Yes....correct.

One more suggestion, though: Using that center channel speaker is going to hurt the potential sound quality overall. I would remove it, and set your receiver to output a phantom center image.

This means, when you don't have a benter speaker, that your receiver splits the center channel info between your L and R main speakers...in this case, much more capable speakers.

There's a lot of info on the center channel, and putting that through that small speaker will hold you back.

Alright, I've got no clue how to set that up on the Amp but I'll give it a shot. I think it's time to sell the Energy and get me a new center chan.

Any suggestions that would mate well with M80's and M22's?

Thanks, you're all a great help!

First choice: VP180
Second choice: VP160

Phantom center: Just disconnect the center speaker from AVR, then rerun any sound calibration that comes with the receiver, such as Audyssey, MCACC, etc.

the 180, is basically an M80 on it's side, with a slightly different driver configuration...


And, it's FREAKING awsome.......

What about the VP150?

Price is good, it's big enough (27")
Do the 160 and 180 really pound that much harder?

The VP100 and the VP150 is a good match for the M22's.

For anything bigger, you really want more oomph that only the 160 and 180 can give you.

I'm using the 160 with M22's with good results.

It's not about how much bass they put out; it's more about the full sound spectrum that the 180 can cover. It’s hard to put into words; due to the significant amount of audio material in the Center channel of almost any content one watches. Having a full sized center channel is the ideal situation. The dialog from conversations, as well as musical content coming from the center channel is much more realistic with a speaker that has a larger frequency response.. It’s more of a “presence” issue than a bass issue. I had a VP-150 for many years with my M60’s, and always felt that the 150 was not enough speaker to match the over -all output of the M60’s.. With a similar sized speaker the entire sound stage can be better balanced….


That is my rational for getting my 180…

But it's a monster lol!

I'll need a whole new stand just for that speaker.
What to do..

One more question fellas, Having 5 speakers setup vs having only 2 connected, puts more stress on the Amp ?

I think the 150 would be a fine match, especially in that room, it is more for dialog in movies. I owned one for many years with my m60's and leter m80's, in my bigger room, it it was fine.

Chris, the idea is to have the speakers maybe an inch in front of the stand surface to minimize reflections and refractions. With the current Energy center, bring it forward and stand it up vertically.

The suggestion to try the M80s to form a "phantom" center is a good one. This is done simply by setting the center speaker "None" in the 888's speaker setup menu. Any center channel material is then automatically sent equally to the two mains which create the image midway between them. The advantages of a separate center speaker include keeping the image in the center for listeners off-center(the "phantom" shifts with the listener)and the ability to set it louder independent of the mains to compensate for dialog set too low in a movie.

For a better center speaker, the VP160 or VP180 would be fine, but a more economical choice that would do the job is a vertical M22 that essentially matches the M80 above the bass area. Your stand appears to be about 20" high, which would be ideal to make the M22 also match the M80 height. You could experiment with one of your present M22s, or even use both of them side-by-side.

If you have other Energy speakers, they could be used as surrounds. Using those speakers at close range as surrounds in your small room might justify experimenting with placing them to the side of the listening position, but facing toward the back wall to get a more diffuse sound suitable for surround effects.