601S3 upgrade to CM1?

[steve998]

Hello,

I have the 601S3 speakers and wondered if the NEW CM1 speaker is a suitable upgrade? Anyone tried the speaker?

I use a sub so floorstanders are not needed. I dont have £1000 to spend so no recommendations for the 800 series please

[PewterTA]

If you are looking to upgrade from the 601s, you need to jump to the 700 series. Most likely the 705s would work well for you. Not quite the 800 series, but not the 600s either.

The CM1s (IMO) were just a little bit better than the 601/2s. I think you're more paying for a look on them vs any real sonic differences.

I'd say give the 705s or if you can afford it, the 704s would be a better upgrade.

[Kirium]

I think the CM1 is between the 705 and the 805...

The CM1 mini-monitor was designed and developed in tandem with the 805s from the 800 Series and shares that model’s driver and crossover technology, along with its remarkable musical ability. It continues a long and distinguished line of compact and inherently accurate monitors that have an uncanny ability to re-create an utterly convincing portrayal of music’s dynamics, colour, energy and beauty.

Sounds like the CM1 is more than just an updated 601...

[Clepto]

Keep in mind that if you have any plans on migrating to 5.1/7.1 or full range speakers, you're pretty much out of luck with the CM series... Though I guess they'd be OK as rears in a 5.1 system

[Music4Life]

If you are looking to upgrade from the 601s, you need to jump to the 700 series. Most likely the 705s would work well for you. Not quite the 800 series, but not the 600s either.

The CM1s (IMO) were just a little bit better than the 601/2s. I think you're more paying for a look on them vs any real sonic differences.

I'd say give the 705s or if you can afford it, the 704s would be a better upgrade.

I have the CM1 (it seems that I am the first one here to have it) and I say it is far more better than the 601, 602 and 603 combine. Before I bought the CM1, I auditioned it against the 603 with Classe set up. I am not an "audiophile" or some sort (been submerged by Bose sound for the last 12 years), but I can tell the HUGE difference between the two. The 603 has heavier on the bass side (boomy) but CM1 bass is more controlled. CM1's imaging is fantastic. Played Norah Jones CD, close your eyes and wah lah, she seems to be in the middle of your two speakers singing in front of you. CM1's looks is as good as it's sound. The sexiest bookshelf speaker I ever seen. I audiotioned, Avalon NP 6.0, Magnat speakers F/S, Focus audio, Pro Ac (cheaper version), Quad 12L, some others I can't remember. For US$1,000 it's a good value. If you want, add few more hundreds and get the 705. I haven't heard it sing but, it should be better than CM1.

[Kirium]

Keep in mind that if you have any plans on migrating to 5.1/7.1 or full range speakers, you're pretty much out of luck with the CM series... Though I guess they'd be OK as rears in a 5.1 system

B&W is launching the CM7 floor stander and CMC centre right now...

[steve998]

thanks for the info folks!

I am auditioning the CM1 speaker today. I hope they are better than my existing speakers (601S3). I think the new speakers will fill the void between the 600 and 700 series. The top of the range 600 is £300 and the bottom of the range 700 series is £850.

Interesting news about the new centre speaker. (for future future upgrades

[Clepto]

B&W is launching the CM7 floor stander and CMC centre right now...

Excellent. By the time I'm ready to move to them, I'm sure we'll have a nice set of threads reviewing them (:

[steve998]

Auditioned the CM1 speakers yesterday against the 601S3 and 700 series standmounts.

Firstly the 601S3 (which i have owned for 2 years). good detail, bit splashy at the top end. slightly recessed mid range and dont go as low as the other speakers. Plugged in the sub (at high level) and that filled out bottom end.
Impressive performance for the price.

CM1 - Just a bit better than the 601S3 in all departments. The imaging in particular was much better and the integration between the drivers was better. They also go a bit lower, howver i did think they were a bit boomy (rear ported design) and whilst the speakers had precise bass they seemed to struggle a bit. I was impressed BUT they were not twice as good as the 601S3.

