Question What front speakers to replace my CM5s

technoholic

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Hi all

We've recently had a lounge rearrange as in the attached picture, and as you can see, I have an in wall centre speaker, and CM5s for the fronts. You can only see 1 as I have removed the left one due to moving the sideboard into the alcove. Our goal is to reduce the level of technology visible in the room, which is why centre and rears are in wall/ceiling. Now we have no space for the left speaker, and I would like to get rid of the right speaker too and replace with something else, ideally something much more in keeping with the rest of the room. I could install the same centre speaker for both the left and the right, in the space to the left and right of the TV, which I have measured and would just about fit. But I'm looking for alternative options that aren not so invasive first, that would be a suitable match to the existing speakers which are B&W CWM 663 at the front and CCM 683 for the rears.

Anyone got any suggestions?

IMG_1267.JPG
 
I see some conflicts here. Putting speakers in corners out the way will not provide good results. Changing them to floorstanders when your sound priority look 1st and results 2nd, just leaves no good placement positions. IMHO i would get some good small wall mounts speakers.

Mount them above the tv pointing slightly down. The 3 speakers need to be straight and evenly space with the centre in line with the centre of the TV. A good sub is vital to get this working well.
 
not sure if there is some misunderstanding...I've had good results with the way it's laid out now, when the left speaker was there. Running Anthem ARC made it sound pretty great to be honest, certainly better than when they were left and right of the tv. I don't want to change them to floor standers, I want to replace them with something less invasive. The ideal is to replace them with CWM663s like the centre, but to the left and right of the TV. B&W recommend that method too, so I was just looking for an alternative to that, as a comparison, but actually, going down the CWM method actually looks like the best bet right now
 
How is their no room for the left speaker???? Just put it on top of that white cabinet on the left side.

Your right speakers is on too low of a stand. Get a stand that matches the high of the cabinet on the left, and put both speaker close to the TV 'breast' for lack of a better word.

Put the left speaker on that cabinet, keep it toward the forward edge of the cabinet, and to the right near the TV. Get a taller stand for the Right speaker, and place it just to the right of the TV 'breast' and forward so it is even with the Left speaker. Essentially the Right Speaker is where those stacked tables are now.

The room appears to be a shade of gray, and while the CM5 are not available in Gray, they are available in WHITE.

CM5 S2

I don't think it will work to mount In-Wall speakers on the set back wall of the alcove (or whatever we want to call that set back area). Ideally In-Wall would be on the TV 'breast' (or whatever we want to call the set forward area), but I assume that set forward area has a frame and that the internal frame is going to limit available internal space for built in speakers. I'm not sure what the solution is there.

There are tall thin shallow On-Wall speakers you might consider. For example, the Monitor Audio Radius.

Radius 200

Radius 225

Colors - black, white, medium walnut.

Monitor Audio Radius 225 White LCR Speaker (Single) - Monitor Audio - AudioVisual Online - Home Cinema and Hifi Specialists

Monitor Audio Radius 200 White Centre Speaker (Single) - Monitor Audio - AudioVisual Online - Home Cinema and Hifi Specialists

But the most cost effective thing to do is simply place the Left speakers on that Stand/Cabinet close to the TV. Then mount the RIGHT speakers in essentially the same spot on the right on a stand that is closest in height to the Left speakers.

You are talking a considerable expense and effort to get rid of two very nice sounding speakers. Two very nice sounding speakers, that when put in place as I described, while visible, would be generally unobtrusive.

Without having some sense of the internal structure of the Set Forward TV section, it is near impossible to predict what speakers can be placed in there, if any at all.

Though if you choose this next route, I would have someone who knows what they are going take care of it, if you can find some paint that matches your room, then (I cringe at the thought) paint the speakers to match the color of the room. (or White, whatever) Not a task for the ham-fisted or the faint of heart. And a terrible thing to do to such a lovely finish of fine wood.

For what it is worth.

