Do I have to buy the same brand center as the mains? i heard that it has to be the same. Is this false? I'm going to get the m22, but I have not found any reveiws on the centers by axiom. I'm intrested in the vp-100. any of you got any info on it? Thx
VP-150 is the one to get.
They don't HAVE TO be from the same brand -- for one, I mix-and-match my Hales L/R mains with the Axiom VP150 fairly successfully. But you have to be extremely careful when you mix different brands within a multi-channel system. There is no guarantee that they are timbre-matched enough to provide a seamless surround sound, especially among the front L/C/R.
So, I would definitely go with an Axiom center unless you HAVE TO go otherwise for some specific reasons. And I agree with Jimmy -- the VP150 is the way to go if you can afford it. Alternatively, in case you can nicely place a vertical center channel (not many people can), a third M22 will make an ideal L/C/R combo.
Also, if a vertical M22 would be a bit tall for you, a vertical M2 would be a fine consideration.
Sushi is right, you don't have to stay in the same brand across all speakers.
The reason this is suggested is so when a sound pans from one speaker to the next it does not change in pitch or tone. By staying with 5 speakers that are made to work as a package you reduce this effect to virtually nothing.
You can get the same level of integration with mixed speakers but it becomes more of a challenge to do so.
Henry