CM1's

[paogorman2001]

I just purchased a pair of CM1's last week for 2 channel music only. I replaced my 602S3's . I'm not crazy about the sound at this point . I am using a NAD C352 integrated amp to run these and in my opinion the music sounds like it's being played through a blanket. I read a pro review that said you should use a minmum of 75 watts . My NAD is 80 watts. Do I need to go for more power? I'm in a condo so don't play them at any unreasonable volume. Does anyone else have comments on these for 2 channel ? Maybe my ears just have to adjust to them after the 602's
Help!!!!!!!!!!!!! please

Thanks Pogo

[Lewing]

Hi paogorman,

I've been using the 602S3 for 3 years and 2 months ago i brough home a pair of CM1 for demo and it's was a pleasant suprise. To my ears the CM1s clearly have much better tweeter compared to 602S3, much better details in highs, less harsh and sweet. However, because of its low sensitivity, you need to crank up the volume a bit in order to enjoy it. I am currently using Rotel RSX 1056 receiver, which is rated 75 watts RMS and i find that the receiver is sufficient enough to power the CM1. So, as i said, i think you will need to crank up the volume a bit higher to fully enjoy it, hope that helps.

[greenhorn]

I have a pair of CM-1's and was using them as fronts for a while, love the little buggers. I think they are very clean and clear, sorry to hear yours are not sounding so well. At that time I was using an older Denon intergrated amp that was only 55 wpc and they sounded great. Now there rears with an Anthem Pre-Amp \ AMP setup and CM - 7's and CM-C up front.

Don't give up on them yet, something must be amiss.

[bigburner]

Pogo, I suppose you've checked that the CM1's are wired correctly and are in phase?

Nigel.

[nicky]

This is why it is very important to listen and audition speakers and audio equipment before buying...to trust your ears and preference, instead of buying based on reviews and other peoples subjective opinions.


If you did listen before you bought and it sounds different in your home, then it is room acoustics. Listening rooms in stores are usually acoustically treated. Your home is not and usually are very poor acoustically. In that case you need to play with position and think about treating your room. Your current NAD amp is plenty IMO for normal listening esp if you were happy with it with your old 602S3.

[paogorman2001]

Cm1

Thanks everyone for the comments and suggestions. I will fool around with the positioning and recheck my wiring just to make sure. Is speaker break in for real or is it just that your ears have to break in to the new speakers?

Pogo

[Briz vegas]

I am interested to know how you decided to go with the CM1 - was it an in store audition and if so what was it hooked up to and how did it differ from your gear?

I tend to disagree about gear sounding better in the shops, with a few exceptions I have found the opposite and listening rooms are rarely treated (maybe its just Australian hifi shops).

There are many reasons why the speakers may not be pleasing compared to the 602S3- which is a good speaker to start with. I still recall not too long ago when I hooked up an old 100w Nakamichi power amp to my Mordaunt Short MS-30s. I had owned them for about 20 years and used them with a Sansui 30watt amp, a 60W NAD receiver (the old T713) and a 110w Marantz receiver - none of which sounded much different - ie adequate. Connecting the Nak made an instant difference as it has lots more control (relatively) compared to the other gear. Suddenly I started to like the MS30s again (just before I gave them away - they were 2 upgrades old)

Enjoy your tweaking - I hope you find the sound you are looking for

And yes - in my experience speakers, CD players and other gear does break in - my 804s sounded a little dark for the first week or two and my Naim CD player seemed to dumb everything down for about the same period. After this time they sounded more like the run in examples I had auditioned. I also believe that part of this is your ears/brain - it takes a while before you really start listening to all aspects of the sound.

[Russ L]

I just purchased a pair of CM1's last week for 2 channel music only. I replaced my 602S3's . I'm not crazy about the sound at this point . Help!!!!!!!!!!!!! please

If you are really dissatisfied with them all is not lost, most reputable hi-fi shops will let you return them for a full refund, no questions asked. I always audition any new upgrade at home now to avoid problems. You may be discovering that while the CM1s have a better tweeter and crossovers that the soundstage in the 602s was more impressive due to the small cabinet size of the CM7. As you know, the 602 was known for its impressive soundstage due to its large cabinet size for a bookshelf speaker. I listen in a small room thats why the CM series appeals to me especially the smallish CM7s because its one of the few floorstanders that won't create room acoustic problems in my small listening space. You just bought them last week so your speaker options should not be closed. Maybe the CM7s will suit your room better. Good luck! Best regards, Russ

[paogorman2001]

Just an update and a thank you for everyones help on the CM1 saga.
I have been playing these speakers a couple of hours a night and either they are breaking in nicely or my ears are. In any event I am really starting to enjoy them . Again thanks everyone for getting me through the initial shock of changing speakers ;x(
Pogo