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Submitted by
4ormula1
a AudioPhileDate Reviewed: May 7, 2011
Bottom Line: Purchased these used, in mint condition, from a dealer that was selling them on consignment. First heard them while on a trip in the Bay Area at an Audio Shoppe with a friend 10 years ago, and was impressed by its build and fairly sweet sound. Over the years, have been through a various number of monitor speakers, mostly good, some outstanding (ProAc 1SC, ProAc Tablette's, III's, 50's and Ref8's, Dynaudio Focus 140's, Revel M22's, PMC DB1+'s, Reference3a Dulcet's) and never gave the B&W's a second thought. Although I did have an inexpensive pair (B&W DM100's) back in the late 80's while working and attending school in San Francisco.
After hooking them up, not knowing what to expect, lo and behold, it plays music! And really well! There's a nice balance between the top end and articulate bottom end, but the mid stands out, is very natural and open, really good stuff. Voices have a sense of presence and float separate of the speakers, the sound is quick, detailed and solid, being able to delineate and follow the notes of acoustic bass, bass drums, etc. (even with the bungs out of the ports), top end is airy and mostly sweet, without the hash or brittleness I would expect from a metal dome tweeter. My musical preference is acoustic jazz, some early rock, some classical-mostly with piano, and these B&W's do an excellent job of having the right tonality of instruments. Soundstage and imaging is good, although they don't disappear and have the cutting edge precision of the ProAc Tablette's.
Thought I'd mention, equipment used is modest, Naim Nait 5i, Classe CDP.5, Nordost cabling, and I would assume the CDM1SE's would be revealing of better amplification and source. If you can find a pair of these in good condition, be pleasantly surprised!
Used product for: 1 to 3 months
Duration Product Used: AudioPhile
Product model year: 2000
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Robin Smits
a AudioPhileDate Reviewed: February 25, 2010
Bottom Line: I should start by saying B&W speakers run in my blood ever since my father purchased his first B&W speakers back in the 60's. I recently purchased the CDM1 SE to replace the dm602 s3's and although critical at first I cannot agree more with the positive reviews these things are getting. I have listened to many many speakers mostly the high end stuff and I have never encounterd a speaker that came closer than the CDM1 SE's. I prefer them over the CDM1 NT's mostly because the NT's have the ability to get too bright whereas the CDM1 SE's sound warmer and more balanced. The new 705's tone down on the brightness but still do not reach the same level as the CDM1 SE, although they do look a lot better. Bear in mind the CDM1 SE's are over 10 years old and still they surprise me their smooth sound. I often turned down volume levels on the DM602's when the sound got too bright, but with these speakers that has never been the case. I am a very happy customer with these speakers and if you have the chance to pick up a decent second hand pair then please do not hesitate to giv them a chance to impress you.
Used product for: More than 1 year
Duration Product Used: AudioPhile
Product model year: 1998
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
defstathiou
a Audio EnthusiastDate Reviewed: February 25, 2008
Bottom Line: Sam Tellig from Stereophile back in 1998 said the following about the CDM1se and I couldn't agree more:
These speakers are not just warmly recommended—they're wildly recommended. Bass-extension aside, along with the ability, perhaps, to fill a very large room with loud music, the B&M CDM 1 SE comes damned close to Class A at a price more in keeping with Class C. If you're in the market for speakers you must audition these. You'll then be able then to upgrade your electronics way beyond the price of the speakers!—Sam Tellig
I bought mine second hand and run them with expensive electronics. My YBA Passion Integre 100w and YBA CD 1000 (top of the line) retail in the US$5,000- 8,000 category. I bought the CDM1se for just $390.
The better the electronics you put in front of them the better the sound. Transparency, refinement, soundstage and above all MUSICALITY are first class. Not as good as of course the JM Lab Micro Utopia Be (US$8,000) but amongst the most musically satisfying speakers I have listened over the past few years....and I have heard the lot...maybe thirty different pairs.
The B&W CDM1se are FANTASTIC and are probably the best second hand bargain in the speaker market. I am planning to buy a second pair for a second system.
And if you don't think am a difficult audiophile to please then take a look at the Similar Products Used section.
Used product for: Less than 1 month
Duration Product Used: Audio Enthusiast
Product model year: 1999
Price Paid:
$390.00
Purchased At: second hand
Overall Rating: Value Rating:
Submitted by
Bobby
a Audio EnthusiastDate Reviewed: June 12, 2006
Bottom Line: Well, simple..
Bought these used and everything said here and elsewhere about them is true..:)
They sound lovely, vocals are the best, soundstage follows ,looks are damn good,
to be short no flaw at all...GREAT!
1 thing 2 remember B&W gave (unofficial) warranty that this model SE will not change its sound characteristics over 10 years.-good , a?
Used product for: 3 Months to 1 year
Duration Product Used: Audio Enthusiast
Product model year: 1999
Price Paid:
$700.00
Purchased At: bought used
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
JesusChrist
a Audio EnthusiastDate Reviewed: October 17, 2004
Bottom Line: I've listened and owned many speakers for the past 15 years and these mini-monitors still remained and are now in my 3rd system. Of all the B&W line of speakers, the CDM 1SE is the biggest bang for the buck in getting you to the realm of high-end without spending mega bucks.
I have paired countless of amps with the 1SE and with every different pedigree of amps the speakers take a different character. With modest amps they sound mediocre but feed them with quality amps and they sound really good. I've tried Bryston 4B-ST, Classe CA-200 and 300, ARC 100.2 and McCormack DNA-1 on them with varying degree of success. These amps may be a slight overkill for these modestly-priced speakers but the CDM1se's sure deserve the quality amplification.
Currently I'm driving these with a Classe CAP-151 in the living and guests have always been impressed by the sound(and looks) of these babies.
You would get an improvement up the ladder going up to the CDM 1NT, N805 and the ultimate Signature 805 but judging from the price-point of the CDM 1SE's these speakers are certainly a no-brainer.
Highly recommended.
Used product for: More than 1 year
Duration Product Used: Audio Enthusiast
Product model year: 1998
Price Paid:
$1100.00
Purchased At: Sevenoaks Hifi
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