I've now lived with these speakers for a few months and continue to be very pleased with their sound. I use an Audiolab 8000S amp and Marantz CD17. Speaker cables are MIT 4 and interconnects are Audioquest Topaz. I mention these details because the partnering equipment seems to be critical to these speakers.
I have been amazed at some of the critical user reports and think these people should try experimenting with other amps and cables. These speakers and the MIT cables also took a few weeks before they stopped sounding a little dull at low volume, so don't judge them too soon. One thing that amazes me is the vast differences in studio work that they show up. High quality recordings really shine and the bad ones are condemned by the exposure of the CDM1's.

If you are looking for a speaker with an impressive, in-your-face sound, these may not be for you. If a beautiful mid-band and clear, natural vocals are important to you, I think you'll love these speakers. They also have a good bass for the enclosure size. You shouldn't judge a speaker on looks but the lovely high quality cabinets are superb and an added bonus. Has anyone tried these with a sub-woofer? I have the REL Q50 in mind, but no review so far.

Well done B&W, another speaker from your company that I shall enjoy for many years.

I'd read about the B&W CDM 1 SE in Stereophile and, wanting to replace my second system bedroom speakers (20-year-old Mission 770s), bought them sound unheard when they suddenly went on a one-day sale for $850 rather than $1100. They were the store's demos, so no break-in was needed, and I'm very pleased. They're on cones on a bedroom shelf at ear level, with Rotel CD player and Adcom pre-amp and amp. Each CD I've played (all classical) has been a joy--and I'm used to my first system of Von Schweikert VR-4s driven by Classe electronics. The B&Ws are sweet, detailed and gorgeous in looks. A large soundstage and frequency range belie their small size. For the money, 5 stars.

i have to give this little speaker star, no matter what other people said. although i am not a super stereo nuts, but i really really enjoy listen to music. one month ago, i started to upgrade my equipments. cuz i am a close friend of a hi-end hi-fi store, i am able to borrow several pairs of speakers home to try them out. i had compair speakers like, toetam, MA, paragliam, PSB, B&W603, B&W604, and this CDM-1SE. i love the CDM-1 the most. i would said it sound the most realistic. the music is so natural. i can tell cuz i always love to go to listen to life music. i think cdm-1 make the music into life. althought it sound not that natural the first 2 weeks. but it sound so good after break in. finally for people want to buy B&W603 or 604. hey, go for the CDM, u won't be disappointed.

The SE's are awesome, especially in Red Ash. One of the better deals out there for $1000 or less.

Excellent *-)

Purchased a new system 3 months ago, consiting of Rega Planet, Bryston B60, B&W CDM1SE's atop Lovan shot filled stands & ASW3000 sub.
Originally connected the CDM's with single runs of AQ Type 8 (approx 8 year old cables similar to the current Type 6) and played around with room location, etc. Ended up loading the stands with 100#+ of lead shot and bi-wiring them by using the old cable on the treble & running AQ Indigo on the mid/bass and locating them well out into the room and listening in the nearfield(approx 12'x 20' x 7' basement room).

Bottom line, very pleased! The system images nicely, even beyond the width of the speakers and has good depth too. The electronics are indeed a bit forward and the system is more forward than laid back. Very detailed with clear, not fatiguing highs and stong, musical lows. The sub integrates well and I chose to run the CDM's full range and adjusting the sub level & turnover to work well with the natural roll off of the CDM's. The sub is very musical and not one of the one note boomers, so common in subs.

I listen to a variety of music, mostly classical, but mixed with jazz, 70's rock and current country.

For the first time in my life, I find my interests now more on the music than the system!

By the way, my wife likes the system too and often listens to it. My other system consists of a B&K amp driving Vandersteen 2c's. My wife has never been happy with that system, complaing of a lack of bass and too much treble. Although in all honesty, it sits in the living room with the speakers not in the ideal locations.

I downsized my system from a Gryphon/Eaglestoneworks to a NAIM/B&W setup. OF COURSE I do not have the same resolution and frequency extension as of my previous system BUT, the sounf is almost 75% of my old reference.As for the B&W, I could add on the musicality side of its design, it is an excellent speaker for small to medium sized rooms.
PROS: Tonal balance, Bass response (for the size) and build quality
CONS: A little forward presentation, a little extended at the top freq, hard for proper position

Let's put this clear, as a conscious buyer, first you try to find all the iformation about the equipment you want, even knowing that this can interfere with your objectibity and unchain a lot of prejudgments... This happened to me, I looked for the CDM-1SE reviews, and the first trouble I found, was that it's one of the most radical speaker you can read about, for some, they're simply gorgeous, but for some others, they're crap!, then, the 2nd. trouble, to notice that in this site, there are not separeted reviews for the original version and the SE's... a bit unfair uh?, I noticed that the best ratings go to the latter, so, what to do?, listen to them with your system and then decide.I didn't hesitate, I bought them inmediatly while trying to forget all those "lack of bass and deepness" reviews... well, they have great bass indeed, not as punchy if you're acustomed to Cerwin Vegas and JBLs... sometimes the step from just listening music to Hi-Fi or High-End is hard, frequently you want your starting system to sound like your old midi, but louder and with plenty of BASSSS, and nope... this game is different, the B&W's are the example of what all this is about, detail and image is their goal, not to bring your walls down.
Expensive?, not in an unlogical world, where you can find speakers costing 50 times more.
Just audition them with your equipment and you won't regret.
EQUIPMENT: Musical Fidelity's X-P100 pre-amp, XA-200 monoblocks, X-RAY cd player.

Have to agree with Luis. The CDM1 SE is wonderfull. They need time to run in, but the longer you listen to them the more you enjoy them. I also use a pair of Paradigm Monitor 7 speakers. The Paradigms has more BASSS and is a total different experience and I very much enjoy them, but when you re-connect the CDM's it is clear that the CDM's is in a different class.The electronics feeding them is important, I use Audiolab 8000S, 8000P in combination with Marantz 63 KI CD player.

Excellent