Crystal clear dialogue delivery in HT.

The bulky size (especially the height).

To begin with I had the LCR6 S2 as the center channel in my HT system. This was a great speaker but I found the horizontal dispersion to be kind of narrow (beamy). Hence, I felt the need to give the CDM CNT a try. This speaker solved the dispersion problem which I had with the LCR6 by presenting a more uniform sound. My upgrade from the 600 series to the CDM NT series started with the center channel.

Here are my components:

1. Front speakers (B&W CDM 7NT)
2. Center channel (B&W CDM CNT)
3. Rear speakers (B&W CDM1 NT)
4. Yamaha RX-V2095
5. B&W ASW 3000 (subwoofer)
6. Sony DVP-S530D DVD player

This system really rocks both for music and HT. It is a very dynamic set of speakers.

Similar Products Used:

B&W LCR6 S2.

Amamzing vocal reproduction and perfect match for the NT series speakers.

NONE

This is the best sounding center channel I have heard and a perfect match for the CDM 9NT or any of the others in the NT series. I have run a variety of tests through it and I cannot come close to rattling this speaker. Wonderful for HT.

My system:
Sony Str-DB930
Sony DVP-C650
B&W CDM 9NT
B&W CDM CNT
B&W LM1's

Similar Products Used:

Numerous

Clarity, immediacy, details, imaging, uncannily tangible presence of voice and effects.

None.

See my 1NT review.

Let me just say this -- I never thought Center Channel was so important. Mostly listening to music, in my ignorance I lived with other center spkrs that often caused viewers asking each other "what did s/he say?" in the dialogs with some noisy movie background. Now the actors are speaking right in front me -- I almost feel their breathing :-) I'm not a HT buff, but I can surely no longer go back to any other centers I used to have.

Similar Products Used:

Def Tech; BW CC

Fantastic sound, great looks

None so far

Great center channel speaker. Very clear and detailed with fantastic sound. I love the looks of the CDM line. This center won't go unnoticed, but that's OK considering it's a beautiful piece of work. I'm using it as part of an entire CDM set-up: 7NT's for the mains, 1NT's for the surrounds, driven by a Denon AVR-4800. Couldn't be happier.

Similar Products Used:

B&W CDM 7NT's, 1NT's

Aesthetics, crisp, clear, ultra clean sound. Solid bass when listening in 5 channel stereo mode. Also the build quality and price.

Kinda big, alot taller than most center channels, but looks good on top of the tv nonetheless.

Let me start off by saying that I used to own a surround setup consisting of Definitive's. I wanted a more musically accurate speaker, and whilst I really enjoyed the 2300 center with the built in powered sub from Definitive, I ended up going with B&W, and wanted the same timbre match across all channels, thus went with the CNT to match my CDM 1NT's.

Both the wife and I loved that 2300 center, and we were both concerned we would be losing that low end that just gave such a realism to voices, especially Mel's in The Patriot. Well once we got the B&W's home and set em up, we popped in The Patriot. Although Mel's voice was definitely an octave or so lower with the Definitive, the B&W was no slouch at all. It was CRYSTAL clear, and very very sharp. It also had much more bass and low end than I thought it would. I believe this is due in part to the dual ports. It also timbre matches my 1NT's perfectly. It is basically the same speaker, except the 1NT's have only 1 port.

I listen to 5 channel stereo quite a bit with music, and this CNT is hands down the best I've heard with music! Even with the Definitive centers, the center always sounded kind of hollow, but I always believed this was due to the center not getting the true full range signal with cd's. Thus I never expected much from the center in 5 channel. Well the CNT has changed my thinking for sure, it's incredibly dynamic, very sharp and natural sounding, and vocals come through like the performers are in the room! It also has such a smooth, tight punch in the bass dept.

With dvd's, every center channel I've owned, I've usually had to bring the center channel level up a few db's so the dialogue can be heard cleanly and clearly. With the CNT I no longer need to do this. It really has changed my opinion regarding center channels in general. I didn't even audition it when I bought the B&W's, I just went with it because it matches the CDM's. I never realized I'd be getting such an incredible speaker, although my salesman assured me B&W takes great measures when designing their centers.

