B&W Owner's Thread - Page 319

Kal just reviewed the XPA-5 in Stereophile. I have not got my hands on the review but others have noted it was very positive. I use 3 XPA-1s and an XPA-5 with an all B&W media room. I find the Amps to be excellent. They give an effortless and nearly unlimited dynamic range to my blast away movies and the detail for just plain old movie watching is great. On a functional note, (not subjective), the noise floor is very, very low and really, the Emo's just get out of the way and do what they are supposed to do, amplify sound without coloration. It does seem that the 800 series, at least really opens up with a higher current higher power amp. I assume this is common among B&W's other range of speakers.

Now, I must say, they look like they were built by Stalin era manufacturing and 50s technology thermal control. Although well made, they are not really all that attractive. I find the look very retro and they are insanely heavy. they run cool to the touch and never seem at all tasked. The outlaws, someone else can comment on but I believe they are good amps from others posts.

Emotiva matches up fine. Im using an XPA-5 with my CM9s and the amp is more than capable of driving them. I use the setup for both music and home theater. I'm able to drive them more than loud enough to hurt my ears and there is no audible breakup at those volumes for me. I only consider the amp as a means to increase the volume cleanly. I cant audible detect the differences in the ultra-expensive amps when compared to my emotiva. Your mileage and testing may prove otherwise.

I don't see why there would be any need to match a specific brand amp to a specific speaker manufacturer. If the amp is built well and does not add anything to the sound then I can't see why it would matter as long as the amp is spec'ed to meet the volume requirements that you need and is capable of driving the load (ohm rating).

Guys, A couple of days ago i got a brand new CC700V center to complete my 3.1 setup. I already have Chorus 706V for fronts. The thing is.. when listening to multichannel audio, i get the felling that the voices come through muffled through the center channel. as if the quality of the CC700V is not on par with the 706V. Anybody else with the same feeling? I tried different recordings and i´m not satisfied with the performance of the speaker.. Any thoughts?? Thanks!!!

I have been using an XPA-5 with my 804 Nautilus and I can say that the AMP is very good.. No coloration and good headroom. I am sure a XPA-1 for each of the speaker would be good but I still havent found a reason to go for it!

Hello, I need some advises..

Anyone who has the B&W 684?

Thanks!

It looks like these are going to cost more than its worth to fix. I have heard some of the B&W in-walls are actually pretty good. Any thoughts on a pair in the $1k (or hopefully less) range?

This is just an opinion of a true and simple listener. Not an expert.

So here goes.... Ideally you would want your Surrounds to match your fronts as close as possible. By this I mean an attempt to match crossover parts, drivers, and overall design. You also need to consider if your room is best suited for a direct firing surround or diffused sound. personally, I prefer direct firing but with a 5.1 set up, I might be convinced to go DiPole or BiPole. I also am more concerned about the listening environment for just me. I do have friends over but the vast majority of time, it's just me watching something after the kids crash. If you often are trying to show a movie for a big group, I'd go with a diffuse surround capable speaker.

That is the easy part. B&W has made it difficult for you to match the fronts. Virtually their entire line of in wall speakers has moved away from the Nautilus Aluminum Tweeters to a soft dome tweeter or what they describe as the "Ultra 12". This means that you will not achieve the best Timbre match. If you want to match those tweeters, you may be better served looking for a used speaker. Something like the CWM 500, 650, or 800. Now if you want every possible answer in one speaker, go take a look at the CWM DS8. If you could find a pair, that solves everything. DiPole or straight at yah! You also get the same tweeters ( 3 per speaker actually ). It's pretty dang big though and if'n it were me, I'd get the CWM 650. It plays to -3Db at 50 Hz; by far low enough to nicely integrate with a sub. Actually I'd really get the SCMS or the SCM1. I like these speakers the most of all the choices and my spouse thinks they look good on the wall.

Finally, I love this hobby but am not sure that I can tell the difference between a B&W soft dome tweeter and the Aluminum Tweeters for Surround speaker utilization. I have read the Aluminums are a touch brighter than the soft dome stuff. I believe since most of the material is not highly directional for most movie soundtracks, B&W has made a conscious decision to go soft dome for just about all their CI and Theater speakers. So......in the end perhaps matching the tweeters perfectly is not such a big deal. Mine are all matched.... all 11 speakers and it sounds great to me but realistically I don't think I would notice that much if they weren't all the same Aluminum tweeters.; fronts probably, rear surrounds, probably not.

I am trying to make a decision on speakers. It is between 683s CM8 or CM9s. I am in love with the CM9 towers but not the matching center (price nor size). Do any members run the CMCC instead of the CMC2 with the CM9s?

