The CM10: Another Flagship From B&W
The CM10's FST decoupled midrange is secured in place by a "drawbar mechanism," as found on 800 Diamond models. Moving the midrange driver closer to the top of the cabinet has similar results to locating the tweeter on top, "improving dispersion and increasing the sense of airiness." The height of the CM10's cabinet is the same as that of CM9, but it's deeper, the extra volume allowing for the inclusion of an extra bass driver. In addition to increasing bass extension, this extra driver increases overall sensitivity, decreases distortion, and raises maximum sound-pressure levels. The CM10 comes in a trio of finishes: two real-wood
veneers, rosenut and wengé, and painted gloss black. |
he new flagship loudspeaker in
B&W's CM series, the CM10 ($4000/pair) borrows technology from the company's other
speaker lines. This includes top-of-the-cabinet tweeter mounting, which comes from the top
800 Diamond series. This isolating of the driver is said to improve imaging and
dispersion, "creating a more natural, spacious sound." The driver itself is
based in part on research conducted for the PM1's carbon-braced tweeter, the edge of its
aluminum dome strengthened with a second aluminum layer that replicates the main
dome’s profile. This "stiffens the whole structure and prevents the voice coil
from going ‘out of round’ at higher frequencies." It also pushes the first
break-up frequency out to 38kHz.