I've always heard one on the no no's of HT is not having your center match you fronts.
I'm running my 80's with an Aperion 533vac center, while it sounds okay to me, not being a real expert what am I missing in terms of sound and quality.
Also with my mains only about 6 feet apart would I benefit by switching to the VP150?
In reply to:
it sounds okay to me
You said what counts!
I would guess a test would be to set your Denon to PLII Music so the soundstage is spread across the fronts. Then listen to hear if there is a difference in sound when physically moving from speaker to speaker, and also from your prime position.
BTW. My M3s are on FEDEX so I get to test my new center setup this week.
Michael, I was in your situation not too long ago. I was using a jbl center(ec25) for nine months or so with my rocket mains. I was satisfied. The sound was ok for me as well. It got the job done.
But as soon as I put the rocket center in the mix it became a whole new ballgame. Not only was the speaker better, but it sounded better with my mains. The panning across the front three suddenly felt more natural, realistic in a way. I would bargain that adding an axiom center would do the same for you. How about trying one out for 30 days and see what you think?
Michael, you're probably right, I think I'll try the VP150 and see how I like it.
Doug, just wondering why you are switching to M3's for your center?
I have tried the VP150 over and under the tv and the dialog localizes to the speaker instead of the screen. Running the mains as a phantom center doesn't soundstage correctly if off-axis. My center gets the major workout with basic cable. 50 out of 70 channels only fire the center even in cinema mode.
Instead of buying a 2nd VP150 or a VP100, I am trying M3s as an over/under center phantom for my 50 SXRD.
Alan commented that that they should match up well with the M80s and, run in parallel, should be the same output as the VP150.
Bug: please post your results. I am quite interested to see if you hear a significant difference.
They're out for delivery. Shipped Friday. Delivered Monday!
I am home and watching out the window!
The M3s have been in use for four nights.
I changed from VP150 to M3s over and under the SXRD to improve dialog localization the the screen. That has happened. It also works to have the VP150 over and one M3 under, but not the other way around. The M3s run in parallel have the same ouput as the VP150. The M3s are on their sides (I know that's a no-no), but it works without any changes in sound quality that I can tell.
Other observations:
When I first set up the system with the VP150, the Denon auto-setup configured L/R as large, C as small, surrounds as small, with sub crossed at 80. The M3s in the new auto config are large. Other speakers the same as before.
With the M3s as centers, on channels that come in center-only (no separation even with PLII cinema or music), I get a better range of sound with the M3s than with the VP150. I have tried the VP150 as large and I have tried different crossovers as well with the VP150. On these center-only channels, I tried the M3 as small and varied the crossover, but can't get a signal to wake up the sub, even boosting the bass. The M3s make a difference in the lower frequencies on these type of channels. This was the primary reason for going with the M3 as opposed to a second VP150 or VP100.
I wish it was a better cable signal because my favortie channel, SCIFI, is one of the center-only channels.
On channels that the Denon receives as stereo or 5.1 (there are indicators on the Denon), I can see the monoblocks go from standby to on and the mains/surrounds kick in. If I will be watching long enough, I change to speakers to small and listening is wonderful. Two M3s blend just as well with the M80s as the VP150 IMHO.
I'll try this set-up for the trial period, but I like what I hear.
I may try the VP150 as a center back. The couch is against the wall, so I will pull it out just far enough to set the VP150 on the floor firing up. Should be interesting. Or maybe Ebay if that doesn't work out.
The M3s are FO, shipped on Friday afternoon and received on Monday morning. Hats off the Axiom and FedEx. I can't find a blemish on either M3. They look perfect.
I'm a happy camper.
Bug
Glad everything worked out
Very interesting Bug.
Glad it worked out for you.
Sounds like I better try the M3's with the 80's again.
So how are you positioning the tweeters? in or out?
mdrew,
One over the tv and one under, both on their sides. One tweeter left and one tweeter right, but it didn't make any difference with them separated.
Just an update.
Two months now with M3s as over/under centers.
I really like this setup. The M3s are a great match for the M80 mains. This really shows when listening to PLII music with its larger soundstage.
There just is not enough front to back distance in my room for good 6.1. I can hear the VP150 firing behind the couch. It just doesn't seem to add much to the setup. I'm waiting for a visit from my son for a listening session and the final decision, but I have the boxes out of storage for the VP150 to be ready to pack and sell.
I've had my Axioms a little over a year. I thoroughly enjoy the sounds they produce.