Mirage, undenied beauty

[Lexman]

Check out these beauties from Mirage! Found in Sound and Vision. Scanned the image in for your viewing pleasure. I think Mirage is on the comeback with these speakers. If anyone can give them a listen, please let us know the results!

Unfortunately, my local dealer no longer carries Mirage.

Lex

[Bing Fung]

Lex, I too seen those in S&V, and thought
"What a gorgeous speaker!"




Bing

[Andrew Pratt]

One of my favorite AV stores carries both of these models. They're expensive, sound great and yes they are very easy on the eyes

[GregoriusM]

Ain't those puppies a sight for sore eyes??!!!!

Not that I could ever afford them, but I feel that I'd have to buy a $2000 smoking jacket and learn to smoke a pipe, in order to be in their presence, that's how good looking they are!!! Can't see me listening to them in my jeans and a T-shirt like I do with my HT now!! lol

I'll trust the rest of you on the great sound!!

Greg :-)

[Digital Bob]

Guys,

For what it worth, they sound as good as they look. They were designed by Ian Paisley's (VP of engineering API) protege, Andrew Welker (sp?).

Andrew took the OM6 as a starting point and set out to improve several aspects of it's performance. Better/more bass, more precise image focus w/out sacrificing unifrom radiation, and improved cosmetics. The result is the OM5 we are all ogling over. They sound AMAZING. And that's coming from a guy who has owned M1s, M3s, M5s, OM6s and a few others.

This is the best speaker the boys in Canada have come up with in a long, long time. Don't walk, run to your nearest dealer to audition them. But know that they sound even better at home than they do in most "listening" rooms at the dealer.

Sorry for the commercial, I now return you to your regularly scheduled forum. ;-)




dB

[Lexman]

Come on Bob, tell us what you really think about them. Sounds like they have inner beauty as well as outer beauty. I wish I could audition them. Not to buy necessarily, but at least just to hear the goods! Fact is, I couldn't buy them now if I wanted to. The word strapped comes to mind, lol.

Lex

[Digital Bob]

Lex,
After rereading my post, I guess I can see where I waffled a bit in my opinion of them. I'll try and take a firmer position next time.

Seriously, even if you are not in the market they are worth listening to. Not to start a holy war, but they have elevated the bipolar concept to the state-of-the-art with omnipolar radiation. Love it (I do!) or hate it (some do), you really should check it out. It is definitely a concept who's time has come.

If you look at many of the "reference" speakers being developed today, you'll notice more and more of them are starting to think about bipole and/or off-axis radiation. Wilson Audio and Revel come to mind but there are many others. Ian led this charge early on and continues to be on the forefront of the movement.

The OM5s really need to be experienced. When they are set-up correctly it is quite breathtaking. Besides, until (if?) the new OM3 and/or OM1 actually debut, this is the closest most of us will come to the "pulsating sphere" the engineers talk about. BTW- The prototypes for the OM1 are just as gorgeous but taller and thinner. The bass section is.... Well, you'll just have to trust that they are woth waiting for.


Dyed-in-the-wool Mirage guy,




dB

[Trevor Schell]

Bing,,You can pick up a pair of these at Audio Warehouse..They are absolutely gorgeous!!..They also come in black..Very Nice!!

Looks like Lexman has upgrade fever!




Trevor
My HomeTheater S.E.
Sonically Enhanced
C5

[RickS]

What's the MSRP for these speakers?




The Home Theater
DVD Collection

[Lexman]

dB, thaks for your contributions here on the Mirage. Trevor, I hardly think so!

BTW, you folks that haven't ridden the same trail as me. dB owes me for his signature. haha. Was my idea, right dB?

Good one Greg!

Lex

[Ken McDaniel]

It takes quite a speaker to snatch my attention from my SF's. How much these suckers cost?




Ken

[DavidY]

Nice pic, Lex. Absolutely gorgeous. Gotta love that cherry finish, my favourite.

Sound and Vision's Buyer's Guide 2001 has it listed for US$3500/pair, black high gloss or cherry veneer.

Anyone know what the MSRP is in Canada?

I am guessing that the Canadian price of the OM-5 will be on par to the Energy Veritas V1.8 (US list US$4000/pair) or V2.4 (US list US$3500/pair).

This should be a good contest, Mirage OM-5, Energy Veritas V1.8 or V2.4?

Dave

[Lexman]

What's all this talk about speakers. I was showing you guys the leather chair, rofl.

I am pleased to see that I sparked some interest on this deserving speaker. Tah tah Ken, you just added new speakers weeks ago, lol.

I am personally not ready to trade in my Sonus fabulous, I mean faber speakers just yet.

Lex

[Digital Bob]

Lex,

You came up with "dB" for me (Digital Bob) when... 2 or 3 forums ago?