704 - All i can say is WOW!. These were detailed, reveiling , had just enough bass AND the imaging is really really good. I cant afford these speakers yet, but am saving hard now. I had never heard a 'soundstage' so accurately.

My thoughts are that the 601S3 (and presumably 602S3) are superb value for money. They can hold their own against speaker costing twice as much. I was not dissapointed with the CM1 speaker. They are definately better than the 601 speakers, they go lower and are more preceise. BUT i use a sub. Therefore i would be paying £500 for just better imaging.

The 704 speakers were just better at everything. Yes they are 4 times the cost of the 601S3 and are perhaps are only 2 times as good, BUT i can just about justify it!

B&W speakers are great!! Decided not to audition the 800 series for fear of my wallet. I auditioned with Cyrus c8 and CD8

[Music4Life]

I am sorry for quoting the wrong model. In my previous post, I mentioned that "before I bought the CM1, I auditioned it against 603", it is not 603 but rather the 602 S3 model. I heard the 603 set up as HT with Denon receiver driving it. The music in that set up is not impressive at all.

CM1 and 602 S3 has a HUGE difference in sound quality. Both were set up for me with the same Classe hi-end electronics. I find it (602) boomy because it is a front port firing. CM1 should be at least 2 feet away from the rear wall, if not it will be boomy (you can use the foam to lessen it tho) as well. Even at low volume, CM1's imaging is still obvious and clean.

[BTB]

I think the CM1 is between the 705 and the 805...
Sounds like the CM1 is more than just an updated 601...

Marketing blurb is a powerful tool, mentioning the new CM in the same breath as the 805 (see the quote in Kirium's post) makes for quite an obvious (and intended) connection thereby increasing the desirability of what looks like a bit of a "lifesytle" orientated product to me.. Nothing against good looking speakers with a good finish, just looks like a "dressed up" 600 series model, as others have said. Haven't heard them yet, so I 'm not making an absolute statement, just can't seem to see anything in the design (or specs) that would suggest that they are night and day better than a 601.

I would assume that the "tweeter on top" arrangement that B&W is so well known for (and that the 700 & 800 series have in common) plays a pretty big part in how well the loudspeakers "image". Therefore a baffle mounted tweeter wouldn't quite be able to match the capability of the more costly B&W models because by virtue of it's position in the cabinet it probably won't disperse sound as well.

Steve... did you try a 704 or 705 in your listening test? Seems the odds would be unfairly stacked in favour of a floorstander if tested against two little standmounts?

[steve998]

I tested the standmount speaker (£900 i think)

I am now convinced that the 600 range when fed a suitable amount of power are extremely good value for money.

The 700 standmounts were in a different league though.

I was happy with the CM1 speaker, if i had a budget of £500 they would be on the top of my list.

[shades]

I would say upgrade your amps, source etc... My 602S3 where so good id did not want to give them up (i still use 601S3 for surrounds). I had bryston's running them and it was amazing. For me to walk in and get the CM series it would have to be much better than the 602S3.

Now with that being said, i like the CM series alot if i had started with them i would probably say the same thing about the 700 series. The Cm series does sound better than the 600S3 and kill them in the looks dept. Better bass control, and the imaging was outstanding.

If your budget is small i would consider saving abit. Get the speakers you want and the proper amps to drive them, same with the source. You will be much happier in the end. Less upgraditis if that's possible.

[steve998]

I agree. I used to have my 601s3 speakers powered by a 30wpc Denon mini system.

the system sounded good BUT the speakers showed the limitations of the amp.

I bought a Cyrus CD7 cd player (RRP £1150) and C7 amp 60 wpc (RRP £700) and i do think that now my speakers have the 'best' source components that i could afford.

I carried out some more testing over the weekend and preferred my system to a comparable priced system of £400 amp - £300 CDP and £900 B&W 700 series standmounts.