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VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61545 09/20/04 01:32 PM
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Allen42 Offline OP
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I've got my choices pretty much narrowed down to Ascend 170's for all 5 channels, or Axiom M2i's and QS4's with a VP100 center. Either set will be paired with an STF-2.

The main thing keeping me from jumping on the Ascend package is a few reports of the VP100 sounding weak and "tinny".

Specifically, here: http://audioreview.com/Center+Channels/Axiom+Speaker+Company/PRD_125694_2743crx.aspx#reviews

When I mentioed this on hometheaterspot, someone replied that the 100 was indeed a bit weak. I will listen to 75% movie with this setup, the the center is paramount.

Are these guys crazy, or what's up with a product linethat gets rave reviews for it's mains and has a "weak" center?

Help!


Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61546 09/20/04 02:33 PM
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Judging any speaker will ALWAYS be very subjective. Almost every speaker will have it's detractors. I'd be suspicious of any speaker that got ALL rave reviews. IMHO, the thing to do is look for a consensus of opinion. If you've got 2 negative, and 10 positive reviews, I'd lean toward the positives.

Also, take into account the way the positives and negatives are stated. I'm suspicious of anyone saying "This is the worst center I have ever listened to. It sounds like a transistor radio in a box - pure crap." NO speaker by a reputable company is THAT bad. A trustworthy reviewer would probably say it more like " I didn't care for this speaker because I found it's sibilance irritating." I'd be just as suspicious of a review that said "this speaker is perfect in every way." Huge extremes, to me, imply an agenda.

I have the VP150 and much prefer it over any other center I've had. But, it is not perfect. I doubt if the 100 is perfect either, but there are a greater number of people who like it, than there are those who don't. Only YOU can judge if the VP100 is good for you or not.


Jack

"People generally quarrel because they cannot argue." - G. K. Chesterton
Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61547 09/20/04 02:55 PM
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Allen42, Listen to Jack, he nailed it right on target.


Outlaw 950/755 SonCDP-CX455 & SON DVPCX985V SVS 20-39 PCI RS750 Polk CSi 245 & FXi 300
Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61548 09/20/04 03:50 PM
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J
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Hi Allen, as an owner of the VP100 I can honestly say it works great for me. I have no problems with it what so ever. It might not reach down the frequency range as far as some speakers, but centers are mostly for dialogue and in my room I can hear it all no matter where I sit. As most here usually say, try out the speakers and if you don't like them return them, I don't think you could go wrong with any of the products you are looking at. good luck.


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61549 09/20/04 04:09 PM
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Hi Allen,

There are lots of people on this board who like the VP100 very much. Ray3 has written several glowing comments, and NeverHappy even did a comparison between it and the VP150 that reported very little difference.

I read the audioreview link you posted; there are 6 positive reviews and one scathing review. I would not presume to reiterate what Jack so eloquently stated.

There's no substitute for listening in your room.

Good luck in your quest.


bibere usque ad hilaritatem
Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61550 09/20/04 04:34 PM
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Howdy, I have had both and I can assure you that the VP100 is not tinny! Far from it. The VP100 does what it's supposed do rather well. You will gain a little wider sound stage with the VP150 but other then that not much. Both of these centers are not the best out there, but if you want better, be prepared to pay at least double and more then likely, more then double.

As for the reviews, take any and all reviews with a grain of salt. Remember the people who are doing the reviews are reporting what they heard, not what you will hear! We all have very different tastes in what we like etc!

Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61551 09/20/04 05:24 PM
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Allen42 Offline OP
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Yours is the kind of post I was wanting. I was afraid of "hey, whatya expect for the money" type of posts, and wanted some more posts that said "poppycock, this is a great center, albeit not a $1000 cetner, but a great one nonetheless." You know--like the reviews of the mains.


Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61552 09/20/04 10:51 PM
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Allen, even assuming that the review in question was written in good-faith(seems somewhat unlikely), there's no good reason to give it greater weight than the other six favorable reviews. In particular, note that Dr. Orgel's preceding review found that it worked well even when combined with M60s.

Be that as it may, as is my consistent view, I prefer a small vertical center to a horizontal configuration. I'd therefore suggest that you consider three M2s across the front, which would be excellent in combination with the sub and QS4s.