I usually am all for large speakers, and I recognize the design improvements in the CMC2 having the tweeter on top. However this would always need its own shelf, for every room of mine it ever sits in. Anyone have photos of theirs?

Hi SeattleHTGuy


I disagree completely!
The Surrounds like the Center Channel speaker will be bringing out completely different Sounds / Audio than your Front Left and Right speakers ever will.
That is why any professional room that is setup rarely has the Surrounds speakers exactly the same as the Front Left and Right speakers.
I am also not an Audio Geek but it would just make sense.

Of course you know what they say about opinion's, everyone has one...

Bud B

Disagree completely is a little strong. Let me clarify. I said "ideally", and when I said crossover, drivers, and design; I'd focus on same family of speakers, perhaps related mid and bass drivers but an emphasis on the high range drivers being as close to identical as possible. From what I understand and have heard (in my experience - at least), having similar tweeters is noticeable. Therefore, my recommendation is not to go out and get 5 identical speakers. I guess that would be great, but for most, highly impractical. I'd source the same family of speakers focusing on matching tweeters and similar remaining drivers.

That is, in fact, what I have done. The 803S's share the same tweeters as my center. The rears and wides are both Nautilus 805s and the flattened version of them, the SCM1s. My highly compromised surrounds are Aluminum Tweeters and Kevlar Drivers from the same vintage as my original N805s and my heights (the heights are of a much newer era though - they even have the purple drivers (I wonder if Kevlar color makes any sonic difference - kidding) are also the same Nautilus series tweeters. Now the fronts have the FST driver as well as separate Bass Drivers. All other speakers have single crossover to a Mid and Bass Kevlar Driver. There are some significant differences between the 2 driver speakers and the bigger 803S's. I can hear the difference in a major way while listening to stereo music - comparing between the N805s and 803S's. The bigger speaker just sounds fuller, with more Bass capability and I prefer the 803S's. But, for movies these differences are not nearly as discernible. Not every speaker has the same model of tweeter. I bought these over a series of years, both new and used. I guess it's a bit like Johnny Cash working at the Caddy factory, I have a 73/74/75/76+++ Caddilac. All B&W, just not the same year.

To restate then. Ideally they should all match, even if far more material goes to the fronts. Given realistic size,location and budget restraints, I'd stick within a family and match up the higher range as close as possible. my center is not as capable as the two 803S's. It is a compromise as I do not have or want a perforated screen and therefore I have a low boy HTM3S. We all have to make compromises. This answer all started with the question - what on wall or in wall to match up with N804s? I still stick with my recommendations. Others can have a different set of ideas.

I bought my CM-9's used (1 year old) from a local guy on audiogon who happened to be selling the CMC with them all in the wenge finish. I was looking for gloss black and the CMC2 as well but I got a good deal so I couldn't pass it up. I was a bit concerned about the smaller size of the CMC, but it has performed excellent for me. I feel like voices are clear and easy to understand unlike the limited number of center channels I have experience with. Note: I have not heard the CMC2 for comparison and often wonder if it would be noticeably better. Give us a post if you get a chance to hear them both side by side. Bottom line: I have been very happy with my CMC and CM-9's.

My advice is simple - do not get them. If you need floor standing pair, get 683. For HT duty in small to mid size room, get 685 all around plus subwoofer.

What needs to be fixed? You may be able to fix them yourself by buying the parts here:

http://www.bwgroup-support.com/

I think it would be cheaper for you to buy replacement parts than all new surrounds.

Ok thanks for your reply, will check this out.

My installation will be in built-in bookshelves that I am having reconstructed for HT. Center channel must go over TV at approximately 6 feet above floor. There will be enough space up there for a vertical 685, or a horizontal HTM-62 or CMC. Whatever speaker, I plan to angle it down with shims.

Much criticism here and elsewhere of HTM-61; little said of HTM-62. Is HTM-62 better?

What about CMC? Design and specs on CMC appear very similar to HTM-62. Would CMC pair well with 685s? How concerned should I be about mixing 600-series fronts with CM-series center? Would CMC outperform HTM-62 when paired with 685 front channels?

I have seen suggestions that the ideal center is a third speaker same as front channels. Is that true here -- would a vertical 685 be a better center channel than a horizontal CMC or HTM-62?

Another 685 would be the best option for a center channel with 685s as fronts. You want the front three to be timbre matched. The HTM-62 or HTM-61 sound fine but the "sweet spot" is very narrow and that's the problem. If you bought another pair of 685s you could use the extra speaker for surround duty.

I am still looking for suggestions for surround speakers to match my B&W CDM 7NT towers and CDM CNT center. Would the newer B&W bookshelfs like the 685 or cm1 match in timbre? Or should I look for used CDM1 or something else? I am using primarily for movies in 5.1. I also use an ASW 2500 sub.

