everything except the weaknesses

too bright, too big, not really have tonal matching with cdm series main speakers

cdm cnt is a good product and not expensive for $500,but this speaker is too bright,not really have a good tonal matching with cdm main speakers,i think b&w sacrifice the frequency response (too bright) for sensitivity (91dB),if u have 600 or nautilus series main speakers,u can choose between lcr60,lcr600,htm2 or htm1 to create an excellent tonal balance and punch for the front 3,but not with the cdm series,u stuck with one choice,it can play loud enough to match your cdm9nt tower,but only in upper midrange,it even worse if u use it with cdm1nt,it looks ugly bcoz its too big and too loud/bright for cdm1nt,maybe that 2 holes designed to boost the low frequency to keep up with the upper mid,but u can't just do it that way(my opinion),maybe htm7 have the same problem,although i'm not listen and try to use it with 700series main speakers yet

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jbl ht1f, b&w htm matrix center (still using it,smaller size but it beats cdm cnt in every way, price $700 5 years ago)

Transparent, dynamic, tweeter-top design will impress the pets.

height and weight of unit can spell trouble for some people. Can sound bright with some amps.

This is the CDM-CNT model center channel with tweeter on top. The high cabinet can be a problem for many setups. Ideally a stand would probably work best since the unit would benefit from being decoupled from the set. Spend the money and get this center. A curtain will be lifted between you an the center. It's an amazing upgrade. A solid improvement over the excellent Paradigm Studio center I used briefly. I'm giving 5 stars, but the unit's size can make it a zero for you, so measure and test before buying.

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Used or heard: Paradigm, snell, Monitor Audio, AT

Range
Cabinetry

none

This has to, for the price range, the best center I heard. The range is spectacular, with a warm feeling I heard from no other (unless you go to the Nautilus series). I am truly impressed with the B&W sound. Currently, I am replacing my BA rears with B&W SCM-8's! The only real complaint I could possibly have with B&W's is that you have to make sure you match them with a nice, fast sub.

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Boston Acoustics
Klipsch

Punchy mid-bass, terrific clarity, plays loud, wide center stage.

None.

A couple of observations:

If you are choosing between this and the new LCR 6 S2 and have a big screen tv, this one puts a much more natural center stage. When flopped over on it's side, the LCR 6 is too beamy horizontally for anything over 35".

I tried bi-wiring with normal high grade OFC copper wire and I found the mid-range to be a little too "shouty" and forward. Don't assume that the CSE (or any other speaker for that matter) will sound better bi-wired. Try for yourself (with YOUR amp) then decide. I have settled on single wire MIT Terminator 4 fed from a NAD T-760.

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Paradigm CC-170

Detailed sound, excellent imaging

Low bass

Highly recommended. Very senstive to electronics used, cabling. Sound was a near perfect match to my Magnepan MG12 QRs. Looks ok - nothing that will make the spouse overly happy. Spectacular at high volumes but shine in soft passages, revealing details in a way competitors can't.

Similar Products Used:

Magnepan MGCC1, Paradigm Studio cc, Infinity Delta

Clarity, especially at upper and mid frequencies.

None at this time.

Bought this model to upgrade from the first series CC6, at a local B&W dealer, who I've dealt with for years. The owner had sold me a pair of P6's, and stated that the CSE would be the closest match since this series basically replaced the P series. It literally only took a minute to realize in an A/B comparison(to the series 2 model) that the CSE was a far superior choice(if you can stand the $200.00 difference). The CC6's sounded muffled, and the CSE was clearer, and had a more "open soundstage". Now I know why I sometimes sat their watching a movie, saying to my wife " what did he just say?".

The CC6 is still a good center, but if you can muster up the extra bucks, go for it!

4 stars due to $550.00
5 stars, although I didn't bother comparing it to the LCR's or the HTM's.

Last tidbit...My wife said to me, " I hate to say it, but I can actually tell the diffence"(from the CC6 to the CSE).

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Replaced B&W cc6 series 1

I recently upgraded my center channel speaker from the B&W CC6 to this CDM CSE and I am amazed at the subtle, but noticeable differences in dynamics and clarity. The CC6 is an amazing center channel speaker, but is limited in its depth and bass response. The CDM CSE reaches low into the 40 and 50Hzs without hesitation. I am now able to reconfigure my system and use the Wide center channel mode instead of Normal. This really focuses the center channel sounds where they are supposed to be. The highs on this speaker are much smoother than on the CC6 as well as the control of the bass. I had several instances with my CC6 in some movies where the scream of a woman's voice or the ricochet of a gunshot would sound empty. The CSE does a marvelous job of smoothing out those very high frequencies. All in all, I am very pleased with this speaker and intend to upgrade my entire system to the CDM series.
Bi-wiring this speaker in essential. I tried connecting the speaker initially with Monster's MCX 1.2s, but did not give me the bass control I was looking for. So, I exchanged the speaker cables to the 1.4s Bi-Wires.

Excellent center channel speaker for this category!

I also had the B&W CC6 center channel to begin with. It was a very nice center channel, but I had a hard time clearly understanding dialog sometimes. I upgraded to the CSE and the difference was not subtle at all. This speaker is much more detailed in the vocal range. It also sounds great on my music DVD's. I have the original version CDM-1 speakers, and it matched them very well in timbre. I have not been upset at all with this speaker. I have noticed slight distortion(crackling sound) coming from this speaker at very loud levels, but this can be expected, and could be the amplifier clipping. After careful focus, it sounds incredible. I have never heard a center channel do better than the CSE, even much more expensive models from various manufacturers. You would have to spend many more $$$ to equal the performance, in my opinion. This is one product I can EASILY recommend.

I bought the B&W CDM Series Center Channel Speaker about two months ago. I am extremely pleased with the sound reproduction. The DVD "Sessions at West 54th" is an outstanding disc that tests the speakers limits with variuos preformers such as Ricky Lee Jones, Susan Vega and The Ben Fold Five. At $550.00 this speaker is better than anything I have heard under $1,000.00. I am only giving it 4 stars because I know there is better speakers available for the $$$. However, I would not think of purchaseing any other speaker than this one for under a thousand.

I purchased this speaker for around $470.00. It does a fantastic job as a center channel for my CDM7SE's. Dialogue is crisp and clear. However, I do wish it was available in red ash to match my mains.