center channel woofer size & other stuff...

Why don't Axiom center speakers use 6 1/2" woofers? Just curious.
On a related topic, it seems the "weak" spot in the Axiom line-up is the lack of a "killer" center-channel. I've read where people say they like their Axiom's but are a little disappointed in their VPxxx. With DD and dts relying so heavily on the center-channel, as far as HT is concerned, I'd rather a better center than mains. Maybe I should just buy an M60 and put that on top of my TV!

It's pretty sad that DD and DTS mixers rely on the center channel so heavily. IMO the Center shuould be for dialogue only and a little bit of effects and music. I have the Megadeth Rude Awakening concert DVD and the center channel on that mix is used almost entirely for vocals, almost nothing else and the sound quality and realism blows all my other concert DVD's away.

Any how, I don't what way the reviewer you mentioned were disappointed (be more specific) but I think that the goal of speaker manufacturers is to produce a center channel that produces clear dialogue and has a wide dispersion. It also must blend well with the fronts. Sometimes you may not be able to get both so you must compromise. A larger woofer may not be as clear. Most centers I've seen have relatively small woofers compared to their right/left counterparts. Also, three 5.25" woofers have nearly the same surface area as two 6.5" woofers (only 2% difference). I plan to purchase the VP100 and am confident that I'll be quite happy with it (I doubt that it will be worse than my $19 Jensen center).

weak center channels? I disagree, the VP150 is excellent, not weak at all. I think the main concern is no sub-sonic sub

I think the VP150Se is one Axiom's best products. Voices are natural and high frequency dispersion is smooth and wide. Alot of centre channel speakers have trouble with treble dispersion but the VP150Se is a champ.
I got one back in December to use in my HT, matched up with some $5000.00 Energy Veritas speakers and the VP150Se blended in better than the Veritas centre channel from Energy does!

Marc...
That tiny photo of you...
Is that a fish you are holding? or the new mid/woofer for the VP200 from Axiom???

Randyman

HAHAHAH!!!!

VP200?? Another new product?

I still cant wait for a 15 inch aluminum subwoofer that goes down to 18 or 16, powered by something ridiculous like 500 watts... i'd buy it if I had no neighbors!

I agree, the VP150 is a good center, but not a great one. I think in comparison to my M60's (which cost about the same on a per-speaker basis), the VP150 is just not in the same league. Off-axis dispersion may be good, but I can't help but notice that the speaker just sounds a bit 'thin' compared to the M60's, and those dual tweeters make it extremely unforgiving of any harshness or sibilance in the source material.

If Axiom were to make a VP200 with 2 larger woofers, a mid and tweeter in a 3-way design, I'd be first in line to buy it. Again I want to say that the VP150 is not a bad speaker; it's much better than my previous DefTech ProCenter 100. I just don't think the VP150 measures up to the performance and value offered by the other Axiom speakers I own (M60ti's, M3ti's, QS8).

Randy,
Yeah, you could say I like 'good bass'

jkohn,
Are you running your VP150Se in small or large mode? I run mine in large and can't say I get any thinness from it at all. It did sound a bit hollow when it was new but either it broke in or repositioning more forward on it's shelf resolved that completely.

Marc...

I LOVE IT!!!! HEH HEH!!!

Rman

jkohn, your comment of the VP150 being a good center BUT not a great one, is exactly what I'm talking about. I've read several comments like yours that the VP's aren't "in the same league" as the rest of Axiom's line-up.
I'm just wondering if Axiom plans on rectifying this or is it even something that needs rectifying? Is the VP150 Axiom's "ultimate" center channel?
If Axiom made a center speaker comparable to Acoustic Research's AR2C, which utilizes 1 6.5" & 2 5.25" woofers plus a 1" tweeter for a 45Hz-23kHz range or Polk's HUGE CS1000P, I'd buy one.

In reply to:
Are you running your VP150Se in small or large mode? I run mine in large and can't say I get any thinness from it at all. It did sound a bit hollow when it was new but either it broke in or repositioning more forward on it's shelf resolved that completely.

The VP150 is nowhere near a full-range speaker. With a -3db point of 85hz I seriously doubt that my pre/pro's 80hz x-over is holding the VP150 back from its true potential, especially since I also have my M60ti's running as small and they sound great. BTW when I say thin, I'm really talking about the midrange, more than bass. My sub does just fine for bass.

I know what you mean about the hollow sound. I definitely noticed that early on, and to some extent I still do though it seems to have improved over time. I've got the speaker about as far forward as it can go without falling off the TV.