This is basically an economy version of the highly successful Matrix 804 with similar drivers housed in an inferior cabinet. I've demoed both side by side and the Matrix is, however, far superior. A number of B&W dealers I have spoken to mentioned that the used Matrix Series speakers - brought in for trades and upgrades, are being snapped up quickly at premium prices because of the price of the Nautilus Series. I believe I read elsewhere in this forum that a petition is being signed to bring back the Matrix Series...good luck! It's interesting that the price of the 804 and CDM7SE after discount was relatively close in Canada, and I suspect the same is true in the States. The previous reviewer makes a good point about the revised "DM" series. The revised "Nautilus-adapted" drivers should make quite a difference when incorporated into the CDM series. B&W would not provide a time frame for rolling out modifications to the CDM series except to say that it would be commercially unwise to make the schedule public. Their point is well taken, however B&W also states that they are committed to upgrading the rest of their speaker range with the newer drivers...so if you are looking at B&W it begs the question....should I buy now or wait a while? Hmmmm?

I REPLACED THE CDM 7 SE FOR THE DM 604 S2 THE 604 S2 BLOWS THE CDM 7 SE AWAY

I purchased these speakers about two weeks ago as a replacement upgrade to the B&W DM603s. I was not disappointed. These speakers have a more open soundstage with a very tight bass response. I thought these speakers were excellent until I replaced my 14 year old Monster Cable with brand new MITerminator 4 Biwire cables. Now these speakers sound even better! I highly recommend using high quality speaker cables when you purchase these speakers. It really does make a difference.

For the last 7 years, I had my stereo installation setup in my office at home. The speakers were old JBLs, and the coils of their bassunits were starting to wear, so they had to be replaced. I was off to a local dealer, one who offers a wide choice, and has a serious auditory. At first I almost couldn't believe it. What an enormous difference those speakers make! Having read the reviews on this site, I must say that they are not one bit exaggerated. A clear sound, and what a beautiful response, even at lower volume. I've moved my installation back into the living room the very day I bought the CDM 7SEs. There's just one downside... With these speakers, another link in your audio chain might become the weakest, and it's very likely you'll hear it.

These speakers are a joke. I compared them to a pair of Monitor Audio Silver 5's which retail for half the price of the B&W CDM 7SE's and the Monitor Audio's blew them away hands down. The highs are more detailed and smoother on the Silver 5's. The midrange is so forward and 2 dimensional sounding on the CDM 7se's that Sade's voice sounded like she was in a box. I set her free once I switched over to the Monitor Audio's. It is amazing how one company could make a product which not only looks better, but sounds superior to the other and yet only cost half the price. Don't waste your time with the B&W garbage cans, go out and audition the Monitor Audio Silver 5's. Those who make the comparison will see the light of day and realize just how bad the B&W speakers really are.

Nettle's accessment of these speakers is a bit extreme, but not too far off. Yhe CDM 7 SE's have relatively rough highs. The lows are a bit loose and a bit lacking in dynamics. Considering similar priced competition, they barely deserve a 3.

Nettles an Audiophile??????? I DOUBT IT.
Is that you GDS, Pete, Peter, Ryan,et.al????

Remove the cotton from your ears and look into a brain transplant.

Five speakers to balance this idiotic obviously biased review.

Hey Nettles:
You forgot to include BOSE in your list of Best Speakers!
Are you shure you are an audiophile? Or you wish you were?

Or maybe 98% of the people in this section is wrong and the rest 2% (including yourself) is right!

See you at Circuit City, Radio Schack or Best Buy!

While I disagree with nettles over all view of these speakers (they are 3-4 stars), I do have to say that as a general rule monitor audio speakers are superior to b&w at pretty much every price point, this case in particular. both the silver 5's, and especially the studio 20's are signifigantly better. in my experience the only b&w speakers now that can really be considered high end are the nautilus 801-804's, the 802's in particular. To me the cdm 7se's are underwhelming and over priced.

After a month of auditioning all manner of mid-costing speakers, I bought my CDM-7s two weeks ago and have been delighted with their clarity and presence. Like Jeff Bell, I had previously been a Bose owner (mine were the 901-V model) and now I am hearing all manner of major sound and minor nuance that had previously been inaudible.
The 901s had once upon a time been a break-through technology and I had mine for more than 15 years. Over those years I had become used to a certain quality of sound, which explains to me why some people defend those speakers. I also know that you need to set them up exactly right (electronically and in the room) to make them perform well. And in my case, the room is three-sided beautifully resonant fir paneling which added a fabulous dimension to those speakers. That and the cathedral ceilings had made me content with a far below average sound now that the scales have fallen from my ears.

The CDM-7s are a terrific 5-star speaker. I did augment them with a subwoofer but that was primarily for the purposes of home theatre.