Center shootout w/ pics.

[pearsall001]

First day having all 3 centers in the house, Polk LSiC, Axiom VP180, KEF Q600C. The LSiC is well broken in but the other two are just getting warmed up. Quite frankly though the Axiom is really strutting it's stuff. The LSiC is not to be taken lightly, & the KEF is also to be reckoned with. The two newcomers are blending in extremely well with my LSi15's. That was my main concern, & I'm sure they'll start sounding even better after a few hours on them. I've got 30 days for the Axiom & KEF so there's plenty of time for a serious workout. Till later.

Pic #1...Axiom VP180 (39.5 x 9.5 x 17)
Pic #2...Polk LSiC on Axiom
Pic #3...Kef on Axiom
Pic#4...Axiom & room ahot.

[HTguru1982]

You gotta be kidding me! The Axiom is HUGE.

[mantis]

I have heard good things about Axiom speakers and the price from what I understand outperforms everything due to the direct buy ability and no middle man so they are very well priced.
If you start really digging the Axiom center channel , I suggest getting the matching mains and take them for a test drive. You might get out of those Lsi's if you do.

Good luck looks like a lot of fun. I on a side note hate when the mains and center is not of the same brand . Voicing always comes into play at some point and becomes a distraction.

[pearsall001]

Hey Dan, I know you don't like mixing speakers across the front end but I have to tell you the Axiom blends in beautifully. Is it perfect, no but it's darn close to the point that it doesn't bring attention to itself. It's performance is incredible! Maybe things will be a changin in my mancave. Time will tell.

[Geoff4rfc]

it doesn't bring attention to itself.

Now that's a laugh!! Maybe not audibly, but visually, I'd have to say it brings more than enough attention to itself.

[mantis]

Hey Dan, I know you don't like mixing speakers across the front end but I have to tell you the Axiom blends in beautifully. Is it perfect, no but it's darn close to the point that it doesn't bring attention to itself. It's performance is incredible! Maybe things will be a changin in my mancave. Time will tell.

Good luck with it , if you decide to test drive the mains , I want to come over and test drive them with you.

[leroyjr1]

Have you thought about trying out the new LSI center?

[devani]

It's almost as big as 15....

[tonyb]

looks like a tower speaker turned on it's side.

[pearsall001]

Good luck with it , if you decide to test drive the mains , I want to come over and test drive them with you.

If I make the move you're on Dan!

Have you thought about trying out the new LSI center?

It isn't big enough... And since their brand new there won't be much in the way of discounts. Just a tad more than I want to spend. They sure look nice though.

looks like a tower speaker turned on it's side.

Tony, that's exactly what it is...Axiom's flagship M80 v3 turned on it's side. There are a few differences though, the driver layout is different...WTMMTW & the crossovers are redesigned for it's different driver layout. Also the ports are located on the back. It's sounding mighty fine.

[cfrizz]

Holy cow!!! It must sound amazing, WTG Phil!

[dave shepard]

Holly crap that Axiom is huge you just don't get the true size of something until it is set next to or infront of something to compare.

I've looked at them on their web site and thought about trying them with their 30day return policy but never did. I have read that they perform well but never heard them 1st hand. It will be interesting to read what you think and how they compare to the others side by side.

I also looked at their Amp A1400, has anyone tried one? It looks interesting and if the speakers perform well it would make me think that their amp might also be worth looking into.

Dave

[tonyb]

3 full range speakers upfront seems like an ideal situation, if you have the room. In a SACD scenario, 5 full rangers would be kick ass.

[pearsall001]

Holly crap that Axiom is huge you just don't get the true size of something until it is set next to or infront of something to compare.

I've looked at them on their web site and thought about trying them with their 30day return policy but never did. I have read that they perform well but never heard them 1st hand. It will be interesting to read what you think and how they compare to the others side by side.

I also looked at their Amp A1400, has anyone tried one? It looks interesting and if the speakers perform well it would make me think that their amp might also be worth looking into.

Dave

Yep, me too, i've been looking at their web site for years now but never got around to giving them a try. That is until they came out with their new center, the VP180 which really intrigued me enough to give them a shot. So far I haven't been dissapointed.

[dave shepard]

Yep, me too, i've been looking at their web site for years now but never got around to giving them a try. That is until they came out with their new center, the VP180 which really intrigued me enough to give them a shot. So far I haven't been dissapointed.

