Bowers & Wilkins CM8
Discontinued slim 3-way floorstander using B&W’s FST midrange and Nautilus tube-loaded tweeter. Solid build and mid detail for the size; limited low-bass extension (±3 dB: 69 Hz) and system/room-dependent integration.
Overview
The Bowers & Wilkins CM8 is a compact 3-way ported floorstander that sat below CM9 in the former CM line. Original MSRP was 1,099 USD each. It employs a 25 mm aluminum-dome tweeter in a Nautilus™ tapered tube, a 125 mm Kevlar® FST™ midrange, and dual 125 mm paper/Kevlar woofers. Manufacturer specifications list frequency response (±3 dB) 69 Hz–22 kHz, sensitivity 88 dB (2.83 V/1 m), nominal 8 Ω, and crossovers at 350 Hz / 4 kHz. The model is discontinued and now resides in the brand’s product archive. [1][2][4]
Scientific Validity
\[\Large \text{0.5}\]Independent anechoic measurements for the original CM8 are scarce. Verifiable facts are limited to the manufacturer’s key specs (69 Hz–22 kHz (±3 dB), 88 dB, 8 Ω, 350 Hz/4 kHz crossovers) and reputable summaries. With no comprehensive third-party lab data to confirm on-/off-axis response or distortion, the evidence base remains provisional, so we assign 0.5. [1][2]
Technology Level
\[\Large \text{0.7}\]For its era/price, B&W’s FST™ midrange (fixed-surround Kevlar for pistonic behavior), Nautilus™ tube-loaded tweeter back-chamber, Flowport, and an orderly crossover topology are competent engineering choices that target low distortion and good transients. They remain solid rather than cutting-edge today. [1][2]
Cost-Performance
\[\Large \text{0.9}\]Denominator (review target price, pair): 900 USD (representative used-market pair price). [5][6]
Cheapest equal-or-better current alternative (non-inferior functions/performance): JBL Stage A180, official price 399.95 USD each → 799.90 USD per pair; published specs indicate deeper bandwidth and slightly higher sensitivity than CM8. CP = 799.90 ÷ 900 ≈ 0.89 → 0.9 (rounded to one decimal). [3]
Reliability & Support
\[\Large \text{0.3}\]The CM8 is discontinued and listed in the manufacturer’s product archive; warranty/parts depend on region and used availability. [4]
Rationality of Design Philosophy
\[\Large \text{0.6}\]A slim 3-way with a dedicated midrange and sensible filter orders aims at good dynamics and imaging in modest rooms. Trade-offs include limited bass headroom (–3 dB at 69 Hz) and system/placement sensitivity, which is consistent with the design’s constraints. [1]
Advice
- If you value articulate mids in a slim tower and listen at moderate levels, a clean used pair can satisfy—consider subwoofer support below ~60–70 Hz.
- If you want new, deeper bass by spec at lower price, audition JBL Stage A180 (799.90 USD/pair official) as a cost-effective alternative. [3]
- When buying used, check cabinet condition, driver symmetry, and return policy carefully. [4][6]
References
- Audioholics — “B&W CM8 Floorstanding Speaker System Review.” https://www.audioholics.com/tower-speaker-reviews/b-w-cm8-speaker (accessed 2025-08-23)
- Spec sheet mirror — “CM8 Technical Specifications (ENG_FP300741_CM8_info_sheet.pdf).” https://www.studio-22.com/pdf/ENG_FP300741_CM8_info_sheet.pdf (accessed 2025-08-23)
- JBL — “Stage A180 (official U.S. site; price/specs).” https://www.jbl.com/loudspeakers/STAGE%2BA180.html (accessed 2025-08-23)
- Bowers & Wilkins — “Product Archive.” https://www.bowerswilkins.com/en-us/product-archive.html (accessed 2025-08-23)
- eBay — Example current listing “B&W Bowers & Wilkins CM8 Speakers (Pair).” https://www.ebay.com/itm/167637596144 (accessed 2025-08-23)
- HiFiShark — “Used B&W CM8 (aggregated listings).” https://www.hifishark.com/model/b-w-cm-8 (accessed 2025-08-23)
(2025.8.23)