Axiom Center Channel Speaker weak...replace?

[TABCON]

First off, I love my Axiom home theatre set up, however I have noticed, as well as some AV techs that the center channel has a hard time keeping up with the system. The center channel is okay at low levels, but dims when you crank the system up. I've also noticed that the center channel sounds a little flat and is not entirely lifelike.

Should I try a different CC speaker?

Recommendations?

Cost is not a huge issue here...within reason of course

Tabcon

 

[TABCON]

Oh, one more thing. The Axioms are 4 ohm speakers.

I was considering a B&W 700 or 800 series CC, but they are all 8ohm speakers...can this work?

Tabcon

 

[Pianoman84d]

I'd get another m80 or m60 and use it as a floorstanding center, if possible. Going with another brand probably will mean that you don't have matched front soundstage.

 

[TABCON]

Do you mean for me to use two (2) center channel speakers?

Tabcon

 

[Nick250]

Do you mean for me to use two (2) center channel speakers?

Tabcon

A single speaker, that is the same the mains is in theory ideal. In my setup it works wonderfully. That being said, placement of a additional tower would be the tricky part I suspect.

Nick

 

[TABCON]

Oh...duh...lol.

That would be a great setup, but I wouldn't be able to see through it.

I've been looking at the new Martin Logan Stage. It's 4ohm's and I've read some great stuff about it.

Tabcon

 

[Pianoman84d]

Yeah, I figured you might not be able to place it well. But I thought I'd throw it out there.

 

[corey]

Oh, one more thing. The Axioms are 4 ohm speakers.

I was considering a B&W 700 or 800 series CC, but they are all 8ohm speakers...can this work?

Tabcon

That doesn't matter. Anyway your current VP150 is a 6 ohm speaker.

Before you buy another center, be sure to try it out in your own home.

Have you tried moving your center around? Point it a little more up or down? Maybe raise or lower it some, or move it farther from or closer to the wall.

Maybe just bump it up a few db.

 

[TABCON]

Yea, I've played with it a good deal. Angling both up and down. When I did angle up, it helped a little. I have it set to large at 0db.

I just don't think it's beefy enough. I've heard others complain about the same thing with their Axiom centers also.

The great thing about the Martin Logan is that it's really not just a center, but is supposed to be almost equivalent to a high end tower in some regards.

I know you're not suppose to mess with a matched set of speakers, but really, it can only get better.

Tabcon

 

[Pianoman84d]

"I have it set to large at 0db."

I think thats your problem. It should be set to small. Have you tried that? The VP150 is not designed to do bass well at all (it is down 3db at like 80 or so). That should help a lot!!!

 

[wafflebird]

Sing us a song your the pianoman........

If you have a powered sub try what the Pianoman said first. Set your crossover in your receiver around 80 (just to try, 80 Hz is not the end all be all frequency for crossover) and set all your speakers to small and see what happens there first before you make any final decisions. You may think I am nuts on this but look on this site for bass management articles and you will see. Let us know how it turns out for you.

 

[TABCON]

"I have it set to large at 0db."

I think thats your problem. It should be set to small. Have you tried that? The VP150 is not designed to do bass well at all (it is down 3db at like 80 or so). That should help a lot!!!

Yes, we played with it a bunch, and the large setting seems to work the best.

Tabcon

 

[larry7995]

I have read somewhere about some folks that put a vp150 below the tv and one above. Myself I don't have my M80s yet and I really had to back the vp150 off quite a bit because it was blasting my current mains away. My receiver is a yamaha rxv1500.

 

[Pianoman84d]

Yes, we played with it a bunch, and the large setting seems to work the best.

Tabcon

then may i suggest taking advantage of Axiom's excellent customer service and giving them a call with your problem.

 

[Pianoman84d]

Something else that comes to mind: if the speaker really sounds better set as large, then it sounds like there may be some room acoustics issues or possibly subwoofer integration issues. Not sure, obviously I haven't heard your room, but it just sounds weird that it would be better set large. Especially with the freq graphs they publish on the Axiom website. Good luck!!