Lively and dynamic sound with a big and powerfull sound for such a small speaker, clear midrange and great build and design (real rosewood veneer)

A little bit harsh in the treble

I´ve heard these speakers 5 years ago on the local dealer and was impressed. This is one of the best speakers i´ve ever heard, much better than the 601 and 602 and also better than the 805 (more musical and lively). The only reason i didn´t buy them was the lack of the deepest bass. I´ve always been using floorstanders, but was forced to sell them because of my new small listningroom. And offcourse i decied to buy the CDM 2´s, and get a pair for only $100 second hand. And after been listning too them in a half year, I´ve get used too them and don´t think I missing something in the deepest bass. I´ve been compared them with the CDM 1´s and the CDM 2´s were superior. The CDM 1´s were slow in the bass and much leeser dynamic, okay the midrange was a bit clearer but in all other terms the CDM 2´s were the best. I´ve listning to the new version CDM 2 SE, and they were disapointing, slow and undynamic like the CDM 1´s (and the majority of all B&W speakers for that matter). The only problem is the treble, which can sound harsh, especially with S-sounds. (The first pair I borrow 5 years ago were not having this problem) Conclusion: One of the most lively speakers B&W have made and for the price at $400 (in Denmark) I give them five stars. Get a pair second hand (don´t buy the SE´s!!) and you can´t ask for more.

Similar Products Used:

B&W 601 S1, B&W 602 S1, CDM 1, Dali 400, Dali 850, Heco Argon 50.

I am currently using the CDM-2s for my L/R channels in my HT with a B&W Matrix HTM center. The combination works well, although the CDM-2 is slightly less full sounding then the Matrix series. Eventually I plan to use the CDM-2s as surrounds when I combine my stereo system with my HT. In my stereo system I am using B&W 802s. This combination works very well and saves $800 over purchasing the Matrix 805s for surrounds. On music alone the CDM-2s are quite involving, detailed, and fuller sounding then you would expect for their size. I also own a pair of ACI Sapphire IIIs, which are nice monitors, and cost just a little more then the CDM-2s. I would choose the CDM-2s over the Sapphires. I find that they have more subjective detail, sparkle, and musicality then the soft domed Sapphire IIIs. For bright systems however the Sapphire IIIs may be the better choice. I have also compared Paradigm's Studio 20s. At $600 these are comparable, however I feel the extra $200 spent on the CDM-2s will yield clearer treble and midrange, and a somewhat more refined sound overall.
There are a lot of speakers in this price range and I can't say the CDM-2s are the best. However, at half the cost of the Matrix 805 you get 85% or better what the 805 offers. Above all they are involving speakers to listen to, and have a remarkable family resemblance in sound quality to the B&W Matrix series.

Highy recommended, especially if you can purchase them at a discounted price between 650 - 700.

B&W CDM2
I have owned the CDM2 for some 8 months and continue to be impressed. In this market of bookshelf speakers, the choice is huge. However if you are looking for clarity, precision and warmth, the CDM2s are a sure stand out. The base is tight and precise without the 'boominess' of many bookshelf attempting to compensate for their shortcomings - if its 'boomy' base you want, walk right pass! As an added bonus, the finish (Rosewood) is impeccable, and is a perfect match. In a well layed out lounge room, these blend into the decor. Oh! it is certainly worth giving the CDM1 a look, but value for money and compactness, the CDM2 take my vote. NOTE: proper positioning, as with any speaker, is vital.

I have to agree with everyone else, these speakers took my vote over everything else in the price range, including speakers costing up to three times as much. They are acurate and precise with intense clarity. I also concur with the people below that the cdm-2's are as nice, and in my opinion have richer sound, than the cdm-1's. The base is acurate and tight without any distortion, no matter how much you stress them. The cabinet constuction is flawless, elegant and absolutley gorgeous. It lacks the brigthness other speakers incorporate that causes listening fatigue and after a period of time becomes down right irratating. Instead it gives you a neutral approach, so that you can hear music the way that it was intended to be heard, without any ill advised modifications. The longer I listen to them, the more I fall in love with them. Highly recommended.

I strongly recommend these speakers. At $800/pair, you can't beat the price for the sound quality. Very tasty indeed. They bring out the best in acoustic guitar, jazz piano, even opera. Can't go wrong with them. In fact, I like them better than the CDM-1s, which cost about $1200/pair. The cherry finish makes a nice room statement. Go for it.

At the advice of someone who already had these speakers, I put on Lyle Lovett's North Dakota for the maiden voyage. It was quite an experience. Check it out. You won't be disappointed.

I purchased the CDM-2s to replace my old Klipch Heresys. I found to them to a somewhat frustating speaker. At times they were wonderful, with a balanced neutral sound and a deep sound stage, but at other times the seemed very flat and to lack depth. The excelled at classical music and were almost as good with some styles of jazz, but they really didn't rock. Rock & pop music seemed to lack depth and presence. The bass is somewhat lacking due to their small size so a subwoofer is a must. After using them for 2 months or so I traded them in for the CDM-1s. These I have found to be excellent (subwoofer also required) with more detail and a more consistant sound over a variety music. Matched with the B&W CC-6 center channel they have proved to also be great for home theater.

I really can't be as enthusiastic as everyone else seems. A dealer in town was nice enough to let me audition them at home (with a Creek 4240SE integrated, and a Denon DCM-360 CD changer). I was good at pop music with not too much vocals, but on orchestral pieces, and small acoustic ensembles, or large acapella choral pieces, it felt like there was something missing right in the middle register of the instruments. I also felt that the bass was too loose and boomy, although I must say that I didn't fiddle with placement too much.

Bought these speaker about 18months ago at the same time as my Marantz singnature amp and CD player. I was very impressed with the shop audition. I listen to a very wide range of music and found this probably the best all round speaker of its type / price. I agree with the other reviews regarding bi-wiring. I was ready to change them or my amp - something wasn't quite right with the setup. Then I bi-wired them and couldn't believe the difference! Vocal,strings etc are so vivid. I also tried them with a few other setups - all of which are way beyond the price / quality of my own kit and the speakers just get better.
Bottom Line: Excellent sound / looks. Easily matched to other kit and superb alrounder.

I listened to the CDM-2 in one of the local high end store.At the beginning, they sound really impressive for the sound from such small speakers. Well, that is all about it. The size and sound ratio is impressive, but consider the dealer asks full retail price ($800) for them, they are not worth considering. After listened to these speakers for quite a long period, it showed that these little speakers put out strong mid bass but lack of true base. The "high" is not much different from the $400 601. Acturally, the much cheaper 601 and 602 sound much better. In fact, if you buy the $350/pr NHT super1, you will get more sound and value than CDM-2.
For the sound, 4 stars
For the value, 1 star

Great bass for such a small speaker.

Not a one.

I love these speakers. Even more than the CDM-1's, which I found to be a little bright. Great soundstage, great bass, very clear and natural-sounding.