Thanks. I look forward to your write-up. Wish I lived closer to give it a listen. The only thing is you would have to pay for the return shipping correct? with something that size and weight have you looked into how much that would be? I hope not too horribly bad.

Dave

[mantis]

3 full range speakers upfront seems like an ideal situation, if you have the room. In a SACD scenario, 5 full rangers would be kick ass.

Would that be in Pink , Yellow , Black , Blue and Red? Or Pink , Yellow , Green , Blue and Red?

[mantis]

If your digging that center channel man , I now strongly suggest checking out the main speakers as well as the surrounds. Keep your sub's dude.
They are priced to ship bro and look killer. If they sound as good as they look , I'm all in. They are crazy affordable. I wonder how they would compare to the LSI15's , you could do a full shootout in that room.

Keep me in the loop as I have been wanting to hear their speakers for quite some time.They get very good reviews.

[reeltrouble1]

cool beans Phil...have fun.

RT1

[Mr. Sharpe]

that's a biiiiig center channel! it's like you took another one of those Polk towers and just laid it sideways lol

[Tony M]

That's my kind of style right there..

Can you get a photo of the center with the lights on and grill off ?

[dave shepard]

Keep me in the loop as I have been wanting to hear their speakers for quite some time.They get very good reviews.

Get off your ass and get down there so you can let us know your thoughts also. You can never have too many opions even though it would be kinda hard to get the best effect from just the center all 3 across the front would be better but you can still get the jest of the sound from it by itself.

Dave

EDIT: P.S. take a pic of them nude.

[HTguru1982]

https://www.skiingninja.com/Articles.asp?ID=173

[Tony M]

The above link would not show pics. so ..

http://axiomaudio.com/vp180.html

[Face]

Turning the treble way up with a LSiC would probably produce the same sound.

[mantis]

Get off your ass and get down there so you can let us know your thoughts also. You can never have too many opions even though it would be kinda hard to get the best effect from just the center all 3 across the front would be better but you can still get the jest of the sound from it by itself.

Dave

EDIT: P.S. take a pic of them nude.

Soon as Phil Invites me over , I'm in my truck. I could demo just the center AKA Triad buddy.
Anyway I don't see the Maple finish on the website anymore, they look sexy in Maple finish. Thats what I would want if I got them. I wonder if it is special order?

[pearsall001]

Soon as Phil Invites me over , I'm in my truck. I could demo just the center AKA Triad buddy.
Anyway I don't see the Maple finish on the website anymore, they look sexy in Maple finish. Thats what I would want if I got them. I wonder if it is special order?

Let's set something up Dan. PM me with your schedule & what works for you. I'm sure we can come up with something. I think you'll like the A/B set up with the lone LSi15. Very interestingggggggg!

[VR3]

I find it interesting how they did their tweeters - seems like you would have many issues with cancellations and so forth?

[pearsall001]

Here's a few naked pics:

[VR3]

If this is considered flaming or off topic or parade raining... please remove or ignore

When I look at this center channel I see a speaker that goes against all conventional wisdom of loudspeakers. It is almost like they threw drivers on a baffle to make it look cool.

I mean Horizontal speakers to start with are not exactly the ideal situation but to put two midrange drivers doing the same frequency side by side, then two tweeters sides by side and then two midbass drivers side by side - it seems like a mess?

Is there something these guys are doing to correct these issues?

[pearsall001]

If this is considered flaming or off topic or parade raining... please remove or ignore

When I look at this center channel I see a speaker that goes against all conventional wisdom of loudspeakers. It is almost like they threw drivers on a baffle to make it look cool.

I mean Horizontal speakers to start with are not exactly the ideal situation but to put two midrange drivers doing the same frequency side by side, then two tweeters sides by side and then two midbass drivers side by side - it seems like a mess?

Is there something these guys are doing to correct these issues?

When you auditioned the VP180 how did it sound to you? Did it have a dynamic, robust room filling sound with crystal clear dialog even at low levels, or was it just so-so & really just didn't get the job done? Does the driver placement & the sound seem like these are issues that need to be corrected? And if so, have you contacted Axiom to see what steps they are taking to correct these issues? Curious minds want to know.