 Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 78
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OP
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I just purchased the received the VP-160. I really like it, but because I already have M80V3 towers, I am thinking that the VP-180 will blend better and give me a bigger sound than the VP-160. My amp can certainly drive it, so that's no problem. I've read a little comparing the 2, but love the big sound and imaging of the M80's. Can anyone give me some advice on this? Who has compared the VP-160 and VP-180 and what can I really expect to gain going from the VP-160 to the VP-180?
Thanks in advance! Without actually being able to compare the two and although used for a different purpose, I suppose the closest example would be comparing the M60s to M80s in a L/R configuration. I have had both, moving from M60s to M80s and, quite frankly and at least in my application, I was surprised how similar they sounded. For some of the reasons already mentioned (space and weight issues)I bought the VP160 instead of the VP180 and I couldn't be happier. Remember, compared to most other center channels, the VP160 is very big and that cabinet size, of course, will have a big bearing on what you are hearing. That is why the difference between the VP150 and 160 will be much more profound than any differences between the 160 and 180. In addition, the design difference in the 160 with the vertical arrangement of the tweeter and mid-range as opposed to the horizontal arrangement of the 180, in my comparisons of other center channels with these two designs, the design of the 160, based on my totally unscientific study, will give you a little better consistent horizontal dispersion than the 180. I believe, in the end, any perceived differences between the two may not be as much as one might think. This should be an interesting comparison. I have the VP-160 currently and just ordered a VP-180. I'll post my comparison here if I remember.
Epson 8350 * Denon 4311CI * XPA-5 * M80/VP180 * 2 QS8's+M2v3-DSX * SVS PC13-Ultra ** Buttkicker LFE
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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 78
old hand
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OP
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 78 |
On a related note, what are you (who have VP-180's) setting their crossover at?
I have liked the sound of my SVS sub with a 60hz M80 crossover setting. However, I also REALLY like the sound of the M80's with a 40hz crossover, even though I lose a little bit of subwoofer oomph. I have a pretty big room with cathedral ceilings. It's really a terrible room. So, for the VP-180, I'm guessing 40hz would sound pretty nice in concert with 40hz crossover for the M80's.
Epson 8350 * Denon 4311CI * XPA-5 * M80/VP180 * 2 QS8's+M2v3-DSX * SVS PC13-Ultra ** Buttkicker LFE
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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 4,444 Likes: 16
connoisseur
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Jakewash has had both, I'm sure he'll respond eventually. If I recall, he did think the 160 was better for off axis, but found both to be excellent with some points going to each in different categories.
JC - good input. I was simply going off my experience with my M80's. I do not have a golden ear, but it was quite clear to me that in my application, they sounded profoundly better with 12" of clearance (or more) from the back wall. This was one of the reasons I moved downward to the M60's. I needed the added floor space. The M60's seam to much more forgiving than the M80's.
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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 7,786
axiomite
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axiomite
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JC - good input. I was simply going off my experience with my M80's. I do not have a golden ear, but it was quite clear to me that in my application, they sounded profoundly better with 12" of clearance (or more) from the back wall. I like the sound of that. If I ever get the urge to post on Audioholics I'm going to work it in to the post. Who knows, it could become the new 'similarly good'. 
Fred
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Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,863
connoisseur
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Peter, if by "bigger" you're referring to wide dispersion, the W T/M W design of the VP-160 is superior in that respect. John, and others. I do not understand why a single tweeter design would have a wider dispersion.. The dual tweeter design, uses the same tweeters, and they are on the same physical plane as the 160. Is there some cancelation between a dual tweeter design, that the single tweeter design does not have to deal with? Can someone explain the physics to me or link me why the single tweeter is "better", in the mean time i will attempt to google it on my own.
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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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Alex, it isn't single vs dual, it's vertical vs horizontal. Here's a recent article on the topic. There've been quite a few over the years, and Dr. Toole discusses this at some length in his book, illustrating the benefits of a W T/M W as compared to a M T M configuration.
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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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Joined: Feb 2004
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connoisseur
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So, the benefit of the 160 over the 180 is that the drivers are not all on the same horizontal plane? As compared to the 180..
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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,654
shareholder in the making
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Yes; the tweeter and mid-range are in the more desirable(for horizontal dispersion)vertical configuration.
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Enjoy the music, not the equipment.
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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 78
old hand
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Yes; the tweeter and mid-range are in the more desirable(for horizontal dispersion)vertical configuration. But how does the theory here play out in real-life? On paper, one configuration may be better than another, but I'm not hearing that anyone thinks the VP-180 suffers from this. Am I right?
Epson 8350 * Denon 4311CI * XPA-5 * M80/VP180 * 2 QS8's+M2v3-DSX * SVS PC13-Ultra ** Buttkicker LFE
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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
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