B&W Owner's Thread - Page 316

Originally Posted by miamioutlaw04

So your agreeing there is not much difference between the two?

Originally Posted by the.dude

Thanks for your feedback. I've decided that if I purchase the B&W 600 series, I will buy an extra pair of 685s and use one as a center. I will either use the extra for a 6.1 system or try to sell it.

The 685 won't have the same aesthetic appeal as a horizontal CC, but I would rather have better sound quality.

Thanks to everyone who commented on my post.

Originally Posted by skidawgz

I need the speaker to be able to handle hip-hop as well as classic rock, and many things in between. Bass is very important as I do not want to have to run a subwoofer to enjoy music. So, sorry for the long intro... I am considering 683s, CM8s or CM9s. I know that I have to go listen myself, and I have but I would like more input. How far apart do you think these models perform?

Originally Posted by Metsuke

Just curious, why are you against using a sub? To get really good bass with hip-hop, etc., a separate sub is going to help you a lot. They're not just for home theaters...

That said, if you don't want to get one, then I'd cross the CM8 off the list as it has a smaller driver and won't extend as deep as the other two.

Originally Posted by kyle454

I have a 14'x11' HT room and would like to know if CM5's or CM1's on stands would be sufficient for a room this size? I will be running a powered sub too.
which CM center would you recommend with the CM5's or CM1's?

Also, would I want to use the same speakers for the rear surrounds in a 5.1 system?

thanks for the help!

Originally Posted by kyle454

is it true the new B&W speakers are "made in China" now?
I don't believe it, but it was a statement I read on the internet recently...

Originally Posted by Metsuke

With the fronts crossed over around 80hz to a powered sub, yes CM5s will do very nicely. CM1s would be iffy IMO.

B&W would pair the CMC with CM5s, but I personally would go to the CMC2 because the CMC is still a D'Appolito array and doesn't have great off-axis response. In fact my own front setup is CM5 + CMC2 and it works great.

For surrounds, no need to have the same exact model, so CMC1 would be OK, especially for HT. Some serious surround music listeners would recommend you go with the 5s again, though - CM1s are said to be a bit thin on the low end.

Originally Posted by macmd

have a denon 4311 and B&W diamond HTM4 center with QED biwire cables (2 plugs to 4 plugs).

so I plugged in the red and black plugs to the back of the denon but I am not sure about the other end with 4 plugs. How do I know what plug goes into the top black vs the bottom black of the speaker and the same for the top red vs the bottom red? or does it matter?

thanks

Originally Posted by bowen8688

Metsuke, do you have any issues with your CMC2 having the same (or close) tonal quality as the CM5's? I have recently purchased the CM5's and CMC2 and I am struggling to get the center to have the same dynamic range as the CM5's? I am using a Yamaha RX-A 3000 to drive the CM's. In HT mode, I cannot seem to get a good sound quality. I have not tried a blue ray yet, just been testing off of cable tv. The CM5's sound great in stereo. But HT has me scratching my head.

Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by Gzerro

I also have CM5 fronts and a CMC2 center. I am really happy with the combo for HT. I ran with a phantom center for a few months before adding the CMC2 and I can understand where you are coming from as it really alters things quite a bit.

The CMC2 is a big speaker relative to the CM5s. I notice it especially in the mid-bass. The CMC2 really "hits you in the chest" during action sequences in a way the CM5s just aren't capable of. Part of what you are hearing may just be the process of your ears/mind adjusting to the added dynamics and power of your overall system.

To adjust the overall balance to your liking I have a few suggestions:

1) Experiment with speaker placement if your room allows. Speaker placement - even a few inches - can really have a large effect. Try adjusting distance of the CM5s as well as toe-in to see if you can dial in the balance that sounds right to you. If you have your center in an AV cabinet it may help to put it on a stand, or angle the front up slightly.

2) Experiment with the foam port plugs in the CMC2, especially if your center is in an AV cabinet or if the rear of the speaker is less than ~2' from the wall. This will cause the bass to roll off and may sound more balanced with the CM5s for you.

3) Try adjusting the volume trim in your AVR and set the volume of the center down a couple of db.

Originally Posted by msmeets

As I mentioned earlier I am pretty much set on buying either the CM8 or CM9 and hook them up to my Rotel RSX-1550. I'm not sure which one would be the best choice considering my apartment.

The size of the room they will be placed in is about 14'x19' and the listening area within this room will be about 10'x12'. The main focus of these speakers is music listening, ranging from jazz to rock. I have a wooden floor, with a 5'x7' carpet in the listening area.

I am afraid the CM9's will offer too much punch in my apartment (they will be placed near the wall that separates me from my neighbours). And will the Rotel RSX-1550 be able to unlock these speakers' potential?

Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by DaveM1

Will 685's work for my mains in my great room 14'x25'x9' being pushed with my Yamaha V663? Or do you think i should step up to the 684 for not much more money? Mosty tv/movies and some music, probably 80/20. I currently have 303 for L/R and LCR3 for center w/ older 10" Velodyne sub. House is being built currently so i have not heard my 303's in this house yet, obviously.

Suggestions for around $6-800 budget??

Originally Posted by DaveM1

Anyone????

Originally Posted by Fanaticalism

685 with a sub over the 684 unless you can step up to he 683. This steps you into the their three way design with their FST midrange and more articulate bass response.

Originally Posted by Gzerro

I also have CM5 fronts and a CMC2 center. I am really happy with the combo for HT. I ran with a phantom center for a few months before adding the CMC2 and I can understand where you are coming from as it really alters things quite a bit.

The CMC2 is a big speaker relative to the CM5s. I notice it especially in the mid-bass. The CMC2 really "hits you in the chest" during action sequences in a way the CM5s just aren't capable of. Part of what you are hearing may just be the process of your ears/mind adjusting to the added dynamics and power of your overall system.

To adjust the overall balance to your liking I have a few suggestions:

1) Experiment with speaker placement if your room allows. Speaker placement - even a few inches - can really have a large effect. Try adjusting distance of the CM5s as well as toe-in to see if you can dial in the balance that sounds right to you. If you have your center in an AV cabinet it may help to put it on a stand, or angle the front up slightly.

2) Experiment with the foam port plugs in the CMC2, especially if your center is in an AV cabinet or if the rear of the speaker is less than ~2' from the wall. This will cause the bass to roll off and may sound more balanced with the CM5s for you.

3) Try adjusting the volume trim in your AVR and set the volume of the center down a couple of db.

Originally Posted by Fanaticalism

It has more to do with the proximity of the cc to the listening position. It is an odd design in that it is a MTW. The further you sit, the less of an issue it is (but an issue nonetheless).

Originally Posted by [Irishman]

What about 7 feet? That's how close I need to be for my Pro111FD.

Originally Posted by saprano

You guys think an AVR is enough to make the CM9's/CMC2 sing and dance? Im not sure if im buying them yet. Im still listening to different speakers. But i heard them at my dealer with separates and they sounded really good. But im not sure if an AVR will bring out the same quality as separates.

I have a pioneer SC37.

Side note.

One thing i've noticed listening to different speakers (3k and up range) is that they all had the same information but sounded different. As in they each revealed every detail of the music but one was warm (CM9's) another bright (focal) and one smooth (totem forest).

One wasn't necessarily better than the other. IMO anyway.

Originally Posted by Martycool007

Can any of you B&W guys give me any info on the Matrix 805 bookshelves? How do they compare to the Nautilus, "S", and Diamond lines? How would you compare them to say the 685 or 683?