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

[scanido]

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.

If your not going to be running full range and primarily using a x-over at 80 i would definately get the 805S or as i mentioned the SCMS. Regardless of which option you go with, it sounds like you will be running them with a sub so i think you would get the best SQ from the 805S as they really excel in the mid-high frequency range. When you get an awesome sub like a Fathom for the lows, the 805S will blow away the CM9!!! :T

[Nolan B]

I know you are right...i am just stuck on how good the CM9s look. Looks of HT stuff is very important to me because of how my place is laid its always visible.

[kmcheng]

I know you are right...i am just stuck on how good the CM9s look. Looks of HT stuff is very important to me because of how my place is laid its always visible.

If I remember correctly you have brick walls in your listening space. The 805S will fit right at home against that backdrop. Actually, the 805S will fit perfectly in any home styles: modern, classic, traditional, country, etc. The lovely curves and the tweeters on top will make you drool over them every time you see the speakers. I have them now in my bedroom and every morning they are the first thing I see and every morning I have a big smile on my face. :B

[Nolan B]

If I remember correctly you have brick walls in your listening space. The 805S will fit right at home against that backdrop. Actually, the 805S will fit perfectly in any home styles: modern, classic, traditional, country, etc. The lovely curves and the tweeters on top will make you drool over them every time you see the speakers. I have them now in my bedroom and every morning they are the first thing I see and every morning I have a big smile on my face. :B

you are right. the 805s do look cool, and the top mounted tweeter kinda has a batman time look for some reason, but the CM9s just have something special. Picking between the two is a pretty good problem to have.

I am leaning 805s the more I think about this.

[KahunaCanuck]

Have you seen the used 805 Red Birdseye's on Agon right now? Very sexy! The Rosenut would look good with your Brick too...

I think your long term value is in the 805s more than the CM9s...

[btf1980]

I have a CM series setup, but previously had the 805 is a stereo setup a few years ago. I echo what the previous posters have said here. It is a wonderful speaker. I prefer it to the 804s even.

Another suggestion here. If you like the CM look, but are looking for bookshelves, is the CM5 an option? Sure it won't outperform the 805s, but it is a very good speaker and you will save a tremendous amount of money. I'm speaking purely on aesthetic reasons, the 805 is superior in every way.

What will you use for surrounds and a center if you purchase new fronts?

[Nolan B]

I have a CM series setup, but previously had the 805 is a stereo setup a few years ago. I echo what the previous posters have said here. It is a wonderful speaker. I prefer it to the 804s even.

Another suggestion here. If you like the CM look, but are looking for bookshelves, is the CM5 an option? Sure it won't outperform the 805s, but it is a very good speaker and you will save a tremendous amount of money. I'm speaking purely on aesthetic reasons, the 805 is superior in every way.

What will you use for surrounds and a center if you purchase new fronts?

I am going to likely keep FPM6s as surounds no mater which speaker I choose. I did listen to the CM5, but it doesnt really interest me. I am considering the 805 because of the quality. The CM9 is only being considered because of its looks and quality. If I had to choose between the CM5 and 805 I would go with 805 without question.

The 805s or 800 series in general needs a redesign.

My Kuro is piano black and my FPMs are Piano black which is another reason I am considering the CM9s. I think I am going to have to see what they sound like with a classe amp and see how they shine.

[Nolan B]

Have you seen the used 805 Red Birdseye's on Agon right now? Very sexy! The Rosenut would look good with your Brick too...

I think your long term value is in the 805s more than the CM9s...

Yes I have!

Problem is B&W never mad a center to match :cry:

[Ken49r]

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.

Looks of HT stuff is very important to me because of how my place is laid its always visible.

Vancouver,
Sure the CM is pretty with the cover off, but it will reveal it's limitations when you hook up the Classe amp. I heard the 705 vs 805 on a McIntosh setup and the difference was quite noticeable. The 805 disappeared and it elevated the image and vocals to where I felt I was sitting center stage at the venue.

System matching is important and with the Classe amp you have, your system is only as good as the speakers are capable of revealing. If you really like the full size speaker vs bookshelf save a little more and get the 804s.

Ken

[Nolan B]

Vancouver,
Sure the CM is pretty with the cover off, but it will reveal it's limitations when you hook up the Classe amp. I heard the 705 vs 805 on a McIntosh setup and the difference was quite noticeable. The 805 disappeared and it elevated the image and vocals to where I felt I was sitting center stage at the venue.

System matching is important and with the Classe amp you have, your system is only as good as the speakers are capable of revealing. If you really like the full size speaker vs bookshelf save a little more and get the 804s.

Ken

I dont really like the look of full range speakers in general, just the CM9. I have basically decided on the 805s i think though. One thing I know for sure is that if I go the CM0 I would also be wondering about the 800 series. If I get the 805s I would not feel the need to upgrade because of my current living conditions.

[alebonau]

Yes I have!

Problem is B&W never mad a center to match :cry:

sorry vancouver dont B&W make the HTM4S centre to match the 805s ?

personally I'd go the 805s any day given the choices your mulling over

one thing constantly would have me wondering though with the 805s is when B&W are going to update it with a diamond tweeter like the top 800 series !

not to say that suffers without it, it is a fabulous speaker as is and speaker always had a soft spot for

[Nolan B]

sorry vancouver dont B&W make the HTM4S centre to match the 805s ?

They ake the speaker yes, but not in the Birds Eye finish which is the post I was referring to.

l

[energyandair]

They ake the speaker yes, but not in the Birds Eye finish which is the post I was referring to.

Are your speakers tight up to a wall? If so, how about a pair of NOS SCM-1 speakers in birdseye maple? I was looking at a pair yesterday afternoon at Sound Hounds in Victoria. They look gorgeous!

David

[kmcheng]

I dont really like the look of full range speakers in general, just the CM9. I have basically decided on the 805s i think though. One thing I know for sure is that if I go the CM0 I would also be wondering about the 800 series. If I get the 805s I would not feel the need to upgrade because of my current living conditions.

Well, if you can fit the 805S as fronts in your room you can most likely fit at least the 803S as well. :W

When you move the FPM6 to the rears, are you going to keep them on their stands? If so, that means you probably have enough footprint to accommodate the 805S as well. This is another reason for you to go with the 805S -- you will be able to use them for a much longer time even if you want to upgrade later. You can just move them to the back.

[indiebands]

805s vs. SCMS

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.

Hi All,
Since we are on the question of 805s, has anyone compared the 805s directly to the SCMS? From the description, B&W sounds like they were trying to make an 805 in a package that would fit on the wall. I just wonder how much of a compromise is involved.

In the place that we are thinking of moving to, SCMS' would be relatively easy to wall mount as surrounds behind the listening position. 805s' would be tough to fit in since they'd probably need to be stand mounted. However, having just invested in 803D's (and new electronics) and considering adding the HTM2D for a center, I don't want to regret a SCMS later if we move to a place that has more space to accommodate the superior speaker.

Thanks in advance.