[gassetjd]

I am currently trying to decide between a 683 HT setup (L/R - 683, C - HTM61, S - 685) or a CM7 HT setup (L/R - CM7, C - CM Center, S - CM1). My room is 12 x 10. I have a preference for HT (70%) and music (30%). I have auditioned both and think the clarity is better with the CM7's, but I wonder if I could live with the 683's. The 683 HT fits within my budget. I would like to hear others experiences with these speakers and get any advice.


Also, what AV receiver sounds good with B&W. I like detailed sound that is slightly forward. I am currently looking at the following receivers. Sound is the only thing that matter to me since I will have an Oppo BD player.


Denon AVR-3808CI

Denon AVR-4308CI

Pioneer Elite SC-07

Sony STR-DA5400ES

Yamaha RX-V3900

 

[dan711]



Quote:
Originally Posted by gassetjd /forum/post/16896856


I am currently trying to decide between a 683 HT setup (L/R - 683, C - HTM61, S - 685) or a CM7 HT setup (L/R - CM7, C - CM Center, S - CM1). My room is 12 x 10. I have a preference for HT (70%) and music (30%). I have auditioned both and think the clarity is better with the CM7's, but I wonder if I could live with the 683's. The 683 HT fits within my budget. I would like to hear others experiences with these speakers and get any advice.


Also, what AV receiver sounds good with B&W. I like detailed sound that is slightly forward. I am currently looking at the following receivers. Sound is the only thing that matter to me since I will have an Oppo BD player.


Denon AVR-3808CI

Denon AVR-4308CI

Pioneer Elite SC-07

Sony STR-DA5400ES

Yamaha RX-V3900

I've auditioned both of those setups recently. I preferred the cm7's. To my ears, they had a clearer and smoother sound overall. The 683's had more deep bass, but that's what a sub is for. If you get the cm7's, try and step up to the cm2 center. I listened to both setups powered by the new Rotel line of receivers.

 

[warpdrive]

I'd recommend the CM Center 2 if you get the CM's.


Your room is very small, it might also be worthy to consider CM5 up front to save a few bucks.

 

[gsmollin]

I went through this exercise two days ago and bought the CM7s with CM center. The stereo image from the CM7 is so much clearer than either 600 series tower, that I knew I would never be happy with the 600 series after hearing the CM7. Your dealer can offer a discount. PM me to find out how much. Tell him you can only afford the CMs if he discounts them. With the discount, the price difference between the two series is less than the performance difference, and it is rare that you can say that.

 

[HTMAN21]



Quote:
Originally Posted by dan711 /forum/post/16897172


I've auditioned both of those setups recently. I preferred the cm7's. To my ears, they had a clearer and smoother sound overall. The 683's had more deep bass, but that's what a sub is for. If you get the cm7's, try and step up to the cm2 center. I listened to both setups powered by the new Rotel line of receivers.

Same as my audition except Denon 3808 was the receiver.


I would also add that Bose is better than the HTM61 (IMO).

 

[aliasfox]

My CM5s are punchy, but they like power - I'm not sure CM7s would be happy living in a 3808, personally. I'm running a 2807 outputting stereo, and at times the CM5s sound flat - a 3808 might not provide a huge boost.


If I were to go for the whole setup, I'd probably recommend something like a Denon 23xx series or an Onkyo 60x receiver, and if that doesn't sound adequate, they have pre-outs to add an extra amp to. However, my room's bigger (14 x 14 x 8, I'd say?), so take anything I say with a grain of salt.

 

[gassetjd]

I thought about the CM Center 2. I will go demo it. I really want my fronts to have a clear midrange. I like the fact that the CM Center 2 has the FST driver.

 

[HTMAN21]



Quote:
Originally Posted by aliasfox /forum/post/16899507


My CM5s are punchy, but they like power - I'm not sure CM7s would be happy living in a 3808, personally. I'm running a 2807 outputting stereo, and at times the CM5s sound flat - a 3808 might not provide a huge boost.


If I were to go for the whole setup, I'd probably recommend something like a Denon 23xx series or an Onkyo 60x receiver, and if that doesn't sound adequate, they have pre-outs to add an extra amp to. However, my room's bigger (14 x 14 x 8, I'd say?), so take anything I say with a grain of salt.

The 3808 was being used when I demoed the CM and 683. The Denon did not do a good job at higher volumes, especially with the 683's.

I would definitely use an amp with Denon. I did not think the Onkyo 6xx had pre outs.

