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Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
#375261 05/05/12 11:11 PM
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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!


Epson 8350 * Denon 4311CI * XPA-5 * M80/VP180 * 2 QS8's+M2v3-DSX * SVS PC13-Ultra ** Buttkicker LFE
Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
VoicOfReason #375268 05/06/12 12:29 AM
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VoicOfReason 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?

Thanks in advance!

It's great too here that you have such a profound likening too the sounds that your M80's are producing.
Some members in the past have spoken about this and have stated, if at all possible you might consider going with a third M80 as your center channel. Since this is probable only an option if your setup would include a projector, otherwise most likely this won't be a viable option for you. That being said, a VP-180 is for the most part a M80 on the horizontal, sounding perhaps a little different ( may be considered somewhat subjective) than the vertical standing M80. Read your own sentence at the top of my post, there just might lie your answer.


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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
VoicOfReason #375272 05/06/12 02:04 AM
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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. If you're referring to the very loudest sound level, the VP-180 would have a slightly higher maximum, but keep in mind that the center speaker should be calibrated to balance the others, not play louder. If the VP-160 already does this, more maximum loudness capability isn't a relevant factor.


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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
JohnK #375274 05/06/12 02:34 AM
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Originally Posted By: JohnK
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. If you're referring to the very loudest sound level, the VP-180 would have a slightly higher maximum, but keep in mind that the center speaker should be calibrated to balance the others, not play louder. If the VP-160 already does this, more maximum loudness capability isn't a relevant factor.


Good point about "bigger". What I meant by "bigger" was soundstage and bass output. I guess to be more specific, I want to know what is better about the VP-180, not in terms of specs, but for those who have heard it, what do they best about the VP-180 compared to the VP-160. This will perhaps help me the most make up my mind.


Epson 8350 * Denon 4311CI * XPA-5 * M80/VP180 * 2 QS8's+M2v3-DSX * SVS PC13-Ultra ** Buttkicker LFE
Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
VoicOfReason #375302 05/06/12 02:45 PM
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Seeing how you are already thinking you need / want "bigger" and there is something available that is "bigger", you should probably just get the VP180 and be done with it. I believe what you are going through is somewhat of a psychological conundrum, and nothing anyone can tell you about this choice will help you make up your mind. Your mind is already made up (wanting bigger), and now you are now just looking for confirmation to support your decision.

What do you think JP?

I have the 160, have not heard the 180. I bought the 160 because I am limited in space. I just didn't have the room for a 180. Both width and depth. - Keep in mind that the 160 is ported to the front, so you can place it right up tight to the rear wall. The 180 on the other hand is ported to the rear and you will need at least 12" of free space behind it.

Good luck....

Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
michael_d #375330 05/06/12 06:04 PM
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Originally Posted By: michael_d
Seeing how you are already thinking you need / want "bigger" and there is something available that is "bigger", you should probably just get the VP180 and be done with it. I believe what you are going through is somewhat of a psychological conundrum, and nothing anyone can tell you about this choice will help you make up your mind. Your mind is already made up (wanting bigger), and now you are now just looking for confirmation to support your decision.

What do you think JP?

I have the 160, have not heard the 180. I bought the 160 because I am limited in space. I just didn't have the room for a 180. Both width and depth. - Keep in mind that the 160 is ported to the front, so you can place it right up tight to the rear wall. The 180 on the other hand is ported to the rear and you will need at least 12" of free space behind it.

Good luck....


Interesting psycho-analysis... but I've already heard of reasons why the VP-160 is preferable to the VP-180, or is almost as good as the VP-180. What I'm looking for are things that VP-180 clearly does better in terms of subjective opinion. I have heard time and again that the VP-160 has better off-axis response, and it is obviously cheaper and smaller. I'm trying to get both sides of the picture so my decision is a good one. In other words, I've already tried to talk myself of the VP-160 and now I'm trying to talk myself into the VP-180. At the end of the day, I can compare the 2 and decide which to go with. Make sense?


Epson 8350 * Denon 4311CI * XPA-5 * M80/VP180 * 2 QS8's+M2v3-DSX * SVS PC13-Ultra ** Buttkicker LFE
Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
VoicOfReason #375332 05/06/12 06:19 PM
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Peter I have had our VP180 for a year this month and can't be happier with the soundstage it provides with the M80s, I'm not pushing the button to trade it in on a VP160 anytime soon.


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Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
michael_d #375334 05/06/12 06:39 PM
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Originally Posted By: michael_d
. . . The 180 on the other hand is ported to the rear and you will need at least 12" of free space behind it. . .

The rear port on the Axiom VP180 center speaker model as all other Axiom ported audio speaker models needs only a minimum of 2" of space to breath freely. Additional space might be needed to adjust bass response to your taste and the acoustic of your room.

I have two Axiom VP180 installed in my dedicated Home Theatre room: the one above my front projection screen is only 3 " away from the wall and the one below the projection screen is 7" away from the wall. I could not be happier with their superb performance.


jc
Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
Jc #375335 05/06/12 06:57 PM
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Thank you. So, to both of you that just posted, does the VP-180 have a sound very much like the M80 (if you have heard the M80)? I really like the soundstage of the M80 and am hoping that the VP-180 sounds almost just the same. Does it? Thanks again.


Epson 8350 * Denon 4311CI * XPA-5 * M80/VP180 * 2 QS8's+M2v3-DSX * SVS PC13-Ultra ** Buttkicker LFE
Re: Just bought VP-160 but considering VP-180 instead
VoicOfReason #375336 05/06/12 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted By: VoicOfReason
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.



Last edited by casey01; 05/06/12 07:15 PM.
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