Axiom Center Channel Selection

[sgtpepper9]

Only two options, the VP 100 and VP150. I've got the M60s. Anyone with experience with either center channel? I want to get the 150 but theres a good deal for a used 100 so I'm contemplating if I should jump on it? Any trouble with it keeping up with the M60s? Thanks for the knowledge

 

[MinusTheBear]

How big is your room?

How far away will the centre be to your listening area?

 

[strube]

Only two options, the VP 100 and VP150. I've got the M60s. Anyone with experience with either center channel? I want to get the 150 but theres a good deal for a used 100 so I'm contemplating if I should jump on it? Any trouble with it keeping up with the M60s? Thanks for the knowledge

I have read things about people with the 100 being disappointed because it is the weak link in their systems. I would believe it, the 100 is very unimpressive to me in comparison to the rest of an Axiom system. I have also heard similar complaints of the 150 in a M80 system. I have always considered a center to be a crucial part for a system because I watch so many movies, and if your center is lame, so then will be the dialog. It may not be as important to you.

My assumption is that you might be disappointed yourself in the 100 with your M60s, but in the end I haven't actually heard it, I am just the messenger...

 

[jhanley]

I have read things about people with the 100 being disappointed because it is the weak link in their systems. I would believe it, the 100 is very unimpressive to me in comparison to the rest of an Axiom system. I have also heard similar complaints of the 150 in a M80 system. I have always considered a center to be a crucial part for a system because I watch so many movies, and if your center is lame, so then will be the dialog. It may not be as important to you.

My assumption is that you might be disappointed yourself in the 100 with your M60s, but in the end I haven't actually heard it, I am just the messenger...

Well from someone who has heard it and has been listening for a couple of years. My VP150 keeps up very well with my M80's. Dialoge is clear and plenty loud for movies and the center stage of the M80's and VP150 is seamless for both music and movies.

 

[sgtpepper9]

I've got a pretty large room, looks like I'll wait for a used 150 to come around. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I've got a pretty large room

Get the VP150.

 

[lsiberian]

Only two options, the VP 100 and VP150. I've got the M60s. Anyone with experience with either center channel? I want to get the 150 but theres a good deal for a used 100 so I'm contemplating if I should jump on it? Any trouble with it keeping up with the M60s? Thanks for the knowledge

Get another M60 if you can.

 

[MinusTheBear]

Get another M60 if you can.

That would be optimal but placement can be a big issue. You would not want to place a M60 horizontally as your center channel and the reason many opt for a horizontal speaker as their center. You would have to find a way to keep it vertical with the tweeters aiming to the listening area. If you could find room for a 3rd m60 I say go for it (be careful of WAF).

 

[fredk]

get an M80 and put it upsidedown on top of your display!

There is nothing inherently wrong with either center.

How are you liking your M60s?

 

[lsiberian]

That would be optimal but placement can be a big issue. You would not want to place a M60 horizontally as your center channel and the reason many opt for a horizontal speaker as their center. You would have to find a way to keep it vertical with the tweeters aiming to the listening area. If you could find room for a 3rd m60 I say go for it (be careful of WAF).

I think a coaxial or another M60 would be best.

You could get a KEF iQ2 or iQ6. It would work well IMO.

 

[MinusTheBear]

I think a coaxial or another M60 would be best.

You could get a KEF iQ2 or iQ6. It would work well IMO.

Why would you want to mix brands between your mains and center?

 

[sgtpepper9]

get an M80 and put it upsidedown on top of your display!

There is nothing inherently wrong with either center.

How are you liking your M60s?

Hahaha I think I will go for the M80 idea. If implemented properly it would look awesome.

As for the M60s, I have to say that I think they are awesome. I am extremely glad to have sold my last speakers for these. Well worth it. They are much more balanced than my Klipsch. I really want to get a pair of the QS8s but I haven't seen them pop up much on ebay and audiogon. At the moment, I think I liked the idea of a dipole rear speaker. Before I sold my Klipsch, I was using them as surrounds. It was awesome in the sweet spot but other locations were not as good. It seems like the QS8s would disperse the sound pretty good. But I wonder if they would sound as good in the sweet as full range floorstanding speakers. I guess only time will tell...

