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

Only if you have a wide/odd shaped listening area as the 180 still has the same horizontal dispersion problem all 'center' cahnnel speakers have. In my room I have one seating position that rests at, to slightly outside the main listening triangle and the 180 is a few db lower there, quite noticeable and somewhat irritating while trying to listen to softer dialogue. The M2 reached that area with the same DB level as I noted seated directly in front, so yes this would be desireable for better SQ at all litening positions.

The other option is to run an M60/M80 as a center, but we know many can't do this for one reason or another. I tried to get my wife to let me at least run an M60 but she thought the TV would be too high so I am left with this above and below option to hit all seating positions in my room and still achieve that dynamic range from the center that the VP180 brings to the system.

Jason,

So are you saying the VP180 is the better speaker from a dynamics perspective whereas the M2 is better for ensuring better dispersion across all seats?

I PM'ed you but maybe I'll post it here as well. For my arrangement where I'm placing the speaker directly above my TV and all of my seating is withing the "golden" triangle, would you recommend a single M2 or a single VP180? You've heard the VP180 in my room but not the M2.

I've obviously purchased the VP180 already and my 30 day period just expired yesterday. But I can physically run an M2 above my TV since I don't have any height restrictions. But I do have a weight restriction and the VP180 is right at the edge of what my shelf can hold. I've reinforced it and it seems to bear the weight as it didn't seem to have any issues for the 2 weeks it was placed on the shelf.

Aesthetically I think the VP180 will look better as it fills the space and looks quite imposing Do you think the dynamics and lower extension of the VP180 outweigh it's dispersion issues if all seats are within the speaker triangle? Or would an M2 be the better choice?

Anyone else have an opinion?

Bryan

In your room the 180 should be all you need.

And really in my room other than that one seat, the 180 works fantastic. I know I will get a 180. I doubt I will ever run the dual M2 scenario above my TV to reach that single listening postion unless I have an amp with volume control to run the centers of off. I am pretty sure my wife would veto any dual configuration above the TV. I wonder if we could talk Ian into producing a 4 ohm M2 just for this purpose?

Yes Bryan, that is what Jason is saying. It’s also why he and I both believe an M80 or M60 center is superior to a VP180 if you have seating that is far off center. I think that using M2s above and a VP180 below is an interesting idea to get the best of both designs when not able to use a tower center.

IMO if you are not hearing any horizontal dispersion related issues like a drop in SPL when moving off center then unless you have an exceptionally tall screen I don’t think you would benefit from an over under M2/VP180 arrangement and would just stick to the VP180. The advantage of over/under for a very large screen is it will center most of the center channel information (except for the bass which is less directional anyway) on the screen. IMO it gives you a more “wall-of-sound” effect that is more movie theater like than just putting speakers below a screen. A similar but not as tall “wall-of-sound” can be achieved by using an AT screen and putting the speakers behind it.

If I wasn't working on my HT in the downstairs room, I'd have a VP180 in-cabinet version on-order right now, to put below my TV, replacing the on-in wall VP100. I think it would go really good with my 2 sets of vertically aligned M22's. (See link on signature line)

Order it now so you can get used to the install process and enjoy it's great sound now while you wait for the funds to replenish for the HT room .

Nah. Tempting, but it'll just put me $700 behind my HT project, and it has a long ways to go. Tonight, I'm tearing out paneling flanking the fireplace and bagging up old blown-in insulation. Fun-fun. When I did the wall on the opposite side of the room on Sunday, My gloves and black coat were white with all of the dust. They cleaned up good in the washer, though.

That reminds me, I need to stop and buy more face mask breathing filters.