B&W CM Centre Speaker

Description

The Bowers & Wilkins CM Centre was designed as the matching center-channel loudspeaker for the original CM Series, bringing much of the technology and voicing of B&W’s higher-end models into a more affordable home-theater package. Produced from approximately 2006 through 2014, the CM Centre quickly earned a reputation for delivering exceptionally clear dialogue, detailed imaging, and a refined tonal balance that integrated seamlessly with the rest of the CM lineup.

At the heart of the speaker is a classic B&W driver complement consisting of a 25mm Nautilus tube-loaded aluminum dome tweeter flanked by two 130mm woven Kevlar bass/midrange drivers. This symmetrical arrangement was engineered to provide precise vocal reproduction and a broad soundstage while maintaining excellent timbre matching with CM-series bookshelf and floorstanding speakers. B&W’s use of Kevlar cone technology helped reduce coloration and improve midrange clarity, making movie dialogue sound natural and intelligible even during complex action scenes.

The CM Centre also incorporates B&W’s distinctive Flowport bass-reflex system, recognizable by its golf-ball-like dimpling. This design minimizes air turbulence and port noise, allowing the speaker to deliver surprisingly substantial bass output for its compact size. According to B&W’s original literature, the speaker was engineered to provide “deep, fast, tuneful” bass while maintaining the speed and accuracy required for both music and film soundtracks.

In listening tests conducted as part of reviews of the broader CM Series, critics consistently praised the line’s ability to combine detail, dynamics, and value. TechRadar described the CM Series home-theater system as offering “deep bass and great definition” and called it “breathtaking value for money.” While these comments were directed at the full CM surround package, the CM Centre played a critical role in delivering the system’s highly regarded vocal and cinematic performance.

The CM Centre’s cabinet construction also reflected B&W’s premium aspirations. Real wood veneers, substantial internal bracing, and high-quality gloss finishes gave the speaker a level of fit and finish uncommon at its price point. The design philosophy borrowed heavily from technologies developed for the company’s acclaimed 800 Series loudspeakers, helping the CM range bridge the gap between the entry-level 600 Series and B&W’s flagship offerings.

Today, the CM Centre remains a sought-after option on the used market, particularly among enthusiasts building systems around CM1, CM5, CM7, CM8, or CM9 speakers. Its combination of excellent build quality, articulate midrange performance, and classic B&W styling has allowed it to age gracefully. For listeners seeking a center speaker capable of delivering clear dialogue, cohesive front-stage imaging, and musical refinement, the CM Centre remains one of the standout designs from Bowers & Wilkins’ pre-S2 CM generation.

Review Highlights

• “Breathtaking value for money” – TechRadar CM Series review.
• “Deep bass and great definition” – TechRadar CM Series review.
• Original B&W literature described the speaker as having a “remarkable sonic and musical ability” and a “striking ability to resolve fine detail.”

Product Specifications

• Type: 2-way bass-reflex center-channel speaker
• Tweeter: 1 × 25mm aluminum dome, Nautilus tube-loaded
• Mid/Bass Drivers: 2 × 130mm woven Kevlar cones
• Frequency Response: 55Hz–22kHz (some sources specify 62Hz–22kHz)
• Sensitivity: 85dB (2.83V/1m)
• Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms
• Minimum Impedance: 3 ohms
• Recommended Amplifier Power: 30–120 watts
• Crossover Frequency: 4kHz
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 480 × 167 × 255–275mm
• Weight: 11.5kg (25.3 lbs)