I would try to raise it if possible. What type of screen aspect ratio are you using, that seems tall for the given wall. Maybe go with a 2.35 or smaller 16:9 screen so you can raise the center up.
The screen is 16:9 and it's at the optimum height for my seats. Here's a photo of my old set-up. The fabric ceiling panels hide all the cables. In the renovated room the cables will be hidden inside black crown molding and it will appear that there is more space above the screen.
I don't think I can modify the stand I have for the VP150. The VP160 is a monster and I'd be afraid of it being too top heavy for the old stand.
This is another option if you want some extra tilting, which the Axiom doesn't seem to do.
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?PartNumber=240-808 It should be close to the right height. I bought some steel speaker stands from PartsExpress for my M22's several years ago. I don't know which brand now, but they are so beefy that I feel confident standing on them myself. This center channel stand is probably not quite as sturdy since it can tilt as well, but should be fine for the VP160.
Though, the price of this is so close to the one from Axiom, you may just want to go with that one, since you live in Canada. I just noticed that you can enter a custom height when ordering it and the cost is the same, so the Axiom stand may be the best way to go.
