Are the B&W CDM 1NT's better than today's CM1's?

They also had a model called the CM1 in the early 90's and when it was mated to a matching sub, it became the CM2 Concept 90.

I have had three different sets of the CDM 1nt's
over the years. They should be in some type of hall of fame. I do agree the cabinet makes the difference.

I finally broke down and got a pair of 705's.
The only thing I was happy with. I think these
are also a very underrated speaker because of the CM's
below and the 805's above. I also do not use them as the
"main" speaker. I am a strict two channel guy with two different systems.

I consider the CDM's much more in line with the 705's than the newer CM's. I had one pair. Great speaker.
Not the CDM's or the 705's.

I have a pair of CDM 1NTs and I find them to be pretty darn hard to beat. In my house I have two other systems--one with Meridian speakers and the other (2 channel only) with Magneplanars. The CDM 1NTs are in the "mainstream" third system and I drive them with a Marantz SR 8500 HT receiver. I have to say that even when I use that system, I don't feel like I'm compromising. IMHO, this is due to a couple of attributes of the CDM that are not hallmarks of the CM series.

First, that "free air" tweeter nacelle seems to really allow a lot of height in the soundstage. Second, the mid-woof cabinet is remarkably inert and provide a steady foundation.

So while the drivers and crossover may share some provenance with the CMs, it's my opinion that the cabinet is the difference maker here.