I wasn't sure where to put this, but wanted to start a separate thread.

I noticed when SRoode posted pictures of his VP180 that it has a v3 designation.

What's up with that?

Maybe this is the 3rd version of it after the first 2 failed listening tests or we are about to see a full speaker lineup redesignation to v3.

We've dropped the "v3" designation. When we were first referring to it around Axiom, out of habit we attached the "v3". When I wrote the Owners Club newsletter release, I deleted all the "v3" references because it's not relevant. The VP180 is new; it's not a later variant of an earlier model.

Cheers,
Alan

Thanks, Alan.

Ahh, should have read this thread before posting in the other. I jump guns.

Do we know what it costs?

Need Home Minister to approve..

$695 — just $30 more than buying a single M80.

And, with the "limited" edition V3 label, you can have a collectors item that will no doubt gain in value!
(just like when the first posters of Revenge of the Jedi were released and the name got changed to Return of the Jedi and now the originals are worth tons).

I just prefer to think mine came from the future...

Does that price include the stand? Since it is ported, cannot put it on the same place as the VP150.

Avi, the pair of Axiom stands runs $240($200 now for pre-order).

Now where is the pre-order link? or is it call only?

You have to be in the owner's club. I suggest contacting Peter Bright if you're not.

Thnx Ken. can i have his ID or email?

I thought if you buy Axiom, u become a member of the elite owner's club

Avi, you should be able to join the owners club online, that's how I did it. I think you do it when you register the serial #'s on your speakers, if not try Ken's suggestion.

Thnx Adrian.

I will do that.

I wonder why they charge more for this than a single M80, it is essentially the same as an M80, same number of drivers, uses essentially the same amount of MDF etc.

One more port, magnetic grille?

Ah, I forgot about the mag grille, that alone is worth the cost difference to me. Now when will the rest of the speakers come with mag grilles? M80s have 3 ports as well, one in front 2 in back

Oh, I didn't even bother to double-check that fact. I'm sooooo lazy.

Not that it matters, but I thought I read that although the labels were misprinted with V3, they were going to continue to use them...

...only if your name is Marty McFly

Me too, wondering if/when the rest of the lineup will have matching mag grilles.

Is it possible the cost is reflective of the fact that they won't sell as many VP180's as the M80's? Even if they get the same number of orders for each, the physical number of M80's being manufactured is still double that of the VP180 because the M80's are sold in pairs. Either that or more resources and/or costs were involved in the R&D and manufacturing of the VP180.

Plus, the cost of shipping is built into the product's price. Axiom gets a break when shipping multiple items to one location. The 5-item discount is actually coming off the shipping, not the equipment.

Yes, that too.

When my wife asked me where the "black thing" was for the VP180, and where were the holes to attach it, I explained that the pre-release VP180 that I have did not come with the grille yet since Ian said they are still in manufacture. My wife then asked me the same question about the mag grilles (will they change the rest of their lineup to include them)? I didn't know.

Also, there will be a number of people will still choose a different centre as well as those individuals who just want a good pair of stereo/two channel speakers, so there will always be substancially more M80 Towers sold than VP180 centres.

I am hoping once the word gets around of how good a speaker this really is, it will become very popular. It is really hard to find a center channel that can extend this low, and I would be willing to bet this is one of the largest consumer centers made. Reminds me a little of "Field of Dreams"... If you build it, they will come.

There are some good (and big) centres out there that should perform similarly, but at double the cost or more.

I believe the VP180 will bring new customers into the fold, likely people who were sitting on the fence about purchasing a pair of Axiom M60s/80s based on some reviews(and heresay) of the VP150. It would appear that the VP150 may be better suited to the M22s, where the new VP180 is clearly meant to compliment the towers.

Paradigm immediately comes to mind. Their bigger centres are basically a reconfigured tower layed horizontal like the VP180.

I have always liked the big Paradigm centers, but at the price they wanted the VP150 was good enough.

I just wanted to clarify your comment for lurkers. The M80s are also sold singly though you’re right that people generally buy them in pairs.



This is not directed at you nor anyone else who has found their VP150 lacking when compared to the M80s, I’m just picking up on your comment and wondering how many of those who have claimed that anyone noticing a difference between their M80s and VP150 just hadn’t set it up correctly are going to upgrade to the VP180 and talk about how much better it sounds.

I'm very much debating on getting the new VP180 vs my VP150, especially hearing Steve's positive report. The one time I can really say that I notice a difference between the M80s and my 150 is when I run Audyssey, there seems to be a pitch difference as the test tone switches to the centre channel. I'm thinking that the new centre would be virtually seemless in that respect.

Test tones are a bad indicator of tonal balance. Just having speakers in different positions can make test tones sound different. Even identical speakers like my front 3 M80s sound different as test tones play on them. The best way short of demoing one to see if it might make a difference is to play a phantom center with your M80s. If you hear a noticeable improvement at the sweet spot in the center channel played in stereo on your M80s then you might benefit from upgrading to a VP180.