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Center channel or surrounds
#409467 01/13/15 09:33 PM
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minorc Offline OP
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Hi all,

Had a quick question, I currently have the M80 v2's as my fronts running phantom center and M22's as my rear speakers. Would it make more sense to trade up the m22's for a VP160 or just keep the rears with no center?

Thanks

Re: Center channel or surrounds
minorc #409468 01/13/15 09:41 PM
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B
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Are you the only viewer/listener?



Re: Center channel or surrounds
minorc #409469 01/13/15 09:45 PM
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You can successfully listen with a "phantom center" mode if there are just a couple of people watching, but it doesn't work as well with a group. Even with a couple of people, the center "image" will shift if you sit off-center, but some won't object or even notice.

I think most people would be happier with surround speakers, though it could be argued that the M22 are not ideal for that anyway.


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: Center channel or surrounds
minorc #409470 01/13/15 09:46 PM
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No, my girlfriend and I regularly watch movies.
I do play ps4 from time to time.

Also, I am about 9 Feet from the M80's and they are 6' between them. I'm sure with the addition of a center I would need to space them better.


VP180v3, M80v2, QS8v4, Arcam AV860, Rotel RMB1585, Epson 5050ub
Re: Center channel or surrounds
minorc #409471 01/13/15 09:52 PM
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Well my plan is to do the upgrade program on axiom's site and get something more suitable. The VP180 I think is overkill, so I'm between qs4's/8's or a VP160


VP180v3, M80v2, QS8v4, Arcam AV860, Rotel RMB1585, Epson 5050ub
Re: Center channel or surrounds
minorc #409472 01/13/15 10:34 PM
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axiomite
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That's a tough one. I've played around with a phantom center vs dedicated center and I think the dedicated center sounded better. I personally would lean towards trading up for the proper surrounds.


Fred

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Blujays1: Spending Fred's money one bottle at a time, no two... Oh crap!
Re: Center channel or surrounds
minorc #409474 01/13/15 11:20 PM
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minorc Offline OP
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Here is a few pictures of the room for reference;

It is 13.5 x 14.8
I am open to any suggestions, products, placement etc

Main Seating - approx. 8ft from speakers


Hallway view


Facing couch
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Last edited by minorc; 01/13/15 11:35 PM.

VP180v3, M80v2, QS8v4, Arcam AV860, Rotel RMB1585, Epson 5050ub
Re: Center channel or surrounds
minorc #409476 01/14/15 12:46 AM
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Looking how you have the room setup with the tv in the corner, I don't think you have enough room to add a center in that configuration. The left/right mains would need to be wider if you incorporate a center. If you rotate everything including the furniture clockwise a bit, you could make use of that longer wall, spread out the mains, and then have enough seperation to add a center.

In addition, I'm not sure if you were trying to simulate a surround environment by aiming your 22's the way you have them, but you would be better off moving them to the left and right of the seating area closer to the walls and aiming them towards the seats. That way the surround affects would be proper for 5.1 channel.

Also, if you rotated the room clockwise a bit, you could use the 22's for rear channel, get some Qs8s for the side surrounds, and get a center. $$$$$$$$ smile


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: Center channel or surrounds
minorc #409477 01/14/15 01:43 AM
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minorc Offline OP
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My girlfriend moved the 22's so I could get the serial number to see what they're worth, not necessarily where they'll stay.

Just wondering where my money would be best spent


VP180v3, M80v2, QS8v4, Arcam AV860, Rotel RMB1585, Epson 5050ub
Re: Center channel or surrounds
minorc #409479 01/14/15 04:31 AM
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Chris, a separate center speaker has the advantage of keeping the center image fixed for off-center listeners(the phantom image shifts as the listener moves to the side). It also has the advantage of making the center channel volume adjustable independently of the mains, which would allow for increasing the level to help with low-level dialog.

Be that as it may, the phantom center can be satisfactory in many situations, and my view would be to instead look first to improve the surround sound. With the M22s I wouldn't think that the best effect would be with pointing toward the front(as the left one is in the picture), rather with them pointing inward toward the couch, or even backward for a more diffused surround.

If a change in speakers will take place, my suggestion would be to trade the M22s in for QS8s.

I assume that you have a compelling reason to keep the present diagonal arrangement rather than placing the fronts and TV along the wall to the left.


-----------------------------------

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


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