smooth, accurate, amazing vocals easy to listen to

placement important, long break-in time

I have owned these speakers for over six months and I could not be happier. Now fully broken in, and placed correctly they sound just amazing, with a wide and deep soundstage. I am running them with a Denon AVR 4800 now instead of the AVR 3300 I used to have, the extra muscle just lights them up, adding more depth and fullness. Great speakers for the money.

Denon AVR-4800 Receiver
Cal Audio Lab CL-10 cd player
Sony MDS-JB920 MD recorder
Sony SLV-R1000 S-VCR
Toshiba SD-9000
Rega 25 turntable with Grado reference Sonata cartridge
B&W CDM 7SE
B&W CDM CSE
B&W CDM 1SE
Sunfire Subwoofer Mark II
Mitsubishi CS35503
Tara, Audioquest, Monster Referance interconects
Tara bi-wire speaker cable

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many others

clear

lack of deep bass, mid bass boom, raspy treble

I bought these speakers as well as the Monitor Audio Silver 5's and spent 2 weeks with them.
The Silver 5's killed them with respect to bass, imaging, detail, and overall sound quality. The B&W name is just a name. Their products are well marketed, well advertised, look pleasing but sound like poo poo.
These are some of the most highly overrated speakers I ever had the misfortune of listening to. Avoid !!!

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Monitor Audio Silver 5

Very good overall balance and smoothness, very good imaging, quality of workmanship

some coloration in midrange, weak bass response, somewhat rough/harsh highs

When I first purchased the CDM7SE, I was impressed by the sound of these speakers and felt that they clearly outperformed most of the competition within their price range. The problem is that at the time, neither the N804 or upgraded 600 series 2 speakers were available! Six months later, when the N804 finally came out, I rushed to my local B&W dealer where I was able to audition both the CDM7SE and N804. I very quickly became aware of the shortcomings of the CDM7SE. I finally traded up to the N804s. Would I recommend the CDM7SE at this point? The Nautilus technology has clearly refined the state of the art for B&W and there is no going back. They know this and this is why the 600 S2 was developed. At some point B&W will almost surely upgrade the CDM series as well. My advice at this point would be to either listen to the floor standing 600 S2 speakers (see reviews) or spring for the Nautilus if your pocketbook allows.

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B&W Nautilus 804

Very good overall balance and smoothness, very good imaging, quality of workmanship

some coloration in midrange, weak bass response, somewhat rough/harsh highs

When I first purchased the CDM7SE, I was impressed by the sound of these speakers and felt that they clearly outperformed most of the competition within their price range. The problem is that at the time, neither the N804 or upgraded 600 series 2 speakers were available! Six months later, when the N804 finally came out, I rushed to my local B&W dealer where I was able to audition both the CDM7SE and N804. I very quickly became aware of the shortcomings of the CDM7SE. I finally traded up to the N804s. Would I recommend the CDM7SE at this point? The Nautilus technology has clearly refined the state of the art for B&W and there is no going back. They know this and this is why the 600 S2 was developed. At some point B&W will almost surely upgrade the CDM series as well. My advice at this point would be to either listen to the floor standing 600 S2 speakers (see reviews) or spring for the Nautilus if your pocketbook allows.

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B&W Nautilus 804

Simply the Best Speaker in the $1,500-$2,500 range
I'll give it 5 Stars plus!

It is sweet, elegant, fine and simply the best for its price.
5 Stars!

I've had a pair of these since November '98. Have to say that I didn't notice much of a difference from any "break in" period. But I must say that these sound quite remarkable, especially the midrange. Any sax fans (Galactic & the stanaton moore disc) should give a listen. I've got 'em matched up with a pair of 2se's for the rear, the cse for the center, and a mirage 12 inch sub. I'm using the classe ssp25, cav 75, rega planet, sony dvd 7700, and tara lab interconnects. Also using a tara air digital cable from the rega to the ssp 25 and noticed an outstanding improvement over using the rega's onboard DtoA. Anyway, I've been so very happy with the performance of the 7se's over the past few months. However, I would recommend using them with a subwoofer. Personally, I find them extremely light on bass. That's my only complaint. My problem is the other day I heard the N803's and was blown away. They are out of my price range. However, I may try and stretch for a pair of the N804's in a month or so when they're available.

What can I possibly add to the glowing reviews of the B&W CDM 7SEs? It has all been said in the previous positive reviews.
I have been auditioning speakers for the my dedicated Music Room. I had previously chosen B&W CDM 1SEs and CDM CSE for the fronts in my Home Theater Room.

My prime speaker auditioning music was:
Pat Metheny's "Above the Treetops" and "The Truth Will Always Be," from "The Secret Story"
Metheny's and Charlie Haden's performance of "The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress" from "Beyond the Missouri Sky"
Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings, Opus 11.

In my opinion, if a speaker can faithfully reproduce this music to my satisfaction, it will meet all of my music listening requirements. The CDM 7SEs exceeded my expectations.

None of the other speakers that I auditioned, except for the B&W Nautilus 803s(at three times the price), appealed to me as much as the B&W CDM 7SEs. I really admire and appreciate B&W's execution of its design philosophy throughout their product lines. B&W literally thinks (and designs) out of the box.

I do not know if I believe that these speakers (or any others) require a "break in" period.
Out of the box, powered by a Denon POA 2400A (200W X 2), bi-wired with generic 12 gauge cable, the CDM 7SEs sound outstanding. If these speakers do improve after "break in" they will be "off the charts" and that is a good thing.

I do not like sub woofer augmentation for listening to two channel stereo. For my eclectic music listening tastes (Jazz, Rock, Blues, Classical, et. al.) these speakers do not require a sub woofer.

Echoing comments from previous reviews:

"holographic" soundstage"
"highs were right on and crisp, the midrange was clear and accurate and the bass was solid"
"effortless ,untiring, and above all, clear"
"the clarity of the midrange and top end - their openness and soundstage was amazing for the price"
"the smoothness of the entire speaker is what sold me on it"
"they sounded great at the dealer………even better in my system"
"for the price range this is as good as it gets"
"Clarity, Dynamics, Open sounding, Soundstage, Accurate, Airiness, Tight ass bass"
"they simply do everything just right!"

The CDM 7SEs are truly deserving of the highest marks. 5 speakers!!!!!

Overall Rating:
After auditioned quite a number of fine speakers sush as: DYNAUDIO, JMLAB Electra 905, paradigm studio 100', Sonus faber, mirage and many others the B&W CDM 7 SE gave the best performance on the ($1,800- 2,500) price range.

I'd give to these speakers 5 stars+.

ARC

Bass, Mids and Highs

Positioning is critical, long break-in

This is more of a damage control post than anything. I purchased these several months ago. After a considerable break-in, these CDM7se's sound great! Super detail, punchy tight bass, and excellent mids. This idiot Nettles must work for Monitor Audio or something. I mean I set up both in my home for a week before purchasing. It was not even close. The Silver's sounded like what I believe they are. B&W wannabees.

Let's keep this forum real.

Thanks
Tim

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Monitor Audio Silver 5's
PSB Stratus Golds