I have taken credit for it ever since though. Sorry




dB

[John Holmes]

Hell, I could use the chair I use a loveseat in my "dedicated" room and am always using some of it's pillows to support my other arm.

BTW, Yeah the speakers are nice too!




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[Lexman]

It's yours to claim dB, just razzing you a bit.

John, we will try to get more info on the "chair", It sure does look comfy.

Lex

[ThomasW]

That exact chair was available at Costco over the summer, $700 as I recall. It looks better than it sits. No back support. Was made by one of the larger "mid-fi" furniture mfgrs, sorry I don't remember which. The one in the store the leather stretched out and was all baggy after 2 weeks of people trying it out. There were big stretchey "divots" in the hassock from peoples heel's. I was seriously thinking of getting one. Glad I didn't after seeing how the store "demo" faired.




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Lexman]

Thomas, thanks for the chair info. I think it was really all more in jest than seriousness. But it's good to know these things.

I have one leather recliner from Bassett. My major complaint is it seems to be a smaller chair than another that I own from the same company that is not leather. Currently, the leather chair is a dedicated gaming chair in my great room. Looks great there, but plays hell with imaging area of my mains

Lex

[John Holmes]

Thanks Thomas, but Lex hit it on the nail...it was in fun. I also saw that piece at Costco and was tempted but realized the same as you. Though it was a little cheaper when I saw it in Tacoma Washington.




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[ThomasW]

Well when you guys do get serious, check these out.
I give them 2 thumbs up

http://www.ekornes.com/index2.htm

Click on "Products" then click on "Stressless"
Sorry, my understanding is that the young woman is an optional extra. :B




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Lexman]

hmmm, nice chair! If the lady comes with it, I will take two

Lex

[John Holmes]

Uh...yea uh, umph like yeah like Lex said....Nice Chair:B

Great site!




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[Andrew Pratt]

hmm that chair has some nice curves in it

okay jst called my local dealer and list prices on the OM-5's are $5200 Cdn ($3500USD) The slightly smaller OM-7's are $3000 Cnd (~$2050USD)

[Markj]

A question is the OM-5 powered like the OM-6.

I didn’t see no chair, but she looked nice.

[Bing Fung]

Nice Chair Thomas, do you real have a link for every occassion?

Trev, I may have to go demo these just a Digtal Bob recommended. I was at Audio Warehouse recently but did not notice them. I must have been stunned by the Pioneer Elite showing the hi-def image

I tried out that chair at Coscos as well, an I would have to say on first impressions it was to springy, but my wife thought it would be fine for the sitting room.. go figer $900cdn with ottoman.




Bing

[ThomasW]

Bing

Nice Chair Thomas, do you real have a link for every occassion?

Well almost!

I do have 2 of those chairs in the HT. I've got a blown-out spine and they are the only recliners that have sufficient enough back support for me to use. They are quite expensive but their leather wears like iron. Mine are 9 years old and still look like new.




theAudioWorx
Klone-Audio

[Lexman]

Stuff does look really nice Thomas. I bookmarked that for later on, and may add it to the Guide for HT furniture.

Bing, your right, the guy is a link god.

Thomas, how do you do all that DIY stuff with a bad back? Can't be good on it. Sorry to hear about that too.

Thanks,

Lex

[Digital Bob]

Markj,

Yes, the OM5s are have a powered lower half; Although it is quite a bit beefier than the OM6s.

If memeory serves.... The 5s use the same amp from the BP400 Subwoofer (a gut punching brute) that was rated at 400watts. It is retweaked to deliver 250watts w/ "high current". Same amp really. FWIW the OM6s used the amp from the BPS150, 150 watter. (For comparison purposes you should think 150 watts versus 400 watts which is what it is when rated the same way.)

The drivers are upgraded too. The OM5s have a better woofer with a larger voice coil (better heat/power disipation) and longer throw (more output).

Finally, (and a personal favorite) is the all new bass control feature. This is COOL! It's called the B.E.S.T. control and it allows incredible fine tuning cpability to dial the speaker in match your exact room/placemnet. It's like a sophisticated spectral tilt for the bottom half. Check this out...

It's 2 controls:
#1 Adjusts the point at which the tilt begins (30 to 150hz from memory). Basically this sets the "hinge point" at which the frequecies begin to boost or cut. Remember, unlike conventional controls, this is a "tilt" so that frequencies near the hinge point are affected very little. But the further you move away fromthe hinge point the more (progressively) the frequencies are affected by the boost/cut.

#2 This is the amount of boost/cut (measured at 35hz so you have a fixed reference). From memory I think it is -6dB to +18dB (!). Some range but you'll see why in a second.

So... with these two controls you can have a wide, gentle boost across the entire bass region. Or a severe cut at only the very lowest frequecnies. Or any combo thereof or in between.

This could even allow you to "dial out" a problem you have at a certain low frequecy range in your room. A not uncommon problem. If you set the hinge low and the boost high. You could get a +18dB boost from just 35hZ on down if you needed that for example. Cool.

