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upgrade advice
#395222 07/18/13 05:31 AM
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Hello, was wondering if you guys could help me make a wise decision on a potential trade in upgrade. You guys have always given great advice over the years.

I currently have m60's, vp150, ep500 and 2 sets of qs8's. I've been happy w this setup for the past 5yrs. I'm using a denon 3808 to power all channels. After injuring to axiom about trading up my m60v2's to m80's and upgrading to the vp180 I received a reply with an amount towards the upgrade. This upgrade would still be a substantial out of pocket expense, and I'm worried about running the front 3 channels w the 4ohm load on the receiver. I can't spring for an amp(plus all the electrical upgrades) at the moment. This would have to be a substantial sonic upgrade for me to justify the expenses.

The other option I was contemplating was to simply upgrade the vp150 to the vp160 and call it a day. The vp150 is by far the weakest link in my system. Anyone with a similar upgrade experience, please tell me what you think. I appreciate the advice.


Demetrios
Re: upgrade advice
demetman #395223 07/18/13 05:48 AM
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Demetrios, for a single move, I agree that it should be the VP160 center speaker. I don't, however, think that there would be any need for concern in running M80s with your 3808. The M80s are given a 4 ohm rating, but this is in effect over a bit less than half of its frequency range, and an overall average might be about 6 ohms. In any case, users have had no problems at safe(to your hearing)sound levels running the M80s with units similar to or a little less capable than the 3808.


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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: upgrade advice
demetman #395230 07/18/13 12:50 PM
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I would agree. Upgrading the center channel would be a good move if you want to keep costs down. I mean, the M60s are no slouch. Sure, upgrade everything if you have the funds, but if you want to keep things reasonable, then just do the center.


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: upgrade advice
demetman #395240 07/18/13 03:41 PM
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Demetrios, I would concur with the advice of JohnK and Nickbuol. What I will tell you is that I did a lot of double-blind listening tests to the prototypes and final version of the VP180 center and it is spectacularly better than the VP150. I don't recall hearing the VP160 in blind listening but I suspect that given the VP180's performance, the VP160 would come very close.

Regards,
Alan


Alan Lofft,
Axiom Resident Expert (Retired)
Re: upgrade advice
demetman #395264 07/19/13 12:53 AM
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I have run my M80s with a VP180 for a week with no ill effects to my 3808; it handled the situation with ease. I would surmise your experience would be similar unless you listen at very loud levels. I went with the VP160 preferring the better horizontal dispersion of the 160 over the slightly better low end the VP180 offers.


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
Re: upgrade advice
demetman #395268 07/19/13 04:37 AM
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Thanks guys, after a little thought I think I'm going to order the VP180. Based on all the positive reviews of both center speakers, I don't think I could go wrong with either one.

I'm leaning toward the VP180 for a couple different reasons. I'm certain I will eventually upgrade to the M80's which will allow the Vp180 to blend in perfectly. If I went with the Vp160, I would have to move my TV up 2" or reduce the height of my rack. The VP180 will fit like a glove. The only concern I have is only allowing 1.5" between the rear ports and my wall. Will this be an issue of compromising the full potential of the VP180?


Demetrios
Re: upgrade advice
demetman #395271 07/19/13 07:34 AM
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Demetrios, a little bit more "breathing room" than that would be good. A rough rule of thumb is to have as much room as the width of the port, e.g., for a 3" wide port, have it at least 3" from the wall.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: upgrade advice
demetman #395276 07/19/13 01:03 PM
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The VP180 is a MONSTER sized center channel. I am surprised that it will fit like a glove anywhere.

As John said, the size of the port usually sets the minimum distance away from any solid object so that air can easily flow in and out of the cabinet.


Farewell - June 4, 2020
Re: upgrade advice
demetman #395324 07/20/13 03:02 PM
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I have slightly less than 3" behind my vp180 with no apparent problems. Then again this is less than I would want but the best I can do. Not sure if 1.5" would be enough. Is there no way for you to shimmy your setup a couple inches out from the wall?

Re: upgrade advice
demetman #395374 07/22/13 05:36 AM
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Cohesion, unfortunatelly I don't have the ability to gain any more space from the wall in my setup. I'll give more details to make things more clear. I was able to fully customise my setup when I purchased my house 2 yrs ago. The best possible placement for my speakers led me to frame over my 1970 masonary fireplace and tile over the brick base that sits 13" high and 18.5" deep. All wiring was run in wall to all speakers as I remodeled my livingroom. I used 2 layers of 1/2" drywall sandwhiched with green glue as an acoustical experiment. I built my audio rack out of sanded plywood to suit my equipment. My rack measures 17" deep by 40.5" wide. From the floor, the center of my VP150 is 49" high. My TV sits directly above the VP150. My M60's are also on the tile base(or stage) on each side of my rack with 59" of seperation. I have them slightly toed in toward the main listening spot, which is my couch. The distance from my mains and center channel to my ears is 13ft.

I'm now thinking the VP160 may be the better option at the moment, but would require modifications to my audio rack. This would be no easy task. It would require the removal of all my equipment and dismanteling the bottom trim of the rack(which is glued and screwed) and ripping 2.75" off the bottom to allow for the extra height of the VP160. What do you guys think? Is the VP160 worth all that trouble? I'd like to add a few photos. Is there a simple way to add them to a post? Thanks for your input.


Demetrios
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