Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
I’ve been a board ‘regular’ for several years; more of a regular reader than poster, but around regularly enough to notice trends. One thing I’ve noticed from day one is that the VP line just doesn’t seam to get the praise that the rest of the line does (has). I can’t really remember a whole lot of complaining about the VP’s, but there has definitely been more non-positive talk about the VP’s than the remaining speakers. I don’t specifically recall anyone or any thread in particular where the VP’s got thrashed, so I’m just wondering what the deal is with these speakers and this perception. Is it real or is based of rumors, nonsense and legacy issues (real or otherwise)?
My motives for asking this are personal. I plan to swap out my vinyl Axioms for the latest version of Axiom speakers to a wood veneer sometime this year. (Well, if my roof replacement doesn’t go over budget anyway.) I would really like to try a couple VP150’s (one over and one under my screen) verses my current configuration of running two M22’s as center. Depending on what I do with the center channel; that will affect my choices for what I use for heights and width’s, subs and so on. I am also in the process of setting up a buddies’ home for surround sound and a VP would be the optimal choice due to his TV size and placement.
So generally speaking, I’m just looking for a broader perspective regarding the VP’s and what owners and other folks who frequent this sight (who are much more knowledgeable than I, which is just about all of you) think about the VP’s. Why do they not get the fanfare of the rest of the Axiom line up????
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Re: Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,849 Likes: 15
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,849 Likes: 15 |
Hey Mike,
I will try to provide you feedback asap. I'm in the process of collecting some comments from other forumns on this topic. As you know this seems to come up a lot regarding the VP series...keep you posted...Randy
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
Man you're fast. Don't you sleep? I just sent you a PM too.....
Thanks Randy.
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Re: Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: May 2009
Posts: 670
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 670 |
I have a W150 and I find it does the job fine. I sit about 15' from it slightly off axis and do not have an issue. I do have other seating in the room closer and more off-axis, and nobody has ever complained about not being able to hear properly. I can only compare it to my old Boston center in my old setup but for me the 150 is completely adequate at minimum.
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Re: Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 16,441 |
I used to listen to multichannel SACDs fairly often and never found my VP100 to be sub-par in comparison to my M22s. Multichannel music will put a center speaker through its paces much more than most movies will, too.
One of the loudest complaints I remember hearing people make about the VP speakers in the past is that they were sibilant, particularly with S sounds. I never had this issue, but I know it's hard to miss a hard S when you hear it so I don't doubt that other people heard this. I chalk it up to accurate reproduction of a poorly-mic'ed recording. Perhaps center channels from other brands would smooth over the sibilance. Also, perhaps the changes Axiom has made to their tweeters over the years have more or less made this issue a moot point.
It would be hard to know for sure without being able to listen to a VP speaker that's 4 or 5 years old versus one that's fresh off the line today.
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Re: Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,488 Likes: 1 |
I think it's people listening with their eyes.
The design is "different", so consumers feel justified in questioning it. Pseudo-scientists complain that the multi-driver approach MUST induce nasty comb-filtering or other undesirable traits. Of course, Ian's not a hack and Alan has categorically debunked the notion of comb filtering being significant in Axiom's designs.
I will concede that the width of the VP150 might make placement problematic in some rooms.
I think there is overall a lot of negativity at AVS and some other forums and that it feeds on itself over time.
Personally, I think the VP100 is a very underrated speaker, and I am extremely happy with it.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
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Re: Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
I think that Tom's got most of it there, but the mention of the sibilance also rings bells. However, since that's been a complaint across the Axiom lineup (often with little justification), I am somewhat inclined to discount it.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928 |
If a speaker is sibilant, it's always going to sound that way, no matter what you play, so I would also agree with the quality of the source as being very important here. When I listen to Diana Krall, it ssounds rather ssibilant, but throwing on some Norah Jones or Sade sounds very clean.
Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
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Re: Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,877 |
No issues with my vp150 here
-David
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Re: Axiom VP Series Quandaries……
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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OP
connoisseur
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16 |
So by the responses so far, would it be safe to assume that whatever issues the VP’s may have had, perceived, real, imaginary or otherwise, that they are no longer there and they get similar praise as the rest of the line up?
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