 

[lsiberian]

Why would you want to mix brands between your mains and center?

The biggest issue with a center is lobing. A Coaxial doesn't have this problem. If the speakers are good enough which I think Axioms are. There isn't a noticeable difference other than an improved sound stage. I'm not the only one who feels this way. TLS usually suggests a Coaxial and uses a 2.5 coaxial speaker along side non matching LR speakers. The axioms appear to be bad centers IMO. This question was raised by a poster on a Center Channel build thread in the DIY section of the forum. He gave a similar response.

I know this defies conventional wisdom. I would be interested in an objective test on this, but generally eliminating lobing issues is better than matching brands. IMO.

Another option is to buy a matching vertical. With the tweeter on axis with the midrange. In fact I still prefer vertical speakers. Even in Coaxial setup.

I think angling up from below the tv to the listening position with a coaxial will give you the best soundstage.

We all have tastes though. My setup reveals how much I like Coaxials. I will probably never build a non coaxial again.

 

[agarwalro]

VP150 vote

I cannot comment on the VP100, but the VP150 blends very well with the M60s.

I have the M60's tweeter plane within one inch of the VP150's center plane and the surround front stage is seamless. Also, sometimes it is difficult to tell if the center is playing at all.

 

[jostenmeat]

The biggest issue with a center is lobing. A Coaxial doesn't have this problem. If the speakers are good enough which I think Axioms are. There isn't a noticeable difference other than an improved sound stage. I'm not the only one who feels this way. TLS usually suggests a Coaxial and uses a 2.5 coaxial speaker along side non matching LR speakers. The axioms appear to be bad centers IMO. This question was raised by a poster on a Center Channel build thread in the DIY section of the forum. He gave a similar response.

I know this defies conventional wisdom. I would be interested in an objective test on this, but generally eliminating lobing issues is better than matching brands. IMO.

Another option is to buy a matching vertical. With the tweeter on axis with the midrange. In fact I still prefer vertical speakers. Even in Coaxial setup.

I think angling up from below the tv to the listening position with a coaxial will give you the best soundstage.

We all have tastes though. My setup reveals how much I like Coaxials. I will probably never build a non coaxial again.

Hey man, I'd like to clarify a couple of things. You're right that the iq2 would not suffer lobing, but the iq6 still does. It is flanked by bass drivers. You can't just say (as you have been recently) that there is NO lobing. You might* say that this lobing will only occur with frequencies that are low enough where we might not care, but we wouldn't know without knowledge of xover point, and distance between the two drivers. But, you definitely can't just that there is NO lobing. And while the iq2 doesn't suffer lobing, one might consider power handling limitations, especially because it is the center speaker.

And I am in the boat of matching the speakers. Definitely. I wasn't always, and trust me, I'd love a fantastic center speaker just like everyone else, but it's just not that simple.

 

[lsiberian]

Hey man, I'd like to clarify a couple of things. You're right that the iq2 would not suffer lobing, but the iq6 still does. It is flanked by bass drivers. You can't just say (as you have been recently) that there is NO lobing. You might* say that this lobing will only occur with frequencies that are low enough where we might not care, but we wouldn't know without knowledge of xover point, and distance between the two drivers. But, you definitely can't just that there is NO lobing. And while the iq2 doesn't suffer lobing, one might consider power handling limitations, especially because it is the center speaker.

And I am in the boat of matching the speakers. Definitely. I wasn't always, and trust me, I'd love a fantastic center speaker just like everyone else, but it's just not that simple.

Of course that is an excellent point. Which is why a vertical center is better.

With a good mount mounting a vertical above or below the tv angled at the listening position would be ideal. IMO.

This is where I think the M80 would excel. Sorry for any confusion.