 12, fabric cover, power cable, instruction manual

Frequently asked questions

How do I connect the Townus Sub 12?

Easiest via an RCA cable from the subwoofer or LFE output of your AV receiver or amplifier to one of the two low-level inputs. If your electronics don't have such an output, connect the high-level inputs in parallel to the speaker terminals. Both routes work; the RCA route is the usual one in a home cinema.

Does the Sub 12 fire downward?

Partly. The active 308 mm driver sits up front and fires forward, while the equally sized passive radiator works on the underside. This makes the deep bass more forgiving in terms of placement, and there's no open bass reflex port. For you, that means more freedom in positioning and less droning from a port.

Does the Sub 12 only work with Canton speakers?

No. Sonically it's voiced for the Townus series, but via level, phase, crossover frequency, and the three-stage room adaptation, it can be matched to practically any system – regardless of your main speakers' brand. It also works with a pure stereo amplifier via the high-level inputs.

Can I run two Townus Sub 12 together?

Yes. Besides its inputs, the Sub 12 has a low-level RCA output that passes the signal on to a second subwoofer. Two subs set more modestly often distribute bass more evenly around the room than one having to carry everything alone. We'll tell you whether that's worthwhile in your room.

Why buy the Canton Townus Sub 12 at HD Zürisee?

Because a subwoofer only becomes good through proper setup – even the best one booms if placed wrong. We know the Townus series, advise you on room, placement, and crossover, deliver to your home, and integrate the sub cleanly into your system with our own technician.

Goes well with

Matching home cinema speakers and floorstanding speakers from the Canton range, an amplifier or AV receiver as the centrepiece – and a proper subwoofer cable for the connection.