New CM-9 or Used 805S for same price.

[N2siast]

If you had a choice of the above said speakers which will you choose and why. :cry:

[htsteve]

805S. It's an top notch 'small' speaker. The technologies and refinement of the 805S would out perform the CM-9, IMO.


Hope this helps.

[btf1980]

805S. It's an top notch 'small' speaker. The technologies and refinement of the 805S would out perform the CM-9, IMO.


Hope this helps.

Have you heard the CM9? Or are you basing this on "paper analysis"?

[htsteve]

Have you heard the CM9? Or are you basing this on "paper analysis"?

I'm basing this on two items. I've heard the 805S. It is excellent. Very impressive for its size. It is also a current model. Secondly, my experience with owning B&W is that the 800 series is the best in their lineup.

I've not heard the CM-9, but since the 805S is current and in the top product line B&W has, I expect it would be the best 'small' speaker they offer. That is why I would chose the 805S's in this situation.

Of course, the best situation is to compare the two side by side and let your ears decide.



Hope this helps.

[audioqueso]

Even without hearing it, 805S. CM series sounds like a great 600 series. 800 series is way beyond that.

[MikeFL52]

I agree with everyone the 805 is an excellent speaker, dynamic and detailed. However you may not be satisfied with the 805 alone for the lower octaves. It is a small ported speaker and will not give you the low end extension that you want and so in thee end you may only be satisfied with the 805 plus a subwoofer for movies and the low end extension for 2 channel music. The CM9 is a larger "full range" speaker with the woofers, but it is not an 805. Can you listen to both? If so I would do that because they are different speakers with very different tonal characteristics.

I don't know what your situation is, but if in the long run you want to build up to a 5.1 system, the 805s would make excellent rear speakers with a larger 800 series, even another pair of 805s, for the front. I therefore think that the 805s give you more flexibility for the future.

[hifiguymi]

The CM9 hasn't shipped yet so all of this is conjecture until then. If you are interested in the CM9 you will have to wait and listen to them yourself.

Eric

[N2siast]

That sounds like the prudent thing to do. I will just have to wait to listen to the CM-9's. I'm not so sure the 805 bookshelf will best the CM-9 floorstander in my application. 65% music, 35% HT. Moreover they retail for about the same price. Time will tell. The wait is excrutiating: a reflection of the fast food society we live in.

[htsteve]

That sounds like the prudent thing to do. I will just have to wait to listen to the CM-9's. I'm not so sure the 805 bookshelf will best the CM-9 floorstander in my application. 65% music, 35% HT. Moreover they retail for about the same price. Time will tell. The wait is excrutiating: a reflection of the fast food society we live in.

Oops on my part. I quickly assumed the CM-9 was a bookshelf speaker. I forgot it is a tower. The best thinig to do will be to listen to both and decide. In general, I like towers because of the bass they add, especially in two channel. In this case, waiting till the CM-9's come out and taking a listen is the best way to go.

I also like MikeFL52's idea. 805S's now (especially if you have a sub) and possibly moving them to the rears later. Flexibility is nice.

[N2siast]

I decided to go with the CM-9 unheard. I"m eagerly awaiting the arrival. If The sound is not to my liking I can always sell it and move up to the 800 series range.

[htsteve]

I decided to go with the CM-9 unheard. I"m eagerly awaiting the arrival. If The sound is not to my liking I can always sell it and move up to the 800 series range.

Cool. Hopefully, they will work for you. If not, I hope your dealer would take them back towards something in the 800 series.

[Briz vegas]

CM9 is an interesting creature. It is sure (?) to be a cost cutting exercise going for a conventional box over the 703s more complex cabinet and tweeter on top, I recall at least one person preferring the 705 over the CM1, although I think it was the guy that went with 805 in the end then sold them to go back to 685. Anyone else done this comparison? (700 vs CM) Do they make the CMs in China with the 600s?

