B&W CDM-1 need some advice

[jamie2112]

I am looking at a pair of cdm-1s for 375 and want to know if anyone has heard them and do they sound as good as the new 600 series?

[Sheep]

Is that all you're willing to look at?

Avaserfi and WmAx have been touting the Ascends CBM-1 saying it's a pretty damn good speaker out of the box (relative to its price).

SheepStar

[jamie2112]

No they are on craigslist in DC and I would love to listen to the ascends...

[WmAx]

No they are on craigslist in DC and I would love to listen to the ascends...

I know this will be considered unusual advice to most people: you don't need to listen to the Ascend CBM-170 before purchase; nor will this be of any advantage if you intend to use these speakers to their full potential by using a high precision tonal adjustment tool. They are simply neutral devices; the only coloration of significance being the cabinet resonance, which is an issue on most speakers of all price ranges. The only other things that would have appreciable effect on sound are related to sound dispersion; but amost all of the speakers being considered typically have very similar dispersion, there for it's not usualy an issue of importance in most instances. You need to employ a high quality DSP management system with precision adjustments so that you can take advantage of this neutral speaker and finely adjust it's response to your ideal preference. This means you should use outboard amplifiers so that you insert the management system between pre out and amp in.

-Chris

[Sheep]

I know this will be considered unusual advice to most people: you don't need to listen to them before purchase; nor will this be of any advantage. They are simply neutral devices; the only coloration of significance being the cabinet resonance, which is an issue on most speakers of all price ranges. You need to employ a high quality DSP management system with precision adjustments so that you can take advantage of this neutral speaker and finely adjust it's response to your ideal preference. This means you should use outboard amplifiers so that you insert the management system between pre out and amp in.

-Chris

Just to clarify you're talking about the Ascends right?

SheepStar

[WmAx]

Just to clarify you're talking about the Ascends right?

SheepStar

Yes, the Ascend CBM-170. I apologize for not being specific in my post. I corrected this as well as including more thorough explanations.

[Sheep]

Yes, the Ascend CBM-170. I apologize for not being specific in my post.

For Shame!

SheepStar

[jamie2112]

Thanks I am going to look at the ascends and will not be buying the b&w cdm-1s. How would you compare the ascends to B&W dm 602?

[Sheep]

Thanks I am going to look at the ascends and will not be buying the b&w cdm-1s. How would you compare the ascends to B&W dm 602?

Not having heard either of them.. I like B&W's style. If the sound is decent enough, I could see myself buying them just for the looks.

SheepStar

[WmAx]

Thanks I am going to look at the ascends and will not be buying the b&w cdm-1s. How would you compare the ascends to B&W dm 602?

Is there a thorough 3rd party analys of DM602 measured behavior? I can not say without such data, or having the speaker myself in order to measure/analyze.

I should note that the CBM-170 is one of the overall better measuring monopolar 2 way bookshelf speakers on the market, regardless of price. It's only substantial limitation is cabinet resonance.

-Chris