Something great happened today

[gus6464]

Today I went to best buy with my wife after work so she could get the new Interpol cd and something interesting happened. As she was checking out the cds I wandered into the Magnolia room and saw some 2 Mirage speakers I hadn't seen before at the other best buys. They were the Omnisat v2 towers and the Omni 550 tower. I wasn't really looking to audition them but their looks just struck my eye so I got my wife and popped in her new to give them a listen. They were powered by the new Pioneer Elite hdmi 1.3 receiver (forget the model number).

As we popped in the cd we were surprised at the output the speakers were putting out. First we listened to the Omnisat v2's and the sound was actually very clear and neutral. Bass wasn't too punchy and mids were very detailed. What we loved was that they seemed to fill the room with sound very easily even though the volume wasn't that high. After we heard the omnisat's I went to the car to get our audition cds to have a full audition. When I returned we decided to give the Omni 550's a full audition first but the guy said they had none in stock but we still gave them a spin.

The 550's actually sounded better than the v2's in every test. The sales guy said that the new Omni's haven't been around that long and they just got them in not too long ago so that might be why. Now even though the Mentor 2 and M2's that we listened to a couple of weeks ago sounded a bit better than the Omni's, they didn't sound $1000 better (the Omni 550 were $900/pair).

If they had them in stock we would have bought them right there and then but I guess fate had something better for us. When I got home I went to avs forum to check out what ppl had to say about the 550's and some guy had posted that he found them online at vanns for $399 for the pair. After seeing this I immediately went to the site and low and behold they were still on sale with free shipping so my wife said we should jump on it right away. So now the waiting begins for them to arrive. But now I have to decide on what to use to power them as the magnolia guy told us that they really come alive when you use separate amplification. Wow I just realized this is a super long post

PS Crutchfield also has them on sale for the same price with free shipping as well.

 

[Davemcc]

Congratulations. Nice score and thanks for passing on the source of your good deal to others.

 

[billy p]

The Mirage line I am not familiar with, however they belong to API(Klipsch owns them now) which include Energy speakers. Congrats, on your new purchase. In all probability you'll have a breakin period of 50-100 hrs API philosophy. As far as powering them, the Onkyo you seek should do, or add the 2 channel later. I myself will be buying some Energy RC's floors later and will use my Denon as a pre along with an added 2 channel for more headroom.

Good luck, Billy p

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Awesome; enjoy them!

 

[avaserfi]

If you want to go the seperates route you just missed out on emotiva's big sale. Even so you might want to look into their pre/pros and amplifiers as they seem to be a universal favorite around here, especially for the money.

Congrats on the new speakers.

 

[BabelFish]

so Magnolia wouldn't give you a price match? (just curious if you asked).. enjoy your new speakers post pics when you get them!

 

[gus6464]

so Magnolia wouldn't give you a price match? (just curious if you asked).. enjoy your new speakers post pics when you get them!

They didn't even have them in stock so I didn't bother to call back and ask. Although I highly doubt that they would price match a pair that they were selling for $900 to $400.

My friend told me to hold out a bit on the receiver as Denon is coming out with their new hdmi 1.3 ones pretty soon which will have the same truehd decoder as the onkyo's. Only reason I might hold off is because the Denon version that competes with the 605 Onkyo will have preouts whereas the Onkyo has none. I have a 5 year old Sony DE 5.1 receiver that has been rock solid all these years so I will be using that one for now. But I will for sure be going to the separates way once the new Denon's hit the streets. From reading the avsforums I think I will be picking up a Crown 402D 2ch amp.

But I will definitely post picks when I get them and I will be trying to convince my wife to let me get another pair for the rears once they come in. Hopefully they will still be on sale.

 

[Davemcc]

But I will for sure be going to the separates way once the new Denon's hit the streets. From reading the avsforums I think I will be picking up a Crown 402D 2ch amp.

I assume you're talking about a new Denon pre/pro. Yes? No?

I'm just going to comment here because I'm wrestling with a similar issue. If you're definitely going separates, I question the value of starting with a Denon receiver (which I did, and I did). Since I got the Rotel, I can't look at the Denon without being reminded that there are 7 unused channels of amplification going to waste. I still have the option of trading my Denon back to the store with full credit towards another receiver or pre/pro. I've been debating getting an Anthem pre/pro because the first $1100 is free (well, I've already paid that much). Either that or I'll move the Denon out and run an Emotiva or Outlaw pre/pro with the Rotel.

The point being that if you know you're going to go separates, just do it right the first time. Pick an Emotiva, Outlaw or Rotel multi-channel amp and wait for an affordable HDMI 1.3 pre/pro and you won't have to look back or second guess the intermediate step of using a full blown receiver as a pre/pro.

 

[gus6464]

I assume you're talking about a new Denon pre/pro. Yes? No?

I'm just going to comment here because I'm wrestling with a similar issue. If you're definitely going separates, I question the value of starting with a Denon receiver (which I did, and I did). Since I got the Rotel, I can't look at the Denon without being reminded that there are 7 unused channels of amplification going to waste. I still have the option of trading my Denon back to the store with full credit towards another receiver or pre/pro. I've been debating getting an Anthem pre/pro because the first $1100 is free (well, I've already paid that much). Either that or I'll move the Denon out and run an Emotiva or Outlaw pre/pro with the Rotel.

The point being that if you know you're going to go separates, just do it right the first time. Pick an Emotiva, Outlaw or Rotel multi-channel amp and wait for an affordable HDMI 1.3 pre/pro and you won't have to look back or second guess the intermediate step of using a full blown receiver as a pre/pro.

