Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: B&W CDM7SE Speakers by julian4@telkomsa.net

Model:	CDM7SE
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$2500 Cdn.
Description:	Floorstanding speaker
Manufacturer URL:	B&W
Model Picture:	View

Review by julian4@telkomsa.net ( A ) on September 21, 2004 at 14:50:59
IP Address: 198.54.202.115

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for the CDM7SE

In Reply to: pls recommend audiophile equipment for simply playing music ? posted by julian4@telkomsa.net on September 20, 2004 at 12:54:53:
My config was very inexpensive as it was all from the ols school second hand items except for this speakers and my DV cartridge.
Anyway just over $2500.00 (all inclusive) I used my following equipment :
Rega p3, rb300, dynavector dv17x mc cartridge.
Mcintosh mc2105 power.
Rotel rb980 bx pre.
I ended up reading reviews and postin messages and this was my final one, bearing in mind I had the option to go with big names such as PROAC,APOGEE,HEIL ETCCC..
Here is a copy of my final post to the speakerasylum group..

""Tx for all the advise given, I realy appreciate it.
After carefull reading and noting on all the points I ended up taking a liking to the b&w cdm7's. I never realy auditioned b&w before as they just never appealed to me, but I gave it a go anyway as it seemed the safest bet for me...
I must say, my heart was realy set on the apogees and proarcs that was available and today I even came across a pair of Heil AMT Kithara's....lol... But at 6 times the price of the CDM7's, I asked myself if there was realy six times the gain ? ,,,well I doubt there ever be six times, maybe twice ?,,,,:-) Also considerations like "Apogee not being around anymore" made me a bit more cautious...
Anyway, I just had to add that, after reading lots of reviews on the cdm7'S, I still don't understand why people recomend a sub for them in medium sized rooms..?
I was overwhelmed by it's excellent bass, delivered in the "magical area" between the two speakers...I was told that they would work well with the Mcintosh as they perform better when driven well, but I was shocked when they first kicked in,,,,,they were awesome....
Maybe some of the reviewers must try using them with the right power and check their placement as well... I simply put them about a foot or so from the back wall and slightly slunted inwards and ...wowwww ,,,there was that magnificent soundstage doing the dissapearing trick on me....
I actually fell asleep listening to some slow jams,,so I would also question the stories I read about the tweeters....
Tx again crew and good listening.
Kind regards.
Julian""

Product Weakness: Sounds totaly oposite if placed wrong or weaker amps used.
Product Strengths: Easy soundstaging and then does exploit wonderfull bass.
Hold its ground against very expensive speakers.
Easy to drive with the right power.
Good looking piece of furniture.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	SS Mcintosh mc2105.
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Rotel RB980BX
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	REGA P3,RB300,DYNAVECTOR DV17X MC
Speakers:	The CDM7
Cables/Interconnects:	nothing special
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Basie jam, Micheal Jackson, George Benson, UB40,Shirley Basey..
Room Size (LxWxH):	5 x 6 x 3
Room Comments/Treatments:	Nothing special, normal furnished living room with big window and glass sliding door.
Time Period/Length of Audition:	owner, continues.
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	Same

Product Weakness:	Sounds totaly oposite if placed wrong or weaker amps used.
Product Strengths:	Easy soundstaging and then does exploit wonderfull bass. Hold its ground against very expensive speakers. Easy to drive with the right power. Good looking piece of furniture.