Mirage Speakers - Page 16

Would the C550's be a downgrade/sidegrade or upgrade from the original Omni line (Omni 50, 60, 250, 260)?

I am concerned that the C550's drivers (Tweeter: Single 1" Aluminum Dome & Woofer: Two 6.5" Fiberglass Composite) are a downgrade from the older Omni drivers (1" PTH™ Pure Titanium Hybrid & 5-1/2" Polypropylene Titanium Deposit Hybrid)

I am thinking of going from my current Omni 50's to a set of C550's. I know I will get more low end from the C550's, I just don't want to compromise on my mids and highs from the sweet sounding Omni 50's.

The smallest bookshelf in the old line vs. the biggest floorstander in the newer line is something of an apples and oranges comparison.

I haven't heard the new line, but you'd think the old drivers (if they're still working fine) would as you say have a bit of an edge.

And it sounds like you love the old speakers, which I can understand completely as it's a very nice sound. Read this love letter to the Omni 50:
http://www.goodsound.com/equipment/mirage_omni50.htm

It really might be a sideways move unless you're clear what you're trying to accomplish.

What is it you're trying to accomplish? Do you need more sound? Then it might be necessary, though you might want to look at the amplification side. With 91db sensitivity and 100 watts of power handling, it should put out a pretty good amount of sound.

More bass? Do you have a sub now? It not, it wouldn't be hard to integrate a sub as long as your receiver/amp has some basic crossover features.

Would the time/money be better spent upgrading something else or improving the way the system interacts with the room and your listening position?

I do currently have a sub. A HSU TN1220, which is a very capable sub at that.

I am considering the C550's since they have more bottom end and then I could set my amp to "large". for the front speakers. I will be getting a Panny XR57 soon and it supports LPCM over HDMI, but it does not support base management in such a configuration. So the subwoofer will unfortuneltly have it's LFE signal -10db down when running in this config from some sources. (a known LFE bug of the XR57)

Having the C550's running full range over my current omni 50's set to SMALL will give me additional bass management/cross over choices and flexibility in my setup.

Anyone have a recommendation for a center speaker to go with a pair of 350's?. I haven't been able to find C150's in stock or on ebay, etc.

I'm also unsure which direction to go with the surround speakers. I could pick up a pair of nanosats or another pair of 350s? or would they be too much for rear speakers?

350's all around including the center channel would be pretty killer. Perfect for movies as well as multi channel audio.

If you can't accomodate a tower in the center, you could try to find a 150 (the regular bookshelf, not the center.)

Anyone here have a chance to compare the OMNI 350's and 550's to the Polk RTi10's? I've torn between these two speakers. I like the sound of the Polks, but I have yet to hear ANY Mirage speaker and the concept of the omnipole speaker really intrigues me. Can anyone provide a brief comparison?

I took advantage of the blowout pricing on the 350's and was SOOO impressed that I decided to fish around for a deal on OMD-15's. Put up a saved search on fleabay and BAM, 48hrs later, platinum seller, NIB right at half price.

Just unpacking these jewels was a joy because the workmanship is just top notch. The piano black is so high gloss it almost looks plastic but is much too rich looking to be mistaken for plastic. You can move them around a lot more easily too with the supplied rubber gloves. Gives you a good grip without fingerprints.

Placement is less than optimal but I expected good results anyway since the 350's performed so well in the same spot. Mirage recomends 100 hour break in but I ran Audyssey anyway on my SR705, only measured 3 locations though instead of 8.

All I can say is that I am just stunned at the width of the sounddstage, the depth of the tight bass and the details within the music that I just wasn't hearing before. They sound so clean, I listen at slightly lowered volume levels now because I can still get such detail - they just peform at all listening levels.

The 350's are moved to the rear surrounds with another pair at the sides sides. I picked up an OMD C1 from the same seller and now am the proud and very pleased owner of an all mirage 7.1 system.

I can't wait for it all to pass the 100 hour break in point so I can re-run the set-up for all 8 room locations. I'm going to have to go through my whole DVD and CD colection all over again.

well i did it..

i ordered my omni 550 from crutchfield this morning. $339.00 for pair. free shipping.

blind purchase for me. have not heard them but have read some pretty good reviews.

this is the beginning of my new home theater.

had my cambridge soundowrks bookshelf's for about 9 years, hoping to hear some improvement.


edit now i need a center. a few posts up someone said to use the 150 if the c150's are not available. any one else on that subject.?

I still love my 350s, but not as much as I did before last weekend. What happened last weekend is that my mom stopped using my old Athena Audition F1s and gave them back to me. It turns out that I still prefer those overall (though the Mirages remain far superior in the imaging department.) Interestingly, the Mirages and Athenas are "family" (both API.)

