Center Speaker? - Axiom Message Boards

Does anyone use the M22 for their center channel speaker? Would the VP150 be better in this role? I'm primarily going to use the system for music and the occasional video game/movie.

Thanks all!

i think you could use the 22, but the 150 would be better.

bigjohn

Just this week, I replaced my VP-150 with a M60 and I have been very happy with its performance in both movies and multichannel audio. I never felt the VP-150 was a bad center channel, however, my attention was drawn to it at time with certain material that made me believe I would benefit from an upgrade.

For example, in The Eagles "Hell Freezes Over" DTS DVD, the intro to Hotel California was always stunning on either my M60s or my M22s. However, the moment Henley's vocals started, I always felt something was a bit off...it should have sounded better. When I added the M60, this was the first thing I played. The vocals were finally what I thought they should be...as stunning as the music.

Hope this helps.

Mrbooboy - do you have a picture of your system? I'd like to know how high your screen must be, since you have 3 m60s on the floor.

I'm dreaming of a front projector system someday...so i'd like to see samples...

Thanks!

I am currently in the process of moving my system from our centrally located living room into my den. While the den is smaller (approximately 12' x 15'), it will be a better situation because my family is not real big on listening to music as much I do. In our living room, if I am listening to music...so is everybody else. While the den won't provide a soundproof environment, it will certainly make my music listening a little more private.

Anyway, given that this transition is in process, I don't have any photos yet. However, once I have the system set up (next weekend), I would be more than happy to share photos.

My plan is to mount my plasma 42" from the floor. This will allow room for the floor-standing M60 center.

As I mentioned in my previous post, with the M60 center set up in my temporary location, the results of movies and multichannel audio have been stunning. In fact, last night I was playing the SACD of Elton John's "Tumbleweed Connection" and the performance of the front 3 M60s were stunning. It always sound great before. However, with the addition of a 3rd M60 and a SVS PC-Ultra, my sound quality has improved more than I expected.

IMO if you have room for a vertical center (eg. M22) it will always be better than a comparable horizontal center (eg. VP100). For HT I imagine the VP150 might out-do the M22 because of the extra drivers, but for a music system I would go with M22 for sure.

If you have to put the speaker on its *side*, however, then definitely go for a VPxxx speaker with the symmetrical driver layout.

I completely agree with bridgman. To me, horizontal center channels exist because most people place them on top of TVs or in entertainment stands. Most configurations do not allow for a vertical center; thus, the speaker manufacturers, realizing this fact, produce horizontal centers. If you do not have these limitations, I don't see any reason to use a horizontal center.

In fact, out of curiosity, I briefly used one of my M22s as a center (for about an hour) to see how it compared to the VP-150. My impression was the M22 was at least as good as the VP-150. I didn't notice the extra drivers in the VP-150 made any difference in sound quality.

If you are using M22s for your mains, and do not have configuration restrictions, I think a M22 center makes perfect sense.

In reply to:
Does anyone use the M22 for their center channel speaker? Would the VP150 be better in this role? I'm primarily going to use the system for music and the occasional video game/movie.

Strangely enough, I'll be testing out the differences in these exact speakers possibly tomorrow - have to bring an SPL meter home from work tonight.

First thoughts : the VP-150 is bigger than I expected.

Have to leave it at that - busy day today. Work in the way of fun!

Bren R.

Thanks all, for your many opinions. Bren, I look forward to your comparison. I think I will be purchasing the M60's as mains and likely the QS8's for surrounds. I'm not yet sold on whether I should get a single M22 (as it is very similar to the M60's) for the center channel or the VP150.

As an aside, does anyone have experience with the Outlaw pre/pro receivers? I recently read about the 990 and I'm very interested. Are outlaw's receivers and/or amps warm, neutral, or bright?

Thanks again guys!

Bren, is this an official comparison b/w the VP150 and your homebuilt Bren special?

How come I never see any tests of phantom center channels ? I want to know which one to get

go measure your TV top in milimeters for me.. then, once we know how much space you have, we can go do a 'phanton center channel' search on google, and see what comes up!!

bigjohn

In reply to:
Bren, is this an official comparison b/w the VP150 and your homebuilt Bren special?

The unofficial comparison is:

VP150
Woofers - 3 x 5.25" aluminum
Tweeters - 2 x 1" titanium
Impedence - 6 ohms
Max Amp Power - 400 watts
Impressions to come - bringing home an SPL meter tonight.

Bren Special
Woofers - 2 x 4.5" poly
Tweeters - 1 x 0.75" - I don't even remember
Impedence - 6 ohms
Impressions - marginal at best, probably on par with the Hsu Ventriloquist centre, just duller.
Max Amp Power - I may test this when I get more time, in a scientific study. Duty cycle of however fast I can connect and disconnect the speaker from a safe distance from the following power sources:
- Whatever Crown amps I find unused at work.
- automotive battery - 12VDC
- mains AC (115VAC and 220VAC)
- automotive ignition coil (GM HEI)
- arc welder (settings to be determined)

Bren R.