Axiom Audio introduced the oversized VP160 Center Channel speaker, which is perfectly matched to their M60 tower speakers. The VP160 features the same 6.5-inch woofers, 5.25-inch mid-woofer, and 1-inch titanium tweeter as the M60. Using the same drivers gives the listener a seamless soundstage across the front array.
In order to match the kind of serious output the M60 floor standing speaker can provide, Axiom had to build a “monster” center channel. The VP160 weighs in at an impressive 43 pounds: not for the faint of heart. Because of its significant weight, the company does not recommend wall-mounting the speaker. Instead, they suggest putting it on a shelf or the dedicated stand available on their site, the FMS160. Also included in the speaker are two signature vortex ports — corrugated ports exclusive to Axiom Audio that eliminate port noise — which allow even greater sound output from a smaller cabinet.
Like all Axiom products, this speaker can be customized to suit almost any decor. Axiom offers 2 standard finishes (Black Oak and Boston Cherry), as well as over 100 customized finish options. If customers need a stain or finish that Axiom doesn’t carry, they can match a paint sample or wood sample to make a truly customized speaker. All the speakers are built to order in their factory in Dwight, Ontario, Canada.
“Bigger speakers mean more emotion, more thrills, more explosions, more romance, more excitement. The bigger the cabinet, and the wider the range of frequencies you can provide to the home theater listener, the more realistic their experience will be,” said Axiom founder and chief engineer, Ian Colquhoun.
Price and Availability
The Axiom Audio VP160 is available now for $570 with free shipping anywhere in North America (encompassing Alaska and Hawaii). It can be special-ordered in an inverted configuration for low placement under the video display (angling the sound up towards the listener) or in an in-cabinet version, for customers who are doing a built in wall of sound in their installation. The product can be shipped anywhere in the world that FedEx travels, and international pricing is available on Axiom’s website.
