I think we need a new center channel design.  I realize that you have the VAC, which does indeed bring out the midrange (too much in my opinion).  As well as the 522C for a center, I think this has to strict vertical placement to make it a good center.

I beg Aperion to develop a new center than incorporates the d'appolito design to increase the vertical placement strategy as well as incorporating the voicing of the 522 series speakers.  If you could do this, I think you would have an unbeatable combination of speakers for both movies and music, the value vs. price would be impossible to beat.

Maybe you could also incorporate a passive sub design into the PT version speakers via a shorting bar.  So when you upgrade to a higher end system, you can try out the passive design rather than having to buying a subwoofer to match, and/or, wasting the frequency response of the current PT design..

The upcoming VAC with the HDX-3 circuit we think will be a great evolution of our current 522D-VAC. We've taken the advice from many of you on the forwardness of the midrange in the current design. The new VAC (533-VAC) will be slightly less focused on the mids, and overall have a flatter frequency response from 80 - 20K.

THe D'Apppolito design is great as long as the speaker is vertical. As soon as you lay it on it's side to be a center channel, you drastically mess up your frequency response by increasing the Lobing effect. This causes the frequency response to distort especially when slightly off center, and especially in the midrange. That's why we went with a vertical array design for the mid and tweet.

Cheers!

Hi Ben,

Do you have a time line for the 522 HDX-3 and the Center VAC HDX-3?

I am ready to upgrade...and what is the price point going to be?

Thanks

Yes, we should have the 532-LR (replaces the 522D-LR) and 533-VAC (replaces the 522D-VAC) around mid-late June.

These products are actually the same price as the current speakers - $180 ea for the 532-LR and $280 ea for the 533-VAC.

Thanks!

Awesome! can I get on the preorder list or is that not ready yet?

Steve

You can call in now to pre-order any of the new HDX-3 stuff, including the 533-VAC.

The trade up program was designed for customers to upgrade to a more expensive, larger speaker. Being that the new 533-VAC is the same price/size, there's no trade up option on the 522D-VAC. If you don't like it you can return it within your initial 30 day audition. We'll even consider taking it back if it's been just a couple months, as long as the speaker is in mint condition. If it's been more than a couple months, we can help you re-sell it at places like Ebay. You'd be suprised what kind of price they sell for there!

Cheers,
Ben

What is the status of the 532 and 533-VAC speakers?  Are they out yet?  Looking forward to auditioning them.