These little infinite baffle loudspeakers are gems, but the previous poster is correct: to give of their best they need to be partnered with good amplifiers and front end. Correctlt-designed loudspeakers will not enhance indifferent or downright bad amplification (I do not include CD players here since any, and I do mean ANY! CD player provides a sufficiently high quality signal). Having been involved in live music both as a performer and listener for most of my life, I can safely recommend the Cambridge Soundworks Model Six to those who want a good pair of speakers. Yes, of course they don't go low, (60Hz is about their effective low end limit - at least where they are placed in my room) but one cannot get a quart out of a pint box! And one cannot expect a more exotic design at this price.
Those who have complained about listening fatigue should audition a pair of speakers that employ metal dome tweeters (eeeek!) with whatever inadequately designed amplification they are using. Their doggie will leave home immediately!

Those who want some architectural bass and lower should see my review of the Cambridge Soundworks Powered Subwoofer 1, and partner the Sixes with that rather lovely unit.

Regards.

These speakers I think were specifically designed with jazz in mind and they do a good job in that regard. Unfortunately, I don't really listen to jazz. All other forms of music sound pretty terrible on these including rock, rap, easy listening, country, classic rock, indie rock, anything electronic at all and also use with the television. So...not a very versatile speaker but if you listen to jazz and nothing but..these are inexpensive and worth auditioning. 2 stars

I just read the reviews and noticed how many bad ratings they got. They obviously got these ratings because most people who buy them have crappy equipment. I've had my speakers for 6 years and could definately agree with these bad ratings if I still had my kenwood receiver. But I just bought a Yamaha RX-596, and they improved drastically. They have crystal clear highs and a very realistic soundstage. The bad thing is that they lack in bass and can get fatiguing if played at a high volume.

The Model Six is an excellent choice to those who want a good bookshelf speaker. They are exactly that, one cannot expect room filling bass from a bookshelf speaker and nor should anyone of the Model Six. I am currently running them with my Marantz 580 Dolby Digital reciever and when used with a subwoofer as I do, they will deliver clear and crisp sound reproduction.

I want to add to my previous review: Those who want more bass from the Model Six should try postioning them almost touching the endwall and facing straight out -no toe in- as recommended by Alan Maier in his review in "SMR Home Theatre" [ WWW.SMR-home-theatre.org]. Like him I found this gave good strong bass to 40 hz, where the low string of a bass guitar is tuned, and useable bass well below that! Acoustic suspension speakers like these rely on room boundry effect to reinforce bass, unlike the more common ported bass reflex design which sounds best well away from the wall. And to the fellow who thought they sounded horrible and sent them right back: Yep, they can be harsh out of the box. Normal break-in is about 30 hours.

I take back what I said about these speakers in a previous review. Turned out the amp I was using had gone bad. I think that these sounded as bad as they did hooked up to a bad amp is testament to how good they are. The other speakers I have sounded only a little bit off even though the amp was totally screwed up.

Clear Sound

None (for the money)

For the price of these bookshelf speakers they perform well in my mid-size room. I prefer acoustic suspension, which these are, and a soft dome as opposed to metal tweeter. I don't get tired of listening to these. The price of these speakers is right, but I gave a 4 for overall rating because more expensive speakers obviously perform better.

these speakers have really clear sound and good bass

none for price

These speakers are really good for their size and stuff they have alot of bass and really have quality sound i think csw really makes a great speaker

Similar Products Used:

bose 201

Treble, midrange

non considering the price paid

You would have to have tin ears to not like these speakers.Even if I paid the full retail price my opinion would still be the same.They weren't meant to be true audiophile loudspeakers,but one of the best two way designs available at their cost.I listen to music late nights when the noise floor is lowest.You would be suprised at how much music you miss when trying to listen in a room that is not perfectly quiet,2:00 am is the absolute best time to do serious listening.Anyway these are the clearest cheap speakers I have ever heard in a long, long time.Their treble is clear and spacious with good air around instruments. You don't have to listen hard to hear details that other supposedly high end designs miss.Every body talks about the lack of deep bass response ,I love the bass produced by acoustic suspension speakers.The model six's bass is tight,quick and boomfree!They are perfect for listening to music,emphasis is Music!Please don't use cheap electronics with these speakers(receivers made in Japan!)With their simple xover design that allow almost full signal transfer, such receivers tend to sound bright and thin in the bass with these speakers.The design of these speakers is tried and true.A flat cabinet such as the model sixes is probably the best shape to use if you want to eliminate as much internal standing waves within an enclosure as possible.The shape has a lot to do with the final sound ,which is clear and boomfree.Their are some of us who are enlightened about proper audio design and recognize it when they see and hear it.When the smoke clears the model sixes will take their place among other classics that utilize proper design. Speakers such as AR classics,classic Advents.If you want boom and thump in your sound that's fine but please don't down rate competently engineered products such as these speakers.Vey good speakers for those of us who dont have the cash to purchase speakers in the $600 to $1000 range.Be objective in your evaluation of their sound ,you'll hear exactly what I hear late nights with these.Highly recommended to true music lovers on a strict budget. Finally, the speakers are well made and get this, they utelize numerous braces within their cabinets.This speaker could become a tweakers dream.

Similar Products Used:

Yorkville ysm-1 reference monitors

These speakers are very good for thier price

lack in bass

When my sister bought these speakers i was a little dissapointed because i own the bose 201 series speakers and the bose speakers are alot more my style they have that deeper sound to them. But these speakers are pretty good. Dont expect them to relly vibrate anything like bose speakers will. But i would say they are worth their price.

Similar Products Used:

bose 201 series speakers (If you have a choice i would buy the bose 201 series speakers. they are alot richer in bass and have alot better highs.