Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners Using M22 in place of VP150 or VP100

Does anyone have any experience with using M22 in place of VP100 or 150 for center. I am relatively new to this stuff and working on going from HTIB to something better and Axiom is one option I am looking at. Based on reviews, sounds like Axiom makes really good mains and surrounds but centers are weak. I am thinking of M22 or M50 as mains, QS8 as surrounds and ???? as center. So yes, I am unsure about the center. I could either have M22 as center if that will sound better than the VPs.
Also, is anyone planning on upgrading their axiom speakers. I would be happy to buy used but in good working and cosmetic condition speakers. I am not very picky about color but don't want to go with lighter shades.

Welcome,

First off, if you read the forum rules you are not allowed to discuss "wanted" or "forsale" items. Use Ebay or other sites.

Secondly, you can disregard anything you've heard on AVSforum or other sites stating that the 150 and 100 are weak. Define weak? It is simply not true, at least in my opinion.

Ok, of course you could use an M22 for a center, vertical designed orientation, and not laying down as you will sacrifice its design purpose. 3 m22's upfront would be ideal, but a 22 would also work with the 50, 60, or 80's as they are the same brand drivers.

If you go floorstanding, you may want to consider the 60's. The 50's are nice, but some describe them as being a little more laid back compared to the detailed 22's or 60's or 80's.

The VPs are by no means bad speakers. I own the 100 and am rather pleased with it. Very detailed and accurate. Of course, it won't go as low as, say a bookshelf such as the M22, but does a very good job with dialog. Most owners of either the 100 or 150 are very pleased. It's ideal to have the mains match with the center, so if you can pull it off, then go for it. There are several members that use one of axioms bookshelf speakers for a center and are very pleased as well, hopefully they'll chime in.

Edit: sirquack beat me to it

Thanks guys, apologize for discussing 'wanted' on the forum, didnt know about the rule. (although, I wonder what is wrong with that, sellers may find buyers locally and vice versa, and people who know the value of item better, but oh well, sorry again). Does someone have experience with running a phantom center with M22s or M60/80? That is an option discussed on some forums too.

..also, I can see that VP150 has a nominal impudence of 6-Ohm. If the rest of my speakers are all 8-Ohm and my AVR is set to 8-Ohm, is the 6 ohm load going to hurt my AVR. Or should I change the AVR impedance to 6-Ohm, but will that affect performance of other 8-ohm speakers?

You would have to ask Axiom, it is their forum and they make the rules.

Many people run a Phantom center speaker, and it works very well if your in the center seat, however, as soon as you move to the left or right seat the illusion of the center collapses and does not work as well.

You don't tell us what receiver you have, however, AVRs don't care if a speaker is 8, 6, or even 4ohms, or any combination of these running in the same setup. Also, you want to leave your receiver switch on 8ohms, even if you have other speakers that are 6ohms in your setup, this reduces the voltage your receiver can supply.

Axiom clearly documents that their 6Omh speakers are compatible with 8Ohm systems (6Ohm is their lowest, not an average of highly variable impededence).

Ok then, here is a the same question for Axiom :). What is wrong with allowing wanted ads on the forum. Chances are that this will help Axiom community grow. People who end up going for other manufacturers because they can get a better price may end up going with Axiom if they can find axiom sellers. Most other forums have classified sections where people can buy and sell gear.

I will be driving the Axioms with a Yamaha RX-V663. Is there a huge difference between QS4s and QS8s (power handling)? I would not mind saving a few bucks if QS4s can do the job.

Tanks guys.

You may want to call them or send a PM, versus using the forums. This subject seems to keep coming up now and then by newbies, and I'm sure the answer can be found by using the search feature. Most "manufacturer" forums do not offer this, however, sites like AVSforum that use mass-marketing and affiliate programs do because they use advertising.

It is my guess that it is "legal" related. They do not want to be a component in a transaction between a buyer and a seller that may go south. Axioms are sold on Amazon and Ebay. Axiom offers a tradeup program as well as the factory outlet. You could always go that route.

On the wanted/for sale question... I've been here for awhile and admit I didn't know the rule either, so no big deal on the first post as I agree, it's a fair question with no malicious intent. But if those are the rules, why keep pushing it? If you want to ask Axiom directly, PM username Amie with your question and she can help address it. Unfortunately the rest of us are powerless to change the rules and just doing our best to respect what Axiom has put into place here. Now, with all that aside, if you want to ask questions about your speakers, we're here to help!

Personally, I have the Epic 80 setup and like the 150 as well. I've commented in other posts that I do notice it's off axis response is a bit less clear that directly on center, however, this is a very subtle effect and something I think you hear only if you know you're listening for it. (No one else who has visited my HT has ever commented on it)

I have not A/B tested the 4s versus the 8s, but the question comes up often and the general advice is that there is quite a significant difference between the two. I'll let others comment in more detail who actually have first-hand experience.

danmagicman7 did a big review which included QS4 vs QS8 acting as mains:

Comparison review


I'm starting to feel like a shill for dm7's opinions. This has got to be the third or fourth time I've linked to this thread in the last few months. I think I'm gonna just start using the link for a signature.

Well, lets see, from a manufacturers point of view if you allow used sales to happen on your site then chances are you are going to sell fewer new products which is what they are in business to do. Kind of makes sense. There are lots of other places to look for used products on the web.

If you have the room for a vertical center then by all means do it, and if 3 of the same will fit, ie. 3 M60s, that would be even better, otherwise you do what you can when it comes to center channels.

I have used a M22 in combination with my M80s for a center and it had a very wide dispersion compared to the narrower dispersion of the VP series, but that can be said against any horizontal design vs vertical design. I haven't noticed any drop in SQ when off axis with the VP series just a drop in loudness. Other than that there isn't much difference.

The farther back from a horizontal center you sit the better, as it will allow the dispersion of the center to make it out wide enough to cover all seating positions.

Prolly don't want for-sale/trade because it tends to overwhelm the boards. Too many posts, bumps, off-topics, etc. Just keeps the site cleaner for what it was intended. I applaud the rule.