[specialized]

CM9 is an interesting creature. It is sure (?) to be a cost cutting exercise going for a conventional box over the 703s more complex cabinet and tweeter on top, I recall at least one person preferring the 705 over the CM1, although I think it was the guy that went with 805 in the end then sold them to go back to 685. Anyone else done this comparison? (700 vs CM) Do they make the CMs in China with the 600s?

I had a chance to have them in same time.. CM1 vs 705 vs 805s.

I definitly dont like 705. And i think CM1 is wonderfull speaker, so that's why i decide to definitly have them, and im using them for rear speakers. 805s are much better then CM1, but i decide to safe money on rears and to put them in fronts/center (so i got 803s/HTM3s).

Darko

[N2siast]

Do they make the CMs in China with the 600s?

My understanding is they're made in the UK. Cabinets are made in Denmark.

[btf1980]

Do they make the CMs in China with the 600s?

Only the 600 series are made in China.

[Mig17]

Cm-9 is a lot better if you use as HT/music 5.1 application I think
805 is I think for stereo guys setup

[N2siast]

They finally hit my dealers showroom. Great sound.

[Mikael]

Hi N2siast

How is the sound of the CM9 comparred to the CM7 and say the 683?
Does it have more full and low bass and a better midrange than the CM7?

Best Mikael

[scanido]

For a HT setup I would definitely go with the new CM9.

For stereo, i would go with the 805S albeit only with a sub for the lowend.

[N2siast]

Hi N2siast

How is the sound of the CM9 comparred to the CM7 and say the 683?
Does it have more full and low bass and a better midrange than the CM7?

Best Mikael

The sound is comparable to the CM7 with a fuller bass. I'm sure the sound will open up some more as the drivers loosen up. They have a winner in the CM9 no doubt.

[Race Car Driver]

Id take a CM9 for sure, but I watch more movies.

[Mikael]

Hi N2siast

How do you like the sound of your new CM9 now compared to right out of the box?
What about the midrange,does it blend well with the others drivers?
I find that the mid on the CM7 was a bit shouting and lack some body.

[Dmantis]

I have Installed B&W speakers and they never sound right out of the box. They require break in then they sound unbelievable.

I'm way into the cm7's , I would love to hear the cm9's.

[KyaDawn]

If your use will be 65% music, 35% HT, then definitely the 805S. The 805S even without a sub has a very rich, beautiful warm sound, fantastic with music, and with a sub, it's even more amazing and entirely suitable for HT.

I admit I haven't heard the CM-9 and no doubt it's very good, but B&W didn't make the 800s its reference series for nothing.

At the same time, when you purchase the 805S, you give yourself the ability to upgrade within the 800 series, especially if you decide to build a 5.1 or 7.1 system.

[marky mark]

hey N2siast
how is your cm9's? is it broken in yet? lets see some pic's

[DM3000 Owner]

If your use will be 65% music, 35% HT, then definitely the 805S. The 805S even without a sub has a very rich, beautiful warm sound, fantastic with music, and with a sub, it's even more amazing and entirely suitable for HT.

I admit I haven't heard the CM-9 and no doubt it's very good, but B&W didn't make the 800s its reference series for nothing.

At the same time, when you purchase the 805S, you give yourself the ability to upgrade within the 800 series, especially if you decide to build a 5.1 or 7.1 system.

One thing that has to be said about the 800 series. Before I say this I want to say that I do not have some superior skills nor am I claiming to be an "expert audiophile." This has just been my experience listening to higher end speakers. I also have only heard B&W's 800 series, not the other speakers mentioned.

Many times both speakers sound very good and the one with greater bass extension (the tower) may sound better side by side in a quick comparison. But the great qualities of a speaker like an 800 series may only really become obvious after listening for a while, especially to recordings that you are very familiar with or very well recorded material (try the Doors new box set or the Complete Clapton on vinyl).

You will hear subtle details like the way that the speaker images, or the tone of certain instruments or sounds and how these sounds are presented. The sum of these qualities really adds up to quite an experience.

