Center Channel Speaker Question
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Well I'm slowly trying to get my 5.1 system together. All I need now is a center and surrounds.
I have definitely settled on the QS8's as surrounds.
I really wanted the VP150 just so everything matches. There are a lot of other centers out there that cost less than the VP150 and I am worried about the VP100 not doing the job with my M80's. I would only be using it for movies since I only do 2.1 for music.
My room is about 4000 cubic feet (extends into dining area). My question would be does anyone here use a different center speaker other than axiom with the M80's? and that cost less than the VP150?
May be a dumb question as timbre matching to the M80's should be obvious, but is timbre matching really that critical? I guess I'm asking if there is a better value out there...with the same or close to the performance of the VP150.
Thanks in advance.
Dduval
M80's, QS8's, M22's, CHT SHO-10, Dual CHT SS-18.1's, Onkyo NR3008, Mitsubishi WD-73740
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Re: Center Channel Speaker Question
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928 |
Timbre matching is important across the L/C/R, so you should stick with an Axiom centre imo. I think you'd find the VP100 adequate and a good match with your M80s from what has been posted before, I have a VP150 for the record but hopefully some 100 owners can give their take on it.
You could also consider using one(or more) of Axiom's bookshelf speakers as a centre too, don't forget.
Last edited by Adrian; 03/07/10 02:45 PM.
Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
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Re: Center Channel Speaker Question
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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 |
yep, it is best to stay with the same manufacturer across the front. The VP100 would probably work, or have you considered one of the bookshelf models standing vertically?
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350 AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Center Channel Speaker Question
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 578
aficionado
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aficionado
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 578 |
Money is Money, and believe me I don't have a lot/enough of it, but when it comes to decisions like yours, for the extra $200 versus staring at the speaker setup for 5 years wondering if I made the right choice, even if it sounds incredible...... personally I'm going for the extra $200, put off another purchase for a while, and take the indeciscion/wondering out of the equation so I can move on to the contentment part. Not to mention how far in you already are with the other speakers.
Last edited by wordgasm; 03/07/10 02:54 PM.
Fronts/Wides:M22s in/on Center:VP150/VP100 in/on Hghts,SS,SR:QS8s Sub:EP500 AVR:Onkyo 3008
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Re: Center Channel Speaker Question
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 349
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Yea, I hear ya guys. I better go for the VP150, if I ever move into a bigger house, I'll probably regret the VP100 or something that doesn't match. I always over analyze these decisions... The more I research the more confusion that sets in. Thanks, Dduval
M80's, QS8's, M22's, CHT SHO-10, Dual CHT SS-18.1's, Onkyo NR3008, Mitsubishi WD-73740
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Re: Center Channel Speaker Question
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928 |
You might even hold off for a bit, rumour has it(more than a rumour I think) that Axiom is testing a horizontal M80 centre as well...obviously will cost more than either of the VP's, if and when it comes out. Just thought I'd add that to your confusion, lol.
Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
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Re: Center Channel Speaker Question
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 349
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LOL...I can't wait to research it... Dduval
M80's, QS8's, M22's, CHT SHO-10, Dual CHT SS-18.1's, Onkyo NR3008, Mitsubishi WD-73740
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Re: Center Channel Speaker Question
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2006
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IMO how far you plan on sitting from your front speakers and how far apart (angle) they are have more impact on center speaker choice than just room size. The other factor is program material which you’ve already said will be mostly movies.
I’ve found that vertical speakers sound better for music (better imaging). Horizontal speakers often sound better for movies (better blending of the center with the mains) especially the closer I sit and the wider apart them mains are.
I’ve don’t a lot of fiddling with center speakers and found that for me the best match for the M80s in all respects is the M22 and it’s a fraction of the cost of the VP150 and even less than the VP100. So even if as it looks you are a better candidate for a VP speaker don’t discount the M22. If you’re curious and have the time to experiment it only costs about $15 to ship back an M22 and $20 to ship back a VP100/150 so it might be worth trying both especially if you sit fairly far back relative to the width of your mains.
Cheers, Dean
3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
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Re: Center Channel Speaker Question
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Thanks Dean,
That's interesting for sure. I just checked and I sit 11 feet from the M80's and 10 feet from the center. The way my avr/TV stand is the center sticks out some, should I bring the M80's "even" with the center? or does 1 foot matter?
$212.00 for the one M22 to have a good center would be great...
Dduval
M80's, QS8's, M22's, CHT SHO-10, Dual CHT SS-18.1's, Onkyo NR3008, Mitsubishi WD-73740
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Re: Center Channel Speaker Question
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
connoisseur
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connoisseur
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At that distance I don’t think one foot is going to matter as long as the distances are set in the processor. My L/R mains are 12’ and my center is 11.5’ from the center of my seating but they are all 11.5 away measured straight out from the row of seats.
Traditionally the front 3 speakers are suppose to form an arc all being the same distance from the listening position but I find with HT that’s problematic since the listening position is so wide. For me pulling the mains out to form an arc with the primary listening position makes each one stand out to much for the nearest seat. IMO the arc thing only works well if the placement of your mains is much wider than the seating. By all means tweak your positioning because you never know how thing will sound for your room/preferences.
At that distance I think you’re a great candidate for a M22 center. I only listen to stereo tracks in 2ch but for 5.1 audio (I know there’s not as much out that as I’d like) it’s my opinion that the M22 center is far superior to the VP150 (haven’t heard the VP100). IMO vertical centers are always superior to horizontal one for music.
BTW if you have the capability don’t cheat yourself on multi-channel music especially if you can play DTS or lossless audio tracks. I was just doing some tweaking of my mains and am constantly blown away at how much better my audio DVDs with 5.1 DTS tracks sound compared to 5.1 Dolby and 2.0 Dolby or PCM. Lets not even talk about how the lossless tracks that came on the demo disk with my Oppo BDP-83 sound.
My advice is that you order both M22 and VP150 and demo them both keeping the one you think works best. You’d only have to eat $15-$20 return shipping depending on which one you send back. Though you might not want to sent the M22 back even if it doesn’t suit you as a center. When I ordered a pair they were to compete with QS8s for the rear position in my apartment. The QS8s won due to the proximity to the seating. However, the M22s sounded so good I couldn’t send them back. Since then I’ve even used them as my mains in a smaller room and fell price for performance they are Axiom’s best speaker. They do however, need a subwoofer for the bottom end IMO.
Cheers, Dean
3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
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