BOWERS & WILKINS CM1

Second-hand. In good conditions. Show slight signs of wear, as visible in the photos. Without original packaging.

The Bowers & Wilkins CM1 speakers stand as a true benchmark in the bookshelf speaker category, the result of a design that impressively blends technical refinement, sound quality, and compact dimensions. Every detail is the outcome of meticulous engineering—nothing is left to chance. Each component, screw, and material is chosen to contribute to the overall balance of the system, following a design philosophy that has always defined the B&W tradition.

What immediately stands out is the performance in the low-frequency range: deep, controlled, and dynamic, going well beyond what one would expect from a speaker with just a 13 cm woofer. This is also thanks to the Kevlar cone, a material B&W has used since its early days, also featured in the flagship 800 series, offering rigidity, lightness, and precise response. The 2.5 cm aluminum dome tweeter features Nautilus technology and a rear tube that absorbs unwanted waves, ensuring a clear, smooth, and fatigue-free high-frequency response.

The bass-reflex loading with Flowport technology significantly reduces air turbulence, minimizing distortion and contributing to the remarkable clarity of the low end. The crossover, extremely simple in design, operates with a 4 kHz cutoff and a 6 dB per octave slope—proof of the quality and efficiency of the drivers used. When listening, the CM1s deliver a precise and spacious soundstage, with remarkable instrument separation and three-dimensionality even in complex musical passages. Vocals are well-focused, natural, and rich in nuance, while the power handling is surprisingly robust for such a compact speaker, remaining stable even at high listening volumes.

The CM1s are not merely compact speakers—they are true musical instruments, capable of standing the test of time and trends, offering performance that far exceeds what their size might suggest. A small masterpiece of acoustic engineering that perfectly embodies the Bowers & Wilkins DNA.

Technical specifications:

• System: 2-way bass-reflex
• Drivers: 1 x 13 cm woofer; 1 x 2.5 cm dome tweeter
• Frequency response: 55 Hz to 22 kHz ±3 dB on-axis
• H/V dispersion: 60° / 10°
• Crossover frequency: 4 kHz
• Sensitivity: 84 dB SPL (2.83V/1m)
• Nominal impedance: 8 ohms
• Recommended power handling: 30W–100W
• Dimensions: 280 x 165 x 276 mm (W x H x D)
• Weight: 6.75 kg each