Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater What will I gain with these upgrades

About a year ago I upgraded my surrounds to QS-8's and added an HSU Sub. My front three speakers were M22's and the center channel a VP-150. I really like the sound but wonder what I would gain from going to M60's up front and the VP-160 center. If I were to only go with one of the two which would be better to start with? I am really looking for more what I call mid-base. Not room shaking LFE but more the sound you seem to get in action movies when someone fires a machine gun (usually it looks like an AK-47 that has that blunt but low frequency report as opposed to the sharper crack of an M-16). I am sure that either rifle has the sound added in as foley or whatever but this is the area I'd like to see improved.



My room is not real large. A family room maybe 15' by 15' with 9 foot ceilings it is open in the back to the kitchen. I'll post a pic if I have one online.

All speakers powered by a Yamaha RX-V675 or maybe a 677.

Greg

I haven't tried it but I'd upgrade to a 160 and go from there.

Tough decision. You will gain that upper bass you seek going up to the larger speakers, I did the same upgrade many years ago, only went to the M80. I think you would benefit more from the VP160 upgrade first if you watch movies more than listen to music considering how much info comes through the center during a movie. If it is a more music than movies situation I would go with the M60 upgrade first.

I have a pair of M22s for L & R with a VP160 CC (that I upgraded from a VP100).

Because there is so much more content mixed into the center channel as contrasted to several years ago, all you really need is a VP160. It is excellent in that role & digs deeper than most CC speakers out there. Furthermore, its driver placement on the front baffle is closer to ideal than the VP150 (or so they say!).

My Audyssey hears both the M22s & VP 160 at 40 Hz in my room so I have mid-bass in spades. The previous VP100 was heard at 80 or 90 Hz if I remember correctly.

The M22s are no slouches & are just fine as L & Rs as long as you have a quality sub or two to tie it all together. I don't think that M60s would give you any more performance but a VP160 definitely would...

TAM

Thanks.

Decisions, decisions . . .

Christmas is coming as mom used to say.

Greg

I use M22's with the VP160. The VP160 added some of the upper bass I was missing.

My vote is for the VP160, too. Also, that room likes a great place to unwind.

That's a really nice room Greg!

I'm going to agree with others on the VP160 instead of upgrading the mains.

When I bought my gear I had a chance to do direct a/b comparisons between the M60 and the M22 + sub. They were almost identical in sound except for the subs lower extension.

One more vote for upgrading the center speaker first.

What frequency are you using now to cross over to the sub ? Might be worth bumping to 100 Hz to see if that makes any difference (and making sure the crossover on the Hsu is set to maximum).

Thanks everyone. It sure would be nice to get a random $250 discount or so to help me make up my mind . . .

Thanks for the compliments on that room. It is a family/home theater room but works well overall.

Greg