Hello all.

This is my first post in this thread.

Last night I bought a pair of CM9's at a really good price. I wasn't really planning to pay so much for new front speakers, but I couldn't pass up such a good deal.

Anyway my question is related to speaker matching. Right now I have a paradigm center and Bose 301's for my surrounds. I'm replacing Bose 501's with the CM9's.

When I used my 501's with the paradigm center, I never noticed any problems. In fact the paradigm sounded much better than when I used my 501's with the matching Bose center channel.

Now using my CM9's with the paradigm, I still don't notice any issues.

I'm curious to know how important it really is to match speakers since I haven't noticed any issues. Is it possible that the auto calibration on my rx-a3000 is fixing some of the issues you'd have with non matching speakers? Or maybe I don't notice any "issues", but if they all matched I would be in awe of the improvement?

Would I really be better of returning the cm9's and buying an entirely new speaker system (for about what i paid just for these 2 speakers) where all speakers match? I know my wife isn't going to allow me to buy a B&W center and surrounds anytime soon!

I'm asking all of these crazy questions because I don't want to regret my decision this time like I did after buying the Bose speakers. Whatever I get this time I will be "stuck" with for a very long time.

Thanks so much for your help and advice.

Anyone know if B&W sell speakers individually? I'm trying to buy a single PM1 to use as my centre speaker.

Sorry, one more question. If I keep the Cm9's, what ohm should I set on my receiver since these are 8 and my Bose are 6? My receiver doesn't have ohm settings for fronts/rear/center (it applies to all).

Thanks again.

If I was you, I would keep a pair of CM9s like that, put some effort into getting them dialed into your room, and then listen gradually more critically to things, if that is something you find rewarding.

If and when you get better attuned to things, you'll know whether you want to put money towards a different center speaker.

Make it a process

Do you love the CM9s (for the price you got them)? Then keep them! Find a center to match them down the line, when budget will allow it. The surrounds do not have to match so you are fine with whatever you have for now.

I am about to (maybe) purchase CM9 or 683s, but I also cannot currently afford either CM center (if I decide not to do 683s). I will be using what I have until I can fit it into my budget. I don't think this line of speakers will go anywhere too fast. Not before I can get the matching center.

You can leave your receiver on 8ohm for 6ohm speakers.

I have two HTM's (the first ones made by (B&W I think).
Even though they were designed as center speakers, can they be used as front left/ right speakers for a home theater configuration?
Would this work?
Thanks.
Tim

Well, it looks like I'm keeping the CM9's no matter what. I woke up to find that my 2 year old has pushed in the tweeter cone. I doubt best buy would accept them as a return when they're damaged.

Where could I get a new tweeter? Do I need to ship my speaker somewhere (I really freaking hope it's not England or china).

What do you think a new tweeter will run? $300.00???

$108.60 each. See http://bwgroup-support.com/partspriceavail.html , but before you buy anything go talk to your salesman. You never know, you might meet the only sympathetic salesman who's interested in making future sales. Nothing to lose.
They also sell tweeter protection covers(top of page) if you think your kid will do it again. Best Buy has been known to give these away sometimes,but not always. Sound-wise I would advise against using them(nothing good can come from putting something in front of your tweeter), but dollar-wise it's your choice. It's not good news, but it's better than $300!

Thanks for the information. You're right, $109 is better than $300!

How easily is the tweeter replaced? Is it as easy as removing the 4 screws, easily unhooking a wire from the tweeter, and then easily putting the new one in? Or, am I better off having a pro replace the speaker?

By the way, best buy did give me the tweeter covers, but my son just took those off too.

I've never replaced a CM series tweeter,hopefully someone on this thread can advise you how to do it. I don't think it would be that hard, but better to hear from someone who has done it.

This rational makes no sense. "Hey, I know I just crashed this coming out of the lot, but can I return it for a full refund?"

Well, things are looking better than what I thought they'd be. Fortunately I had the star tool (or whatever it's called) in my toolbox! I was able to unscrew the 4 screws and take out the tweeter. It looks like there's just the +/- wires to remove and then reattach to the new speaker. Much easier than I thought it would be.

I'm not completely certain if a dented cone affects the sound quality, but having it damaged messes with my mind and makes me THINK it's not good. I'm going to replace it and build a wall to keep people out of the family room. :-)

Has anyone tried gluing the protective tweeter dome covers to the area it sets on? It looks like where it attaches that it's not actually a part of the speaker. Wondering if that would be ok or damage it?

With good sources the best sound would be identical speakers all around. The best surround setup I have heard for both music and movies was a set of 802 Ds in a 5.1 setup. It was incredible. It was setup in a perfect circle and pans were smooth and even.

A mismatch can still sound good, however.