I auditioned 804S and CM9 speakers from B+W yesterday. There is a world of difference between them. I liked the 804S much more than the CM9.
The CM9 and CMC2 center worked well for movies, but the 804S was in another class when it came to stereo. After listening to the 804S, I have a much better idea of what is meant by "sound stage" and "imaging". I've never heard such good sounding speakers before. I could hear and see in my mind's eye where each instrument or voice was located on a mental stage spread out before me. The 804S is far more precise, and with far more open sound, than any speaker I've every owned.
I'm going back to audition the 804S speakers again along with an HTM4S and HTM3S center, powered by a Rotel 1550. I'll be buying front, surround, and center speakers and a new video-capable integrated amp.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up choosing the 804S speakers. I'm not sure about the amp. The Rotel RSX-1550 is $2k, near the limits of my budget. I'm leaning toward the 1550 because it sounds good both with 5.1 surround and with analogue stereo. But I'd like to listen to some other amps too. Can any of you suggest other amps in the $2k to $3k range that compare favorably to the Rotel RSX-1500?
I auditioned 804S and CM9 speakers from B+W yesterday. There is a world of difference between them. I liked the 804S much more than the CM9.
The CM9 and CMC2 center worked well for movies, but the 804S was in another class when it came to stereo. After listening to the 804S, I have a much better idea of what is meant by "sound stage" and "imaging". I've never heard such good sounding speakers before. I could hear and see in my mind's eye where each instrument or voice was located on a mental stage spread out before me. The 804S is far more precise, and with far more open sound, than any speaker I've every owned.
I'm going back to audition the 804S speakers again along with an HTM4S and HTM3S center, powered by a Rotel 1550. I'll be buying front, surround, and center speakers and a new video-capable integrated amp.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to end up choosing the 804S speakers. I'm not sure about the amp. The Rotel RSX-1550 is $2k, near the limits of my budget. I'm leaning toward the 1550 because it sounds good both with 5.1 surround and with analogue stereo. But I'd like to listen to some other amps too. Can any of you suggest other amps in the $2k to $3k range that compare favorably to the Rotel RSX-1500?