I am having trouble deciding between an Axiom VP150, or an Ascend CMT-340c center speaker. I am going to purchase Axiom's M60's as main's soon, so naturally I thought the VP150 would be a great choice for a center. Looking up reviews and graphs though, I found a lot of complaints about sibilance/brightness and a lack of bass. The Ascend center seems to be preferred online, but I am wondering if I will have noticeable timbre problems with the M60's and ascend.

Ascend center graph: Graph

Axiom center graph (found under the specifactons listing): Graph

I think oyu may find a bit of a timbre mismatch with the Ascend, will it bother you, only you can say. If I were you and I would order both centers and try each out then send back the one you like the least, The Ascend is free return shipping and the VP150 would only be about $20.

I like my VP150, I do not really notice a lack of bass, as the VP150 plays down reasonably well to the usual 80hz crossover point, so bass below that is sent to the sub anyway. Both graphs look reasonably flat except the Ascend looks to drop off at the upper mids and higher, this may also lend to the impression the Ascend has more bass.

I do see from the graph the Ascend is quasi-anehoic vs Axiom's true anehoic, so there could be some differential between the graphs due to this.

Best way to find out for yourself, as I said, is to order both, then you will know for sure which is the best for your situation.



one more to go

Yeah, the timbre mismatching would bug me. I really want the M60's as fronts. But, the VP150 is totally throwing me off here. It has an obvious cut of bass at <90 hz and strong boost of treble in the high ranges. I really like a full size tower, so buying Ascend's center would deny me of a good full tower like the M60. PSB and Paradigm don't provide graphs. Grrr.

Have you considered an m2 for a center channel? I think some around here use them.

I have not noticed any problems with my vp150 for what it is worth.

The center channel is for dialog, so you don't need to worry about the 90hz cut. Also, I would not worry about the "few" reviews about the 150, there are for more positive reviews. I've owned 2 different 150's and have never experienced what you describe, or the AVSforum trolls.

You don't want to mix and match different brands for your front soundstage.

No matter how hard I concentrate, I just can't hear a graph.

The vast majority of Axiom VP100 and VP150 owners are completely satisfied. There is a vocal online minority that uses the VP150 as a whipping boy.

I have the M60's and VP100 in a very large room and am very happy.

There's no substitute for your content, in your room, through your ears. I'd agree that it's highly preferable to match the three front speakers.

Yes, I also have the M60, VP150 combo.The Vp150 definitley added clarity that my previous Paradigm cc350 didn't have.Mine is crossed over at 80hz with a sub so vocals still come out deep and with authority..thinking Optimus Primes voice in Transformers.

Welcome SoulIntake,

I would not recommend mismatching the front 3 (that goes with any brand). As with any centre channel placement/positioning is critical and you should play around with it (above, below t.v/projector etc) to see what gives you the best results. I have my VP150 situated so that the top of the speaker is almost at the exact height of the bottom of the screen (crossover set at 80hz). I have been watching a lot of Blu-ray movies lately and the dialogue is so crystal clear (no brightness/sibilance whatsover). As for the bass, I let the subwoofer do what it does best since the VP150 is not a full range speaker.

Good luck!

Thanks for all of the input here. I know I would be bummed out if I chose Paradigm's Monitor 9v5's over M60's to match one of there center's at the same price. Or, if I chose Ascend's matching front R/L 340's to match the center instead of M60's. And, I know I would lose quality all around going to a Polk setup at the same cost of an Axiom. I also think Rocket's seem a bit overpriced for what they are. Axiom M60's just seem like such a sweet spot. So, I want to like the VP150 believe me.

My hearing is fairly sensitive and I am a musician. I don't believe in EQing much at all. Sorry if I'm a graph guy, but looking at the VP150 in the range above 10K shows a considerable increase in dB in an anehoic environment. Now, my listening room is a good acoustic environment, but is in no way fully treated. At that, you'd think that +10Khz would be further amplified due to reflection in my room. As far as the bass is considered, it would a bit more natural to hear more of the bottom end of vocals or music on a cable broadcast be anchored to the center. Perfect example above in the vocals of Optimus Prime in Transformers. I hope I don't come across like I'm bashing Axiom's VP150, really. I just don't live in area where I can readily auction much. Also, I'm not even using any brands currently listed above. I'm listening to music on a small set of Yamaha bookshelf speakers with a nice piano black finish, and some JL audio in my car. I do have a 7.1 setup right now, but it's nothing worth mentioning here. Can't wait to upgrade.

Keep in mind that Axiom actually HAS an anechoic chamber. Many manufacturers do not, so their measurements are quasi-anechoic and might not be apples-to-apples comparisons. Further, not too many of us listen in anechoic environments, so the impacts of room acoustics and speaker placement are going to make much more difference than those measurements.

You could always try out a VP150 or VP100 first. If you find that you like it in your room, you're good-to-go. If not, return shipping wouldn't be very expensive.

Soul, the difference of about 3dB in the 10KHz area that concerns you may be barely noticeable if you actually try it. Be that as it may, as has already been mentioned, the M2 serves very well as a vertical center and you can note that its treble response is about as level as a speaker can be.