Steve/bluewizard
 
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With respect, I think everyone has misunderstood my question.

Firstly, I have to, and want to get rid of the cm5s, they don't fit the aesthetic of the room and both me and my wife want them gone now, putting one on top of the white unit would look terrible TBH.

The best sound quality is not a priority, I want it to sound good but not at the expense of other things, I have a listening room for that.

I built the tv unit/breast so I know exactly how it's structurally made, and my idea was to put a pair of matching in wall speakers to the space at the left and right of the tv, on the tv unit, not in the alcove/recess.

Either way, I've decided that's what I'm going to do as B&W agree that would be the best solution when I spoke to them
 
There are some somewhat tall narrow in-wall speakers. I think B&W might be one of them.

If you know what will work in the 'breast', then go to it. Obviously I initially though you meant speakers in the Set back - terrible idea. But IF there is room, then yes, in the 'breast' would be a better place for speakers. But from a simple photograph, there is no way that I the viewer can determine that.

Can you give us some idea of how much free space (width) you will have on either side of the TV?

Most of the speakers I"m seeing require a 8" to 9" cut out width. Though I did see one as small as 5.5".

Once we at least get a speculation of how wide the speakers can be, and that is the speaker frame (the cutout), not the speaker itself. Then we can consider possibilities and budget.

On-Wall are a possibility, the Monitor Audio Radius could be considered, though that is probably more than what you want, but we have to make practical decisions. We can only work within the space we have and within the approximate budget.

Steve/bluewizard
 
I have ordered some CWM663s, the width on either side of the tv is 310mm, of which the gap between the studs is 234mm. The cutout width for the 663s is 183mm I believe so that will fit fine.
 
I have ordered some CWM663s, the width on either side of the tv is 310mm, of which the gap between the studs is 234mm. The cutout width for the 663s is 183mm I believe so that will fit fine.

If you are sure of those dimensions, I would expect very good results from that speaker.

CWM663

Frame height 315mm (12.4in)
Frame width 221mm (8.7in)
Depth behind surface 95mm (3.7in)

Cut-out height 279mm (11in)
Cut-out width 183mm (7.2in)


Given the price (about £500 each) I would expect very good sound quality.

Curious, what are you going to do with the CM5???

Steve/bluewizard
 
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Probably get rid of them somehow, maybe the classifieds here. I have PM1s in my other room so have no space for them really.
 
to bring this full circle, made the holes, looking good for the fitment as expected, test fitted the centre one in both and fits fine. I will make some "boxes" out of insulation, and then pack those boxes with more insulation, and then fit the speakers in, which are arriving tomorrow.

IMG_1285.JPG
 
Look like there was more space than I thought there was. Perhaps there was some perspective distortion in the original photo.

Seems a shame to get rid of the CM5, but I don't think you are going to be disappointed with the new configurations. The In-Wall that you bought are not cheap, and I would expect them to sound very good.

Let us know how it works out once everything is installed.

Steve/bluewizard
 
Top class looking room. Consider me jealous sir. :clap:
 
Top class looking room. Consider me jealous sir. :clap:
Thanks! It's all looking a bit bare at the moment as I've only just finished making the shelves and I'm still giving the paint some time to cure properly before we put things on it but it's coming together nicely
 
All installed!

I haven't had a proper listen or calibrated Anthem ARC yet but on first play of a stereo source they sound good, certainly better than I was expecting for in walls going full pelt.

IMG_1289.JPG
 
Very nice!
 
Very Nice and clean wish I could make mine as hidden
 
All installed!

I haven't had a proper listen or calibrated Anthem ARC yet but on first play of a stereo source they sound good, certainly better than I was expecting for in walls going full pelt.

View attachment 755448
I’m planning on setting a 5.1 with 5 CWM 663 paired with B&w 608 sub, for my living space. How does our system sound now? Do movies and TV sound good? Majority of our usage will be streaming online videos, Netflix etc, and occasional stereo music. Please do let me know how hit system has been performing?
 

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