When I bought my CDM7SEs a year ago my original plan was to later upgrade to Nautilus 804s. As a matter of fact I was close to buying the 804s when the 9NTs came out. I honestly think the 9NTs are a real bargain for what you get and what you paid. Getting a taste of the Nautilus technology for $2600 is just wonderful. And it was on sale for $2200 brand new in a box.
When I brought it home I started listening right away without break in to analyze the difference from my CDM7SEs. Mannnn, it's just wonderful. The highs are much more smoother and the midrange which was already good with the CDM7SEs is now way better. Detail is plentiful and imaging is great. There's a great sense of liveliness when the recording has it. It's just more musical and well rounded. I'm just so happy that the 9NTs came out when it did because I feel like I paid less and got more, which is seldom the case in the world of hi-fi.

Rest of the system.
1. Rotel RB 1090 amplifier
2. Audio Research LS8 MK2 preamp, and PH3 phono preamp
3. VPI HW-19 MK111 turntable with SME 309 tonearm with Benz L2 cartridge
4. CEC 5100Z CD Transport, MSB Link DAC 111, Monarchy DIP
5. Transparent Cable Musiclink Plus all around
6. Monster Cable 2.4s

Great looks and excellent finish

Wrong image, harsh and in your face

No, I did not buy this speaker. I have given this speaker so much time to run in, as you all (and others) insist it needs, and used it with so many different amplifier, source and cable combinations that I'm worn out trying to change its flavour to the better. Still sounds the same as the day I first listned to it out of the box. How can B&W make such an unlistenable speaker.
I thought for a while that the speakers were wired out of phase or had been internally, by mistake. Nop. They just sound like that. Wrong image, harsh and screaming in your face. It seems that they are missing part of the midrange. You only had top and bottom. I couldn't listen to them for long periods without my ears being fatigued by them. I had to keep turning the volume down even on my favourite tracks. Opposite to what anyone would normally do!!
Then I figured it out. They are meant for surround sound maybe. And that is NOISE.

Similar Products Used:

A lot

Accuracy and definition. Imagining and attention to detail. Thick tight bass.

None.

After waiting over 3 months for these greatly demanded speakers to be finally imported from England...I received them. Now 3 months later, after noticeable wear in I can now comment about them.

Firstly, I noticed how someone mentioned how they can be too sensitive in the high-end. But this was refuted with the original recordings and particuliar music types.

For instance, Tool (Lateralus) NIN (The Fragile) both demonstrate the aggressiveness of the tight bass and low-end imaging. Where as Goodwins Big Band dvd highlights the clean sharpness of hi-end frequencies (woodwind instruments)

I can't escape these speakers from surprising me. The Haunting had two ideal test indications (around chapter 17) When she breaks the glass and it gets sucked back in. And when the footsteps plod through the roof, there is enough bass being exerted to feel the air hitting my leg!

The imagining is amazing, in some songs the voices feel like they are dripping down the walls vertically or sneaking around horizontally.

THEY LOVE BEING MISTREATED.

VAF Research speakers were tested (for 2 - 3hours) on a setup that had a receiver $4000 (AU) more expensive than mine. When the haunting was played at a loud volume the bass distorted, or the speaker popped, who knows... But these babies played it flawlessly. They proved to be more life like on many different examples probably with music no one else cares about :P ('The Wretched' off 'things falling apart')


I have a relatively small room, tiny actually, so I can't wait to hear them in a larger listening space...if anyone has experienced this then you're more than welcome to e-mail me about it.

Note. I believe they need sufficient power to run effectively. I got a 3-way rotel power amp (200 watt per speaker) for the mains and centre.

System:

CDM 9 NT (front)
CDM Centre (center)
DB Dynamics (rear)
DB Titan (subwoofer)
Harman Kardon AV510 (AV5000 US model) (Receiver)
Rotel 993 (power amp)

Currently all music/dvds run through my computer.

Similar Products Used:

CDM 7 NT, Canton, VAF Research

Nautilus Tweeter, FST Midrange, Craftmanship

So far none found

Considering the price tag, this speaker better perform. Not to say that it is the most expensive speaker out there but as a consumer I do look for value.
I found out that it is well worth the money. I don't think I will be upgrading again, unless I will the lottery in that case I will upgrade to the 801's.
This speaker puts out the sweetest sounds, I tried alot of demanding material and everything I tried came out crisp and clean. The main eyepopper would ofcourse be the Nautilus tweeter. The imaging and soundstaging is incredible. The bass is good and is improving day by day as I work the speakers in. The manual says 15hrs but I think 50 should be more like it. B&W is quality and it shows right from the packaging down to the detail in the workmanship of the speaker. I am using a Rotel RMB 1095 to power the speakers and the sound is seriously sweet. I decided to go with the CDM 9NT because I not only use my HomeTheatre system for movies but also music. The rest of my speakers consist of 600 series B&W's.
I do suggest that these speakers are paired up with a Rotel Amplifier, as this is practically the same company, they go hand on hand.

