I've read in past posts that good results can be had using an M2 as a vertically-aligned center channel. Could it be used horizontally as well, understanding that dispersion might be a little uneven?
My girlfriend disapproves of the vp150 on account of size, and I've read lesss-than enthusiastic endorsement of the vp100. An M2 would be perfect, accept that my better half complains a speaker standing up would block a picture we have behind the TV.
I'm not too worried about unevenness in the horizontal dispersion, as the left side of our living room sitting area is near a wall and no one sits there for tv? Which is the better choice, the M2 horizontal or VP100? Thanks.
I humbly submit that the only thing wrong with the VP100 is that it's not as good as the VP150. Barring that, it's a great center channel. The VP100 will probably do the job better than a horizontal M2.
Pete is correct; the VP100 is an excellent speaker. I got one with my M60s and QS8s because of size constraints. It lacks nothing and I'm very pleased with it.
The issue is that the VP150 is more speaker and the VP100 suffers by comparison. Unfortunately, people, including yourself, read that comparison and erroneously believe that the VP100 is an undesireable compromise. Nothing could be further fro the truth. If you had never heard of the 150, the 100 would make you happy. (End of rant
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So, the general consensus is that the vp-100 is much superior to the M2i in center channel duties?
Jeff, a vertical M2 would be just fine with your M22s. Move the picture a foot to the side.
Sorry; I got so caught up I forgot to answer your question. Everything I've read on the forum points to using either the VP100 or VP150 as your center; that's what they were designed for. Further, laying a bookshelf on it's side is discouraged; that's NOT what it was designed for.
I don't know if you live near someone who can give you an audition of the VP100, but trust me, it is a very nice speaker and you won't be disappointed with it.
I have the VP100 and I think it is a great speaker, at $220 (US) I think you will be hard pressed to find a better center channel for the price (certainly better than the Paradigm CC170 and CC370 I auditioned). From what I have read, the VP150 is a better speaker, especially for larger rooms. If you have the money and the space, you should probably go for VP150. I think there is a similar analogy between the M22 and the M60. Everyone on the board will tell you the M22 is a great speaker, but most people will also tell you that the M60 is better. Does that make the M22 bad, no. It just means that there is something better out there, and of course you pay for it. The point is that you shouldn't discount the VP100, it's still a damn good speaker and I am sure you will be happy with it. I hope this helps.
In reply to:
Move the picture a foot to the side.
That is great John. That was really funny.
Could you imagine how off the whole zen of the room would be if they did that?
Feng shui John, feng shui!!
Feng Shue indeed. She almost had a heart attack when I brought home the big screen, yet she wonders why I complain about having a purplish bedroom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jeff, I promise you that the feng shui of your room will expand with that picture moved a foot to the side and you'll be in perfect communication with the wind and water.
Okay, despite everybody's advice, I couldn't resist trying the M2 horizontally as a center channel. Ordered it today, and should receive by Tuesday. If the results are suprisingly good, or bad, in regards to timbre match to the M22's, dispersion, or output, I'll ring in to let everyone know. Once again, thanks to all for the help.
I am also thinking about using the M2 horizontally as a center speaker. How did it work out for you? Would you recommend it? Thanks!
I would absolutely recommend it. For movie usage, dialogue is superb no matter where in the room I or my guests sit. The speaker plays plenty loud for movie soundtracks.
Musically, I now use my Pro Logic II. Before, I could only listen in stereo. Now, the L-C-R balance and tonality are seemless, at least to my ears.
I have not heard the VP-100 or VP 150 in detail, so it would be unfair to compare them with the M2. However, I don't believe I'm missing anything. In fact, in my VERY limited audition of the VP-100, I found a "cupping" of voices which I don't experience with my M2.
Whether this is imagined or not, I don't know. Needless to say, I am very happy with my purchase. Hope this has been of some help to you.
Did you place something behind the m2 to prop the back up so that it points downward at the listener?
I'm not an EE so take this with a grain of salt but I just don't see how a speaker designed to be used in the vertical position will do anything but suffer when it's placed on it's side.
Perhaps someone at Axiom can address this.
Perhaps they will, but we can hardly expect even a customer-centric company like Axiom to willingly explain why a $130 speaker would perform equally as well or better than its $220 custom-counterpart!!!! If I were their CFO I'd tell everyone on staff not to touch the discussion with a ten-foot premium speaker cable.
Birdman
We built a small shelf with a 2 inch rise so that the speaker would point towards the listening area. We radiused a slight lip in the front so the speaker wouldn't slide off the TV, although it doesn't appear to be necessary.
When I first bought the speaker, I took off the grill and placed it under the rear half of the M2i. Although I'm sure Axiom would hate the idea of me using their grill like that, it leveled the speaker perfectly.
As to Ford Prefect's assertation, I would agree that M2 on its side probably is not in its ideal position in terms of dispersion. However, after speaking to Axiom's consultants, whom said that it would make essentially NO difference, I decided to take the chance.
In any case, I preferred the M2i over the VP-100 a friend brought over, despite the Vp-100's "designed" horizontal array opposing the M2's "designed" vertical orientation. Whether due to the M2's porting, placement issues, or my own bias, I don't know.
I too am using the M2 as my center. My system consists of M22 mains and qS4 surrounds. We are really pleased with the MS2 as the center. The only problem is the shielding-when I placed the speaker on top of the TV I got some distortion in the picture. I have now mounted it with a FMB on the wall behind the TV pointed slightly down, it looks great and sounds wonderful. The soundstage with the M22's is exceptional. Don't hesitate to use the M2 as a center.
I use an M2i as my center channel as well, but I do it horizontally. It works wonders for me!