 Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 83
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 83 |
Has anyone switched from using a VP150 to an M80 for a center channel? I'm in the finishing stages of my dedicated basement theater, and I will have my Axioms (M80's w/ VP150 center) behind an acoustically transparent screen. I was thinking that since the speakers will be hidden behind the screen anyway, it might make sense to change my center to an M80 to match the L/R's. Do you guys think it's worth it? If I go for it, anyone interested in a VP150 in excellent condition :)?
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 Re: Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
There are several current and former forum members who do this. The ones who do highly recommend it. I imagine Grunt will be by soon to do so.
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928
axiomite
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axiomite
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,928 |
An M80 centre would certainly give you the perfect timbre match across the front.
Half of communication is listening. You can't listen with your mouth.
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Re: Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851 Likes: 15
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851 Likes: 15 |
3 identical speakers across the front should give you the best "matched" setup, however, you should not have issues with your VP150?
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569 |
I switched over about two years ago and will never go back. I suggest you get things set up and have a listen both with the VP150 and using a phantom center (tell your receiver you don‘t have a center channel hooked up and it will play the center equally through the mains). Though not exactly like using a M80 center using a phantom center with your M80 mains will simulate what the change from the VP150 will sound like at least at the sweet spot. You may find the difference isn’t worth it for you. You could also try it with your current setup but I’ve found room characteristics play a big role in how much difference the center speaker makes. If you do decide to make the switch this might work for you: http://www.axiomaudio.com/tradeup.htmlCheers, Dean P.S. Hi Ken.
3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
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Re: Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044 |
I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
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Re: Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851 Likes: 15
shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 13,851 Likes: 15 |
I will try the phantom thing again with my m80's down in the theater. I think the last time I tried, there was not much difference...
M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85
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Re: Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 83
old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 83 |
I switched over about two years ago and will never go back. I suggest you get things set up and have a listen both with the VP150 and using a phantom center (tell your receiver you don‘t have a center channel hooked up and it will play the center equally through the mains). Though not exactly like using a M80 center using a phantom center with your M80 mains will simulate what the change from the VP150 will sound like at least at the sweet spot. You may find the difference isn’t worth it for you. You could also try it with your current setup but I’ve found room characteristics play a big role in how much difference the center speaker makes. If you do decide to make the switch this might work for you: http://www.axiomaudio.com/tradeup.htmlCheers, Dean P.S. Hi Ken. Thanks for the thoughts. I'm still a couple weeks away (hopefully) from moving my audio gear from my family room into the theater. I think I'm probably going to go for it as I've never been completely happy with the VP150 (more for music than movies), and I've always thought that it might be because the M80's just sound so good it can't quite keep up. Or maybe it's just me. Anyway, it might be worth a try with the 30 day return policy.
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Re: Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569 |
Thanks for the thoughts. I'm still a couple weeks away (hopefully) from moving my audio gear from my family room into the theater. I think I'm probably going to go for it as I've never been completely happy with the VP150 (more for music than movies), and I've always thought that it might be because the M80's just sound so good it can't quite keep up. Or maybe it's just me. Anyway, it might be worth a try with the 30 day return policy.
Your thoughts echo mine. I can't stand horizontal center speakers for music however for movies I don’t mind quite as much though after getting use to having a vertical center I don’t like to switch back. If you’re ordering with the thought of returning it if the difference isn’t big significant then you might consider ordering an M22 at the same time. If you cross all of your front speakers over at 80Hz the M22 will sound very similar to your M80s. I prefer my front speakers crossed at 40Hz so I stuck with the M80 center.
3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
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Re: Anyone using an M80 for a center channel?
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569
connoisseur
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connoisseur
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,569 |
I will try the phantom thing again with my m80's down in the theater. I think the last time I tried, there was not much difference... I’m interested in reading your thoughts on it Randy. Based on my limited experience testing it out in three rooms I’ve found the farther away I am from the speakers the less difference it makes between using a vertical over horizontal center and also the less I notice any timber differences.
3M80 2M22 6QS8 2M2 1EP500 Sony BDP-S590 Panny-7000 Onkyo-3007 Carada-134 Xbox Buttkicker AS-EQ1
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