Of course the source also really matters. My 2 Cents.

[KyaDawn]

Excellent post! You really nailed it. On top of that, sometimes you audition a speaker and it sounds really good, with a bit of "wow factor". But as you listen on, fatigue sets in or certain instruments don't sound right, and you become more and more dissatisfied with it. This has been true with a lot of speakers that I auditioned. That's never happened to me with the 800 series.

[planitismetal]

That sounds like the prudent thing to do. I will just have to wait to listen to the CM-9's. I'm not so sure the 805 bookshelf will best the CM-9 floorstander in my application. 65% music, 35% HT. Moreover they retail for about the same price. Time will tell. The wait is excrutiating: a reflection of the fast food society we live in.

Exactly for this reason I would choose 805s... I own a pair and on the factory bases, they are gorgeous!!! Don't forget that the most studios uses them as monitor speakers! In back of my mind is to make a 5.1 with 805s as surround... But now I enjoy music... Details I've never heard before, plenty of harmonics, and also sweet sound! The bass also is very good for a speaker like this!! But if you want great sound, you have to use great amps also... What are you using now??

[Dmantis]

Pic's?? Review??? Come on man, talk to me. I'm dying to hear about them. I wanna see them in person. Pic's will do for now.

Dan

[marky mark]

;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x( ;x(

[N2siast]

I'm in a conundrum. I just purchased 2 pairs of CM9s. Great speakers very detailed and tight bass. Drivers still a bit stiff. Here's my problem. I've just been offered a great price on a pair of 803s and I'm thinking about selling a pair of cm NIB.

[htsteve]

I'm in a conundrum. I just purchased 2 pairs of CM9s. Great speakers very detailed and tight bass. Drivers still a bit stiff. Here's my problem. I've just been offered a great price on a pair of 803s and I'm thinking about selling a pair of cm NIB.

Which version of 803? I pretty much like any version (N803, 803S and 803D).
I base this on experience with the 800 series. It's the best sounding series that B&W has.


Hope this helps.

[marky mark]

I think that you should go with the 800 series if you can, better to upgrade now than later, plus you won't have any regrets. In the end it will be you who will enjoy which speakers you end up with.

[Audio_ElF]

This thred been running for a while but I'm not sure anyone's made this comment: it depends on the room. In a small room the 805S could be ideal as the larger CM9 overwhelm the space, but in a big room equally the CM9 could fill a space the smaller 805 struggles with.

I've heard neither speaker so I'm not specifically commenting on the speakers, but that's why it's imprtant to demo in your own room with your own kit as far as possible.

Just my .02 ... Eloise

[KyaDawn]

The 805S can actually fill a room quite good. They are two-way monitors, but they are not that small, and they deliver a sound that under blind-testing could fool people to think they are floorstanders. On the other hand, a well-match sub would definitely be an improvement for both HT and some music.

I did get a chance to listen to the CM7s yesterday and thought they were fantastic! Very good imagining and wide soundstage, with incredible detail. The bass was sufficient as well. I also heard the CM1s and liked them, though as fronts, they definitely need a sub.

If the CM9s sound like the CM7s, but with deeper bass and a more rounded mid-range, then it's a winner for sure. If we are talking about an absolute $3,000 budget and for stereo fronts, between the CM9 and the 805S, I would probably go with the CM9 for that deeper bass. But if you could add a sub, then I would choose the 805S, but I don't think you can lose with either.

B&W has done an excellent job with the CM line, and for the price, it's an excellent value.

[2channellover]

I've heard the CM9 and N805s. You did say "used" but I'm going on the assumption you meant the N805. In which case, I would go with the N805.

Why? First off, you're talking about two entirely different animals in that the CM9 is a floor standing spkr with more range in the low end, and book shelf spkr designed to reproduce your source material as close as possible to the recording engineers intent. That said, the buyer of each spkr is not looking for the same thing.

