build, price

does not have the same tweeter as the other 600 series speakers

When I decided to set up a new home theater system I spent a lot of time listening/reading about potential products. As far as speakers went it was a toss up between the B&W and the Boston Acoustics 10k system. I listened to both speakers on a Pioneer Elite VSX-26TX receiver, I wound up getting an Onkyo TX-DS777 but the Pioneer was similar to the Onkyo's specs.

The Boston system was very nice sounding but the cost of it was not reflected in it's performance. (IMO)

The 1st B&W set up I listened to was a pair of 602's for the main, a CC6 S2 center, a paradigm PDR 10 sub, and a decent pair of surround speakers (I forget what kind they were). I was VERY impressed with this arrangement at first, but after listening to some different things I did notice that the center speaker sounded "muted" compared to everything else. I then changed the main’s to the 601 S2, what a difference!! The sound stage was much more even, giving a smooth transition from left to center to right. And the “muted” effect was gone! I’m assuming this is due to the 601’s and the CC6 having the same size driver and tweeter (although they do not have the same nautilus tweeter). It seems to me if you are going to get larger speakers than the 601’s you would be much happier getting the LCR6 as the center speaker.

I have read a lot of reviews on these B&W speakers and they seem to respond very nicely to bi-wireing, I plan on trying this very soon.

if you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me

Loud

Sounds constricted...cabinet hinders performance

I think this speaker sounds fine, but it is not very effortless. Try to push this tiny box too hard and you can tell it has its restrictions. If you want to match your center channel to the rest of your B&W 600 series, spend the additional $150 and get the LCR 6, it is worlds better...
Since the CC6 does cost $350, I will have to give it a low value rating.

Overall Precision

None

This speaker is perfect to use with my B&W 603 S-2.
Good Vocal representation, and very accurate.It stands perfectly over my TV and the 2 Kevlar Woofers are beautifull to see.A litle overpriced.

good looks

doesn't sound good ....

OVER HYPED...OVER RATED...

I auditioned it today....BIG DISAPPOINTMENT.
Don't expect much from this B&W...
clarity department...can't quite compare to my razor sharp polk.
Depth.........hmmm doesn't have much of it either.

Just not an exciting center speaker that will make ur movies or concerts come alive. Stay away ..don't waste ur money on this.

Similar Products Used:

polk

accurate, detail, wide horizontal dispersion

different sensitivity with other B&W 600 other than the 601, need power, long break-in

A strong match for 601 but lacks the sensitivity to match others B&W 600s. Like others here, I have to boost 4dB to get a seamless soundstage. The dynamic range blends well with the others 600s except for the extremes where the highs of the Nautilus tweeter of the other 600s are just phenomenal.

Like all B&W, bi-wiring is called for to extract the maximum out of this speaker. The gain in details and clarity will reduced the difference in the highs. I found an amplifier bass frequency cutoff at the 100Hz to the sub will also create a more coherence picture of the soundstage.

I found the LCR6 better but was turned off by the narrow dispersion angle. My living room is shallow and I have a big familly so I need that wide dispersion angle of the CC6 S2. The CC6 S2 will need around 50 hours of breakin for the sound to improve.

Some people says the dialog lacks "bite". Of course, this is after all, a British-made speaker. They are polite but accurate. If you want a agressive center speaker buy a U.S. made center and you will see what I meant.

Similar Products Used:

Auditioned Energy, Paradigm, Boston, PSB and B&W CC3, LCR6 S2 center speakers

small size, cuteness factor

weak sound

Initially bought this and was expecting a much better sound from it, but was dissapointed. I also tried the LCR6 and the sound was a "Little" better but not enough to warrant an additional $100 dollars, also was turned off by the larger size. Don't get me wrong though, I use the 602's for my fronts and I love it. The cc6 does not compare in any way. Like all the others here, I had to turn up the cc6 about 5-8 decibels higher than the rest of the speakers. After a few weeks of using it though, I did notice an improvement on the sound, but the dialogue is still a little bit most of the time.

Similar Products Used:

b&w LCR6

Small Size

The rest.....

I recently purchased the CC6-S2 To upgrade from my HORRIBLE RCA center channel speaker which came in a $200.00 6 piece (AV-Receiver, SW, LF, RF, RR, LR, CC) set, so I imagine the retail value of the RCA center channel was around $25.00 (and it sure sounded like it) Anyhow.... I read the reviews below of the CC6-S2, LCR6-S2, and HTM2 and then made the decision to buy the CC6-S2. It was of course a mistake since it gave no audible improvement over the RCA (piece of junk) I was replacing... Okay.. wait, I'll give B&W the benefit of the doubt, and say, "Yes, it did sound better..." but, it CERTAINLY didn't sound $300 dollars better. Sad? YES!

Anyhow, I did a little more research and read about the Nautalis HTM2, I listened to it and was excited by how much better it sounded than the CC6-S2. Given the fact that the HTM2 is $700 more than the CC6-S2, I'd say it's worth it. Why spend ANY amount of money if it is not money well spent? At least the HTM2 allows for clear dialog without that strange "tin" sound produced by the CC6-S2.

B&W has another Hi/Mid end Center channel called the LCR6-S6 which unfortunately I have not heard yet. I've heard it makes the CC6-S2 seem very shallow, thin, etc.

Hmmm... Lets see here... I don't REALLY want to spend an extra 700 dollars for the HTM2 even though it sounds BEAUTIFUL... What can I do?

Since I'm not overtly wealthy, I'll go out an buy the LCR6-S2 center channel this evening. It's about $150 more than the CC6-S2 and hopefully will save me from having to spend the $700 extra required to own a HTM2.

My system as tested is: B&K AVR-202
DM 604 Front
DM 601 Rear
Sony DVD

Similar Products Used:

None.

Strong and Accurate Center Channel Performance

None

I have this Speaker paired with B&W DM603S2's and an ASW1000 Sub, and find the home theater performance to be positiviely spectacular! The CC6 really presents a nice soundstage, even when watching network TV programing.

Like the other B&W Speakers in this family, I find the CC6 to be a little "power hungry", liking to be driven at >25% volume by my Sony ES555 Reciever, but that's ok.

All the B&W speakers are well built, and this is no exception. It also comes in a pleasing, unobtrusive cabinet, which I believe is important when you are talking about having to place such an item on or above your TV.

As others have indicated, don't buy this speaker without making plans to bi-wire it. This really frees up the high-end.

solid build quality

it's not what u expect from B&W....rather diff.

kind of "different" from the other B&W products that u are used to like the 302/603 etc. the dustcaps are a bit diff. from even the 601's...I wonder if this affects it's rather "dull" sound.

Honestly I expected more...but after auditioning it ...felt como palta...lacks "something" very hard to describe the feeling. Just try it urself & see what I mean.

Also, rather expensive.

Similar Products Used:

acoustic research, mardaunt-short

Performance, Looks

none

I bought my CC6 S2 together with my DM 603 S2 and it has great harmony with my favorite DVD movies & music. The dialogues are the clearest I heard compared to the rest of the center speakers I auditioned. I used it with my Denon AVC-A1D and it rocks.

Similar Products Used:

Ditton centre speaker