The only drawback to it is it's size, well height actually. I have been contemplating getting some type of feet to raise the back so that the speaker points downward a little. As it is now, the tweeter is a good 16 inches or so above ear level. But with all that this speaker does so well, it's really not that big a deal......

I am using a Rotel 5 channel amp to drive the B&W's. I am also using Transparent interconnects and speaker cable. This center channel speaker is the real deal, the best I've heard.

I hope this helps those looking at this speaker, and feel free to email with any questions. Have a good day

Similar Products Used:

Definitive Tech C/L/R 1000B, Def Tech C/L/R/2300. Paradigm CC350, CC370. PSB Image 8C.

Build quality, Nautilus Tweeter

Too Bulky

This is an incredible center channel for the money, my only complaint is the size of it. It is much too tall for most T.V's. The HTM (800) series is much better in proportional size but the price isn't. 5 stars for value, but sorry B&W only 4 stars for overall rating. Obviously this speaker should have been engineered a bit smaller.


System: CDM 9NT Fronts
CDM 1NT Rears
CDM CNT Center
Rotel RSP 985 Processor
Rotel RMB 1095 Amp
Sony KP53HS10

Similar Products Used:

B&W CC6, Boston Accoustics

Very detailed and precise.

None

I traded in my CDM CSE for the CDM CNT. The CNT was a bit upfront in the midrange out of the box but has settled down and seems even more precise and detailed than the CDM CSE it replaced.

This is the best Center channel speaker I've heard for the price.

Similar Products Used:

B&W CDM CSE

Style, clarity

None

I bought this speaker as part of a home theater system. I had listened to the CC6 and thought it was pretty good. After reading some of the reviews on the B&W LCR6's I was interested in hearing it. The salesman(which happened to be the owner of the store) told me that the LCR6 is not really designed as a center channel speaker. He offered me the CDMC NT for the same price. I decided to buy this one.

I'm amazed by the clarity and sharpness of the speaker. I can hear even the slightest sound coming from the sound track. In "Saving Private Ryan" you can hear the sounds of his feet in the grass in the opening scene. Small voices in the background come out clean and clear with this speaker.

I read one than one review that said they couldn't undestand what was being said because it was muffled or faint. Not with this speaker. Everything comes out loud and clear. I am very happy with this speaker and can't imagine there being a better one out there. I highly recommend the CDMC NT.

My system:
B&W CDM1 NT Fronts
B&W CDMC NT Center
B&W ASW 1000 Subwoofer
B&W LM1 Surrounds
Marantz SR7000 receiver

Similar Products Used:

B&W CC6, Paradigm center channel

Clarity

None

I purchased this wonderful center with the CDM-7NT's as my mains. The center was backordered so I was forced to use an old Cambridge Soundworks center channel speaker for over two weeks (with the 7NT's)while waiting for this one to come in.

WOW!! What a difference in clarity and just all around sound. It was like I was listening to my cd's and dvd's for the first time.

Highly recommended

Similar Products Used:

Cambridge Soundworks

Integration with mains, very dynamic and detailed.

a little placement-sensitive, could use a bit more bass

First off, let me say I LOVE the CDM7 NT's I have as mains. The center took a little while to grow on me, and after experimenting with placement the sound has improved. This center is very tall, and so is my 36" Sony Wega on a stand...so when I started out, the center was aimed way too far off axis to get good performance...now that I have made a homemade "platform" of MDF and some foam rubber to aim it down a bit that issue is settled. My only other gripe is it is a bit shy on bass compared to my previous center the Paradigm Reference CC. I would like to bi-wire it to get more out of it, but I haven't found any bi-wires that are sold singly for center channel use. Since they are not cheap, if anyone knows of a single cable available please post it on here.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm, Definitive, PSB, and Polk centers.