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View Full Version : Mirage S12 Problems


kris7565
12-28-06, 10:13 PM
Hello,

I am helping someone set-up a Mirage S12 that they bought six months ago. I did all the usual calibration stuff and everything went fine with that (so I won't go into calibration details). I am actually quite impressed with the subs output and extension, it sounds great, and not just for the price. It sounds great end of story.

Anyway, long story short, I am having two rather puzzling issues with the subwoofer and I was wondering if anyone has any insight:

1. The auto on/off circuit does not work properly (the sub stays on all of the time). If the RCA cable is left disconnected from the back of the sub (or the receiver), and the S12 is powered on, it emits loud hum (about 45 to 50dB). With the subwoofer cable connected the hum is eliminated. Whether or not the RCA cable is connected, the sub will never turn itself off in the "auto" position.

2. It sounds like the sub is picking up a radio station? I thought I was going crazy because I kept hearing voices. We finally got the inhabitants in the house to be quiet for 5 minutes and I was able to trace it to the S12. Paul Harvey was on, I got to hear a few minutes of his radio show through a subwoofer today? With the RCA cable disconnected Paul Harvey would go away. I might add that the subwoofer is located a good distance away from the receiver. A 50ft subwoofer cable from BetterCables.com was used to connect the S12. I assume that the long cable is acting as an antenna? There is also a radio station within one mile of the home. Another interesting tidbit: Flipping the phase switch from 0 to 180 would also make Paul Harvey disappear?!?!?

As far as I can tell, sound quality does not seem to be affected and the radio chatter is not audible from the listening position. I don't know if it is worth the trouble of trying to get Mirage to repair the subwoofer? Or, perhaps these problems are "environmental" and cannot be solved by the manufacturer. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Ken

kris7565
01-01-07, 09:04 PM
No advice from anyone?

ephemere
01-11-07, 12:46 PM
I had the radio station problem with an old system I used to have with an Adcom GFA-535 amp, Audioquest speaker cables, and Magnepan SMGa speakers. If I replaced ANY ONE of the components -- amp, cable, or speakers -- the problem would go away. It was pretty freaky hearing voices suddenly start coming out of the speakers. Creeped me out a few times late at night.

I can't tell you why this happened, and nobody was ever able to explain it to me. But I'd bet money that your two problems are related. Whatever is making the sub think there's a signal is the same thing that's making it pick up RF.