Penny31

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $525.00 from Audiogon.com

Summary:
I actually received this center channel by a misunderstanding on the seller's part. I had intended on purchasing the 2 matching HTM2 full range monitors but ended up with this instead. Obviously I was somewhat dismayed when it arrived because I had assumed I had gotten the best deal in history by purchasing the matching monitors for $525. Be that as it may, I am a huge Center Channel hobbyist and fully convinced it is the most important speaker in a Home Theater (next to the subwoofer, possibly).

The HTM2 had been fully broken-in by the time it arrived on my door step so once it was plugged in (classically bi-amped using 150 watts per amp/fully stable) she was ready to sing. I took her for a test drive straigt away and I haven't looked back since. As with many of the reviewers here I am in total agreement that little gem needs very good components and ancillaries to fully reach it's immense potential. Don't throw this speaker in with Best Buy bought Fronts and a $450 HK receiver and expect it wail. That will not happen.

Currently I am using an Onkyo PR-SC885P Preamp (with all the trimmings) and a pair of 75 lbs. 7 channel/150 watts per channel amplifiers. Panasonic DMP-BD-30 Blu-Ray, Toshiba A-35 HD DVD Player, OPPO OPDV971H used as a CD Player, XBox 360, Wii, etc... This sort of componentry will help ensure quality playback from the HTM2.

Now for the adjectives; precise, great extension, flawless, effortless (when properly amped), invisible and commanding. I know everyone on these forums say: "For $uch and $uch amount of money, nothing touches it.' Well, in this particular case that stupid statement happens to be true. If anyone reading this has the opportunity to pick one up @ a reasonable price; DO IT! Pound for pound, and dollar for dollar; this is possibly one of the finest pieces of gear B&W has ever made. That's really saying something. I've listened, at great lengths to the Nautilus lines, Genelec, Dynaudio, Dali and several others who are purported to have the finest Center Channels the industry has ever seen and I am not kidding you this speaker holds it's ground with them.

Strengths:
Get's real low and immediately can get real high. Immaculate masculine and feminine voice reproduction. Looks real presentable as well.

Weaknesses:
Proper components are an absolute MUST!

Similar Products Used:
Various B&W products, Dali, Dynaudio, LSA, Def Tech, Klipsch, and Martin Logan.

dynaquest1

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Price Paid:  $500.00 from Ebay

Summary:
I had used Polk Audio RT200i's for a couple years when I had a chance to switch to a full B&W surround setup: CDM-7NT mains, CNT center, 601S rears with an Aperion Sub. I was immediately hooked on B&W's. So much so that I immediately commenced a quest to upgrade to B&W Nautilus series mains. After focusing on the more expensive Nautilus 803s and 804s, I jumped at an eBay auction for N805's, a B&W ASW-2500 700W sub and this HTM2 center (the center is just a Nautilas 805 on its side) . Got the whole set for $2500.00.

I'm absolutely in love with this setup...especially the 805s and the HTM2. I drive them with a SONY "ES" DA777ES Receiver (120W/ch) and find that this receiver's power is much, much more than adequate. How does the HTM2 sound? I'm not going to comment on soundstage, openness, brightness, muddiness, imaging and all the other cute words some reviewers here insist on using. All these factors are determined as much by the media you are playing, your amplification equipment and the characteristics of your personal listeming environment. In my family room these 805's, with the matching HTM2 center sound just awesome...but in your room they will sound different...surely still awesome, but different.

I've used the following brands of speakers through the years: Sansui, Klipsh, Bose, Yamaha, Wharfedale and Polk Audio. To my ears, on my equipment and in my listening room, these 805s/HTM2 sound better than any speakers I've owned. Am I an "audiophile"? No. I don't want to spend enough money on audio equipment.to rate that title. However, I like good stuff and these4 B&W's, to me, certainly qualify as good stuff.

How do the 805s/HTM2 look? Well....I have yet to have a neighbor or friend come into my family room without immediately noticing them and demanding to hear them while they wipe the drool off their chins...yes, they are visually unique and gorgeous!!

My only possibly negative comment is that the HTM2 is pretty big for a center speaker. though it works fine in my current house, I'm moving to Texas this Summer and am a little concerned about its placement in whatever home I buy there.

Strengths:
Crystal clear home theater vocals!!!

Weaknesses:
Beautiful but big.

Similar Products Used:
Bose, Yamaha, Polk Audio, Wharfedale

normancj

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 2.00 votes

Price Paid:  $700.00 from Oakville Audio

Summary:
WOW, this is a great speaker. Dialogue is clear, cannot say enough good things. I upgraded from the HTM7 series. BIG step up.

Strengths:
Clarity, precision, looks, very compact.

Weaknesses:
none

Similar Products Used:
B&W HTM7

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Beautiful! For the price this speaker can not be beat. This is quite possibly the best, most accurate center channel in its price class that I have ever heard. Flawless sound, wonderful aesthetics! I worked as an installer at a B&W dealership for some time and had ample amounts of time to listen to this unit. I absolutely fell in love with it! I personally have a CC6 S2 but when I have the capital to afford it I will buy one and not look back. Now to the "bad" stuff. This speaker is demanding in the power department. Do not try to run it with a small amplifier or you will be sorry. A good stand also helps to really bring out the detail and bass clarity. Last but not least use a good speaker cable, this unit really needs one to shine. I know these things aren't bad, but don't expect a great performance with a $500 receiver and some monster cable

Strengths:
Beautiful in looks and performance. A real bargain for the price.

Weaknesses:
Needs good "back up" items such as a stong amp and good cables.

Similar Products Used:
Polk, Monitor Audio, Klipsh.

Price Paid:  $700.00 from E-Bay

Summary:
My search is OVER!! After many,many speaker combo in my system, The HTM2 is the best Center speaker under $2K. Stop playing around and but this speaker!!I have the 805's up front and now the HTM, what a combo!!!!

Strengths:
Everything