a4quattro:
MENISCUS:I have a pair CM1s, I think that they are a superb mini monitor that uses the same driver and crossover filter as the 800 series so I would have thought that they are a superior speaker, although I have never heard the 685s........
If you read their website you'll see that they share the same "technologies". They do not literally use the same driver and crossover!
I think the CM1 are okay but the 5" driver audibly struggles, sometimes, and it overly relies on its rear port to attempt to make it sound better than it does.
The 685 are good, but you have to put up with the plastic front.
I totally disagree that it audibly struggles, I have to baffle the rear ports of my speakers, but I suppose that it depends on your amplification.
But as always you must audtion them both, I think you will hear quite a difference.........