B&W CM Centre 2 Speaker

Description

The Bowers & Wilkins CM Centre 2 is a premium center‑channel loudspeaker designed for home theater systems seeking clear, natural dialog and full‑range performance from a single dedicated front‑stage speaker. Part of Bowers & Wilkins’ respected CM Series, the Centre 2 balances high‑fidelity audio engineering with elegant styling, making it a popular option for enthusiasts who want enhanced movie and TV dialogue clarity without overshadowing the rest of their front speakers.

Unlike standard satellite or bookshelf speakers, this center channel is engineered specifically to handle voice‑centric sound reproduction at the heart of a surround system. The design features a three‑way bass‑reflex enclosure that allows it to handle a wide frequency range with authority and detail. In the Centre 2, B&W incorporates technologies drawn from its more expensive models — including a 25 mm (1″) Decoupled Double Dome aluminium tweeter, a 100 mm (4″) Kevlar® cone FST† midrange driver, and two 165 mm (6.5″) paper/Kevlar® woofers.

The tweeter design is particularly notable: Bowers & Wilkins’ Decoupled Double Dome tweeter isolates the delicate dome from the front baffle, reducing diffraction and improving high‑frequency clarity and dispersion — essential for intelligible movie dialogue and fine musical detail. The woven Kevlar® drivers draw from B&W’s long tradition of using Kevlar cones for controlled midrange and bass performance.

In terms of performance, the CM Centre 2 offers a broad frequency response from approximately 56 Hz to 28 kHz (±3 dB), allowing it to reproduce deep voice cues and high‑frequency effects with precision. Its 89 dB sensitivity and 8 Ω nominal impedance make it relatively easy to drive with most modern AV receivers and amplifiers, though pairing with a more robust amp can unlock deeper dynamics and clarity.

Sonically, the speaker is often praised for its natural tonal balance, wide dispersion pattern, and smooth crossover transitions. These characteristics help the Centre 2 deliver clear dialog that remains consistent even off‑axis — useful when multiple seating positions must hear the soundtrack clearly. Due to the careful tuning of the drivers and crossover, the speaker can blend seamlessly with other CM Series left and right speakers to create a cohesive front‑stage performance.

The build quality of the Centre 2 reflects Bowers & Wilkins’ emphasis on both aesthetics and acoustic function. It features a solid wood‑veneered or gloss finish with magnetically‑attached grilles that preserve clean look lines, while heavy internal bracing minimizes cabinet resonance. This approach supports cleaner sound and enhances durability in long‑term use.

As a center‑channel speaker, the CM Centre 2 is designed to handle dialogue, music, and sound effects with authority, making it ideal for home cinema systems where clear speech reproduction and wide bandwidth are priorities. While newer models now include advanced technologies like Continuum and Carbon Dome drivers, the Centre 2 remains an appreciated choice in its price range and era — especially in well‑matched CM Series setups.

Review Quotes

“A well‑engineered center channel with excellent voice clarity and smooth performance.” — Enthusiast commentary (summarized from owner impressions and community reviews)

“Natural tonal balance and smooth dispersion make it blend beautifully in CM Series setups.” — User sentiment from home theater forums

These reflect the Centre 2’s reputation for cohesive integration in full surround systems and intelligible front‑stage reproduction without harshness.

Product Specifications

General

• Speaker type: Dedicated center‑channel loudspeaker

• Series: Bowers & Wilkins CM Series

• Enclosure type: 3‑way bass‑reflex / vented box

• Recommended amplifier power: 30 W – 200 W into 8 Ω

• Nominal impedance: 8 Ω (minimum ~3 Ω)

• Sensitivity: 89 dB (2.83 V/1 m)

Drivers

• 1 × 25 mm (1″) Decoupled Double Dome aluminum tweeter

• 1 × 100 mm (4″) Kevlar® cone FST midrange driver

• 2 × 165 mm (6.5″) paper/Kevlar® cone woofers

Frequency Response

• ±3 dB range: ~56 Hz – 28 kHz

• ‑6 dB bandwidth: ~40 Hz – 50 kHz (varies by measurement)

Crossover

• First crossover: ~350 Hz

• Secondary crossover: ~4 kHz

Physical

• Dimensions (W × H × D): ~590 × 225 × 301 mm (23.2″ × 8.9″ × 11.9″)

• Weight: ~18.7 kg (41.1 lb)

• Finishes: Gloss Black, Rosenut, Satin White (varies by market)