Finally have the M22 in the house. Now I'm looking to see if I can find a matching center.
been looking at Energy CC3, Paradigm CC470. Any one has some suggestions ? Thanks !
(for some non-audio reasons I can't have the vp150.)
Having owned M22's and given you can't have the VP150, my vote would be for a single M22. Some will say the VP100 and that would work but the M22 may be a better solution.
P.S...................Why can't you have the VP150?
Thanks. I'm not sure if a single M22 can have a wide dispersion that I would like it to have... the viewing area is abt 18 ft wide, I need something that's quite capable...
(as to the vp150, it really has much to do with my other half...)
if u cant do vp150, try the vp100
if your spouse is worried about the shape of a center channel, well, they're ALL the same shape, really. just a rectangular horizontal box.
Can you give more info as to size needed? Placement issues? In other words, what' physically wrong? Other than WAF.
In reply to:
the viewing area is abt 18 ft wide, I need something that's quite capable...
Screen size is 18 feet wide or the room? If it's the room, any decent center will work as will a single M22. If your talking an 18 foot screen, WOW but still no biggie. Two M22's will do it just fine or two VP100's.
18 ft is just the width of the room. (The screen is 10 ft wide). The cabinet opening has a max size of abt 2ft long, the vp150 can't fit. We decided on the design of the wall based on some assumptions on the spkers. Now they are already made, she feels it's wrong to spend extra to modify/redo the cabinet. Well it was really my mistake, as my initial plan were the Paradigms. (In fact I already modified it a bit to put in the M22, but that's quite easy)
back to the issue, so a vp100 is okay ? I read the vp150 is significantly better than the vp100... ?
I have the vp100 and I have heard the PSB 8C which is a bit larger than the vp100. The clarity of the Axiom CC is very noticeable compared to the PSB. I don't know for sure, but I think you are going to have a hard time bettering the quality of the VP100 in this price range. I think it is a very good center channel. I use it in a room with dimensions 12x20 ft. I don't know if it will give you the wide dispersion you are looking for, but dialogue will be a clear as a bell. It does music darn good, also. I would suggest that you give it a try, you got 30 days to decided if it will cut the mustard. Return shipping on this item wouldn't make much of a dent, either.
I agree with Littleb. Order one, If you don't like it the return freight will be nominal. You might need to tilt the speaker up or down (aim at listening height).
The main benefit of the VP150 seems to be in larger rooms. It can play a bit louder and (presumablly because the drivers aren't working as hard) is reported to sound more "open" at high volumes.
People who A/B'ed VP100 and VP150 in small/medium rooms tended not to hear any difference. People who A/B'ed in large rooms tended to think the VP150 was better in the ways described above. If you have a "wide angle" listening area (wide but close to the screen) the VP150 is also supposed to be a bit better because of wider dispersion.
I have a VP100 myself and am very happy with it.
If you're looking for something "better" (albeit more expensive) the high end Paradigms (CC-470 and up) and the Rocket Bigfoot both get really good reviews but do both cost quite a bit more than the Axioms.
The Bigfoot is supposed to be the better of the two but since the Bigfoot is essentially an M60 layed out in center channel configuration (a) it's kinda big and (b) it's hardly surprising
I doubt a Bigfoot will fit in your cabinet but the Paradigm might. I don't think you will find a big "sound quality" difference between the Paradigm and the VP-100 but IIRC the woofers in the CC-470 are larger (more like the 6-1/2" woofers from Axiom) so the CC-470 seems to be able to play better at high volumes than VP100 as a result (as can a VP150).
Aperion Audio has several centers, 422, 522C, 522VAC.
Aperion
Also 30 day trial and I think they pay frt both ways.
the bigfoot is big, so out... I'm willing to spend the extra for the Paradigm 470. however I found the dialog is not so clear. Kind of muffled with the background music/noise.
hmm I think I can just give vp100 a try.. if it's the same as the vp150 in lower volume then it will be perfect.
btw I read in the specs the vp150 has +-3db to as low as 85hz, whereas the vp100 is 95hz, that seems quite significant , no ? With the vp100 I probably have to cross the sub at 100hz. (The paradigm 470 is speced to reach 65hz. )
>>I'm willing to spend the extra for the Paradigm 470. however I found the dialog is not so clear. Kind of muffled with the background music/noise.
It's possible. I have heard the corresponding mains (Studio 20) and thought they were pretty good (if a bit bass heavy) but haven't had a chance to listen to the CC-470 myself. Some of my friends had listened to both CC-370 (using the Monitor drivers) and CC-470 (using the Studio drivers) and felt that the 470 midrange was more clear than the 370. I did think the CC-370 midrange was a bit dull.
>>I read in the specs the vp150 has +-3db to as low as 85hz, whereas the vp100 is 95hz, that seems quite significant , no ? With the vp100 I probably have to cross the sub at 100hz. (The paradigm 470 is speced to reach 65hz. )
I have an HK receiver so crossing the center over at 100 Hz doesn't bother me -- mains/center/surround can all have a different crossover frequency on an HK.
I think I remember some people here running VP100 at 80 Hz crossover with good results but I'm not 100% sure of that.
I am still running my M2s as mains in the HT system for a few more days (until I haul the M60s downstairs again) so I just have everything crossed over at 100Hz. The M2s are fine with an 80 Hz crossover but the 100Hz setting keeps a bit more bass out of those wittle woofers and keeps them sounding good at slightly higher music volumes.
I've got another vote for the VP100. I didn't expect to hear that much of a difference when we got ours, but it really is fantastic.
I haven't heard many of the other non-Axiom products under consideration. but I would get a Polk Audio CSi5. It is exactly 24" wide and is a horse of a center channel (weighs 9 pounds more than a VP150) that will come in handy in a big room. I have M22s in another room. They sound very similar only the CSi5 seems to push more air. I seem to be the only Polk fan around here, but I generally find the 2 companies and their products similar. I just think that Axiom - in general - gives you a little more for your money because they sell direct. With that being said, my best guess is that the CSi5 at a list price of $480 (but now available for $399) is similar to the VP150 listed at $385. But I wouldn't trade my CSi5 for a VP150 (and I'm sure nobody here that owns a VP150 would want be on the other end of that trade, either).
So, bottom line - you probably wouldn't regret getting a VP100 (or any of the other excellent choices that have been mentioned), but if you are really in a big room and a CSi5 will fit your shelf space that's what I would get.
bugbitten: thanks. (To be honest I've never heard of Aperio. ) It looks very decent (even has one more mid range drive). A bit strange there aren't many reviews on them.
foghorn: thanks I will look at the CSi5. The size is just nice.
bridgman: u have just pointed out my problem. I had a pio 55txi. It can't do individual xovers. I definitely dun want to cross at 100, so even with the vp100, I will cross it at 80 and see what happens. (Btw for Vp150, do most ppl here cross at 90 or 80 ?)
My listening area is not big, but short and "wide". I understand for this I need a wide dispersion. Actually I'm not sure what's the typical dispersion range of the dedicated center.
I've heard people use 2 center channels....how is this done?
I mean...the receiver has one set of output for a center channel, how would you connect it?
I would like to connect 2 M22s as my center channel...
With M22s or any other 8 ohm speaker you normally wire the two centers in parallel.... wires go from receiver to one speaker, then continue (red to red, black to black) to the second speaker.
With 6 or 4 ohm speakers you would probably want to wire them in series instead to keep the total impedence within a range that your receiver/amp could handle.
Thanks Bridgman...I will try that!
I have heard there are problems with running in series (I don't remember what they are, though).