RyanRivera

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $130.00 from hifi.com

Summary:
After breaking these in for several days (essential for any musicality from these speakers), I am really enjoying listening to these! The bass goes as low as I have heard from any bookshelf speaker, being more on par with many medium-sized towers (my own test signals show strong response down to 40Hz and clearly audible response down to 30Hz). Midrange is smooth and solid, with an articulate, but relaxed high end. The clean, simple design is actually quite appealing (probably because nothing looks or feels cheap on these units). Volume levels are also quite impressive, and can vibrate an adjacent room at very high output levels on bass-heavy material without distortion (both rooms are relatively small, being about 15' square). That alone is a testament to the craftmanship. I believe the Model Sixes are the best speaker I have heard under $400/pr. Now I see that Cambridge Soundworks is selling them at $99/pr! Unequaled value in my opinion. For my setup these are placed close to the wall and have been paired with an Onkyo 100w/channel stereo receiver and Marantz CD player. Remember to break these in at moderate to high volume levels for many hours (24+) since these sound harsh and boxy when brand new.

Strengths:
Smooth, flat response. Uncolored, accurate sound. Impressive low bass response and ouput levels. Unequaled value. Perfect as a low-cost main or starter system.

Weaknesses:
Lack of marketing causes these to be overlooked by both mainstream and specialty-store consumers. They sound terrible when first hooked up and require patience before they bloom.

Similar Products Used:
Paradigm Titans Version 2 (inferior to Model Six by CSW), Magnepan MMG (excellent)

SpeakerNut

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
3.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $85.00 from ebay

Summary:
I've wanted a pair of these for quite a while as the reviews were good. They live up to the billing. They are very musical and pretty much my favorite out of the many kef, paradigm, polk, b&w speakers I have, of course I switch around often and each has their strengths. But I just enjoy the music with these and don't overanalyze, everything sounds right. I hope Cambridge continue these forever, they are that good, timeless.

Strengths:
Highs and sweet midrange, bass is good as well, not boomy. I like the retro look.

Weaknesses:
They don't serve me breakfast in bed.

Similar Products Used:
kef, paradigm, polk, b&w, insignia

Price Paid:  $85.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I got these off of Ebay a couple of months ago. I have read about these for years and knew eventually I would get a pair just because of all the positive reviews. I must say in comparison to all the other speakers I have purchased (for much more money), these guys are just great. I especially love the midrange as they bring out a lot of detail. I don't usually write reviews, but these speakers are just so musical and never fatigue. I have other good speakers which I like for various reasons; b&w, kef, paradigm, but these are right in there as one of my faves. They still sell these on Cambridge's website and should never stop, an excellent buy at their list price, a steal at the price I got these. If you buy new, let them break in before passing judgement. I'm not an audio snob, but do have an obsession for good sound at reasonable prices.

Strengths:
Sweet highs and midrange, good bass for the moderate levels I listen at. I like the retro look as well.

Weaknesses:
They don't serve me breakfast in bed.

Similar Products Used:
Kef, Paradigm, Polk, B&W

larrimore

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
3.67 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $129.00 from Hi-Fi.com

Summary:
OK, this is my third review for these speakers, but that's fair since this is my third pair. I built a new room in my basement for music/movie watching and was planning to use my Magnepans as fronts, but put my trust old Model Sixes on with my Denon 4800 receiver and Pioneer Elite DVD/SACD player and was so impressed, I decided to have a "shootout" using all of the speakers I currently have: Magnepan MG-12, Polk RT-25i, Wharfedale Diamond 8.1 and my Sonus Faber Concertinos in my Family room system. When it was over, the SF and Maggies beat the Model Sixes only barely (really JUST BARELY) and the three of them were all far superior to the others. Since the basement came down to the maggies and the model sixes (the sonus fabers are staying in their home), I chose the model sixes due to the easier placement issues- being acoustic suspension in design, they can be clser to the back wall and side walls than the Magnepans which need alot of air around them. My wife even approved of the look of the new set I bought (black)when placed on sand filled 18" stands. So, now I have three sets in a 6.1 THX setup (2 rear center speakers)and use the CSW center channel plus for a center since it has the same tweeter. I am not ashamed at all to have these $129 per set of speakers matched to a $2000 receiver. It sounds THAT good and looks good to boot!

Strengths:
The sound is all there and compares to some great speakers. Imaging, bass and sweet treble. Designed by the now late, greatlegend Henry Kloss.

Weaknesses:
Difficult shape to find good stands for, but I ended up with quality stands from e-bay and modified the top plate to work.

Similar Products Used:
I am a speaker nut- you name it I have used it. By the way, speakers are the easiest component to change out and there are some surprising values out there- these, Bics, Axiom, Aperion, etc.

Price Paid:  $120.00 from Cambridge Soundworks

Summary:
For $120 a pair, this speaker is great. I havn't heard a great deal of speakers in my lifetime, but I have to say this pair sounds pretty darn good. On their own (no sub) they do indeed have a resonable amount of bass. Im not talking earth-shattering, but for light music listening, not bad at all. With a subwoofer, these things rock. I've heard some resonably expensive speakers and I really dont notice a huge difference between them and the model sixes with a sub. I'm not an "audiophile". I dont spend $1000 on cables. But I'll tell you now, for $120 bucks, they're damn good.

Strengths:
Cheap, good range of sound. Have some bass.

Weaknesses:
For the price I paid, none.

Similar Products Used:
The best I've heard are a vintage pair of Sansui's at my future in-laws house. Damn good speakers....