I am in the same boat as you! I'm a 12 handicap and have a burning desire to play the new 716 CB hahaha.  However, I need to be honest with myself and consider if my swing is consistent enough to make these irons worth my while.  I have the 714 AP1 and have seen a significant drop in my handicap this year (From 24).  Obviously my swing and strike has gained great consistency, but with playing AP1 it's hard to know exactly where all of your strikes are happening.

Like I said, I WANT to play these irons so bad.  Simply put, they are beautiful.  But is that enough for me?? Honestly, I don't know haha. Thanks for letting me rant.

Depends on which is more important to you, performance, or beauty. These clubs aren't for you but if you're willing to compromise then go ahead but if you want to get better they aren't for you, sorry

I just bagged my CB's last night and headed to the range for a session.  Gotta say, I loved them.  When I demoed all of the new irons at a local demo day I did not like the look or feel of the AP1/AP2's.  To me they felt worse than my old TM LCG's that I have played for 15 years now.  The Titleist rep actually recommended the CB's to me and first swing was money.  I think they are possibly more forgiving than previous versions, but I have never played those, only the old DCI's of the past which the new CB's resemble.  As mentioned above, I think a repeatable swing will definitely suit these clubs but off-center hits weren't all that bad.  What is going to take time to get used to for me is the way that forged clubs feel over my old steel head clubs.  All in all they are a solid club that I think a low to mid handicapper (0 - 10) could easily game.

I play the new 716 CB with C taper KBS shafts.. really sensational clubs and quite forgiving for a forged club and still smooth with the ability to cut and draw shots... best irons I have played to date.. very confidence inspiring. My hcp is 4 and I hit irons well but not that often exactly in the middle... when I miss with these it is almost like the results I get from my rsi2 TM irons... almost... my miss is usually a toe hook... I thinned one yesterday with my 2 iron and it flew like a bullet right down the middle... so nice to miss one so badly and have it go only 12 yards shorter but onto the fairway... A+ clubs

Tuesday, I took delivery of my new 716 AP1's {replacing a set of well used 710 AP2's}, that were fitted at the Jim Mclean Golf Academy, Ft. Worth, TX. I am just barely a senior age golfer and am a 11 handicapper.

To satisfy my  own curiosity, I hit all 4 iron models made by Titleist with various shaft set-ups during my fitting. Andrew is quite correct with what he says regarding the CB and the MB club head. While I was able to hit both club heads as configured, I found the control and distance to be really difficult to maintain while hitting over a dozen balls with each club. I was torn between the AP1 and the AP2 for my new set. I chose the AP1. After 3 rounds with the AP1's this week, I can tell you I totally made the right decision...

I couldn't be happier with the 716 AP1's as they look and feel superb!

What's in the bag...
915 D3/Aldila Black Rogue 70, Stiff. 
816 H1/19* & 25*/Mitsubishi Blueboard 70/Stiff.
716 AP1/ KBS Tour V/Stiff/standard loft, 2* up, except for the gap wedge which is...1* weak & 3* up.
Vokey Wedges, 52*.08S, 56*.10S, 60*04S/KBS Tour V/Stiff/standard loft, 3* up.
Scotty Cameron GoLo 5, 35", 3* 

The 716 CBs are as forgiving as the 712 AP2s.  It's amazing how far the engineers have brought the CB line.

WW

I have played CB 712 since they came out and I'm a 10 hip. I hit them higher and more consistent than AP2. Just got 716 AP2 same shaft and set up and still find myself playing the CB irons. I don't hit the 5 iron of either set well so I go to hybrids above a 6. 

Selling the 716 AP2 . Ordered AP1 to try and I suspect I'll have a mixed set. CB 8-pw, and ap1 5,6,7

i think that the CB irons are just as forgiving as the AP2. . Tried every version of AP2 matched with same set up to CB and the CB's are a clear winner. It is indidual choice not dependant on HCP. At my fitting with the Titleist van all the numbers were close. For me the CB's feel better. That's the key for me. 

Try them all don't let anyone influence your decision. Play what you like and don't have a preconceived idea of what you SHOULD play!

I went from png G20s to CBs and I'm hitting more greens in regulation than ever. I hate bulky clubs. Yes the clubs have a small face but I just do my best to hit them in the sweet spot. I love my CBs. Go for a fitting and try them all out - you might be surprised what suits you. These irons took me to single figure handicap when I was miles off before. 

Great points... I grew up playing hand me down blades... you learn quick smart to find that sweet spot or else

I just added a 17* 3 iron rsi1 (really a 1 iron) and I hit it far worse than my 716 CB 2 iron. Mistakes mistakes

YMMV

I have a set of 710 CB's and a set of 712 AP2's and I really can't tell the difference between them (7 handicap). They say the AP2's should be more forgiving but my scores tend to be about the same. The 716 CB's I've heard are very forgiving with the addition of the tungsten. Don't listen to what others say regarding you have to be under a certain handicap to play a certain club. If you like the way it looks and like the way they feel when you demo them, play them. 

I play the 714 CBs and finally got a chance to hit the demo 716 CB 7 iron.  Beautiful iron,

I can't say that I noticed a discernible  difference with the added Tungsten but maybe would over time.  I am making the switch to Aerotech Steelfiber shafts so had planned to upgrade to the 716s, but when I costed it out I was looking at almost $2500 for the new CBs  with the shaft upcharge!  Canada :(

Instead I ordered the shafts to install in my 714s which will cost around $650 all in installed with grips....

Hard because I can picture the 716s in my bag!!!

I play off a 5 and for me the CBs perform similarly in terms of forgiveness in comparison to the AP2s, although are  a bit shorter due to the weaker lofts.

I am a 19 handicapper (USGA index) & a 21 handicapper at my local club. Here is a picture of my newly purchased 716 CB. It is the 7 iron after three hits. 

The CB are a bit less forgiving than the AP2

When I got fit I tried both and decided for the CB, as the strike slightly easier coming of the grass. But as soon as you don't hit the sweet spot correctly, your are loosing on distance and accuracy!

Give both a try when you are at a fitter