B&W CM5 Bookshelf speakers

CM5 monitors take the middle position in the vast catalog of the English company, but have all the attributes of extra-class acoustics. Removing an elegant grill with magnetic mount, we find a pair of neatly embeded into front panel drivers, framed by metallic rings. Heads are quite traditional for B&W: 165-mm diffuser of midbass with phase-leveling "bullet" is made of yellow kevlar and an inch tweeter (alluminum dome with special coating) is loaded on Nautilus air circuit. The crossover here is maximally concise - a musical signal goes through the minimum of audiophile quality elements. Bass-refles pipe is placed on the back wall, gilt screw terminals are located there too. The model is available in veneer finish (wenge and pink nut) and also in black piano lacquer.

CM5 sound amazingly transparent and fresh. The tops are tasty and detailed enough, with plenty of air. No veils in sight. Discants are sparkling and clear, but brass instruments sound brighter than usual, so overall tonal balance seems to be slightly shifted upwards. The middle is perceived to be quite balanced, but not always natural. If the sound of strings is very good, voices sometimes need more warmth and emotion. A slight simplification of timbres is observed in piano parties too.

Depth of low frequencies, as well as dynamical capabilities, fully corresponds the volume of the speaker systems. Case's resonances are absent at any volume levels. Sound scene is built correctly, the total scale is kept quite adequately, the images of the foreground are put forward to a listener. The depth is created by well wrawn remote plans.