B&W’s New CM-5 & CM-9

B&W has introduced some new CM Series Models to its line. They’ve had CM-1, a mini monitor for a grand a pair, and the CMC Center for $650 for over a year. They’ve been excellent. No complaints, but how about some bigger brothers guys?!

CM-5 runs $1500pr. Its design brief is to be an extremely high quality, gorgeously attractive, modest (not tiny) shelf speaker. It is for the customer that would like 805s ($2800pr) but doesn’t want to spend that much.

Please visit our February 2009 newsletter for some overview. This entry is about the sound.

CM-5 $1500pr (6.5” mid/woof, 1” Nautilus aluminum tweeter) 13 3/8h, 7 3/4w, 11d

Black Gloss, Rose or Wenge

What’s really exciting about CM-5 is its musical performance. CM-5 doesn’t sound like a mini! CM-5 sounds very big, tuneful, and has remarkable bass definition. Most speakers of this size have some thump, but no DEEP bass or musical texture. Literally everyone who hears CM-5 asks, “Which sub is on?” The next thing they ask is, “Is all that coming from just those TWO speakers?!”

While CM-5 has plenty of bass with realistic flavor, its best characteristic is its imaging. The CM-5 casts a very large image with outstanding focusing of information that is supposed to be in the center. Take your favorite female singer with guitar or piano and wow, there she is- planted smack dab between your speakers.

CM-5 is clear and very open. It is much more broad in its image than CM-1. It sounds more effortless than CM-1. The timbre is smooth, just a shade brighter than 805s.

You get this performance without needing loads of power. We’d be happy to demo CM-5 for you on a modest 50 w/ch integrated amp! You can put the CM-5s on their own special 24” Floorstands ($400pr), or, toss them on shelves of a big wall unit. Of course the Floorstands will let them perform their best, but even on heavy shelving, CM-5 produces a prodigious sound field.

CM-5 can also rock just fine when used in a surround package with a sub. A lot of smallish bookshelf speakers go to pieces when you hit them with a strong theater experience. CM-5 is right at home!

CM-9 $3000pr (Two 6.5” Kevlar/Pulp fiber woofs, One 6” Kev FST mid, 1” Nautilus aluminum tweeter) 40 3/8h, 7 7/8w, 12 5/8d

CM-9 sounds like CM-5 with deeper bass. We shouldn’t be surprised, huh?! CM-9 is a very nice tower and a good choice when you don’t want a subwoofer. Or, if you do want the sub and you like the look of a tower instead of a speaker on a stand (CM-5) CM-9 is a good option.

Many folks have said, I have $3k per pair to spend. What’s the best choice?

805s at $2800pr is still the most accurate of the bunch. CM-9 goes deeper, but isn’t as warm and smooth.

What’s great about CM-5 is, you can land at half 805s money and call it a day, or add a nice sub like ASW-650 for $650 and you’re set for $2150.

Two Additional Models that have just arrived!

CMC-2 Center $1250ea: Uses two 6.5” Kevlar/Pulp Fiber woofs, New 4” FST Mid and Nautilus aluminum 1” tweeter.                            (8 5/8h, 23 3/8w, 11d)

ASW-CM Powered Sub $1500: 10” Kevlar-Pulp Fiber woofer with on board 500w amp! (12 3/4h, 12 3/4w, 14 3/8d)

AUDIO EMPORIUM.COM