The 800 series from B&W is where you get the most bang for the buck. The CM9 is a nice speaker, but I've heard other speakers that produce a similar sound for less money. Whereas I'm hard pressed to find a book shelf or similarly sized spkr that produces the same quality as the N805.

I'd go with the N805 and add a sub when I got th money if I wanted more low end.

[btf1980]

The 800 series from B&W is where you get the most bang for the buck.

800 series are bang for the buck speakers? Learn something new everyday! :P

[kmcheng]

800 series are bang for the buck speakers? Learn something new everyday! :P

All my friends and colleagues think that I am crazy spending much more money on the sound system than on the TV.

Not surprisingly, I too think that the 800 series are bang for the buck speakers.

Somebody helps me...

[SoundEngine355]

In Aus the Cm7 is $3k and Cm9 is $4.5k

$1.5k more for 1" in the midrange and an extra bass driver, pretty steep if you ask me.

[Nolan B]

I am trying to decide between 805s with HTM4s ( I cant go bigger with center because of size) or the CM7s with CM centre 2.

I have a PV1 and what ever way I go the speakers will be powered by a Classe 5100. I always listen to movies and music at a low to moderate level because I live in a loft with shared walls. I want pure quality at any sound level.

Looks are important to be and if I was making my decision on looks alone I would jump on the Cm series, but I dont want to give up to much quality.

Any opinions would be great. I watch a ton of BD movies with lossless audio, DVD audio/SACD. Music and movies is probably a 60 (movies) 40 split but I want top notch for both if possible.

I will probably have a chance to listen to both speakers but not likely with my amp so my decision will be done with other means of research..such as other opinions.

[energyandair]

I have a PV1 and what ever way I go the speakers will be powered by a Classe 5100. I always listen to movies and music at a low to moderate level because I live in a loft with shared walls. I want pure quality at any sound level.

I think that this makes the decision very easy.

You can play the smaller 805's significantly louder without annoying the neighbours because they do not produce nearly as much of the very low frequency energy that goes straight through walls floors etc. I have older 805s and I was really surprised at how much quieter than expected it was in the rest of the house because in the listening room it didn't sound as though I was missing bass.

Secondly, you can expect the 800 series to sound significantly purer provided you have high quality electronics to drive them. As you have Classe you should be fine.

David

[kmcheng]

I am trying to decide between 805s with HTM4s ( I cant go bigger with center because of size) or the CM7s with CM centre 2.

A number of months ago I asked the exact same question in the forum and the consensus was to go with the 805S. I did and I haven't regretted since.

If you get the 805S, you can later move them to the rear when you decide to get the bigger brothers with the diamond tweeters and then you will have 800-series all around.

It may look like a crazy idea now, but the 805S are so good that it gets you wondering about how the sound could be improved further with the diamond tweeters. That curiosity drove me back to the dealer and I got the 803D afterwards.

[Nolan B]

great...im leaning towards the 805s.I think thats the way I will go.

[Nolan B]

I had a chance to compare the 805s and CM9 yesterday. Both only powered by a 60 watts Rotel integrated amp, but surprisingly it held up pretty good at least at the levels I was listening to.

The 805s was a better sounding speaker, but the CM9 was pretty close. I almost left feeling the only was you could really know there was a difference long term is if you lived with both in your place. I am still leaning towards the 805s because I think my classe will bring them to a much higher level then the CM9s will reach with the same amp.

I will say that the CM9s looked beautiful and seriously made me want to like them more or equal to the 805s.

Just curious, i realise the setting speakers at a 80 cross over is not an exact cut off, but if you have these two speakers set at 80 would you really notice much of a difference in the base the CM9 puts out vs the 805s? I like to be able to control the amount of base coming via my sub because of shared walls. Would the CM9s still pump out a lot?

My mind isnt 100% made up at this point.

[scanido]

Vancouver, another option is to go with the SCMS as fronts and center. I had these speakers for almost a year as my mains and those speakers are astonishing! If you have space constraints and can put them within a foot from the wall they perform on par with the 805S.