Awesome center channel. I upgraded from the cheap B&W center... one model below the CC6, so I heard a huge difference. The dialogue out of this speaker is amazing.
Speaker is a bit large and looked somewhat awkward on my 35" tube, but now that it's on top of my 57" wide... mucho mejor!

I've owned the CDM CSE for three months now, and all I can say is this speaker is definitely worth of an audition. My system: Nak AV-10, CDM7 SE mains, 601 S2s rear and Pioneer 525 DVD player. This center channel was a great range, crisp highs, great mids. There isn't the mud effect, the typical muffled center channel dialogue overpowered by the mains. If you have a suitable system, I'd recommend a listen. You'll be glad you did.

Though it's still in the break in period as i wright this, I can say that I love it. It has exellent treble midrange and bass (very precise). I'm soon going to buy a Bi-Wiring cable, and I'm counting on that it will make it even better, if possible. One of the best centers in it's class. I think it matches my Dali 909s very good.

Similar Products Used:

Dali SC-7, Paradigm CC-350

Full range, clarity

I started out with a CC6 center channel for my B&W 605's but it stuck out like a sore thumb. It lacked the range to compliment the 605's. I went and listened to the LCR6 S2 and then the salesman showed me the CDM CSE. The range of this center channel is wonderful and it compliments the 605's beautifully.

Similar Products Used:

B&W CC6

Construction, Looks, Excellent Sound and Imaging, Full Range and Clarity

None

After purchasing B&W's CDM 1SE, I decided to go with the complete CDM SE product line. Currently waiting on the funds to buy CDM 7SE. The sound of the CDM CSE is so clear and precise that I can't help but wonder what is consider a better product. Matching the CDM CSE with my CDM 1SE and ASW2000 sub works so well together I can just say go out and check B&W products, you won't be disappointed! B&W products are second to none! By the way, consider bi-wiring the speakers the extra money will be well spent!

One of the best sounding centers you can find.

When used with other CDM Series speakers, (7Se's in my case) the CSE's are the obvious choice. Distinct yet relaxed vocals on movies. Nice presence on music DVD's. Well integrated and balanced with other CDM's in front.
A couple niggles...squatty yet ungainly at the same time, I wouldn't even consider placing this ugly duckling atop a monitor. Thank god I have room in my cabinet below to place this eyesore..also, is only available in black and can't be matched to the beautiful veneers in the same series, which to me makes no sense at all.

But no regrets on the sound of the CSE, which is, in a word, spectacular.....

Mike Gough,(B&W Senior Product Manager) turned me onto this center channel when I asked the question (and some others) "what center channel should I use with my DM7's?" The following is his reply to my questions. Besides the fact that this speaker is amazing, it's nice to know that the B&W factory replied to my question about 17 year old speakers.
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"Thanks for your patience during our holiday period.
I cannot comment on the pricing or the dealer, but I'm forwarding this
reply to our US distributor also and they may be able to help you (won't
you Tim?).
DM17 was made between 1982 and 1986
DM7 Mk1 was made between 1977 and 1979
DM7 Mk2 was made between 1979 and 1983
I'm afraid we can no longer offer service support on any of these
speakers and it is not appropriate to substitute different drivers.
For centre channel I would suggest CDMC SE
Best regards
Mike Gough
B&W Senior Product Manager"

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
P.S., Tim never did send me a reply.

Vocal quality, impact, blending to left and right channels, build quality

only comes in black finish, size, height of tweeter

This is a great center speaker and matches great with other CDM series speakers. Dialoge quality is excellent and sound effects are very clear. The only drawback is the size, and the height of the tweeter. It fits best on at least a 36" TV and seems to sound better when placed under the screen not on top because the tweeter it too high if you place it on top. If you can't fit it in your system, the B&W CC6 series 2 also works very well and is a more conventional design.

Very life like dialogue/audio

Height of Speaker itself. Limited Colors available from B&W,the new nt series has a wider range of colors available.

This is a great speaker. I have found from the first time I went pro-logic that the CC is the most important speaker in home theatre. A movie is usually dialogue and sound effects. So if you have a terrible CC, you are always asking the wife, "what did he say?" or she is asking you that and you are getting on each other's nerves.
Anyway, when I bought my first HT receiver, I bought a very cheap Yamaha center and rears, and you get what you pay for, so I exchanged and went with a more expensive Yamaha. Still wasn't satisfied, So I bought a Mission which was a great improvement. I was in the store and heard the Heco and was very impressed with the sound. So I had that for over a year. I upgraded my fronts to CDM 1 SE's (cherry finish) and figured I'd see what B&W had for a center. I was disappointed that the CDM CSE only came in black, but then again mostly everything around the entertainment cabinet is black so I guess I can live with that. The speaker itself is also little tall compared to most CC's on the market which may cause problems with where to place it and will it fit on the shelf above or below the TV.
So performance wise, I am very pleased with sound, clarity, tone, etc. There have been a number of occasions where dialogue has been so clear that it sounded like the person talking was right there in the room with us. So I am very pleased with my purchase and would recommend this speaker to anyone who is willing to spend a little more to buy a good quality speaker and since it is discontinued I am sure there are some sales/bargains to be found.

My system includes:
CDM 1 SE fronts
Paradigm atoms rears
Rotel RSX 965 Receiver
Quad 606 two channel amp
Panasonic a310 dvd

Similar Products Used:

Heco Odeon CC, Mission, Yamaha and a very cheap Yamaha.