Personally, the only one of those speakers that I would want is the cm5.

The 684 and 685 are just not very good speakers IMO and the cm1 is very limited.

Personally, I would go to Audio Advisor and get a pair of the Monitor Audio Silver RX2 speakers, which cost $850. I think they are better speakers and they certainly have more bass extension, with their 8-inch drivers.

But, if you are turned on by the cm5, it's a pretty good speaker.

Upstatehate wrote:

Hello everyone,

 

i came seeking advice on choosing my first set of speakers. I currently have a job that gives me some decent prices on B&W stuff. I am torn between the following

b&w 685 - $360/pair

b&w 684 floor standing - $300 each

b&w cm1 - $550/pair 

b&w cm5 - $850/pair

i  think they all sound great, but love the detail I get from the cm5. I am in a smaller apartment and will probably not get a sub for a while, which most likely eliminates the cm1. 

 

Im just trying to decide whether to just suck it up and buy the cm5(that I really want) or save a bit and got with the 600 series. My friend has the 685 with a Martin Logan sub and they sound really good. And help would be appreciated. I know I will never have this pricing again as I am leaving my job on Saturday lol.

 

thanks

Kevlar midranges sound unnatural and shitty.  Always.  JM Lab didn't stop using them in Hi-Fi products for nothing - they devloped a glass fiber composite with the best attributes of paper and the damping of polymer.  I don't know why B&W continues on with Kevlar cones.  It can only be marketing.  If you think they sound natural you've never heard JBL Monitors, old B&W's, old Spendors (or new for that matter), etc.

The closer you get to paper or hemp paper cones, the better more natural the midrange - including good polymer and metal cone midranges.

It's not a great deal if they aren't great speakers.  I'd keep saving and looking.  It's pretty amazing what happens on the new and used market when you hit that $1000-1500 mark.  That's right about where diminishing returns will start to set in because there is so much REALLY great stuff out there. 

Upstatehate wrote:

b&w 685 - $360/pair

b&w 684 floor standing - $300 each

b&w cm1 - $550/pair 

b&w cm5 - $850/pair

Upstate...

Where exactly can you get CM5s for $850/pair and 685s for $360/pair?

Thx,

Spacey :)

you would be getting a good value.  I agree with commsysman about the others.  The CM5 is the first speaker in the B&W line that is a standout but is very expensive for $1500, it's MSRP.  I haven't listened to those Monitor Audio's but it wouldn't shock me that even with the discount you could find a better sounding speaker for the money.  I considered those CM5's for my home theatre system and even though they sounded great, I just could not justify the $750 per pair premium over what I ultimately ended up with. 

One upside to the B&W's is that you could buy them, use them for a few years and probably get most of your money back on resale when you get to a point where you can upgrade.  You would likely not get as much back on those Monitor Audio's. 

The only inexpensive speaker I really like from B&W is the M1 which is their home theatre satellite.   Unfortunately It can't function without a subwoofer though as I think it only goes down to 85hz.  It performs favorably compared to what you would get from Kef, Polk or DefTech in that class and is worth the step up in price.  It sounds better than either of those 600's when paired with the right subwoofer. 

The original posting was in March of last year.....????