Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners QS8s vs. ERD-1 vs. FXi A4 vs. ADP-590

If you buy one then return it you only pay postage one way, just that initial cost for the purchase to overcome but cheaper overall.

I was reading up more on comb filtering and came across this article, interesting read:
http://www.realtraps.com/art_spaces.htm

Thanks for the good luck wish on the bar exam, I will happily accept it.

After looking at more comb filtering effect research, I am still leaning toward the upside down T-shape idea with the horizontal VP-180 just below the TV, angled slightly up toward the ear level at the seated position and the vertical M80 above the TV, angled down toward the ear level at the seated viewing position.

As far as options go, it seems to me that you could have, as you mentioned, one VP-180 horizontally above and below the screen. You could rock two vertical M80s either side of the TV or have one vertical M80 above and one below.

The two alignments that seem most efficient are 1)the VP-180s above and below and 2)the VP-180 below and the M80 above. And since other posters have suggested that the off-axis issue is most effectively addressed with the vertical speaker, that seems to be the best solution (if I can successfully concoct an effective wall mount for the angled M80 above the screen).
I may have to tap my best friend of many years who does custom cabinets and entertainment centers for help on that project.

I think that's serious overkill. I would try a single VP180 or a single M80 first before deciding you need multiple speakers for the center channel.

Ken's got a good point, but it's fun going overkill - especially with someone else's money! Now, how would you go about with a quad-center channel arrangement... ?

Seriously though, 3 M80's or other good vertical speaker equivalent across the front would be the ideal. I think adding to that might start to make the center channel sound different than the L&R channels which defeats the purpose of this exercise. The double center idea makes most sense to me when you're asking smaller center channel speakers to 'keep up' with larger L&R speakers. If they're all already equal, I am not sure what you'd gain by adding another speaker.

A lot of pain in calibrating? Also extra dough for an extra amp channel.

I also think it's overkill. If you can accommodate 3 M80s across the front, that would be the way to go and I see no point in even considering the VP180. The VP180 is meant for those of us that can't accommodate a M80 as a center and is an attempt to make a horizontal speaker sound as good as the M80 (and a success IMO). It is nevertheless a horizontal speaker and therefore, even though its off-axis is good, it will never be as good as the M80. I think you'll be very happy with either setup and no extra center would be needed.

First, let me echo the sentiments of those above who say that a dual M80/VP180 configuration is overkill. However, . . . yes there’s always a “however,” if money is no object (i.e. there’s nothing better you can think of to spend the extra money on) then the idea of a dual M80/VP180 configuration has also intrigued me based on extensive listening to both vertical and horizontal center configurations. This is the best configuration I came up with when I lived in an apartment (scroll down for the pictures):

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=218171&Searchpage=4&Main=15077&Words=%2Bm80+%2Babove&Search=true#Post218171

Here is my present configuration:

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthre...true#Post309421

If you want all the details you can read through those threads but here is what I’ve found in a nutshell. 3 identical tower speakers on the same plain across the front are the best for music hands down. Having one of the vertical towers above the screen (as long as the midrange drivers aren’t far apart) creates a nice wall of sound that sounds equally good for both music and movies, but can cause a lead singer and drummer to sound like they are on a dais. Having a horizontal center speaker above the screen creates an even bigger wall of sound effect than a vertical center above the screen which can sound great for movies but smears the front soundstage for well recorded music. A horizontal center speaker below the screen creates a more seamless soundstage for movies though not as big as above than a single or dual (side-by-side) vertical center but causes the same smearing for music. A dual vertical above and horizontal below center creates the biggest soundstage but also suffers from the smearing of music. The best of all worlds that I have found so far is a dual center vertical below (actually on the same plain as the mains) and horizontal above, selectable so the horizontal can be turned off for music and on for movies gives the best of all worlds. . . seamless music and huge front soundstage for movies (very “movie-theater-like”).

The only reason I haven’t purchased a VP180 for above my screen yet is that I have other additions which I think will add more to the mix and the fact that I will need to beef up the circuits feeding my AV room because they are already stretched to the limit with what I’ve got.

So yes it is overkill. You may find an extra subwoofer, Buttkicker, midbass module, curtains, or any number of other things would be a better use of the money but if you want what is IMO the ideal setup, especially if you have a large screen then dual vertical under horizontal over selectable for vertical only or both is the best of all worlds.

Yeah, it sounds like when it comes to the dual center stage (ideally sometime next fall if all goes well), I will add the third M80 and I will have it on the floor with the front two, then mount the VP 180 above the screen (which should not need much angling, if at all). Until then, I'll keep the VP 180 under the screen.

I heard back from the gentleman who is going to let me audition his Axiom setup, sounds like maybe next week sometime, I'm excited.

If you do get a chance to hear those two head to head, please post your thoughts, I would love to hear them.