BTW - This happens INDEPENDENT of the xover point (acoustically and electrically) because the xover is 200Hz (for a reason, btw) and the hinge Starts at 150 on down and is progresive from that point. Hope that makes sense ?

The bottom half of the speaker is awesome. Mirage gets bass. And with the omnipolar upper half, sweeeeeeettt!


(the glow of Mirageiannity religious fervor slowly fades from his face)




dB

[Markj]

Thanks for the info Bob. I have a dealer that sells Mirage so I can give them a listen.

[Digital Bob]

Hey Lex,

The talk about my sig got me to thinking... [evil grin]

This may be the first and only use of "dB" as a specific/unique designation for someone or something on the net. Does that mean we have "name rights" to this term.

Maybe we should be collectiing a small fee everytime someone types "+3dB" or "15dB down" or the like on one of the A/V formus. We'll split it fifty fifty, ok?


Let me know, partner.


dB(copyright 2000 by money-for-nothing inc.)

[Lexman]

yeah Bob, I like it! Great info on the speakers too, thanks for the big time contribution. Say, your not expecting a royalty from that are ya?

Lex

[migliore]

How does it compare to other (full-range) speakers in its price range?

Vienna Acoustics Beethoven, 4k
B&W N804, 3.5k
Theil 2.3, 3.7k
ProAc ?
AE 520, 2.8k
Sf GP, 3.5k
Others?

Rob




Reviews and System

[Andrew Pratt]

welcome to the forum migliore, glad you could make it

[merc]

Wow! If those babies came in mahogany or very dark cherry, I'd be considering selling my M-si series speakers. As for the chairs... they seem to be able to envelope you in silky warmth. Ahhhh!
Worth it at almost any price.




Take Care,
merc

[Lexman]

Actually Merc, I do believe they come in Cherry. I know they come in some alternate woods, just not sure which.

Quoted from Mirage's site:
http://www.miragespeakers.com

Available in a classic Cherry Wood Veneer or in hand-finished Black High Gloss, these new
OM-models not only fit seamlessly into virtually any room setting, they deliver a unique, spacious,
enveloping, and altogether more natural and lifelike musical performance than ever before.

Lex

[John Holmes]

I went to my local dealer a few days ago. They had the OM-7 setup with the entry Adcom pre-amp, Yamaha cd player and a 75wpc THX amp (the name eludes me now).

BOY OH BOY!!!! My jaw was on the floor. I have never enjoyed music like that! I swear I am seriously re-evaluating my current speakers. These things are so involving. I never thought that I could be moved so much by a speaker.

I maybe having some items for sale very very soon!:B




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[Lexman]

Go John Go! They sure are beautiful. That's for sure.

Unfortunately, Mirage is no longer represented here, to my knowledge.

Lex

[DavidY]

Has anyone compared these to the top of the line Energy Veritas 2.8 or possibly 1.8?

I am hoping to audition a pair of these in mid April. Hope that sound as good as they look.

Dave

[John Holmes]

DavidY,
My dealer dosen't carry Energy thus, I couldn't compare them. They do carry Paradigm and PSB. As good as these brands are, I feel that the OM series by Mirage is in a little different league.

I like both of the "P" companies products. They each bring great sound at down to earth prices. However, what I heard the OM-7's do with simple, resonable equipment was nothing less than astonishing!

I hope that the Veritas are as nice in the sound dept. We need as many great sounding speakers as possible. The Veritas sure look good!

Lex,
I'm in trouble here...I actually have the money. I have been putting away for my wedding anniversary vacation so, I could have bought them this past Saturday. Let's see...WIFE...speakers...Wife...speakers...wi...awe the hell, SPEAKERS!!!!! Yeah right, but it was fun to think I could.:B Well, back to the sale idea.




"I came here, to chew bubble gum and kickass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!!!" My DVD's

[Wireless]

I know this is a Mirage topic, but since Lex is a Sonus leg man... and the subject is new speakers. If this is too far off topic, spank me and send me home

I was in Atlanta this weekend and stopped by Hi-Fi Buys in Buckhead and heard these:
http://www.sumikoaudio.com/amati.htm

They sounded great, very 3 dimensional and bass to die for! But most of all they were some of the most beautiful speakers I have ever seen. Almost makes me want to sell my Wavforms, if only for the looks!




John
My HT Picts

[Lexman]

John, hmmm. Better not ask me, since I have no wife, lol. I can guarantee she wouldn't like the answer I have. Hmmm, vacations last a week, speakers can well, last a very very long time. Easy decision. Get the speakers now, then when you sell the old ones, it's vacation time, lol.

Wireless, yeah, the Amatis are a sight to behold. Never seen a pair in person, but sure would love to audition them. Yikes, 22K. Guess I better sell a whole lot of Silvercats for these babies.

Lex