For HK340- Mirage, Infinity, or Polk?

I know that HK is known for not overrating their power, but 55 watts (70 in two channel stereo) is not much, especially if you need to dip into the “reserves.â€


The Mirages measure horribly so you will not get neutral sound at all. Also the impedance dips just below 4ohms, so they won’t be easy to drive, especially with 55 WPC. And yet the reviewer makes this statement about the speakers:

“Unlike with speakers that are all looks and little sonic substance, it’s obvious to me that the designers at Mirage paid close attention to both areas in the Omnisat v2 FS’s design. As a result, they have created a winner that is a benchmark when it comes to combining style and sound. The Omnisat v2 FS delivers clean, refined, detailed sound that will satisfy a good number of audiophiles.â€


This just goes to show you that either the reviewer doesn’t know what good sound is, or cannot tell the truth because the magazine is scared they will lose advertising money (this is why most magazine reviews are worthless). Check the link below to see what I mean;
http://www.soundstagemagazine.com/me..._omnisat_v2fs/


The only RM Polk series measurements I could find were for the Polk Audio RM40T Speaker System. I don’t know how different they will sound than the Polk RM (7400T and 6901), but he is the link nonetheless (they have a much nicer FR than the Mirages).
http://www.hometheatermag.com/comple...olk/index.html


I cannot find an Infinity review with measurements, but here are three links to the TSS 4000 speakers:
http://www.hometheatersound.com/equi...y_tss_4000.htm
http://www.audiovideointeriors.com/r...6infinity4000/
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-...?reviewid=6411


My advice would be to go with whichever speakers have the highest impedance since you don’t have a ton of power (of course, purchase whichever sound better to you; this matters above all things). Also, perhaps you could ad a 2-channel amp for the fronts when you get a chance.

Quote:
Thanks, I read all of the articles, and some I had read before. Through shopping, I found that the Polks you linked are the same as what I am looking at, except for the color.


All of the speakers are 8 ohms, so any would be fine with the HK340, I assume?


What is 'FR'?

FR is short for Frequency Response which basically measures how accurate the crossover points and signal is throughout the speakers sound output range (how accurate the speaker is over all). It is very important if you want an accurate sound (you want it to sound like it would if you were at a live performance and had the symphony or band sitting on the stage in front of you).


Yes, the Polks will work. The Mirages are actually not bright; they are very warm in the midrange and laid back in the highs (the opposite of bright). I have never heard them, but the FR measurements don't like; they are terribly inaccurate.


Apparently the Polks that you listed are also the same model as the RM40T. Here is a link to their review and FR measurements (review first). The Polks are more accurate that the Mirages.
http://www.hometheatermag.com/completesystems/206polk/

http://www.hometheatermag.com/comple...lk/index3.html


I think the Polks and the HM will work well, but only you can be the judge of that. I may prefer a different sound than you do, so let your ears be the judge and not someone on a forum.

First of all the Mirages aren't bright, infact their midrange is on the warm side.


-If you want a spacious sound good with acoustic music the Mirages would be a good choice. These speakers have fairly good off axis sound too. Even though these speakers might not rock your socks off they will still be very enveloping.


-If you want a speaker that can give you good home theater reproduction I would go with the Infinity 4000/1100 combo Make sure the center channel is the 4000 series though, I demoed the TSS1100 system at Circuit City with the Onkyo 603 and had to crank the volume up nearly all the way to get clear dialog out of the small 1100 center. The 4000 center does make a difference! Make the entire front row 4000, and only use the 1100's as surrounds.


-I haven't heard the polk 7400T's, but I have hear the similar HTIB sets from them and found that they have a pleasent sound with both movies and music, a bit more natural than Infinity. In my opinion they had a good midrange for voices.


Go to the store and listen to all these speakers or at least similar models. Circuit City carries both Infinity and Polk.