Ok so I own a pair of M80v3 in High Gloss Cherry with gold hardware and love the finish.

wondering what would you do ?
Get two EP500 Subs for now and a VP180
or
Upgrade to the HP M80v4 and a HP VP180centre matching in Black.

rears would come next yr and subs in a couple years. I currently have two subs but not Axioms and not great but, sufficient to do the job

Troy, I'd vote for the first option. Your high gloss cherry look is so much better than black. Also you can put the EP500s up front and keep your other subs in back for now. I think the VP180 will make a big difference for movie dialog.

I personally don't see the value in the HP versions from looking at specs. And if v4 is much better than v3; then what about v5? Sometimes version differences are just about manufacturing efficiencies and costs. Just my opinion of course.

Bill

Yeh, thanks Bill

I was thinking that too, most of the dialog comes from the centre, So doesn't need exact matching.

Agree with Bill.

I think you're making WAY too much of the potential differences between VP180v3 and VP180v4 relative to integration with your existing M80's. The frequency response differences inherent in a horizontal v. vertical speaker are going to be more meaningful than the version change. Until you have three identical speakers across the front, you're always going to have some response differences. And - even then - your mains will have different boundary affects than the center.

So just get the subs and the VP180. If you really thought that your current subs were "sufficient", you wouldn't be talking about buying new ones every week.

Do you really need 2 EP500's now?

Why not VP180 + 1 EP500 + Surrounds.

Then add a 2nd EP500 later if you think you still need one.

Tom

what I mean by sufficient is, that they will do for now.
I cannot upgrade subs and main speakers at the same time.
I mean I bought them, because a couple yrs ago they were what I could afford. I didn't have $1500 extra.
So they do the trick for now, however I want to upgrade some and wasn't sure where would be the best place to start.
So, if there is no great noticable differences in the M80v3 to HP M80 ,then I could move that money to a VP180 and a EP500 or two.

If there was a good difference. like a $1500 noticable difference in the M80v3 and HP M80v4 then I could **Live** with the subs I have now for another couple years.

And Yes, I talk and ask alot of questions about the SUBS

I just don't have $4000 to throw away. And I don't want to be shipping 100lbs subs back and forth numerous times until I get the right mix.

SO, I ask stupid annoying questions ,thinking someone must of done or heard these before.

Kinda thought that was what the, Advise from Axiom owners forum was for

yes Cat

been down the one sub before. But, I do see what you are saying and a few years ago one would be good.

I have to +1 with Cat's suggestion if you watch movies at all. A pair of QS8's for half the price of a second EP500 would have a much bigger impact for me. I think Axiom still gives a discount for buying 5 or more items?
Bill

Troy, I'd agree with a couple of the replies that suggested side(not rear)surrounds such as QS8s would make a more significant increase in your listening enjoyment. Both the discrete surround material in movies and the surround ambience in CDs and other 2-channel music sources(using a mode such as DPLII)would benefit greatly. No need to wait until next year for this.

I hardly every notice any sound from my single rear QS8 from my 6.1 setup. Typically they are only used for added ambiance to help fill the room with sound. My side surrounds are to my forward position because of the mounting limitations in the room. I get a lot of extra sound out of them and they make a noticeable difference.