A basic 804 nautalis at a $1000.00 canadian less

requires good equipment

I purchased these a couple of weeks ago (traded in my Dm 604)They are starting to sound very good with each passing day of burn in, Basically more base the highs and mid range were great from the start. Heres the key if you have a weak point in your system this speaker will tell the story I should mention what I am using
Rega Planet cd player
Bryston 4b ST amp (250 wpc )
Carver 705av (125 wpc to run centre and rears)
Yamaha rxv990 receiver to process signal
Monster M2.2s speaker cables fronts and centre
Audioquest Rubys throughout
and other componets such as RCA satalite dish,
sony cassette deck,Yamaha DVD player, external yamaha processor for movies
B&W ASW 2000 subwoofer with DS6 surounds and CDM Cnt centre
These are sweat speakers My problem is the receiver its not doing the job for these incredible speakers for the price Go to your dealer listen and you'll see

Similar Products Used:

B&W DM 604

Balance of sound throughout the ranges, build quality, attention to detail

None

My system:
Musical Fidelity A3 CR Pre/Power Amp
Musical Fidelity A3 CD Player
Van Den Hul D102III Connects
Van Den Hul Snow Track Speaker Cable - Bi-Wired

The moment you open the box you find yourself impressed.
I haven't opened too many speaker packages before but this was good, and hinted strait away that you've spent your money wisely.
1. It tells you which end to open the box.
OK, common enough given it is an audio product.
2. Then it has a nifty little ribbon attaching the instruction manual to the first opening flap, thus thrusting it into your face.
Smart.
3. It's obvious what the manual is saying… "I am here for a reason so bloody read me!"
As they should, the instructions take you through a methodical step-by-step guide right from unloading the speaker from its box through to listening and registering the products for the 5 year warrantee, all via the internet.

As in the packaging the speakers finish is impeccable and the attention to detail is excellent, encompassing all of the build characteristics of the original nautilus range.

Now then the sound:
I'm not a mad steriophile so my terminology my be a little blunt.
To start with, my taste in sound leans towards that of a tube setup, slightly smooth and creamy however I will contradict myself a little cause I do love good detail.
Against the others:
Mission 775: Great detail and very clear but too much base on occasion, which with some of my music which was tested just got in the way, also poor at low volume.
KEF Reference 2: At the price I found that these just didn't have the "belt" that I was looking for, just lacking for those occasions when you fancy a dam good blast (everyone does from time to time).
Castle Acoustics Howard: These had the closest sound performance, however not quite there, but the main thing that swayed me away from these was the finish. The sort of look that my grandparents would have gone for.
An-other: Just cant remember the name of these, which is why if I remember rightly sounded the worst. I found myself cringing with the treble, which was quite cutting at times.
The speakers mentioned obove have only been compared in the listening room environment, not at my home.

B&W CDM 9 NT:
The music that was tested on all of these speakers was:
Paul Simon - Gracelands.
Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman.
Sinead O'Conor - The Lion and the Cobra.
Beloved - Where it is.
Chris Rea - Road to Hell.
Warren G - Regulate.

Pure words for pure music reproduction, I can't pick a weak point for the sound, only that the music happened without fault, perfectly balanced between the ranges.
People talk about tight base, however some music requires the base to not be so tight, more controlled. The opening base line in Chris Rea's Road to Hell needs not to be tight but earth swallowing, at the same time as to not override the other sounds on the track. This realy did happen, with a feeling that I was most definitely going to die. The base is flow ported, with a useful little bung to block it up if you room suggests it. The treble and midrange don't need much talking about, as they are direct descendents from the nautilus range, which really speaks for itself. The main point about these speakers is the balance of sound. The music is colourless leaving you most of the time breathless.

All in all not a budget speaker at all, but you get what you pay for and in this case a lorry load more.

Very detailed & precise, reasonably good, tight bass for a small driver.

Does'nt seem to like alot of power. A little bright on rock recordings, but is probably just true to source.

