Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: B&W CM 4 Speakers by digiphobe

Model:	CM 4
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	$1500
Description:
Manufacturer URL:	B&W
Manufacturer URL:	B&W

Review by digiphobe ( A ) on October 25, 2005 at 16:51:49
IP Address: 154.20.241.124

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for the CM 4

I've owned these speaks for about six months now so I guess the honeymoon period is over. Right off the batt I should say that like most quality speaks they require a huge amount of break-in time; these are no exception- they didn't sound their best until some 500 hrs were logged! These are a 5 year old design and I'm not sure if they're still in production...whatever.
several rags have done reviews on these boxes and I've notice that they almost contradict each other when it comes to percieved tonal balance/ dynamic abilities. Me thinks it all comes down to what they're being fed by: throw together a crappy home theatre heap and what do you expect? Personaly I've been using an Naim 5 series stack and the sound is quite good; detailed but not aggressively so, slightly laid back around the upper mids which tends to make them somewhat forgiving of less than stellar recordings, the top end seems quite extended and the bass is pretty damn good for such a smallish tower with 2- 6 1/2" drivers.
I've also used the CM4's with my Consonance M100se 40watt tube-amp with good results, no problems with impedence mismatching- the load seems benign and the amp plays to full measure.
As always, more money spent gets you a little more of this or that in different areas, but overall I'm quite please with the CM's because they seem to do everything in an even-handed manner i.e nothing sticks out; now that's an achievment.
cheers

Product Weakness: cost mabey?
Product Strengths: smooth, even natured sound. Nicely finnished looks. 90db sensetivity.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	naim 150
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	naim 112
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	naim cd5
Speakers:	shearwaters, JMR Twins, psb's
Cables/Interconnects:	naca5's
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	pop, jazz, vocal, instrumental
Time Period/Length of Audition:	6months from new
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	cost mabey?
Product Strengths:	smooth, even natured sound. Nicely finnished looks. 90db sensetivity.