Need help in deciding whether I should buy the M2ti's + vp50 combination or the M3ti's + vp100. Is there a significant sound improvement with the 3ti's and 100? Is there enough improvement in sound to warrant the extra cost because the prices for factory outlet on the M2ti's and the vp50 is extremely tempting right now! However, I am willing to wait for the M3ti and vp100, but is it worth it? Also...what has the M2i improved on over the M2ti??
buy the m3ti and vp100
i would prefer the m22ti and vp150, however
Thanks for the reply. Unfortuantely my budget eliminates the vp150 and m22 as an option. What would you say the differences in sound quality are between the M2ti and the M3ti? Also, Alan from the home theater forum suggested I use the vp100 with the m2ti and I'm thinking this would indeed be a better match, so why does Axiom suggest the vp50?
asap,
"so why does Axiom suggest the vp50?"
I think that the M2 and VP50 are matched by Axiom because their price & performance are at the same level. The M3 and VP100 are steps up both in performance and price, and you would benefit if you were able to upgrade either speaker. Not to say the M2/VP50 would disappoint, but the M3/VP100 would most likely sound better for you. Again, if you can only upgrade one of the two speakers, you could still expect a performance improvement. Good luck.
lando
So how about a M2ti + vp100 combo? Would the vp100 overpower the 2ti's? I'm thinking the vp50's 4.5 in drivers are too small...and that the vp100's matching 5.25 in drivers would work very well with the M2ti's?
Also, I'm really trying to decide between either the M3ti or M2ti. With the M3ti would i only be getting higher power handling and greater bass? Let's say I pair both speakers with a sub and played them at the same "normal, not very loud" volume levels. Would I get almost identical sound? Or do the M3ti's somehow sound much better and if so in what way?
Don't forget about the new M2i, which has been redesigned with the same tweeter as the M3ti, M22ti and VP100. Just another possibility. Alan's quote makes the little speaker sound quite good against the M22. AS for cost...a little less than M3 and lot less than M22!
Asap, the best "match" for reproducing the center channel is likely to no center speaker at all, but rather the left and right speakers handling the job in "phantom" mode. The disadvantage of this is that there is a relatively narrow horizontal area in which the center channel material appears to come from the screen. If this isn't acceptable, then the best match would be a 3rd speaker identical to the left and right and positioned vertically above or below the screen.
Since in your other thread you say that you'll be using a sub, the small advantage of the M3 in the bass shouldn't be significant to you. Because of the similarity of the new M2i to the M22, I would suspect that, if anything, it might have a bit stronger mid-range than the slightly recessed M3( note that SoundStage has a review of the M2i planned, but there's no indication as to the date). Since the old M2 is being phased out, the factory outlet price is indeed attractive, but I suspect that you may be happier with the M2i(have you read Ian's discussion of it in the June newsletter in the archives?). In short, my suggestion would be that you consider 3 M2is.
Ok thanks everybody, I appreciate all the help.
I've decided to go with 2 M2i's and a vp100. Just playing the waiting game now for some factory outlet versions. The current $25 off for the M2i doesn't seem like a large enough discount...I have time so hopefully it will drop.
How do I find the June newsletter?
Thanks!!!