I have to start by saying the first set of 9's I had to return for a tweeter problem. This occured almost immediately, they were traded for another pair within the first week. After breaking them in, I found their detail, Imaging & soundstage to be exceptional(when matched with gear that is capable of presenting it) Much better than I found in my test listen at Myer Emco, who uses a weak adcom amp with a marantz reciever as a preamp and a $500 cd player as the system hooked up to these & the nautilus series speakers. Not to sound like a snob (because it's taken me years to gather together my gear) but you don't test $2600-$8000 speakers with mid grade; at best, gear. After dozens of hours of critical listening I am very happy with my purchase. I listen to alot of heavy metal and these guys have rarely let me down as long as i don't push them very hard. Tonal accuracy is a real forte of the 9's so if you're looking for a speaker that makes instruments sound like they're supposed to these are for you. I did not compare the 804's or 803's when listening since they were out of my price range so I can't tell you how they stack up. Overall for the price I paid, I rate the 9's a 5 star for value but 4 stars for sound quality, only being limited by cost where the reality is you get what you pay for, A $2600 that performs this well is worth a listen for anyboby hoping for a mid/high end piece but have a cost restraint of $3k. For those interested my system includes:

1> Audio Research LS-7 (preamp) bought new 1996
2> Aragon 8008bb (amp) bought new 1996
3> Krell KAV-250cd/2 bought new this year(This unit is very good worth a listen. Appreciably better than the old 250cd.
4> Kimber 4tc biwired to CDM9's
5> Siltech ST38 Interconnects (these things kick but are very expensive/ $550 per meter but are very detailed & smooth)
6> & of course B&W CDM9NT

Similar Products Used:

Boston Acoustics vr40/vr975,nht 2.9, Canton,def tech(yuck)

Excellent imaging, superb soundstage, detailed sound, great mids and highs, build quality, etc.

Somewhat weak in the lower frequencies.

I really love these speakers. It fills my rather large room pretty well. I am using a Marantz SR-18EX to power these. I am still breaking them in but the sound (on movies and especially on music) is superb. The previous reviewer was probably smoking crack but then again, to each his own.

Can't wait to receive my SVS subwoofers to play along with these babies.

Similar Products Used:

Def Tech BP2006TL

Detail, Detail, Detail! Smooth clean Highs. Extended, tight,
focused bass. Very smooth detailed mid's. Looks!!
Did I mention very detailed!

I have not found any yet

I originally started about 12 years ago with a pair of Vandersteen 2ci’s and later
upgraded to 2ce’s, a pair of speakers I think very highly of for about $1400
with stands. Recently, I changed my system to a home theatre, even though
I’m still about 80% 2ch audio. I also upgraded to a wonderful Classe amp
(CA-151) and Classe preamp processor (SSP-25) so I was starting to hear things
I never heard before in my system. I sold the Vandersteens and bought a pair
of Energy A3+2, nice speaker. However, I knew the Classe was so much more
detailed than the Energy’s could reveal. So I traded them back in and after
doing some extensive listening to the CDM7NT and the Nautalis 804 as well
as Aerial 6’s, Dynaudio, Vienna and a few others. I was very impressed with
the smooth detailed sound of the 7NT’s and I loved the 804N, but I did not know
if I wanted to spend $3500. Then I learned that B&W just came out with the
CDM9NT, using the same FST midrange as the nautalis series, unlike the 7NT.
I don’t buy speakers for looks, but, B&W has always had some very beautiful
speakers. And the CDMNT series is a very classy looking speaker with its sloped
top and protruding Nautalis tweeter.

My natural cherry CDM9NT’s finally arrived. They warned me about a long break
in time and said they will sound better after about 50 to 100 hours minimal of break-in
time. I must say, I very Impressed with them right out of the box! So I let them burn in
a little, which let me admire the beautiful finished cabinet. The other speakers I was
going to buy were the Aerial 6’s, which invest a lot of time and money into their cabinets,
but, I was just as impressed with the workmanship in the cabinet on the B&W. And once
I got the B&W’s burned-in, I was so glad I went with the CDM9NT’s over the Aerial’s.
The B&W’s were so much smoother and more detailed in the High freq. than the Aerial’s,
and the also a much deeper and extended bottom end. For home theatre, I don’t think a sub
is necessary with the 9NT’s. I could tell the difference in the midrange from the 7’s to the 9’s
since the 9’s use the FST midrange like the Nautalis 803’s. There was much more detail to
midrange, especially voices. Along with the great soundstaging of the 9’s, the vocals just
had so much life to them. The B&W’s did not lack on soundstaging. Female vocals
(one of my favorite’s) just seemed to float like nothing was between you and the vocalist.
One small modification I did was changed the B&W spikes with Audio Points from
Star sound Tech. (1-877-668-4332) That seemed to make the bottom end even tighter and
more focused. I thought the bottom end was great to begin with, but the points made it
even better. I could go on and on about the B&W’s. But, you must hear them for yourself,
you won’t regret it. The only thing I regret is not buying a pair of B&W’s years ago.
I can’t believe the little details in the music I was missing!!!

Similar Products Used:

CDM7NT, Aerial 6, Dynaudio, Joseph Audio RM22si, Vienna,
Vandersteen.