B&W comparisons of the CM9 with 804s

[moosepapi]

I would love to purchase a pair of used 804 or 803s speakers. I cant find any around where I live to audition. I've listened to the CM9's as that is as close as I can get. I'm not a true audiophile but want a good HT and music system. I have considered the 9's for my fronts and I already have the cmc2 center. The CM5's would be my surrounds most likely. First of all has anyone compared the 9's side by side with the 804s? Where the heck can I find good used 804's or 3's? What would be a good amp to run either set of speakers without breaking the bank? Thank you.

[pazu]

At the first, welcome to the forum.

In my opinion, the B&W 803S is the model with the best value of all in the old 800 series.

There's only a problem: it needs a very good amplifier with a high power - 200 W/8 Ohm or more.

The 804S is similar to 803S, but with less impressive low frequency.

The CM series is very pretty, but not so fine like the 800 one.

If you want to chose a model of CM series, I think the CM 8 is (a bit) better than CM 9.

[moosepapi]

Thank you for your reply. Why do you think the 8's are a bit better than the 9's?

[leej]

Like you, I’m no true audiophile with my aged hearing, though I appreciate good sound. I auditioned the 804s along side of the CM9, when they were first introduced. This was in a very well treated room with high end Classe electronics. I was very impressed with the CM9 its similarity to the 804s. The 804s was a bit more refined, especially the highs without becoming overly bright, at least to my old ears. For the price the CM9’s were very appealing, but I definitely preferred the 804s. Side-by-side with the older 703’s, I chose a used pair of 703’s over the CM9. Now I wish that I had held out for the 804s. Or better, yet, a pair of 803’s.

[pazu]

Thank you for your reply. Why do you think the 8's are a bit better than the 9's?

A lot of my friends told me this after they listened both 8 and 9 CM.

[moosepapi]

Do you recall how the imaging was with the 9's compared to the 804's?

[pazu]

Do you recall how the imaging was with the 9's compared to the 804's?

1st: 804S

2nd: CM8

3rd (but very similar to CM8...): CM9

But... in my opinion, if you found a pair of 803s, it should be the best choice of all! - with a good amplifier, of course!

:T

[stuofsci02]

1st: 804S

2st: CM8

3st (but very similar to CM8...): CM9

But... in my opinion, if you found a pair of 803s, it should be the better choice of all! - with a good amplifier, of course!

:T

803s would only be better if you have a larger room to fill.

The differences you describe between the CM8 and CM9 are very similar to the differences between 804s and 803s.

804s should image a little better then the 803s (due to narrower cabinets), but it will give up bass performance.

What is the room size?

[pazu]

My 803S are in a room of 23 m^2.

I drive it using bi-wiring cables and I think that the sound is very good, with impressive bass and fine medium and high frequencies.

In my opinion, the bi-wiring is very important to drive all the models of 800 series.

[stuofsci02]

Yeah, I can see your room in your avatar.. Looks very nice..

I meant the original posters room size.

I won't debate the biwiring since there are too many threads about that, but IMO passive biwiring does not do anything that a thicker single wire can not do...

[moosepapi]

Would the cm9's benefit from using an amp and bi-wiring? Or, will my Onkyo 809 be good in a 5.1 system. Need to figure out if I need to spring for an amp.

[htsteve]

Would the cm9's benefit from using an amp and bi-wiring? Or, will my Onkyo 809 be good in a 5.1 system. Need to figure out if I need to spring for an amp.

moosepapi,

I would recommend an amp for the CM9. The Onkyo would have to share power between all five speakers. This will definitely diminish performance of the CM9's. They really need to have their own power.
Soundstage, dynamics and bass will be immeditely improved with an amp.


Hope this helps.

[pazu]

Would the cm9's benefit from using an amp and bi-wiring? Or, will my Onkyo 809 be good in a 5.1 system. Need to figure out if I need to spring for an amp.

Bi-wiring is important just to get (probably) the best performance.

In this moment - as you wrote - the most important thing is to look for a really fine amplifier.

[leej]

Bi-wiring might not improve the performance of the reciever as much as bi-amp. I would think that the 809 should have this capability. I found that an external amp for my 703 mains made more difference, though.