Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Decisions, Decisions. VP100 vs. VP150

Current speaker setup: Bose 301 mains
Cambridge Soundworks CenterStage
Cambridge Soundworks Surround 5.1's
Cambridge Soundworks Newton
MC100 (Surround rear)

Room: 11' x 18' approx. Speakers on 11' wall blowing down the 18' length. Seating approx 7' to 10' from screen and speakers.

I'm upgrading to the M22ti's for mains, and have chosen the VP150 for the center. The Cambridge Soundworks surrounds will have to do until I hit the lottery.

I'm upgrading from the CenterStage, not because it doesn't sound good, but because, in order to achieve good speech intelligibility, I have to crank up the volume to lease breaking levels (pity my neighbor in the adjoining townhouse). I've been agonizing over the choice of the VP100 versus the VP150. I first ordered the VP100 because the Axiom VP100 web page says "Tired of turning up the volume so you can hear what characters are saying? The VP100 anchors intelligible movie dialog at your TV, delivering clear, balanced sound throughout the room." I said "AH HA! That's for me!" But then I made the mistake of reading all your comments on the VP100 vs. the VP150 in this forum. (It'll probably turn out that all of you are Axiom employees):-) You all seem to favor the 150 over the 100. Also I noticed that the driver configuration of the 100 is the same as the CenterStage (dual 5.25" woofers, with a 1" tweeter in the middle), while the 150 has triple 5.5" woofers with dual 1" tweeters at the ends. So, I changed my order to the VP150.

My question is, Am I gonna get better speech intelligibility, without torturing my neighbor, with the 150 as opposed to the 100? And, will either do better than the CenterStage (I hope,Please!)

Thanks all.

Though everyone seems to prefer the VP150 over the VP100, either one will easily blow away your current setup.

Unless you really need to save the extra cash, I'd keep the 150, and know that you'll never be thinking "what if?..."

As far as the rest of the 5.1 setup, Axiom's QS series surrounds are truly amazing. You'll not find a better surround speaker.

That leaves a subwoofer. Look no further than here.

Enjoy you're new setup. You're in for a BIG improvement!

just remember to invite your neighbor over for a beer and a movie when you're all hooked up. who knows, he might get a set up for himself and the two of you can upset all of your neighbors.
dan

when you buy the vp150 over the vp100 you are buying peace of mind and a better speaker.

Thanks to you all for taking the time to reply. This "newbie" appreciates it. After I posted, I remembered the story of the woman asking about her hat. If she asks for your opinion of the hat BEFORE buying, she wants your true opinion. If she asks AFTER buying, she just wants your confirming approval. Thanks for your confirming approval. (Haven't figured out how to insert emoticons yet. If I had, I'd inset a smile here.)

Spiffnme: I hadn't thought of the "What if..." factor. You've got a real good point. Cash is ALWAYS a factor, but the difference between a 100 and a 150 can be tolerated. I've no doubt the QS series is superior to the Cambridge SoundWorks 5.1 surrounds. But, at this point, the additional cost CAN'T be tolerated. Someday, I hope. I've got a JBL PB10 sub that I'm not displeased with. It gets down to 27db. I'll see how it works with the Axioms, and go from there. Cash is a factor again.


Twodan19: Not a bad suggestion. However you don't know my neighbor. YIPES!

Hawkson101: Well said!

Just FYI. My system:

43" Samsung DLP HDTV (with DVI in)
Onkyo TS-DX797 Receiver
V, INC. Bravo D1 DVD (with DVI out)
Onkyo DV-CP701 DVD/CD (Backup to the Bravo D1, and
primary CD player)
Scientific Atlanta 3170HD cable box for HDTV (Cox Cable)

Looks like you're putting together a really nice system.

Call me crazy, but if I were you, I'd get a new Hsu sub, before upgrading the surround speakers. The Hsu will make a much, much bigger difference in the enjoyment of your system than new surrounds. Start saving for their STF-2. You may think your JBL sub is good, but only because you've not experienced what a real sub can do.

btw...a smiley face is easy.

: + ) =
; + ) =

I'm sure there are more, but I don't know them.

Ajax, I agree with spiffnme. I've got Cambridge Soundworks surrounds and they do the job nicely (although not as nicely as QS4s or 8s would). Upgrade your sub, next -- even though it can go down to 27Hz. After all, my car's exhaust pipe can probably do 27Hz, too!

Thanks spiffnme and pmbuko.

I'll take your advice and upgrade to the NSU STF-2 before I upgrade the surrounds. It's just gonna have to wait a bit though.

pmbuko..........check that muffler. ;+)