I owned the original CDM2, not the SE version. The bass is a bit loose, as you would expect from a small ported design trying to punch beyond its weight. The highs can be a little rough in places. But on the whole you will be struck by the high definition of B&W's Kevlar midrange and aluminum dome tweeter. In a small to medium room with a good amp these can deliver very impressive sound, detailed, sweet, clear, and powerful. But I wouldn't buy them without hearing them. Once upon a time that would be taken for granted but in the age of mail order and ebay it cannot be. The speakers are also quite beautiful to look at with the sculpted grills in place.

Amazing sound, superb bass! Great for inhouse music lovers and I would recommend to anyone!

They deliver the goods and open up the sound, what more do you want!!!!

None so far.

I bought these 10 year old CM2 speakers used from e-bay initially to use to replace the crappy speakers on my computer, and have paired them with an old audiolab amp to drive them. I am an ex- pro muso and so like to hear stuff well even through a computer. The sound from these little speakers have since blown me away, which considering I am using the naff players supplied with the computer is simply amazing.

I have a pretty decent HiFi system downstairs but have heard sounds from music and films that I have never heard before on these. I have never owned a pair of B&W speakers before, but have used numerous other makes in the past that have never left me so impressed as these. Not difficult to see why they use this make in Abbey Road studios. I am sold on these and would certainly recommend them to anyone, and needless to say will now be upgrading my downstairs speakers soon, which should really please the wife!

best pair of speakers ever hand but they are on there way out both tweeters are blown and main cones are on there way out how much would it be to replace the mains 6 inch cavalar cones.How much would it be to replace just the cones on the speakers.

Solid Build Tight Bass Superb High & Mid

Bass is a bit lacking in big space. You need a sub.

Mine is CDM 2. To bring out the fullest of this speaker, you must first biwired it with a reasonable speaker cable. As most of the users experienced it, the sound differential is quite obvious. Beside the solid build, the soundstage is good as compared to speakers of this price range. The bass is tight (reasonably deep) & the mid & high is beautiful. I lisened to a lot of vocals & this speaker is just right for me & my room size (26msq). Grab 1 if you see it as B&W no longer producing. For that matter, I feel this speaker is warmer as compared to CDM 1 NT & the price is a couple of hundreds cheaper.

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Monitor Audio Studio 2. Epos 14. Roger LS 2A/2. Mission 780.

Very easy on the ears and very musical ...a very good all-rounder which can improve with good equipment

Not the most nuetral speaker on the planet ...and can sound a bit boxy at times...but these are very minor flaws

I auditioned these at a local shop as was immediately impressed with their lively, tight, and very clear sound...there are those that "criticize" the B & W sound as being somewhat artificial or "colored"...but whatever it is it sounds good to me...I could listen to these speakers all day...and the bass sounds much lower that their 70hz specs would suggest...I find these to be vastly superior to the new 600 models in almost every regard...although if pushed would say the new models "throw out" more of a soundstage,,,which is why I believe they have received such favorable reviews...but the bass is far more musical and highs much richer with the cdm2se...in fact I am kicking myself for not buying them...if you can find a used pair consider yourself very lucky

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Monitor Studio 2...another exellent brit speaker

Timing, dynamics, mid-bass.

Needs quality components to make them really sing.

I have owned the CDM2 (not SE) for more than 3 years now. It is until about 6 months ago I realise how good this pair of babies really are. When I first got them, I was using an Arcam integrated amp and speaker placement was on shelves. Even with less than ideal listening conditions, it is clear that the CDM2 are something special in comparison with my old pair of Missions. 9 months ago, I shifted house and up-grade my amp to a pre/power (150W), got 24" speaker stand (sand-filled) and bi-wired the CDM2. It's was like the first time I heard the speakers. Fair enough, the CDM2 is not the last word in bass. But mid-bass is tight, very tight...you can feel 'balls' of bass pumping from the speakers. And the soundstaging is incredible for speakers of this size. Admittedly, they do have quite a fair bit of competition for their mids and highs. But I like their forward nature...not bright, just forward... Timing and dynamics improved leaps and bounds after I upgraded my amps. It sounded so different. However, the mid and highs retained the same characteristics with both amps.

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Mission. But review a wide range of speakers before making final purchase

excellent mid and upper range. Decent bass for a bookshelf speaker.

considering price, none

This product works better with a subwoofer. Surprisingly, the NHT superones were very close in performance. One great thing about B&W speakers in general is that they make poor recordings sound listenable. The CDM 2SE is a good overall speaker, but it does not sparkle, or catch the ear if you know what I mean. The Matrix and Nautilus 805 at more than twice the price do a better job in that department. At $800.00/pr., it represents a good investment for a small room, if it is teamed with a good subwoofer.

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NHT 1.5 and superone. B&W Matrix and Nautilus 805

This is lovely speaker BUT you MUST bi-wire it and put it on stand or wooden cones. For a small listening environment like mine we'll need to plug the port at the back. Then it is very lovely for classical music of all types and delicate pop songs. (If you don't biwire it, speakers of much lower prices may outperform it. Very low cost biwiring is already very good.)
My equipment list: Musical Fidelity A2 int. amp. Musical Fidelity X-10D line stage, old Pioneer S3390 LD player, cheap OFC interconnect cables and cheap OHF bi-wired speaker cables (cheap Japanese OFS cables for low frequency and Patronics silver plated cables for high frequency). I blacken the edge of CDs to improve clarity of high frequencies too.

Refined sound quality, beautiful cabinetry

Bass not punchy, or go deep enough, if that's what you are looking for

At the dealer, I compared the CDM2SE with 602S2, 603S2, and found although there is less bass volume from the 2SE, but the sound is less harsh, and a lot more musical. Even the bass sounds more tight and refined. With the discount for the discontinued model, it was a easy desicion for me.

I originally planed to use NAD C740--rated at 35W per channel--to power those speakers, but in the showroom, even at normal listening volume, its volume knob has to be cranked to over half way mark. I ended up buying NAD C350 amp.--rated at 60W per channel--and a C521 CD player.

The combination sounds great in my home. And the CDM2SE's wood cabinetry, teamed with beautifully crafted B&W speaker's stands, add a touch of class and taste to my room.

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Bang & Olusen