B & W CM Speakers

[sanford lindstrom 35]

I have been interested in  picking up a pair probably used of B & W either CM1 or CM2 speakers.

 

I have been reviewing ebay for the past couple of months and what I found is most pairs of these have some minor damage to the wood veneer.  I have listened to a pair at my local Magnolia Hi Fi store a few months ago when they began selling B & W. When I was in the store the other day, both pairs of bookshelf B & W CM speakers in the demo room had minor damage to the wood veneer.

 

These were the only speakers in the shop that had any cosmetic damage.

 

 I have owned a pair of JBL 4311b speakers in walnut since the late 70s and I have transported these speakers for many family functions in the back of my car while being careful they have been dinged a few times with no or very minimal damage.  My wood ADS 300 speakers have a solid wood corners to protect the veneer and are very durable.  Some of the pairs of these I have picked up on ebay had moderate dings that could be sanded out refinished and made to look like new. My Martin Logan ReQuests get hit on a regular basis gently by the vacumn cleaner nozzle and I have refinished the wood at the bottom a couple of times in last over 10 years of ownership. They look like new.

 

I believe that my family treats my equipment with more than reasonable care and all of my equipment is in good condition that I am proud to have in any room of my home.

 

I suspect that many of these slightly damaged B & W speakers have had more pampered lives than I have treated my speakers over the years, but they appear to easily susceptible to damage. 

 

Going back over 20 years, I have always have loved the sound of B & W speakers the quality of the finish is better than the other speakers I have owned, but I am a little worried about the durability of the veneers. 

 

Any comments before I consider the purchase would be appreciated.

[Guest grh1950]

I have only had mine for a few months and have not moved them so I cannot comment on durability over time, but I picked up a demo pair of CM1's from Ebay and they arrived in perfect condition. They sound fabulous and I picked them up for $750. They are up on stands so hitting with a vacuum is not an issue.

[sanford lindstrom 35]

Thanks for the reply.

 

I love my floor standing Martin Logan ReQuest and my JBL 4311b speakers.  Again both sets are in like new condition.  My wife and I like speakers that are a little on the bright side.  The B & W CM bookshelf series have appeal to me as they are not quite as bright sounding as my other two pairs of critical listening speakers and would provide a nice complement to my other listening environments.

 

I am looking at these for a den area in a house I am building.  I love the sound but if I purchase these, I will make sure that they reside on a bookshelf in a very protected location.  Again the number of these I have seen on ebay and in the store with minor veneer damage concerns me.

 

Thanks for the review of the sound quality.  Do you use a subwooofer with yours?

 

I will probably also go the ebay route on my purchase when the time comes. 

[oldtexasdog 2,458]

I have a pair of B&W 705's that are on stands and built like bullits that I love the sound of-and that was after a year of demoing and shopping for something in my price range. I do use a set of subs with them .

[sanford lindstrom 35]

The first time I heard B & W speakers was with a friend who was looking for speakers in the late 1980s.  He bought a pair of B & W Matrix speakers along with stands in black that were extremely well constructed and looked like they would last the ages. 

 

I have been impressed with sound of B & W ever since.

 

I don't know what year or years your speakers were made.  

 

Maybe I should be looking for a different vintage than the newer CM series.

 

I want a high quality bookshelf speakers I can use with a sub. 

 

Thanks for the reply.

[Guest RodH]

I can't speak to the CM series, but I have had DM640i's (for many years) and a pair of 602-S2's.

Never had an problems with the finish, although the grill on one of the 640's got so badly sun faded that I had to recover them but the cabinets were never an issue.  They were old enough to vote when I finally let them go.

 

The 602's had many owners and again other than grill damage they stood up just fine.

 

I have yet to hear a pair of B&W's that I did not like!

[sanford lindstrom 35]

Sorry to be away so long.  We have been busy with other aspects of our lives than stereo.  Part of it has been the fact that we have been living without our Martin Logan or JBL 4311b speakers for the past few months in our garage guest house until our new home is constructed. Both my wife and I have gotten tired of listening to music on a pair of ADS 300s.  We like these speakers as background sound throughout our home but not as primary speakers for critical listening.

 

We just picked up a pair of B & W CM2 speakers in maple on Ebay.  The speakers and cabinets are in perfect condition and we have been listening to music exclusively all this week.  Definitely different sound than the Martin Logan Requests and the JBLs.   Amazing sound from a relatively small package. We are anxious to do an A/B (or A/B/C) test when we have more space.  We are not sure which speakers will be our favorites but the B & Ws will give Martin Logans a serious challenge.  The JBLs are great for large parties where a large amount of clear sound is required.  In the meantime I am considering getting the Velodyne UDL-15 out of storage or purchasing a Sunfire Sub as the B & Ws need some additional help in the low frequency range.

 

Any input on pairing bookshelf B & W speakers with the Sunfire Sub or other subwoofers would be appreciated.

 

It is great to have quality sound back into our lives again.

 

 

[zumbini 6,150]

I can imagine what you are going through Sanford. I hate to be away from my system for more than a few hours.

 

Congrats on your new (to you) acquisition too. ENJOY! 

[kve777 6,889]

Welcome Back!

 

Keep the Velodyne for HT use. A Sunfire sub might be a good bet with the B&W's. PSB makes some great 2-channel subs that blend well with a variety of main speakers. If you are really critical, get two, one for each channel. Really.

[Guest RodH]

Good to see you again Sanford!

 

Any decent sub is going to work in your favor, but getting the integration right can be a little bit of work.

Rich has posted a fair bit on the process - it's not my forté.

 

Have fun with it.

 

 

[oldtexasdog 2,458]

I have a pair of B&W's and found 2 subs work real well. I have a smaller Mirage 250w sub that takes it on at 80Hz down to 60Hz then a Carver True sub that takes everything below 60Hz. They are both off a one channel sub out on my Denon 2808 and sit abot 10' apart in the corners. I like it very much as the lower fq. do not go to the B&W's they can work their magic on the mid and highs. Then the M.10t MKII Op2 can drive them hard no problem.

[sanford lindstrom 35]

Thanks to all for the welcome back!!

 

Is there a write up somewhere of differences between the various models of the Sunfire Subwoofers models made over the years?

 

In looking at ebay auctions I see true subs and versions Mk II and Mk IV.  Also Archtitectual Sub and Jr. and Super Jr. These are in addition to the EQ series with built in calibration.

 

I understand the Jr. models are smaller with lower powered amps.  I also undedrstand the EQ function, but are there models of the Sunfire Sub that are superior or that I should stay away from. 

 

I read a negative review on the Jr. and a positive reveiw on the Super Jr. Any help sorting out the choices would be appreciated.

 

Sanford

 

 

 

[weitrhino 1,443]

Perhaps the best way is to download the manuals from Sunfire and compare between models you're interested in having.

 

Oh, and welcome back.

[oldtexasdog 2,458]

I was steered by the late great BillD to the True MKII that I have now. After doing the tighten up on the grounds as he suggested I have had no problems and just love it-it will shake the house and put the cows off giving milk! Or just be there and behave when it's set to behave.

[sanford lindstrom 35]

Thanks.  I will probably look for a True Subwoofer Mk II to Mk IV.

 

Any recommendation of BillD has to be good!

[oldtexasdog 2,458]

Be patient you can get a good price. Mine had been painted white but had a new MKII driver- but seller did not want to do the tighten up himself.

BTW Welcome Back-They sending you out again soon?