Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Advice from Axiom Owners VP180 questions

Hello all,

I am considering upgrading my VP150 to the VP180 and I have a few questions that some current owners can hopefully help me out with.

I am currently powering my setup with a Pioneer Elite 94txh. I am running M22 mains, the VP150 center, QS8 side and rear surrounds, and the SVS PB13 Ultra sub.

1. The VP180 is a 4 OHM load speaker and can handle some juice so will I be able to utilize a somewhat decent amount of the speakers potential with the 94txh? Is anyone running this monster off of an AVR? I would eventually like to move to a system of separates, but unfortunately that is not going to be possible for me anytime in the near future due to budget constraints

2. If anyone has moved up from the 150 to the 180 was it a very noticeable difference? I have found a few posts on here with positive impressions. I guess I am trying to make myself feel better about dropping the cash on this bad boy. I will be able to sell the 150 to offset the cost a little though.

I am happy with the m22s as my mains since I use my system for 98% movies and gaming. So I do not feel the need to bump up my mains. I figure that the center upgrade would make the biggest impact for me at this point in time.

Thanks in advance for any input given!

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=313713&page=1

read this thread, i tried to find the original vp-180 thread, but was not able to find it... the general consensus is the VP-150 does not even compare to the 180.

when i upgraded, the difference was so huge, that i wished they had come out with the 180 many years ago.....

Thanks Dakkon... What are you using to run it? An AVR or separate amp?

Steve, with the disclaimer that I've never used a VP180, I can't imagine you having problems running it from an Elite AVR. Now, if you were ALSO running M80s and had a lesser AVR, there might be cause for concern... but I feel confident that you'll be fine.

If you look at the specs of most floor standing/full range speakers of generally the vast majority of manufacturers out there, what you will find is these models will have a higher SPL rating , i.e. it will take less power to drive them at a similar volume level as compared to a bookshelf, smaller design. Such is the case with the VP180.

I am afraid though, once you get used to a speaker of this size, frequency range and power handling capability, you will be tempted to go the full range floor standing (M60s/M80s)route. Whether its movies or music, it just seems to happen that way.

The VP150 is a AAA speaker, the VP180 is a MVP in the major leagues. There really is no comparison.

I run M80s and VP180 from my AVR without any issues. The levels at where the amp start clipping are higher than what I can handle for a long period of time. For example, on most BD, the amp will start clipping around +5 on the dial and usually when I want to watch a movie loud, I watch it at -8. Keep in mind my room is fairly small (20x11ft). If your room is big and you listen loud, then you might need separates. Try it fist with your current AVR and see how it goes.
And yes, the 180 is a huge improvement over the 150 (in both size and performance )

Dude, start a thread in the water cooler section. This is even weirder than cars and walls.

Separate amp, 250W @ 8 ohms 500W@ 4 ohms...

The 180 gets all the power it could ever want... i don't know that there would be an audible difference between an AVR and Separate, just that with the separate the speaker will the extra power it wants if you have a large room to fill.

From talking with Brent, 90+% of axioms customers use AVR's to power their equipment, if the amp section on your AVR is rated for 4ohms, you should be fine. I would try the AVR before dropping cash on a separate amp, I would say only buy a separate amp if you are driving your AVR amp into the clipping region...

here are some photos for you vp-150 on top, vp-180 on bottom.

Steve, your 94TXH can use all of the "potential" of the VP180 which is needed for all safe hearing levels. Speakers of this capability have the potential to be played at levels which cause permanent hearing damage, which is one potential which should remain untapped.

Thanks for the input everybody! I Found a used VP180 for a good price and it should be here by Friday

you will freak out when you see the size, now you need m80's to match.

Haha yeah, Dakkon posted a few pics of the 150 sitting on top of the 180 but I am sure it will still be amazing! I researched pretty hard when first building my system and decided to go with the m22 as my mains based off of the fact that I use it for primarily movies and gaming. From what I gathered at that time was the M22s would suit my needs just fine and the m80's would only make a huge difference for 2 channel listening. But who knows what the future may bring

I've made up my mind that I am going to upgrade from my VP150 to a VP180 once I get V4.0 of my home theater moving - got all of my wood for building all of the walls in the basement. In a couple of weeks things will really be moving forward. Now if I can just find a use for my existing VP150 I'd feel better about it. Doesn't seem like people get much (or much response) from the auctions here. Anyone know what those of us with VP150's but want VP180's could do with the "old" VP150s? I was originally going to add another pair of QS8's, but with the shear awesomeness of the VP180, I'm going that route and sticking to 5.1 I guess.

When you look at pictures like that it amazes me that anyone argued with me about the VP150 not keeping up with the M80s.

you don't know what your missing, until you don't have it any more....


I always knew the 150 wasn't able to keep up with my m60's... which is why i jumped on the 180 when it came out.... i had been wanting a larger center for a very long time, just not very vocal about it.

Nick, if I were building a theater from the studs out, I'd at least consider the in-cabinet version of the VP180.

The 180 made a HUGE difference in my setup. Even my wife was impressed with the sound coming from it. I had the M60's and decided to go with the 80's to complete the 4ohm front soundstage.

Originally I had a Denon 481 and everything worked great. Later I had added a XPA-3 to power the fronts. That helped open the speakers up some more.

Then just last week I added an Anthem MRX-500 after selling my Denon and I am hearing things now that I have never heard... My system sounds EVEN BETTER now.. Couldn't be happier!

Bah, you guys don't know what you are talking about. I sold my Vp150 and am using my VP100 with my M80s and it sounds great, Vp180 not required.