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

Enjoy the music, not the equipment.


Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61553 09/20/04 11:22 PM
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Good points John. Just for fun, I found other reviews the guy had written. Here is one where he says the M22 tweeters whistle and hiss, especially at lower volumes. Huh???

Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61554 09/21/04 02:00 AM
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I personally thought the VP100 was very weak in MY system. I also thought the M22's were bright, but thats what I actually look for in a speaker. I consider it accurate.
I have too often heard speakers that I consider muffled

Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61555 09/21/04 03:10 AM
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Thanks for helping make me glad I went with the 150

Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61556 09/21/04 04:12 AM
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Allen42 Offline OP
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Voice clarity is paramount for me! Should I not consider the 100, and try to accomodate (size and budget) the 150? Or would I be better served by a third M2i as suggested above?

Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61557 09/21/04 01:52 PM
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The only thing I would fault my VP150 for is that I wish it had flatter response down to 80. But, as others have said, that's not really that important for dialogue, anyway. And I think you'd have to go much higher in the pricerange to find something better.

Other than the possible low frequency issue, all of the Axioms are extremely clear and accurate.

Bruce

Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61558 09/22/04 12:22 AM
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Sounds like the reviewer may not have set up his receiver levels using an SPL meter. When I first hooked my system up the levels were way off when all were set to 0db. I poped in the "Avia" DVD and started running the tests. About 45 minutes later I had everything tweaked in. For my aplication the VP-100 works perfectly. I agonized over the VP-100 vs. VP-150 decision for weeks. Finally Alan said that for my room size (13.5' X 13.5') the VP-100 would be fine. He was right. There is no "tinny" sound in my HT room.

As some of the other folks on the board recommended, you have 30 days to decide if you like it.

-Tom

Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61559 09/22/04 01:46 AM
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Proper setup in any setup is crucial that includes crossover points and like TRG said to have everything balanced. A center channel should "blend" in not jump out and overwhelm you. (In a bad way)

I have listen to both the VP100 and VP150 and I can’t hear a major difference and both are far from “tinny”. When I was shopping for speakers I noticed that most centers would over emphasize female voices in particular anything that had an “s” sound in the word. There is a technical name for this condition, which I don’t recall what it is. Anyway the Axiom center channel doesn’t exhibit this. I have been very happy with the sound quality.

Tom




M80's VP150 QS8's Earthquake SuperNova MKV-15
Integra DTR-7.4 Outlaw 755 Outlaw M200's Outlaw ICBM
Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61560 09/22/04 01:47 AM
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I believe your talking about sibilance.

Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61561 09/22/04 01:57 AM
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Thanks! It was on the tip of my tongue.


M80's VP150 QS8's Earthquake SuperNova MKV-15
Integra DTR-7.4 Outlaw 755 Outlaw M200's Outlaw ICBM
Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61562 09/22/04 04:03 AM
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And also the word usually used during sound check to test for itself...

Check... 1... 2.. CHECK! CH-eck! CHECK! 1.. 2.. Sibilance SIBILANCE... CHECK CHECK CHECK...

Bren R.

Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61563 09/22/04 04:37 PM
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Can you give more info on setting up with the Avia disc? Do you just use any disc and a meter from Radio Shack and try to level out the sound "in room" so that it is balanced?

Thanks and sorry for the ignorance.


M22s, QS4s, M2 center, Hsu stf-1.
Re: VP100 reviewed as "weak"?
#61564 09/22/04 05:03 PM
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The Avia disc I referred to is a special DVD that contains full spectrum white noise, 5.1 isolated level checks, audio sweeps, sub woofer phase, TV color, brightness, sharpness and many more tests. This disc and a SPL meter from Radio Shack (or elsewhere) will yield excellent results. Most of the discs have basic and advanced menu choices. The basics get you to the point where you can start using your system to watch movies and listen to music. The advanced features allow you to fine tune/tweak your setup.

I use Avia but there are other choices out there. Go to Amazon.com and search for "Avia", "Digital Video Essentials" and "Sound & Vision Home Theater Tune-Up". Each DVD has pro's and cons. And they range from $16 - $35. You decide which meets your needs and budget.

I hope this helps,
Tom

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