O.K. It seems to me that there are bad reviews with bad veredicts out there, I just have a pair of these babies for almost a week, and i m happy with them. First day i was really dissapointed, they didn't sound as i was expecting (they are not cheap, and after listening to CDM1 SE for a while), but after some break-in period, i have to say they sound better in an exponential way.I was researching in magazines before go buying, and i found nothing but good to excelent comments about it, maybe the bad reviews are because the break-in period these speakers really need. I woul like to see coments of anyone who has kept the speakers after a while. I dont think anyone could be dissapointed after buying them, with properly setup, good gear (as they deserved) and after break in, they excel. My opinion if you are in market for these is to have it at your place and let them break in for a while, then you can make your veredict...

I looked long and hard before deciding on a new set of speakers, close to six months. Previously I owned a set of Klipsch KG 3.5 floor-standers with a matching KV1 center channel. My wife and I wanted speakers with a definite WOW factor. We auditioned Paradigm Reference 80 and Reference 60, Klipsch KLF 10 and KLF 20, Monitor Audio Silver 9s, Dynaudio 70s, and comparable speakers from NHT and Pinnacle. Of this group, the Paradigm 60s, which were hooked up to a Nakamichi AV-10, made our short list, before we headed to our local B&W dealer. We went in interested in the older 603 line, but then the WOW factor kicked in. There in a room all to themselves were the CDM7 SEs, hooked up to one of the higher-end Marantz DD receivers. We pulled out our CDs: Fleetwood Mac live, Frank Sinatra, Mozart string quartet and Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon. WOW! We had to have those speakers. Incredible highs that present the female voice in all its glory, accurate mid-range that doesn't make you wince and a satisfying bass. We're not home theater nuts (our system is probably 80 percent music), so ground-shaking bass is not a priority. If people have issues with the bass on these beauties, then it must be because of their home theater needs. I have owned these speakers for almost two months now. They have broken in nicely mated with my Nakamichi AV-10. These are great speakers for both music and home theater. And the WOW factor is now striking our friends when they come over and see our new addition. These are truly great speakers, despite what some nuts are writing.P.S. I also purchased the CDM CSE center speaker, but I'll review that separately.

Individuals interested in B&W CDM7SE speakers beware of PETE, GDS reviews:
PETE, GDS, PETER, RYAN or whomever you are:
What is it with you and these speakers? You or someone from the same IP address (135.90.253.90) reviewing under the names GDS and Pete have written at least four negative reviews on these speakers. This is curious because someone name "Pete" also attacked the B&W CDM7SE in the Tech Talk speakers thread at Audio Review a couple of weeks back. "PETE" touted Pinnacle Classic Gold Aerogels, as did GDS in his review at Audio Asylum.

Please also note that GDS or some one from the same IP address (135.90.253.90) has posted at least seven (7) reviews of the DSP-A1 (all 5 star reviews). Of particular interest under the some of the DSP-A1 reviews is the e-mail address of audioholic@webtv.net, "RYAN" has been touting the Audioholics web site, in Tech Talk at Audio Review.


B&W CDM7SE Speakers Review
On Audio Review Speaker Reviews
Reviews: Date: July 20, 1999
IP Address: 135.90.253.90
Peter an Audiophile writes:
No e-mail:

B&W CDM7SE Speakers Review
On Audio Review Speaker Reviews
Date: June 28, 1999
IP Address: 135.90.253.90
Peter an Audiophile writes:
mari11on@aol.com

B&W CDM7SE Speakers Review by GDS
On Audio Asylum Speaker Reviews
Review by GDS on June 04, 1999 at 09:09:46
IP Address: 135.90.253.90
suppers_ready@juno.com

Test Equipment:
Yamaha DSP A1
Sony CDP CA 8ES CD player bypassing dac's using Yamaha DAC's from DSP A1
12 AWG wire

Excerpt from the review:
"They did not throw off the presence or soundstage that my Pinnacle Classic Gold Aerogels do."

These speakers are have a very sweet sound like a lot of power, has a very detailed mids. I just lov'em.
Got'em for brand new for $1,500 and can't be more happy.

I have been following the b&w product range for about 3 years. A good friend of mine has a 601 series with dipole rear system for the "original" prologic home theatre system.
I bought a entirely new system 6 months ago.

2x CDM7SE for the front speakers, 2xCDM7SE for the rear and a CDMCSE for the centre. - My 5 channel home theatre. I have a yamaha A1 amplifier, which I find adequate, though a little background noise. I find the entire set incredible, as I compared it to many other systems(based on ribbon technologies etc..) The High-End is the cleanest and detailed I have ever heard. Beats the socks off most systems(except the 800 and nautilaus series, but those are far too big, spacewise).

Now, Today i have bought two CDM1SE's for the front surrounds. A 7 channel system now. I have only one question - Does the CDM1SE have a entended midrange horn on the woofer? I thought I saw this on a demo speaker, but now I'm not so sure.... Can anyone tell me?

Of course there is better, and i can tell the difference, but that all costs a whole lot more... (This is my point of dimishing returns though, and the system it is not too space-hungry.).

I now have a MAJOR problem with speaker stands, but that is another matter entirely.

I bought these speakers couple of months ago and feel very satisfied with the performance. Besides they are so beautifull that will give a lot of "cache" to the living room
I love'em

The sheer number of reviews on this speaker speaks for its popularity as well as for its sonic qualities.Now what a coincidence, I have 4 of them + a CDM CCSE in my house...

My ratings (for that price-range):
Highs
Mids
Bass
Imaging
Details
Warmth
Looks
Build
Pricing
Overall

NOTES:
- a bit bright sounding, so mate it with some even tempered amp
- the matching amp should be rated AT LEAST 60 wpc RMS at !8! ohms
- no real need for bi-amping or bi-wiring(hah) this one
- due to the hyper accurate imaging, you SHOULD listen it from the "sweet spot"
- and finally, do not let your cat practice climbing on it.

With a +1 bonus for the Family Acceptance Factor, it deserves the 5 stars.

The mailer got rid of my stars I must post them again... :( PREVIEW FEATURE :(
Highs *****
Mids ****
Bass ****
Imaging *****
Details *****
Warmth ***
Looks *****
Build *****
Pricing ***
Overall ****

I've had my B&W CDM7SE's for 6 months and they still sound great! I'm using the B&W CSE for the Center and B&W DS6 for the surrounds. The Sub-Woofer is a B&W ASW2000. My AVR is a Denon 3300.
I was leaning towards the Paradigm Studio 80's until I heard the B&W's.

Put on Amanda Marshall's "Let it Rain" and close your eye's and turn it up..

Great Job B&W..

I spent quite some time searhing for a new pair of speakers. B&W CDM-7SE were the first ones listened and after that I just couldn't find anything that could beat them even though I tried very hard.

These spekers have very a crisp and clear sound. I don't think they lack bass at all, it goes lower than one would imagine and it is not too emphasized, like in some speakers. Soundstage is also very good and I can almost see the players in their places.

The more I listen the more I love these speakers. I certainly think these are the best speakers in their price range.