Bowers & Wilkins - 6-1/2" 3-Way Center-Channel Speaker - Red Cherry

This is a 3-Way Bowers & Wilkins center channel speaker, and it definitely lives up to what you would expect from this type of speaker from this kind of speaker manufacturer. Honestly, I could not believe that B&W speakers are being offered at Best Buy now. But then again, so are other fairly high end brands, like Martin Logan. When matched with a commensurate home theater receiver and audio source (I have a Pioneer Elite SC-25, Monster Cable MCX-2S speaker cables, and a Sony BDP-S350 Blu-ray player), this center channel easily demonstrates to even the untrained ear what quality sound really is, and the importance of a quality center channel speaker in a home theater. For example, while watching the movie "Inception", there was a particular scene where someone was hit by a car and there was a windshield cracking sound - that was the most realistic sound I've ever heard out of a center channel! Sounded like I was there... I was thoroughly impressed! The speaker also excels at separating the subtleties in voice and quiet elegant music. The woofers are made of Kevlar, and comfortably handle just about anything you can throw at them within reason. I also own a pair of B&W 685 bookshelf speakers (I use them as my fronts). ALL speakers sound differently based upon the particular manufacturer, materials used, connections, and other environmental factors. BUT, this center channel speaker can be expected to perform admirably in just about any particular application with even lower-end equipment (though I wouldn't recommend trying it). I highly recommend this speaker and its matching B&W 600 series siblings.

I have this as my center channel speaker paired with four B&W CWM663's, run by a Denon 1912Ci receiver and a Boston 10" sub in my living room. I had been running five B&W M1's with the same sub and receiver. The center always seemed drowned out buy the rest of the system. I found myself always turning it up to hear the spoken words in a movie, then scrambling to turn it down when the action hit. See my review on the M1's for more details, but the short version is I was blowing them and needed to go a different direction. I am very happy with this center even though it's a little on the large side. Because of the size, it is harder to place in my living room but that may not be as much of a problem for others. I changed nothing in the receiver setup and the spoken word now stands out from the rest. It is a great looking speaker although a little on the spendy side but you get what you pay for.

I remember listening for the first time before I had a chance to properly calibrate it, it sounded harsh compared to my old center channel speaker which could only handle half the power. It took me at least three times calibrating it using the Audyssey system of my receiver before it blended well with my main speakers and surrounds and then manually tweaking a few more adjustments before I was able to hear a warm and seamless sound all around. Once the proper set up was achieved, I wouldn't trade it for anything else.

The B&W HTM61 is an absolutely superb center channel speaker. It's crystal clear highs, open midrange, and authoritative bass make every film soundtrack a revelation. I'm hearing detail in films that I never even knew were there, and it has such impact that a subwoofer is barely even necessary! Fit and finish/build quality are also top-notch, especially for a speaker in this price range. I have it mated to a 125 WPC amplifier along with a pair of B&W 683 towers, and I'm in auditory bliss. The HTM61 receives my highest recommendation for both movies and five-channel music. You won't be disappointed: it's well worth the price of admission. Thank you, B&W and Best Buy!

Excellent full range center channel. Pretty much the best @ Magnolia (IMO) except for the higher line up (CMC2) but that one is 2x price and it's mainly for the look, no discernible sound quality difference. I ended up going w/the CMC2 but not willingly ;) ... had to to keep timbre matching w/the CM line mains I bought. If the timbre matching worked between the 681 and CM-8 mains I'd keep the 681, I really loved that speaker. Tested this in my home with a Yamaha RX-A1020 and B&@ 685s as front stage.

I purchased this center speaker to go with my Bowers & Wilkins 685 bookshelf speakers - a perfect match! This center speaker really brings out the speaking voices from normal TV channels as well as both vocals and instrumentals on music CD's and on movie DVD's. In my opinion, a good center speaker is the most important component of a quality home theater speaker system, and this B&W is one of the best!

I noticed some online reviews saying this speaker was muddy sounding, but in my experience it's been very clear. The clarity far exceeds the Klipsch RC-35 I replaced. I also have B&W 683s for fronts and DS3Bs for surrounds and I couldn't be happier. The first time I listened to a surround SACD, I was amazed at how musical these speakers are. I much prefer them over the Klipsch I replaced.

If you are using towers for your front speakers, this is the missing piece to create a large front stage. Of coarse it's not the smallest center you will come across but it big and gives you big sound. I paired this with the B&W 683's. Done and done. When watching movies at night in the dark and you can't see the speakers, it's just a wall of sound. Incredible.