Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Bedroom system - question about center channel

Hi folks, first post. Go easy on me.

My wife and I recently put a plasma TV in the bedroom. It was meant to be a temporary setup as it's a bit large for the room (60" LG). The funny thing is that we've never before had a TV in the bedroom and we both discovered that we really like it and don't want to do without it. So now it's time for me to do something better than the built-in TV speakers.

I've done some searching for in-wall speakers and came across the Axioms. I like the looks, size, price, and folks seem to be pleased with the sound quality so I've pretty much decided on them.

Getting to the question. The room is 16.5' x 15.5'. The TV is on one of the wide walls and the bed is centered with the headboard up against the opposite wide-wall. This puts the listening position at about 14'.

I've pretty much decided on on/in wall M22's (W22's?) for the FL and FR. The QS8's seem to get the unanimous nod for the best bang-for-the-buck on the surrounds, I already have a sub, and I'm trying to decide what to do about the center.

I can fit an on/in wall VP100 either above or below the TV. I could fit an in/on wall M2 above the TV but not below it. (I don't want the TV pushed up to the ceiling. If the speaker gets mounted above the TV I will aim it down a bit). I could even barely fit another in/on wall M22 above the TV.

Given that the seating position is captive (the bed) and is dead center from the center speaker (no off axis problems), would a VP100 be ok here? This would be the aesthetic choice by far. I just don't want to leave some performance on the table by not going with an M2 or M22.

Thanks in advance folks.

Cary

Welcome, first time poster.

I know where you can pick up a VP100 in/on wall for dirt cheap.

Actually, it's mine and I'm selling it. In case you would be interested, it's in the Axiom auction area. There's no picture on the main screen but has pictures once you click on it. Hover mouse on products at top of this screen, go to bottom and click on "On Sale by auction" Then find in/on-wall, center, VP100.

Thanks CatBrat, I'd be all over it if it wasn't black. I have my heart set on the cherry finish as it matches the furniture better.

Were you unhappy with the VP100 or just upgrading because you can?

Cary

Welcome Cary. I think you'll be fine with a VP 100 or 150 (there's nothing wrong with those speakers), its just that from my personal experience you'd be better with an M2 or M22 center. I understand off-axis is not a concern for you, so one of the advantages goes away, but in my room I found the M2 to be a better match for the M22's on axis and better tonal qualities for both voice (male voice in particular) and brass instruments for music (i.e. big movie fanfare introductions). I didn't realise what I was giving up until I did back to back comparo - not double blind, but as unbiased as I could do within my setup. YMMV.

I'm swapping it out for a bookshelf M2 for 3 reasons. Two cb919 has already mentioned, the better tonal match and better off axis volume. The third reason, is I want a medium oak finish all around my TV instead of the black and cherry that I already have.

Replacing the hardwood floor, carpeting, doors and trim is also on my to-do list.

At least I did do some painting and made a new railing on the stairs in a medium oak finish. Trim will be white, probably.

not to take anything away from cat, but i would say that you don't really "need" a center, if you can get your imaging correct between the L/R. i have a center in my room, and i could have lived with out it.

Having a center gives you the ability to adjust the center channel volume up as required to enhance dialogue due to poor recordings.

I would go with the VP series in the bedroom as the likely hood of off axis listening is virtually nill and IMO, from an aestheics point of view, the horizontal center looks better.

dakkon, I agree that I don't *need* the center. I even tried running with a phantom center for awhile and it works. I found though that I like to bump the center by about 1-2db and I can't do it without the speaker there. It'll be worth the coin to me to add the center.

Cary

Cary, welcome. Yes, a "phantom" center can work very well; it's what we've listened to for many years on two-channel material from two front speakers. But, as Jason and you point out, one advantage of a separate center speaker is to be able to control the center channel volume independently of the mains. Of the possibilities that that you mention, I'd suggest an M2 above the screen tilted down; but if you propose to get the in-on wall model, how would you accomplish that?

Thanks John,
I was just thinking about how to accomplish that this morning. Looking at the on/in wall M2 manual, it appears that there is a mounting ring that fits into the drywall opening. This means that I'll need a solid surface of drywall thickness with some amount of clearance around the opening's edges. The only possibility, I believe, is to build a box to fit on the wall, that has both the proper sized opening in the front and tilted as well. Since the speaker needs to tilt down, the depth of the box will be greatest at the top and shallow at the bottom. It will certainly challenge my carpentry skills but I think I can do it and still not destroy the aesthetics.

Cary