Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Center channel quandary

Hello all. A little background before I get to my question. I have been following the boards for quite a while. Thanks to littleb (Bruce), I had the opportunity to audition his Axiom's and am now hooked. I placed my order for some M60's and M2's about 3 weeks ago, (FO), which will be part of a 7.1 setup. Below is a picture of the HT layout I am planning.



Now to my question. As you can see by the layout I am undecided about what to use as the center channel speaker. My intial plan was to use the VP150, but because of a support structure (labled as wall in layout) I will not be able to use a horizontal speaker and still be centered in the screen. My question is two part.

1. Does anyone have any experience using a M22 or M60 for the center channel? I know Tharkun uses an M80, how does it sound for movies. Is the dialog clear? Does the front sound stage blend?

2. Does anyone have any suggestions or comments on this situation? Would using another M60 be better than an M22?

CM, hello again. As I've often stated, in my view a vertical center should be in general(I've never heard the VP150)preferred to a horizontally configured center and will provide wider and smoother horizontal dispersion. Since you'll be using a front projector, your situation is ideal for the use of three M60s across the front if you have the space and budget for it.

Given the space and money, I'd go with an M60. I didn't hear Dennis's setup for movies, but it was extraordinarily impressive with music, and I didn't hear any problems whatsoever with blending.

Me, I've got a VP100, and I don't really hear any problems with blending with my M50s, so maybe I'm just not a very critical listener.

Looks like a fantastic setup, btw. Welcome!

Since you have the room, and if the additional cost is not an issue, I would recommend using the M60, having the fronts and center matched is ideal in my opinion and expieriance. Other than SACDs, all of my music is played in 7.1, and the 80 works great as the center, and for movies, I would not consider anything else. Give it a try, if you are not happy, its not a big expense to return it and try another approach.

Tomorrow evening we are having a Star Wars Trilogy party, running all in one evening. There will be 6 to 10 friends over that have not heard the system, so this will be a good audutioning for the movie side of the system, I'll report back with the opinions and what comments if any about the center 80.

Thanks for the replies and reassurance. The M60 is my first choice, just hoping that the plan is sound. The system is being built in painstakingly slow (can you spell funds) stages, but that is half the fun. As JohnK can attest, I made my first post about a year ago and have been working my way up to purchasing my first components after a LOT of research.

Littleb (Bruce) gave me the nudge to purchase the Axioms when I additioned his, actually the speakers themselves gave me a shove. I do not consider myself an audiophile, but I could not believe the sound the M22's, VP100, and QS8's produced, simply amazing. I was grinning ear to ear when I left the audition, Thanks again Bruce for being a generous host and opening your home to me.

Tharkun - I would appreciate hearing what you and your guest's impressions will be. I am simply amazed at the system you have assembled. Should be an "energetic" experience with the twins supporting the lower end. Do you have seat belts for your guests ? I am very familiar with the Star Wars saga, so your impressions will be anticipated.

As far as the Home Theater progress goes, I will keep everyone posted, pics too, as it progresses over the next year or so.

Your welcome. Thanks again for the beer. I hope you like your new speakers. If all this M60 talk persists, I'll have to upgrade. Father's Day is in June, isn't it.

Another vote for the M60. The main advantage of horizontal centers is that they are, well, horizontal, so you can put them on top of a TV. If you can put the center behind the screen then a third M60 is definitely the way to go.

m60=yes

I know you said "NOTE: Not to Scale," but I'm a little concerned about the one black line you have designated as a wall; the one right next to the center channel. Unless you can get the front of whatever speaker you use as a center speaker out into the room past the edge of the wall, it seems to me that it will be blocking a large part of the left side of your room, and causing reflections to the right side. The other wall may cause a similar problem with the left front M60. If that part of the drawing is inaccurate, and the walls will NOT be blocking anything, then NEVER MIND!