For the last week or so I been trying to get the Center dialog on my vp180 to sound less like voices coming out from a box. I tried different crossover setting, re-calibrating ARC also re-check the connection and still doesn't seem to help much. I wonder if I need to upgrade to the HP version and run full range? It's getting frustrating. Also the dialog is very low and doesn't match the soundstage very well. Maybe I'm placing my speaker incorrectly. Any advice would greatly appreciated.

Link to a picture I taken of my speaker placement

Speaker placement pic

You mention re-calibrating ARC, so am I to assume that you are running an Anthem receiver or pre-amp?

It would be far better off if you are, to provide a copy of the speaker calibration printout. as it's run in Windows, if you load something like CutePDF if you don't have a pdf print or aren't running windows 10.

From the few times that I have played with ARC, I found that the defaults didn't even come close to letting the speaker run as full frequency. There is quite a bit of configuration that you can do inside of ARC. For dialog you will need to give your center speaker a bump around the 120hz to 220hz. it could be that your room is sucking those frequencies down and your are loosing your dialog as a result of that.

You mentioned checking the connection... just to rule it out, are you sure the polarity is correct?

I have the VP180, and it sounds epic... hope you get it figured out, because you're missing out.

Yes I'm running anthem mrx510 and using the pre-out to a anthem MCA 50 amp. Your advice to filter of at 120hz frequency is too high? wont that make the sound tinny? I'll upload the print out from ARC so you guys could have a look.

sounds like a polarity problem like Brandon mentioned.

[quote=EFalardeau]sounds like a polarity problem like Brandon mentioned. [/quote

I recheck all the speaker connection and its correct. Maybe Im excepting too much from this speaker. Although The vp180 has a bit more spl than my previous Center which is 2 times small than vp180. I'm expecting a lot more for the size.

Does the vp180 hp use a different mids and crossover?

try swapping red and black on the vp180. its a quck test that doesn't cost anything

I don't think you need to be looking at the HP. The 180 is very, very capable. Something isn't right. Make sure all drivers are working as well.

Do you have a good way of testing?

Put your ear up to each driver is the easiest.
I had one that was popping or cracking, As I listened to each one found the culprit quite easy.

If any problem customer Service is great you could check their advice as well.

I was not saying to cut the center off at 120hz. I am saying that you need to modify the tuning to give you and additional bump from 120-220hz so those frequencies have say a +2 or +3db boost above what the current settings are at. That will target the most common speaking frequencies and make them a bit louder but not effect the lower sonics and not effect the higher frequencies that comes with music and sound effects.

If you can wait a bit, then I will figure out how to setup the ARC software to do that and send you some instructions. I know from speaking with Anthem the software can do this. You are using the same Gen2 ARC software that I have with my AVM60 so it shouldn't be too hard to figure out. Push comes to shove for me, it's a 20 minute drive out to Anthem head office and I'll just get the support people to show me how it's done. I have a long enough list of things that they are working on figuring out for me that a Face to Face would not be too hard to pull off.

Shin, put in your other center or any other speaker. How does it sound? If it sounds good, your VP180 is pooched and needs an Axiom speaker doctor.

And like others have said, you don't need an HP.

Oh...get rid of that massive toe-in on the fronts and move them into the room more if you can. Trust me. They will sound so much better.

Mojo, you my friend are a Genius! You made my Center sound so much better. by removing the toe in the dialog sounds like it supposed to be and increase the width of the soundstage.What a difference!!! All my speakers sounds so loud Just by doing the most simple thing in the world makes everything so much better. Thanks buddy.

I have this curse of seeing errors, defects and failures others can't see. Some say I don't work to facilitate success but rather to prevent failure. The engineer in me says I facilitate success by preventing failure . Enjoy!

I just can't believe moving the speaker can make big difference. I can't never understood science. I might upgrade to the hp version to match my front.

Try moving them one third of the way into the room, space them 8 to 9 feet apart and then sit 7 feet away from them. Then listen to them in stereo.

Does this look right to you?

New placement

No.

Move them one third of the way into the room. So if your room is 9 feet long, move them 3 feet away from the front wall. You might have to throw that black couch out that's in the way.