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I finally went to my local Magnolia showroom and auditioned both the CM9s and 683s. (I also listened to the MartinLogan - ElectroMotion ESL 8" for about 30 seconds and that WAS enough to tell me I didn't like their sound. I found it rather "V" shaped with nothing in the middle. Sort of like my experience with Klipsch?) Back to B&W...the CM9s were the obvious choice for me over the 683s. No question.I demoed the speakers from a variety of amps from Yamaha, Pioneer, and Marantz. I found I preferred the sound from Marantz over the other brands.In the end, I feel the Marantz+CM9 combo to be about 90% of what I am looking for. I wonder if there is another brand out there that offers similar sound to the CM9 with a TOUCH of added warmth and a little power/extension on the low-end/bass. Perhaps something with a woofer larger than 6.5 inches?I also feel that going for a stereo (2.0) tube amplifier would be best. But I don't know if I can find one of those with HDMI inputs that costs less than $1,000. Any suggestions?After throwing two different B&W subs into the mix, I couldn't warm up to them. I have always felt that subs offer a sort of added "fake" bass that just can't replace good woofers. I don't think a 2.1 setup is in my near future.Thanks!
I was in your exact same situation about 30 days ago. I had the 683's for 18 months and after hearing joe bonamassa live and then listening to his dvd and wondering where the sounds went, I decided to go on the hunt.My first stop was my local av store where they had the CM8's. They sounded really nice but was missing the low..The sales guy convinced me to order the CM9's and for about 3000 i placed the order.I am kinda like you, want to do the proper due diligence to make sure im in the right spot with my money. After reading posts on avsforum, I came across Salk Speakers.I have to be honest, I really liked the feedback I got from literally everything I read. I had additional questions though... so I called the number on website...guess who answered.... Jim him self... the owner and maker... how's that for service!After spending the next two days bound and determined to find anyone that spoke negatively about their salk speakers, I NEVER FOUND ANYONE.I decided to cancel my CM9 order and make investment and for roughly 1200 more, ordered the HT2-tl's. Im taking a chance as I have not heard them before but when you read the expertise of the folks that love their speakers, my novice ears will certainly be pleased.I cant wait to get mine! About the middle of may i guess so if you want to wait, I will let you know...Spinerep
In the end, I feel the Marantz+CM9 combo to be about 90% of what I am looking for QuoteIf you already like what you heard from the CM-9s when being fed by an inexpensive source and a receiver, then I’m confident you will find that remaining 10% of satisfaction when you pair those speakers up with some high quality two channel components. The bottom line is that you haven’t heard what those speakers can really do yet. QuoteI wonder if there is another brand out there that offers similar sound to the CM9 with a TOUCH of added warmth and a little power/extension on the low-end/bass.The SongTowers sound nothing like the CM-9’s. And though the SongTowers will give you quicker, more articulate bass… they cannot match the CM-9’s in terms of power handling and low end heft and extension. QuoteI also feel that going for a stereo (2.0) tube amplifier would be best.Smart guy. Yep, a good stereo tube amp will do wonders for many speakers in the price range that you’re looking at. I evaluating the CM-9’s at the moment and have found a wonderful match between them and a $980 tube amp from Vista Audio. Unfortunately, I can’t think of any tube integrated amps that feature HDMI switching. I wish I could expand on this further, but I have to get going. One thing I must mention is that I’m not making this post as a slight to the SongTowers. They are good speakers for what they are. But do they fulfill any of the criteria the OP illustrated? From what I can tell .. they don't.
If you already like what you heard from the CM-9s when being fed by an inexpensive source and a receiver, then I’m confident you will find that remaining 10% of satisfaction when you pair those speakers up with some high quality two channel components. The bottom line is that you haven’t heard what those speakers can really do yet. QuoteI wonder if there is another brand out there that offers similar sound to the CM9 with a TOUCH of added warmth and a little power/extension on the low-end/bass.The SongTowers sound nothing like the CM-9’s. And though the SongTowers will give you quicker, more articulate bass… they cannot match the CM-9’s in terms of power handling and low end heft and extension. QuoteI also feel that going for a stereo (2.0) tube amplifier would be best.Smart guy. Yep, a good stereo tube amp will do wonders for many speakers in the price range that you’re looking at. I evaluating the CM-9’s at the moment and have found a wonderful match between them and a $980 tube amp from Vista Audio. Unfortunately, I can’t think of any tube integrated amps that feature HDMI switching. I wish I could expand on this further, but I have to get going. One thing I must mention is that I’m not making this post as a slight to the SongTowers. They are good speakers for what they are. But do they fulfill any of the criteria the OP illustrated? From what I can tell .. they don't.
I wonder if there is another brand out there that offers similar sound to the CM9 with a TOUCH of added warmth and a little power/extension on the low-end/bass.
I also feel that going for a stereo (2.0) tube amplifier would be best.
GTAudiophile,I suppose I should expand on why I suggested the CM9’s.The SongTowers sound nothing like the CM-9’s. And though the SongTowers will give you quicker, more articulate bass… they cannot match the CM-9’s in terms of power handling and low end heft and extension. So the Song still offers more articulate bass, sounds great. How did you come that the cm handles more power base on some av receiver? You have not mention about the highs, so how did each do? Smart guy. Yep, a good stereo tube amp will do wonders for many speakers in the price range that you’re looking at. I evaluating the CM-9’s at the moment and have found a wonderful match between them and a $980 tube amp from Vista Audio. Unfortunately, I can’t think of any tube integrated amps that feature HDMI switching. I wish I could expand on this further, but I have to get going. One thing I must mention is that I’m not making this post as a slight to the SongTowers. They are good speakers for what they are. But do they fulfill any of the criteria the OP illustrated? From what I can tell .. they don't.
