Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Vp 180 center

If you set your XOver at 80 Hz, there probably will be little perceptible difference in the sound as you are strangling the lower extension of the 180.

My Audyssey 'hears' my VP160 at 40 Hz & I expect that the VP180 would be similar or even lower.

I've tried mine at both 40 Hz & 60 Hz & settled at 60 Hz. It gives a 'fuller' sound to the all important CC without exaggerating male voices that can result in 'chestiness' if not done correctly in the speaker design.

Try lowering your XOver & you will probably hear a pleasant difference...

TAM

Tam Thanks for the input...haven't tried 40 hz yet but have the center crossed at 60hz( forgot mention I change 2 days ago) and the 80's at 60 as well
Have turned off surrounds and front heights to concentrate on main front soundstage and as I said very little difference ( subtle)some of the main differences seem to be in bass heavy soundtracks but still very subtle.......snow day here today ,so I will demo all day....
Anyone have any suggestions for demo material.....

I'm not sure what to tell you, other than my upgrade from a 150 to a 160 was what I consider a substantial improvement.

It sounds to me like something is wrong somewhere.

What sort of improvement were you looking for? I went from a M80 to the LFR1100 and I will fully admit that for the price increase it was really worth the extra money.

Perhaps you have reached your point of diminishing returns. The point where the sound improvement from the VP180 does not meet the price increase to move up from your current VP150.

The VP180 speaker is a different design and will give you a lower frequency range down to around the 35-40hz, where the VP150 is really only taking you down to 60hz.

There are some movies that have been encoded to take advantage of the lower frequencies on the center channel. I bought the VP180 as I got it at a good deal though the 'b' stock. Yet looking at the family of curves, the VP160 is a far better speaker.

Thanks Mark ...
Yes there could be something wrong( all drivers are working), could be crossover or cabinet issue???
Or maybe these speakers are more similar than different despite their appearance
At least in my room with my ears???

Thanks Matt
I guess I was looking for a better/seamless front soundstage.....which I may not obtain with any horizontal center.
Many on this forum have reported switching from 150 to the 180 was a huge upgrade,
In my room with my ears I am not seeing much of an upgrade( if any at all),sometimes depending on material and which seat I'm in,the 150 sounds a bit better( more clear)sometimes the 180 trumps the 150 depending on content( more laid back ,not as forward as the 150).........
But in all honesty about 90%( or more) of the content I throw at these( a good 5 hrs yesterday alone) they sound more similar ,than different.
Thanks guys and still would like to hear from others......

Taking this over to AVS may get you more than you bargained for & not in a good way.

Maybe a VP160 would be a better choice due to it's more 'conventional' driver placement on the front baffle. Mine is superb & quite a step up from my previous VP100...

TAM

Thanks for "Heads Up" Tam
There is a lot of good guys over at AVS and I value some of their input as well...( not just about my center dilemma ,but all audio/ video Q's)
But there are a few guys also that have a real hate on for Axiom.......unhealthy hate really.
They may have some real issues outside of audio? If they need to use axiom as their Couch .........so be it!
I will continue to ignore their input as usual.......
I now moving 180 around on top of audio rack ( in closer to wall, and then away to see if I get a better sound( I still play with m 80's occasionally as well moving in/ out and adjusting toe in)
Forgot to add I would have to trim the height of my audio cabinet for the 160......
Already did this once as I moved from 92" to 106" screen.......maybe would consider trying 160 later on.

It should have been a marked improvement. I'm too lazy to look back, but did you:

Rerun auto eq etc.
Move the speaker out from wall if possible.
Check channel level compared to vp150

Of note is the speaker is a 4 ohm nominal load vs 8 for the 150. Not quite sure if you are using an auto eq, and a setting like all channel flat, if so you are likely throwing out amp headroom and squahing current output. I would try direct mode vs eq and see if there is a difference. As Mark sais, something sounds borked.

Thanks for your input
I have Audyssey turned off on denon 991( same as 3311) 150 is 6 ohm and doing test through an A/B speaker switch and not adjusting DB level thru this test ??? Maybe a problem.....
I have used RS SPL meter to set 180 with rest of speakers ...before testing...
Speaker back ( ported) 12" -14" from front wall( would think this is plenty)