Detailed, natural & full sounding

NONE!

Around the same time I changed my B&W matrix centre for the HTM2, I also replaced my STudio 100's in favour of B&W 804's
(Yes, I know this is not an 804 review!)

What I can say is this: The 804's, good sounding though they are, did not bring about THAT much of an improvement. Yes, it was a bit more "lively".

But the HTM2? WOW!!! The change to this speaker was phenomenal. I am so extremely happy with this centre that I have just decided to upgrade to the HTM1. I cannot believe it will sound "double as good" (it costs twice as much), but I'm keeping an open mind & will post my findings once the HTM1 is set up in place.

I can advise anyone interested in a good centre to ivest in the HTM2. Fantastic sound! Yes, it is expensive! But in the case of the HTM2 I had no problem whatsoever in justifying my investment.

Similar Products Used:

B&W Matrix

Build quality, sound stage, appearance

None

The B&W quality is readily apparent, and if you buy light or dark cherry and use them without the grilles, you might watch them more than your TV. Appearances aside, the performance I have experienced has been superb, paired with the Nautilus 805's. This is the obvious match for the 805, so I knew what to expect. What I did not expect was the bass availability and sweetness of the experience.

For my apartment and setup, this speaker is perfect, and I am glad I didn't skimp on budget, as one might be tempted to do with the center channel.

My setup is:
B&W Nautilus 805's/HTM2/DS6
Pioneer DV626 DVD
Lexicon DC1 pre-pro
Rotel RB985mkII AMP

I love this speaker, aurally and aesthetically. I have the dark cherry finish and it looks great on top of my 32" Sony Wega TV. I just thought I could have had a better deal if I got it from Sound Advice of Florida...who will not sell to me via mail-order (but that's not what I heard lately) for only $750+ shipping and no sales tax.

The speaker has lots of clean sound and good bass response.

None.

I just recently purchased the HTM-2 so it needs more time to break-in. I can say that any worries I had about off-axis response went out the window. I actually had to turn the center-channel volume down because the pink noise output was greater than my Paradigm CC-350. The Paradigm had two 6.5 inch drivers, while the HTM-2 has only one driver of the same size. I would suggest that anyone with N805's should definitely purchase this speaker. The match sonically across the front is awesome. The HTM-2 is really a N805 turned on it's side with more cabinent space. The HTM-2 looks very stylish as well so most wives or girlfriends won't mind them, particularly the Red Cherry colored cabinents. The speaker is a bit costly, but it looks and sounds great. I also want to say that the speaker ony has one 6.5 inch mid/bass driver and one tweeter. The description on this page provided by this site is incorrect.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm cc-350

Clean sound, great bass response.(great full range response)

Kind of expensive

What a great speaker. I just turn on a movie to listen to it. About the price. I got it about 2months used....that's why it was $625.

Beautiful cabinet, workmanship, superb sound.

none

Just purchased this speaker, to upgrade from my previous center channel. It sounds very clean. The construction is first rate. Recommend the red cherry finish, I think that it looks the best. (Goes well with black TV set.)

Sounds tremendous! This speaker brings out sounds I had never heard before in movies I have seen many times, albeit not in DVD format.

Price, if any.

I am new to Home Theatre, but I must say this speaker sounds terrific. At extremely low levels it remains clear and distinct. All speech is understandable and not muffled. At high volumes, there is very little distortion, if any. I would highly recommend it, as it performs exceptionally well as a center channel. I spent more on my center channel than any other speaker, and am glad I did. I was torn between the B&W HTM-1 and HTM-2. While I am sure the HTM-1 is exceptional, I do not know what I am missing.

My system includes a AV receiver=Yamaha RX-V1GL, DVD=Sony 9000ES, TV=Pioneer Elite Pro-510D rear projection, B&W CWM800 front speakers, B&W CWM650 Rear surround speakers, B&W WP1 rear center channel, and the B&W HTM-2 as the front center channel, a Definitive Technologies PF15TL+ subwoofer.

The Yamaha RX-V1 creates many different sound stages, several of which do not use much from the center channel speaker. Those sound effects that employ the center channel sound much clearer and sharp.

Similar Products Used:

None

About a month ago I was in the market of upgrading my center channel to the Original HTM's. I had heard the Matrix 805s and HTM at my local retailer about a year and a half ago and they just blew me away. However at the time the price was alittle too steep for me. So my plan was to upgrade slowly. So last month, I was in pursuit of the HTMs but couldn't find one, not even a demo (don't make them anymore). So the salesman suggested for me to listen to the Naut HTM IIs. And I blown completely away. It was more dynamic, the sound had more depth. The soundstaging was clean and accurate. Besides all that, it's an awesome looking speaker (it'll impress your buddies). The salesman pulled a fast one on me by demoing the Naut HTMs with the Naut 805s and so you guessed it. He offered me a deal I couldn't refuse for the three speakers. As I understand it from other owners that these speakers need to go through a break in period and I'm enjoying every minute of the break in process. I highly recommend this CC. You CANNOT go wrong with any B&W products.

This is the best CC speaker that I have tested to date which includes B&W CC6 (which I currently own and plan on relacing), CDM-CSE and the original HTM. I have listened to Bostons VR-14 and Infinity although all fine speakers, just does not match the finesse that this HTM2 handles music and vocals. There is only a slight improvement with the vocals but very obvious when it comes to string instruments and audiance clapping. Musical notes seem to linger longer to enhance the detail of each note. Bass extention is excellent with lots of detail. Over the three days which I had this speaker, I clocked up over 20 hours of extensive listening and enjoyed every minute of it. My only regret is having to return it.
Equipment used:-
Yamaha DSP-A1; Pioneer DVL-919; Monster M1000D digital interconnect;
Monster M1.4 bi-wire

Sound quality, build quality, design

none

With the exception of the Nautilus HTM1, the HTM2 is the best center speaker I've ever heard. The performance is comparable to the Nautilus 805, which has the same specifications but a different cabinet. It's hard to judge the quality of a speaker in home theater but I have enjoyed some old mono jazz recordings on the HTM2, for example Sonny Rollins at the Village Vanguard. The HTM2 handles Wilbur Ware's bass, Elvin Jones' drums and Sonny Rollins' sax with incredible accuracy. The reissue includes spoken introductions by Rollins and applause by the crowd. The speaker disappears and I'd swear I was at the Village Vanguard. Highly recommended.

Similar Products Used:

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