Pulliam, your posts are often interesting, but - you change speakers like other people change socks. Or hats maybe. Or something. Maybe you should add that to your sig? Fair disclosure.

Technically, listening to the Athenas again doesn't qualify as "changing" speakers since I have owned them for years. I merely hadn't heard them lately as my folks were using them.

You had them for 2 weeks, tops.


They're not interesting. They're a sad joke.

Turns out I was driving them with the wrong amp. My old amp, while powerful, is not 4 Ohm stable. The Mirages are 8 Ohm nominal, but actually 4 Ohm throughout much of their range (especially the bass.) My new amp has less power, but is 4 Ohm stable and that makes all the difference. The 350s are now my favorites again.

As are you.

OM-C3 or Omni V2 CC?

I have the OM-C3 right now to match up with my OM9s, but i'm thinking of getting the Omni V2 CC, since the OM-C3 is bulky and really doesn't sound great. I should have bought an OM-C2 when I still could have gotten my hands on one, but it seems that without ponying up a lot of cash for the OMD center channel, the Omin v2 CC looks like a good bet?

Not having heard the CC, I would advise to look long and hard for an OMC2 off of audiogon or something. I did the same thing about 1.5 years ago, went from an OMC3 with my OM9's to an OMC2 and the OMC2 timbre matches almost perfectly with the 9's. Supposedly it matches better with the 9's then the 7's or 5's if I recall reading that somewhere correctly. Something about having the same cross over frequency with the tweeter (1.9 khz versus 2.0 on the 7's and 5's) and same size drivers.

This would be the wide consensus. Especially since you have a center you can use while you wait.

If the OMC3 isn't enough for you, I don't know that the Omnisat would be any better.

Though I've never heard anyone say the OMC3 didn't sound good - only that it didn't have enough power for their tastes. You might want to check the settings on your receiver.

And you didn't say where you were putting it - the 3 speakers you've mentioned all have different placement requirements, with the OMC3 being the only one that can really handle being in a shelf/tight space.

My Omni 350s were $300/pr. The similar-looking (slightly bigger, nicer finish) OMD-15s are $2500/pr. Why? How can they possibly be that much better?

Yeam, the OMC3 doesn't sound bad, it's just underpowered, I probably should have been more clear on that. Actually, I like the wallmounting ability of the Omni CC v2, the OMC3 is a bit bulky. I wouldn't mind the bulk of the OMC2 since it's such a pretty speaker

On the other hand, does anyone know what direction Mirage will take now that they're owned by Klipsch? Are Andrew Welkner and Ian Paisley still designing for them, or will design go in-house at Klipsch (that would suck).

Don't know the direction they are heading, but I have been putting ideas for new products in the inboxes of both the new national director of sales and my rep (both Klipsch group staff). Just an FYI, I received a long fax of what were listed as "closeouts" this morning. Pretty much everything current is on the list. Could be inventory reduction or it could mean that new product is due this year. Only the powers that be know where they are going with this, but I was assured that the unique design of Mirage speakers are attractive to Klipsch group and the brand is not going away like the Athena brand did a week ago. Don't know about the involvement of Andrew and Ian but I've been in this business long enough to suspect the worst.

Whoa! This is the first I have heard of that! Too bad, since they made outstanding speakers at a great price. Sounds like it is time to grab a pair on closeout before they are all gone (glad I already have mine.)

I started a thread totled "Athena is Done!" when I got the e-mail. Maybe should have titled it differently. Anyway here's the link.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...athena+is+done

TDI Driver, it sounds like you've been in the business for a while, i'm hoping the API brands get to keep their identity. In a way Athena replaced Sound Dynamics, but now it appears to be more of restructuring from Klipsch's input. I'm really hoping that API's brands get to keep their identity.

"Just an FYI, I received a long fax of what were listed as "closeouts" this morning. Pretty much everything current is on the list. Could be inventory reduction or it could mean that new product is due this year. " You're talking about Mirage there, not Athena? If so, that's big news.

when will we start to see the additional mirage models on sale at close out prices at vanns, etc?

they have arrived...550's

I'm also excited for sale prices. Unlike last time, I didn't buy my OM-C2 and have regretted it since. This time i'm thinking this might be the last of the "real" Mirage speakers. Who knows what Klipsch might do moving forward?

The only downside is that everything is made in China, most of my current Mirage setup is all Canadian made

Spoken like a person that has not heard many speakers. Maybe you should go out there and hear new and different things. You would be surprised with what's out there.

easy, pretty sure he was not trying to insult you..