I was talking about a full blown receiver for use as pre/pro. Reason being is that I had budgeted $1000 for a receiver/amp combo and was originally going with the Onkyo 805 but theres no point in getting it since I am 100% sure I will be doing separate amplification. If the emotiva LMC-1 had truehd support it would be the perfect pre/pro for the price. But from what I hear emotiva is upgrading the lmc-1 at the end of the year so I might be able to hold out until then.

 

[Gimpy Ric]

But from what I hear emotiva is upgrading the lmc-1 at the end of the year so I might be able to hold out until then.

Maybe the HD format war will be won by Blu-Ray, and Emotiva will build a killer DVD player also?? Lets hope so, and sign me up for an LMC-2, I love my LMC-1.

Enjoy the new speakers, and Emotiva is giving all us Audioholics members free shipping, as the LPA-1 is a hefty 63 pound 7 channel AMP, thats a deal.

 

[gus6464]

Can anyone recommend a good used stereo preamp to pair with a crown xls-402d?

 

[billy p]

If your looking at the crown xls for 2 channel then IMO any Denon or Yamaha with pre outs will do. Unless your willing to shell out good money for a pre/pro tandem set up, then using a mid fi receiver isn't a bad alternative and for the most part it's less costly then most decent pre amps.
I know that SQ may lag in respect to using separtes, but in all honesty speakers not reaching their potential has more to do with amplification, then having a great pre amp. JMO.

Good luck Gus, Billy p

 

[flippo]

Mirage

I have the Omnisat v2 Sattellites (along with a Polk subwoofer which I will upgrade when I can). I love the sound of the v2 and an extremely happy with them. They are also built very well. I also had a chance to listen to the OMD 28 Towers which sound and look beautiful but more than i can afford ( about $3500 For the pair).

 

[rnatalli]

I actually visited Magnolia just last week. I have been auditioning all kinds of speakers and the Mirage Omnisat v2's are my front runners thus far. I'll have to look into the 550's if they do indeed have better sound and are selling for such a low price. Thanks for the heads up!

Robert

 

[gus6464]

I actually visited Magnolia just last week. I have been auditioning all kinds of speakers and the Mirage Omnisat v2's are my front runners thus far. I'll have to look into the 550's if they do indeed have better sound and are selling for such a low price. Thanks for the heads up!

Robert

The biggest thing I noticed between the Omnisat v2's and Omni 550's are that the 550's are more dynamic. For some reason I noticed greater detail in the music we listened to over the Omnisats. Probably has to do with the fact that the 550's have larger drivers. Does anyone think that it might also be that the 550's use a wood cabinet whereas the v2's use metal? I am trying to convince my wife to let me buy a pair of Omni 350's for surrounds but I don't think she wants towers all around the living room.

 

[Davemcc]

If your looking at the crown xls for 2 channel then IMO any Denon or Yamaha with pre outs will do. Unless your willing to shell out good money for a pre/pro tandem set up, then using a mid fi receiver isn't a bad alternative and for the most part it's less costly then most decent pre amps.
I know that SQ may lag in respect to using separtes, but in all honesty speakers not reaching their potential has more to do with amplification, then having a great pre amp. JMO.

Good luck Gus, Billy p

As I said, I've been looking at the issue. My opinion now is that I'll wait for Outlaw to release it's new line of HDMI 1.3 pre/pros and, depending on the price, get one of those or try to pick up a 950/970 on closeout.

 

[gus6464]

As I said, I've been looking at the issue. My opinion now is that I'll wait for Outlaw to release it's new line of HDMI 1.3 pre/pros and, depending on the price, get one of those or try to pick up a 950/970 on closeout.

I decided on waiting for a good pre/pro as well. My old sony receiver has lasted for 5 years so what's another 6 more months.

 

[rnatalli]

The biggest thing I noticed between the Omnisat v2's and Omni 550's are that the 550's are more dynamic. For some reason I noticed greater detail in the music we listened to over the Omnisats. Probably has to do with the fact that the 550's have larger drivers. Does anyone think that it might also be that the 550's use a wood cabinet whereas the v2's use metal? I am trying to convince my wife to let me buy a pair of Omni 350's for surrounds but I don't think she wants towers all around the living room.

That's actually really helpful. Thanks for sharing your experience. Tomorrow I'm going to a local dealer to listen to Maggies and will see how they sound. I'll post my impressions as I think I'm down to Mirage or Maggies.

 

[billnchristy]

Gus, what model is your Sony?

I have a STR-DE935 from about 1999-2000 time frame and let me tell you, upgrading to a $899 Yamaha in 03 was a night and day difference.

I didnt notice it so much with my Infinitys but even with my X-LS the difference is almost unbelievable.

Cant wait to hear your impressions of your new speakers...they look pretty cool.

Oh, in Sony's defence, I miswired a crossover and ran the poor thing at 1.1 ohms and it did not go into thermal shutdown until the 5th song!

 

[gus6464]

Gus, what model is your Sony?

I have a STR-DE935 from about 1999-2000 time frame and let me tell you, upgrading to a $899 Yamaha in 03 was a night and day difference.

I didnt notice it so much with my Infinitys but even with my X-LS the difference is almost unbelievable.

Cant wait to hear your impressions of your new speakers...they look pretty cool.

Oh, in Sony's defence, I miswired a crossover and ran the poor thing at 1.1 ohms and it did not go into thermal shutdown until the 5th song!

It's an STR-DE675 which I bought back on april 2001. At least it has a pure direct mode when you run it in 2ch mode.