I think B&W got it right this time. The earlier CDM-7SE was very dull/closed-in/shut-in sounding to me.
Review: B & W Loudspeakers CDM-7nt Speaker
Category: Speakers
B&W loud speakers have a very detailed and unique sound. When compared to other speakers, they stand out quite a bit, especially the midrange and top end. These speakers seem to pull excellent detail from the midrange and top end. Small sounds such as the fingers moving along the guitar strings and breathing by the artist are heard with these speakers with good amplification. I really don't have any complaints at all about the top end, except that at times it tends to be slightly forward with some recordings, but do realize, that is the recordings fault and not the speakers. The only weakness in these speakers is the bass. I'm not one to enjoy feeling the bass, but I do enjoy a nice full range sound, and that is just cut a little short in the CDM 7nt speakers. Now a lot of this can be helped by having high quality amplification, not just a stereo receiver. But to an extent, every speaker has its limitation. In comparison to Paradigm, the speakers are very different. Paradigm tends to be a smooth flowing speaker, while B&W seems to be a detailed and accurate speaker. Compared to the Oskar Aulos bookshelf speakers, the B&Ws seemed to be a bit forward. Bass wise, that little bookshelf speaker kept up pretty darn well. The B&W's were a little more articulate, but that is still part of taste. In the end it still comes down to preference, some may consider the B&W speakers a bit exhausting, while the little Oskar Aulos speakers just sing with the music and are really easy to listen to. If you enjoy an detailed sound, with limited but accurate bass, the CDM 7NT speakers may certainly be your ticket.
Associated gear
McCormack ALD-1 rev b
McCormack DNA .5 rev a
Arcam FMJ cd-23
Similar products
Oskar Aulos
Paradigm Studio series
B&W loud speakers have a very detailed and unique sound. When compared to other speakers, they stand out quite a bit, especially the midrange and top end. These speakers seem to pull excellent detail from the midrange and top end. Small sounds such as the fingers moving along the guitar strings and breathing by the artist are heard with these speakers with good amplification. I really don't have any complaints at all about the top end, except that at times it tends to be slightly forward with some recordings, but do realize, that is the recordings fault and not the speakers. The only weakness in these speakers is the bass. I'm not one to enjoy feeling the bass, but I do enjoy a nice full range sound, and that is just cut a little short in the CDM 7nt speakers. Now a lot of this can be helped by having high quality amplification, not just a stereo receiver. But to an extent, every speaker has its limitation. In comparison to Paradigm, the speakers are very different. Paradigm tends to be a smooth flowing speaker, while B&W seems to be a detailed and accurate speaker. Compared to the Oskar Aulos bookshelf speakers, the B&Ws seemed to be a bit forward. Bass wise, that little bookshelf speaker kept up pretty darn well. The B&W's were a little more articulate, but that is still part of taste. In the end it still comes down to preference, some may consider the B&W speakers a bit exhausting, while the little Oskar Aulos speakers just sing with the music and are really easy to listen to. If you enjoy an detailed sound, with limited but accurate bass, the CDM 7NT speakers may certainly be your ticket.
Associated gear
McCormack ALD-1 rev b
McCormack DNA .5 rev a
Arcam FMJ cd-23
Similar products
Oskar Aulos
Paradigm Studio series
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- 4 posts total
- 4 posts total