Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater M2v3/VP150v2/VP180v3 center channel comparison

Jakewash,

Did you have a sub on when you were doing comparisons? I'm just wondering what the difference is with a sub in the picture (and maybe you did have this).

Jason, nice review. This VP180 looks very nice on you stand

Nick, I did have my PB13 Ultra on while listening.

Casey, thanks for bringing up the sensitivity difference. I had considered it, but dismissed it as I was thinking about only better SQ on the outer seats so the M2 would be able to reach those areas with better SPL than the VP180 was doing, however it might be a wash as the difference in sensitivity is about the same as the drop in SPL at that seat. But as you said running the center channel M2 through a seperate amp with volume control(pro amp) would solve this problem quite nicely. I still might try this today we will see, the chores for the day are already starting to pile up, more snow arrived overnight

Thanks Bruno, I think it is a very nice fit, much better than the VP150

One other test I had thought of doing was stand the VP180 up on end and try it as another M80.

Good read, thanks Jason.

Wasn't Mike (micheal_d) considering two 180s for above and below his screen?

That's the review I'm curious about.

Michael?

Jay,

I agree that I'll be more than happy with the VP180 replacing my VP150. I've come to the conclusion that the perceived issues I was having with it were related to the source material and the improved presentation of it with my new Audyssey-enabled receiver. Having run the VP150 for a week in its stead I've come to appreciate and understand the differences Audyssey has done in my room and that the VP150 is exhibiting the same characteristics the VP180 was demonstrating with Audyssey.

I do have to say that my VP150 sounds better with Audyssey now that I've gotten used to it and have educated myself on what I should be hearing. It's much better now with cable TV as it appears Audyssey has tamed some of the over-emphasized sibilance. Now I get a truer sense of the source material with Audyssey in place. So I'm looking forward to putting more time in with the VP180 in the place of the VP150.

BTW - having seen the VP180, in person, at your house I can say it looks very good. Looking at the pictueres you posted I have to say that when I was at your place I never noticed the Axiom plaque on the wall above your TV. Nice!

Did you try different crossovers with the VP180? Or only 40 Hz? Which do you prefer?

When you are done with the center channel experiments we should experiment with my surround channels - trying them up higher and on the back wall. Could be interesting...

Bryan

I just left the VP180 at 40 hz as that is where the mains are set to. This way I was assured of the best seemless front soundstage I could hope for, at least that was my thought. Not sure how much of a difference a 60hz setting with the center would detract from the front sound, most likely not much.

[quote=MarkSJohnsonNow we're going to be reviewing reviews.

Of course, that will lead to reviewing reviews of reviews...

Of course, THAT will then lead to......

drinking. [/quote]
I vote for the readers digest version. Skip directly to the drinking...

Crap! My seating is all inside the triangle. Now I can't wrap myself in the moral superiority of knowing that my horizontal centers are the best solution for my situation.

Thanks for the great comparison Jason. By any chance did you or can you stand the VP180 on end to see how the effects the horizontal dispersion. It would be nice if the speaker worker equally or nearly as well in either orientation in blending with the M80s but had the flexibility of both. That could make it superior to even having an M80 center.

I thought about it, but my room is too small. I cut out some cardboard boxes to size and didn't like the way they looked. I'm pretty happy with my current center channel arrangement anyway. Saving my pennies for a different type of toy right now too.