Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater 5 M2s or 4 and a Center

Me downstairs neighbor just put in some built-in bookshelves and bought a 43 inch DLP. She's next looking to purchase a home theater. She's turned to me for some advice. Naturally, I suggested the Axioms to her.

She wants bookshelf speakers, and the built-ins will not allow for the M22s (not enough vertical room). I'm suggesting that she purchase the M2s to go all the way around her room (5.1) and go with a good sub (Hsu probably).

This will keep her costs down. She also doesn't want to wall mount the surrounds, so I am recommending that she buy the direct firing M2s to match the fronts - since (IMO) direct firers are a little easier to place on existing tables, furniture etc. than the Q series.

My question mainly is: Should she get the VP100 or stick with the M2 for the center?

My thoughts were that placing the M2s all aroudn might make for a nicely matched system (shielding is not an issue for several reasons). Also, the M2s go a little lower than the VP100.

She'll be placing all three fronts in her bookshelf (yikes, I know, but it is unavoidable...).

Any thoughts on the VP100 vs. the M2 for the center?

Just the fact that the VP100 has an extra driver would make it a better choice as a center. But it comes at a cost. The M2 should be fine. The VP100 would be better.

And unless she's mounting the M2 on a stack of cassettes , she won't need to worry about magnetic shielding with a DLP TV.

I like the idea of 5 M2's. I'll keep my thoughts on bookcases and home entertainment centers to myself .

I will ask what size is the room?

I used an M2 as a center for quite a while and was very happy with it. The VP100 sounds slightly better but the difference is pretty small. If the room is big or there is a need for magnetic shielding then VP100 is the way to go, otherwise I think 5xM2 would be a real nice system.

As Ford is saying you don't want to hide these things inside an entertainment center or you can make nice speakers sound real cheap and boxy

The room is the about 18' by 15' (the stereo etc. will go on the 15' wall). It is an open floor plan with openings at each end of the room about 6 feet wide.

This question has sparked a few more in the minutes that have passed as well...

Is the VP100 less affected by the fact that it will be shoved into a shelf because of its closed port (no port) design?

Would even (dis)coloration across the front (due to putting the M2s in the bookshelf) be better than uneven coloration (if, for example, she were to mount the speakers on the outside of the shelf, but still have the center tucked away)?

Bridg - you already answered my third question - whether anybody has done this with good results (M2 as center, that is).

I too don't necessarily approve of her putting these things in the shelf, but, in all honesty, she won't notice the difference...and she'll be twice as happy putting them "away" than having them out as an "eyesore" - thereby making up for the difference and negative effects of placing them in the shelf.

Fourth - any thoughts on running 3 VP100s across the front if they're less susceptible to coloration once placed in the shelf?

Thanks for your previous responses, and in advance for any others that may come.

18 x 15 is big for M2s if you are going to be sitting way back from the speakers. Do you have any sense what the distance between main / center speakers and the primary listening position would be ?

I expect M2s would sound better than VP100s as mains assuming the back of the speaker was at least 8" away from the back wall. The other important thing is to make sure the front of the speaker is at least a bit ahead of the shelves, ie sticking out a bit.

The even vs. uneven question is a good one, don't know the answer.

Capn Pickard,

M2's are a little small for that room size, but as long as there is a good sub it shouldn't be that much of a problem. They just might sound a little 'thin'. Have you considered maybe M3's?

I would suggest a VP100 as a center. It will help pronounce the vocals better than an M2. Another option would be to see if Axiom still has a VP50 lying around. It is slightly smaller than the VP100. Due to centers lying flat, they are also easier to place above a TV.

M3s do sound like a good idea...

In that size room, I too(of course)recommend the M3s. Not only are they a bit more full-range but having five of them will make for near perfect tonal balance from speaker to speaker pans. Also in that sized room, a sub may not be needed with M3s for those times when quiet must be maintained in the rest of the house.

Only problem I can think of is they'd be a little harder to hide in the room than the M2s.

OK, here's a question;

Using a VP100 as center; is it "Designed" to maybe sound better when stuck in a less than ideal location? Is it designed to be less than full range so that the lower bass dosen't cloud up the vocals. (Thinking of the M3 mid-bass hump)-Not that being full range is a problem, just the way the M3 presents it.

So yeah, the VP100 May make a better center in some respects. The pans may not be as convincing, but the dialog may be more inteligable. Could be...