Replace B&W CM7 with B&W805s (Diamond)?

[fouad]

Hi all, I have the CM7s with Primare I30 and CD31 (Audioquest Type 8 & Cobra). My room is quite large, around 60X25 ft. Beautiiful, organic, almost liquid sound, though a bit less analytical than what I would like. Of course, I cannot compare with my 20 times cheaper Denon mini (with Mission speakers). However, I find that, with the Denon, the speakers just disappear and the music is 'tighter' (in a much smaller room). Is that the standmount magic? I can replace my CM7s with B&W805s (no listening yet). Would that do the trick? Bass is no problem, I can always add a sub later... The CM7 are 18" away from the walls. Thanks a lot for your learned advice!!!

 

[bluedroog]

When you say the Mission speakers disappear is that a positive or negative thing? Are you saying they are lost or that they lack boxiness? The 805s will be a huge upgrade over the CM7's but your room is huge, when you're talking about the kind of money the 805s cost I think a home demo is an absolute must.

The 804s are not that much more relatively and might work better in your room, that said some will prefer the performance of the smaller 2-way 805s. You may also want to consider the new CM10s which should be out soon, they look like pretty imposing floor standers and I think have a similar tweeter to the PM1 and could well be a good compromise.

 

[fouad]

Thanks Bluedroog! By 'disappear' I am being v positive! My room is large because I am ... not in the UK :rofl:

Also means that home demo is out: I am in Kuwait! My shop is 'The Hidden Hi-fi Shop' in Kingston, great friendly people.

The other models you mention? Exactly!!! I was also thinking about the CM10 and the 805s. I was just wondering whether I was more a 'standmount' person. Some people just swear by them.... At this level, I need to get the 'structure' right! Floorstander or 2.1 with standmounts. Some serious shop auditions required, I guess.

Any other advice still welcome! Thanks again...

 

[bluedroog]

I was in Kuwait airport recently, that was a long 6 hours! I could only dream of a room that size in London.

I suppose it depends on how you have the speakers et up in a room that size, is it sectioned off as in you divide the room up and listen in just a part of the room or do you intend to fill the room? How tall is the ceiling?

I think the 805’s you’ll find very special speakers and assuming you position them sympathetically you should get a lot of pleasure from them.

 

[datay]

'The Hidden Hi-fi Shop' in Kingston, great friendly people.

aka Unilet in New Malden

 

[fouad]

1. Thanks Datay, yes, the proper shop details are indeed Unilet, New Malden.

2. I am travelling right now, may have got the room dimensions a bit wrong, closer to 18 x 50 ft, still a v good size! Height 10 ft. I use only half for hi-fi (ie. the living room part).

3. So, the standmount 805s might be ok after all, they are £2,000 cheaper than the 804! Easier to add a sub later, financially... Anyway, the golden rule is to go for a listen (to both). On the cards for my next visit to blighty!

I think I am on the right path. Probably the CM7s are the weakest part of the set up. To be fair, they accounted only for 20% of the budget. I also find the treble not that sparkling. So the diamond tweeter might ideally complement all the improvements. Still open to any other feedback for you and others, thanks a lot!

 

[mute]

Hi,

For your room size I would consider floor standing speakers. Adding a sub is a tricky process.

IMHO, I would consider 804 or even 803 . Also if there is a focal dealer at your local area, try listen to the 1028be (or standmount 1008be) before pulling the trigger. One warning though, moving to the focals will probably cause you to change your amp to class-a or tube.

-mute

 

[ISAC69]

Hi

I heard the CM series and the 805D it is like a day and night ; the 805 is an excellent speaker very musical , detailed and punchy the sound stage is

super you won't need an additional sub if you'll buy them ! (the CM series is a very disappointing ). You will notice a huge upgrade in the sound if you

will replace them with 805S .

 

[fouad]

Thanks to latest by mute and isac69. Definitely, I will have to audition the 805D, this is my standmount epiphany! If no sub is needed, that is even better news. To be confirmed by listening soon!

Yes, I kept thinking what was not strong in my system. It is good but I was expecting more from these equipment! It must be the CM7. To be fair, as mentioned, the CM7s are only 18% of my existing system in value, rule of thumb. I should have spent more on speakers. Better late than never. I have been reading a lot about the less compromised approach of standmounts, and I like this purist approach better. In a floorstander you pay for a low freq driver and the extended cabinet which ... in fact add to the compromise as the box has to satisfy low, mid and high freq (as I say, I've been reading!). It is never going to be optimal in terms of physics. And less rigid too. And those crossovers. Etc. Etc. A standmount is a focused and specialist sports car and a floorstander is a good value saloon. Some people will not like this analogy oke: But thanks to all. Please feel free to add more and I will come back in a few months with real experience! Ciao.

 

[jaxwired]

If you like the cm line, I doubt the 805 will make you happy. I once owned the cm7s and like them very much but I never heard what I liked from the 800 line. I don't know wha is available where you live, but the PMC line is one speaker that I feel gives the best of both a stand mount and a floorstander. The twenty 24 or the fb1i would image and disappear like a stand mount, but also fill a room like a floorstander. Another brand I'd recommend (based on what I think you are looking for) would be proac. 805s will be lost in a large room.

 

[lindsayt]

I own some huge speakers that would work very well in your room Fouad. Have you thought about getting some huge speakers for yourself? There's something magical about huge speakers in a huge, well furnished room at generous volumes, fed by a good source.

 

[jaxwired]

I own some huge speakers that would work very well in your room Fouad. Have you thought about getting some huge speakers for yourself? There's something magical about huge speakers in a huge, well furnished room at generous volumes, fed by a good source.

Huh???? Is "huge" a speaker company I've not heard of?

 

[fouad]

Thanks for also steering me towards ProAc and PMC. I willl consider these as well. And as jaxwired asks, which brands are the huge speakers from:?

Apart from my newfound love (?) with standmounts (again - tbc with auditions), my issue is also that I will have to fly these speakers from London to Kuwait:read: That is why a standmount and (later) a sub would be ideal for me.

 

[lindsayt]

Fouad, mine are Bozak and Electro Voice. Other huge speakers that would work very well in your room come from Quad, Altec, JBL, Klipsch, Avantgarde, Cessaro, Vitavox.

 

[ISAC69]

The B&W 805D is one of the best standmount speakers ever made a breakthrough technology , all the other speakers mentioned by other are very good too but the B&W 805D is in his own league with its diamond tweeter and unique design .

If I ever change my Proac Studio 140MK2 this B&W will be my first choice .