 

[aquaphile]

you probably dont need the 683's in a room that small, but the CM7's are also a good deal more $$$. have you listened to the CM5's to the extent youve listened to the towers? if you plan on using a sub, why not consider having a set of larger bookshelf speakers up front? im going to side with warpdrive here on possibly avoiding towers all together. plus, that could always give you a better receiver or sub budget

and either way, i can +1 for avoiding the HTM61. ive heard ok thigns about the HTM62 though, which im sure would be great with the 684's, but you seem to want a bigger setup than that. if i may ask, why are you getting such a big setup in a relatively small room?


whichever way you choose to go, let us know what the final purcahse is, and your first impressions when you finally get them home

 

[gassetjd]

Thanks for all the good info! The reason why I am leaning towards the CM7's is because they are a graduation present to myself. I graduated last spring and I will be buying a house in 6-9 months. I didn't want to buy CM5's when I would probably need the CM7's within a year. I already own a sub, SVS 20-39 pci. There are so many options for laying a system that this process can be rather difficult. I will continue researching and I have some demo trips planned around FL. I will definitely let you guys know what I decide and what I think when I get them home. Thanks to everyone for the guidance.

 

[stepmback]

I listened to the CM series and liked them more than the 600 series. But I could not justify the cost. I was able to find a great deal on nearly mint HTM61, and pair of 683s. The price was so good, I could not pass it up. But if you can afford it, get the CMs. As another poster suggested, the CM5s may help you save a couple bucks.


I also just purchased, yet to recieve the Denon AVR-4310CI. I was comparing to the 3310 and the Yamaha 3900. When I heard the audysey setup in a room.. I was hooked on Denon. There goes 15 years of Yamaha loyalty.

 

[RLBURNSIDE]

including myself would say to avoid the CM7 or CM9s and get either the 683s to save cash (because frankly many of us complained in the other forum that the CMs are waaaay too "laid back". that's a polite way of saying "dull")


so I'd say IMHO listen a lot before you buy. I was dead set on CM9s before I heard them, and I've had B&Ws as my mains since college (12 years!). When I went to upgrade I could not imagine spending 3 grand on the CM9s and thought it was a huge disappointment. not only bad value, but no matter how cheap I wouldn't probably have bought them.


Others in here have suggested the REAL step up from the 683s are in the 800 range == $$$

 

[VectorLabs]

The CM and 68x series are just so different sounding that you can't make a decision without hearing them both. I prefer the CM for music but if it was for 100% movies I would save the cash and go with the 68x series. Just be aware that the CM's love power and sound better with a lot of juice. Consider going with a separate amp if you end going for the CM series. Also since you were considering the CM7 you are also in starting 800 series territory with the 805S bookshelf which is just a totally different monster (for the better).

 

[aliasfox]



Quote:
Originally Posted by HTMAN21 /forum/post/16900472


The 3808 was being used when I demoed the CM and 683. The Denon did not do a good job at higher volumes, especially with the 683's.

I would definitely use an amp with Denon. I did not think the Onkyo 6xx had pre outs.

Sorry, not as familiar with Onkyo's lineup - the 7xx series has pre-outs then? Either way, a receiver (pretty much regardless of caliber) probably won't do your new speakers justice in a louder/larger setting.


If you're worried about CM5s not being "enough" for a bigger room in a house, I don't think you'd need to worry. My CM5s are fantastic, and often seem to be egging me to turn them up just a little more... too bad I live in an apartment building. That said, the price difference between CM5s and CM7s is only about $300, which wouldn't quite be enough to get a nice sub to make up for the difference in the bottom end (which is my guess as to where the difference would be most apparent).

 

[HTMAN21]



Quote:
Originally Posted by aliasfox /forum/post/16911763


Sorry, not as familiar with Onkyo's lineup - the 7xx series has pre-outs then? Either way, a receiver (pretty much regardless of caliber) probably won't do your new speakers justice in a louder/larger setting.


If you're worried about CM5s not being "enough" for a bigger room in a house, I don't think you'd need to worry. My CM5s are fantastic, and often seem to be egging me to turn them up just a little more... too bad I live in an apartment building. That said, the price difference between CM5s and CM7s is only about $300, which wouldn't quite be enough to get a nice sub to make up for the difference in the bottom end (which is my guess as to where the difference would be most apparent).

The Onkyo 7 series does have pre outs and it is a very good processor.

I was primarily interested in the CM7's or CM9's. The 9's had a more filling sound and justifiably so. I like the entire CM line. Much more than the 7 series.

The 683 may have the edge for HT. If I was buying the 683's I would get the CM2 center. It blended much better with the CM9's than the HTM61.

I opted for LSA's and have been very very satisfied with them.

 

[esaleris]

I agree - the CM7s really need a good, clean power (notice I didn't say a lot of power) to sound great. I bought into the whole B&W / Rotel thing - it's your discretion if that makes sense to you - but my CM7s sound great with 120w of clean power.