Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: Mar 2007
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I have a question regarding the VP150 centre channel. I currently have a 5.1 system and I'm finding my current centre channel to not be up-to-par with the rest of the system. I have an older polk audio CS350 centre. The other speakers are also polk audio from about 12 years ago. I'm not sure if anyone is familiar with the CS350 but I was wondering if someone could give me an honest opinion on if the VP150 would be an upgrade. I know Axiom has a 30 day return policy,which makes trying very tempting. The CS350 has matching tweeters to my other speaker, but I'm not sure how important that is. The problem I'm having is that although the speaker is spec'ed to go quite low, the bass and lower mid range (<~300 Hz) is not great. So even using my EP500 for the bass below 100Hz there is still the low mid range that makes the voices sound unnatural. The speaker sounds small because it obviously creates a lot of harmonics at the lower freqs that make the sound muddy or coloured. The VP150 isn't spec'ed as low as the CS350, but is the freq response it does provide very clean? I'm not sure if it is important but I'm driving each channel with Bryston amps. What do you think? Do you think I'd be getting an upgrade? I don't want to waste anyone's time or money.
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Re: Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 10,420
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Dec 2003
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I think the problem might be the Center Channel itself. Possibly a positioning issue. Have you tried it above and below the TV. Swap in one of your other speakers to see if the amp is driving the center the same as the rest.
I would like to think the VP150 would be an upgrade but I have not heard any polks recently. I did hear some when I was researching for my HT system 3-4yrs ago and found the Axioms to be just that much cleaner, more detailed than the Polks.
Jason M80 v2 VP160 v3 QS8 v2 PB13 Ultra Denon 3808 Samsung 85" Q70
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Re: Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654 |
Jim, welcome. You're probably not going to find anyone here who's familiar with the CS350, and you'll find quite a few who're well-satisfied with their VP150. Before you make a speaker change you should, as mentioned, experiment with placement if you haven't already done so. Another suggestion, if you're more satisfied with your mains, is to set your receiver to show no center speaker, which will send the center material to the mains to produce a "phantom" center.
-----------------------------------
Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
newbie
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2007
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I have ordered the VP150 so we'll see how I like it I'll post my impressions when I get it. I'm most interested in surround music (SACD and DVD-A), so I need a dedicated centre channel. I'm fairly stuck with the placement also, but have it alligned with the tweeters of the mains. If I like the VP150, my next question will be if the M80 will be a good upgrade to my mains. Their much more expensive to return if I don't like them so I'm a bit more hesitent to try. We'll see how it goes with the VP150 first.
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Re: Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
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For anyone interested, I did receive VP150. I had it in my system only an hour before giving up and returninging. No it wasn't that bad, but I was disappointed that it wasn't a real upgrade on my Polk. The muddiness in the lower mid range of my polk was not there on the axiom, but the overall sound lacked something my Polk's had. The highs were not as natural. The return process was easy and the Axiom people are very helpful and friendly.
I did stumble on a local Swan speaker dealer in Tampa (Swan Home Theatre). I read about swans which general got good reviews as did the axioms but I was very excited I could listen before buying. I fell in love with the T700's for my mains. I got the matching center T600c, and returned a couple weeks later to get another pair of T700 for the rears. For the price you can't beat it. The ribbon tweeter has amazing clarity and detail. I'm into music not so much movies. The separation of instruments and detail of cymbals is amazing. If anyone is in the Tampa area I really suggest you check them out. Very friendly and great prices. The only other speakers I'd heard that I liked were in the +$5k range (B&W 800's, Paradigm Sig). The swan T700 were about the same price as the axiom M80's. I haven't heard the Axiom M80's so I can't compare as I didn't want to risk the return shipping. I do perfer the T600c center over the VP150 and my polf CS350. It's not in the same league as the T700's but at a similar price to the VP150 it's a great deal. If anyone wants more info let me know.
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Re: Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490 Likes: 116
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Hi James,
The important thing is that you found components that you are happy with. I would very much have liked to audition Swans but there are no dealers where I live and I couldn't get anyone to service me over the phone or e-mail. Thanks for the update and enjoy the music!
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Re: Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
Sorry you didn't like your VP150. I know this is a stupid question, but did you calibrate your system? Man, when I listen to my music CD's that are done in 5.1 or above my VP150 sounds fabulous. I have a music background and have no complaints, that is for sure.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490 Likes: 116
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,490 Likes: 116 |
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Re: Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4
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I did a level cal and did play around with the x-over points. I have an EP500 which I do like (despite an issue which Axiom is currently helping me solve). To compare the centers I put my processor (Bryston SP2) in mono and listened to some cds using just the one channel. The amp I was using was one channel of my Bryston 6B. I switched back and forth between the Polk and the Axiom, and although they did sound different I'd only give the VP150 the edge by a small amount. If I compare by cost the Polk was $500 over 10 years ago, while the Axiom is only $400 today so that alone is a good deal. Just wanted to point out the Swan option to those looking in the Axiom price range.
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Re: Axiom VP150 vs Polk CS350
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,840 Likes: 13 |
It usually takes a little time before your ears/brain get used to new speakers.
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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