One option is to try out an altogether different range of speakers - to me the whole CM series sounds a touch 'bass thin' for my taste, including the CM9's which are supposed to have far more bass presence and extension than the 1's. I don't know whether the PM series is an improvement in bass presence; in quality, yes, but not presence. Another option is to buy a music dedicated subwoofer, like a Velodyne SPL or a Sunfire HRS, but not a HT dedicated sub no matter how much it costs. Although many who have a dedicated two channel system scoff at such an idea, set properly (adjusted so you can barely hear it) you can achieve an astounding sense of extension and depth without it being obvious or intruding, and without any neighbour even knowing you own one. This sort of set up can cure a good portion of your bass ills, so long as the mid bass frequencies are already to your liking...Ideally, you would be able to get Dave Holland to play along to your music (my favourite option!) but alas this doesn't even happen in my dreams... Unfortunately, speakers that have considerable bass presence tend to be less than entry level units with flatulant overbearing bass aimed at the teenager market. That said, for rock music and plenty of bass, and while still being a more than entry level quality speaker, you can't go past the Aviano range by Mordaunt Short (Aviano 2, 6 and 8, but not the 1's) for taut bass presence. The Aviano 8's have killer bass while maintaing detail and clarity in the mids and treble. Of course, the CM1's have more warmth in the mids and sound sweeter in the treble, but not by as much as you'd think, and as far as detail is concerned I've heard cymbals nice and clear on the Avianos where on the CM's they sound muted and vague by their very airiness (a polutant if you ask me)... It's a trade off, a compromise, but don't be ashamed to pair cheaper speakers, at aleast for the purpose of a trial. Blind test yourself in a store and you will be surprised how some cheaper model speakers sound by comparison to the CM1's. Taste is relative and subjective, but if you are honest with yourself you'll surely find something that will make you happy. Of course, be very aware of the type of listening room you are hearing the speakers in - this is easy to foget when you are being blown away by something that is relying heavily on the extreme decorum they are relying on - no good listening to speakers in a heavily padded listening showroom while at home you have floorboards and minimal furniture, and vice versa. Now that you own a pair of CM1's, use this to your advantage and go to a showroom that stocks CM1's as well as the rest of your set up and listen to as many different speakers as you can (backwards and forwards, for as long as it takes) with music that you know well, especially the bass parts, and you will get a great idea about what will and won't suit your needs. By this method, and many months of trial, I have made myself very happy with my system and would not trade it for anything else (Harman Kardon CD 990 and HK 990 + MS Performance 6). Maybe the MS Performance 2's would suit your space and needs? I suggest you give them a go and see how they compare to the CM1's.
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