I own 2 sets of M22ti:

M22SEA0221
M22SEB0016

I have no idea if these are versions 1, 2, 3, or 4.

I'm looking to add an Axiom VP150 center channel. What version of a VP150 would best match tonally with what I have? Also, how do I tell the version of a VP150?

Thanks!

You need to trade those in for M5s and a VP160v4.

Hi letigre,

Your M22s are Version 1. You will have a proper tonal match between these and any of the VP150 versions. We are now on Version 4.

Have you considered using one as your center?

As Ian has said, the VP150 I had matched well with the M22's as all the drivers match-up. I upgraded to the VP180 (but kept the M22's) to get a little more (ok a lot more) oomph for movies.

No need to trade in the M22's for M5's unless you have a the budget for it and were unhappy with the sound (though that would likely still cost you an extra $3500 for the upgrade + another $970 (all prices Canukistan $) for the VP-160).

But brwsaw is right, you could get another M22 as a center if you have the room for it under/over the display kept in it's vertical form. It is what Dolby recommends ;-)

I can't speak to the 150v4 but I can speak to the 150v2 against the 160 or 180v4. I've heard the 180v4 and own the 160v4. I also owned the 150v2 for 11 years. The 150v2 is light years behind the 160v4. The 180v4 also sounds great. You can read my review for the 160v4 on the 160 product page for more info.

As for the M22s vs M5, I believe you have M22v2 circa 2009. The M5 has a host of improvements that will give you improvements in EVERYTHING. I would expect even the M3v4 to sound better than the M22v2 because the M3v4 sounds better than the M80v2 which I owned for 12 years. You can read my review on the M5 product page.

As for using the M22 for a center, I don't know if the M22v2 would sound better than a 150v4. I can tell you I compared an M3v4 against my 160v4 and the 160 sounded better by a long shot. Much better mid-range, a touch better on highs and vastly better lows. There was no significant audible difference in off-axis response. There is something to be said for improved bass performance on the centre. I alternate between 40Hz and 60Hz on my centre crossover depending on material. I find these crossover settings sound better than 80Hz. An M22 can't go down that low.

I'd also like to point out v4 speakers like the M3 and M5 will give you a holographic-sounding soundstage when placed properly in the room. The soundstage will appear behind the speakers which is as it should be and images will appear with space in between as if the performers are right there. Instruments are also more faithfully reproduced. Transient response is also much better resulting in improved micro and macro dynamics. You will be far more satisfied emotionally with the v4. While the v2 and v4 look similar, they don't sound similar at all.

But Mojo, you are talking about a $4k upgrade vs a $1k purchase. Is that practical? I agree that the upgrade will sound better when compared side by side but the OP will not miss anything if he simply adds a top grade center speaker like the VP150 which was designed to mate with the M22's. V1 M22's are nothing to sneer at and still sound better than much that is available out there today.

However, if budget isn't an issue, and you want better sound (presuming you don't like what you are hearing now), upgrading everything is always an option

Hmmm...it's not anywhere close to $4K for a pair of M5s and a 160 particularly with trade-in and any loyalty discounts. letigre could also go with M3s which are half the price of the M5s. In my mind this is not an incremental upgrade. It will be a very significant upgrade to letigre's emotional state.

BTW, I just noticed in the title of the post letigre has M22ti. I heard those 12 years ago and they were terrible. So were the M3ti. I know this goes against all reviews out there but that's how I felt about them. I can, on the other hand, whole-heartedly recommend the M3v4 and if I heard the M22v4, maybe I'd recommend those as well. I'd love to hear a pair.

Edit: I just noticed letigre has 2 pairs of M22s. Maybe he can upgrade just one pair?

I would hardly call the M22ti's as terrible, not by a long shot. That kind of hyperbole is really uncalled for. The M22ti's may not be as refined as M5v4's but hardly terrible. I would much prefer having M22ti's than some of the paper woofer examples found in many stores today.

I'll tell you this. I simply cannot get enough of my M5s. They are like a drug. Yeah my M100s are terrific but at a third of the price, the M5s are 99% of the way there. I too really like the aluminum drivers and in general the very robust design of Axioms. Anyone with Ti or v2 should make the change. As for me, I don't know but I'll tell you the new tweeter is very sweet.

Agreed. While the forum needs balanced views, sometimes this type of over the top comment renders the forum and advice less than valuable..and unreadable in some cases.

I wish someone had told me back in 2014 exactly what I'd gain by upgrading from v2 to v4. I suffered needlessly for almost 5 years. What Axiom has achieved with v4 has to be heard across various models of the family to be fully appreciated. There was tremendous intent and passion in the v4 design across the entire family.