Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Vp180 v3 vs vp180 v4

Hello,

Been a while since I've been on. Quick question for anyone. Doing the upgrade from m80 v3 to m100. While doing this should I be upgrading from my vp180 to the new 6.5 as well?

Thanks in advance

When did you purchase your V3?

I originally bought a set of M80v4 and picked up a VP180v3 at the same time as it was cost effective to do so. Quite honestly, I didn't find it lacking in any way.

Most movies are not putting major sound into the center channel anyway, so the major difference in base you will get from the v4 is wasted as the dynamics required is not needed.

Are you mainly listening to music in 5.1?

I just upgraded my LFR 1100s and VP180 from v3 to v4 HP. I noticed a big improvement in the tweeters as well as better bass, especially at higher volume. Unless you like to listen to multichannel sources loud and especially with separate amp(s) though I think the VP180 v3 would blend in quite well with the M100.

If I'm not mistaken the differences are the cast basket and new tweeter over 1 year old V3's.
They've stated the cast makes no difference to SQ but the new tweeter helps sq off axis. The tweeters can be purchased separately.
I'd call axiom to confirm if the changes (family of curves)happened after or before your V3 purchase.

I was told that the v4 has the new crossover aka family of curves. But you must also remember that the speaker is rotated on it's side so the off axis left to right on every other standard speaker is now your off axis up and down. So in reality, I don't know if you will get to take any advantage of the new tweeter design properties as much in the VP180v4 design, as you will for every other tower/bookshelf orientation.

When I asked if they changed any of the internal structures in the VP180 vs a M80 design. I was told they were the exact same other than where the feet are located.

I am considering "upgrading" my VP180 v3 to the v4. I was told the following by Brent Tombari:

"The V4 products utilize die cast woofers, die cast mids, new die cast tweeters and have a new crossover. Die cast reduces heat build up which in turn raises efficiency and lowers distortion. The crossover offers smoother performance across the frequency range.

The HP version, upgrades the woofers and crossover and is designed mainly for high powered amplifiers. If you are not utilizing a subwoofer within your system the HP version would be a better choice."

Matt:

From what I've been reading on the net over the past year from many so-called 'experts', the content to the CC in most movie mixes in the past couple of years has shifted away from just mostly dialogue to much heavier & complex content. Some say 70 - 80% now comes from the CC with the L & R Channels idling much of the time.

Based on this, I was able to justify in my own mind upgrading from a VP100 that performed very well to the much more capable & outstanding VP160. I'm glad that I did...

TAM

Setup is as of now m80v3(3years old) , vp180v3 (2years old) qs8. Sub is a funky waves fw15.3 receiver denon 3311ci. Amp emotive xpa2 running the m80s.(soon to move to the qs8s when I purchase the 1500 3channel from axiom for the m100s and center

Upgrading the m80 due to wanting more in my music listening. My ht listening I have no complaints with however if the new goodies will make a difference I would mind upgrading at at the same time.

I would see no reason to upgrade until you get the ADA1500. When you do it will be an easy choice based on listening to your existing VP. If you do decide to upgrade I'd go with the HP version. This is assuming you listen to multichannel music. Otherwise no reason to upgrade at all!

I do listen in multichannel would be no reason if only with the towers right. Good call with waiting to see how it sounds with the 1500. Will the upgrade option be available indefinitely now, as the 1500 may be close to a year away

I just upgraded my VP180 v3 (it was only a few months old)to v4 HP. I noticed an improvement quality of the bass, more linear, less muddy sounding and better match to the M100's especially at a higher volume level. I mostly listen to multichannel sources. BTW the M100's are superb speaker..

JBG

Thank you for that info. I was leading towards that. My setup is used as a family setup. So the room it's is is completely open so the lack of bass is a big deal. Hearing that there is a noticeable difference this is good. Then when I get the new amp it can only get better from there.

The differences aren't huge but paired with the m100 with a powerful amp in higher volume levels the differences are definitely audible, when I listen to action movies and to live concert dvd's I notice a difference (A/B them together with room correction done on each 180 version)

After experimentation I needed to tone down the bass of the 100's with a port plug in each tower

I suppose it boils down to the upgrade cost for the vp180. If it's too much I'd rather put that towards the amp and be happier till I can upgrade the center?

With that any ideas or info for me I should just buy buy the amp now and then get the new m100s and vp180 later?

that's whats nice with axiom and the new upgrade program...

many possibilities, with the chance to better your setup, not many speaker companies offer this...

I only have funds for 1 route at the moment

I don't believe that they have shifted anything away from the L & R channels, but rather started to put more than just dialogue voice into the center to give it more fill. But all that said, the bulk of dynamic sound still comes from the left and right.

Congratulations on getting a much better speaker for your Center. But I would not call the comparison of your move from a VP100 to VP160 as being a simple version update. Those two speakers are sonically miles apart. Sort of like going from a Porche Boxter to a 911 Turbo. Same company, but totally different beasts.

As for the upgrade program. I believe that if you waited for an extra year, you will get less back for your current v3 speaker than if you did the upgrade right now.

As others have said, if you are listening to something that is very demanding on the center channel at high volumes, such as 5.1 music, then you will get additional benefit from upgrading your center channel to the newer version. But, you might also get an equal bump from upgrading your amp if the one you have doesn't have the true power to fully drive the 4ohm speaker. I have also been told that you can get far more bang for the dollars spent in adjusting yor acoustics.

There is no hard fast rule to any of this.

As I understand it the upgrade program is here to stay. However the credit calculator may take the age of your old stuff into consideration. You may want to call or email Axiom and ask about that.

Matt:

Huh? I upgraded from the VP100V3 to the VP160V3 solely due to being more able to handle the more complex content now found in the CC mixes. V3 to V3 - no version change...

TAM

Put your answer in context to the Dustin's question. He is asking if he should upgrade his VP180v3 to a VP180v4. You had said that more movies are paying more sound through the middle speaker so you upgraded and it made a big difference. But as Dustin already has the biggest center channel speaker Axiom makes, would he get as big a bump in sound as you got from going between a small VP100 to the much larger VP160? That was what my reply was all about.

If I were you I'd do the M100's first then save money for the upgraded amp and VP. I'd also keep checking the B Stock and Refurb stores for a VP180HP. I snagged mine there for a great price!

Good luck and happy listening!

Thanks everyone. Decided to get the m100s and the upgraded vp180hp now. And amp later...

Nice

That's the route I went.. got the M100s & vp180hp & ep500v4 next upgrade will be an axiom 1500 amp