Anyone ever heard the Mirage OMD-5's?

Doublej · « **on:** 17 Apr 2014, 02:57 pm »

If so what was your opinion of them? I am trying to figure out if it is worth hunting down a pair of these, which have been long discontinued, to use as computer speakers. I currently use a pair of HSU's but am looking for something that is less critical on the positioning front.

Other recommendations welcome.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #1 on:** 17 Apr 2014, 03:15 pm »

I use a stand mount pair beside my TV. One day I got a wild hair and put a jazz trio CD in my DVD player. Cymbal strikes struck me instantly. Not so much as a decimal was coming from the speakers themselves. They radiate in 360 degrees, you know. I'd like to have a pair of their big brothers in my listening room.

Gaara · « **Reply #2 on:** 17 Apr 2014, 04:02 pm »

They were on Woot for $300/pr last month, so Ebay was flooded for a while.

I have had a pair in my HT for a few years now and love them, just got a second pair last month for rear surrounds. They have a very disperse sound which makes them excel as surrounds, but their imaging suffers because of it. They wouldn't be bad as computer speakers, but I had them in my computer system for a few days and they weren't my cup of tea. They really seem to benefit with space, so nearfield wouldn't be ideal. Tried them in my HT as fronts a while back and sounded pretty good from ~7ft away and slightly above ear level.

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #3 on:** 19 Apr 2014, 02:56 pm »

Yep. Space is a good thing for the way these speakers radiate waveforms. Too close to walls and some smearing could be introduced, I imagine. Far enough away and the perception of space is enhanced with images completely from free from their literal source.

In the February issue of TAS there is a review of German Physiks "Bending Wave" speakers which use a large cone shape cylindrical driver for frequencies above 300Hz. Also, the designer is thoughtful enough to have the bass driver fire down and out rather than face mounted and forward. I think it's pretty safe to conclude that in real world listening, their cabinets just stand there looking pretty. No sound can be heard coming directly from them. Instruments appear in space as picked up by the microphone(s). The reviewer confirms this.

Speaker manufacturer Mirage makes speakers that distribute sound waveforms in this manner. For more bass, their floorstanders have two forward firing drivers but at lower frequencies the source of which should be less discernible if at all. They have a lot in common with the above mentioned speak accept for one thing. Price. They are a whole bunch cheaper.

Steven Stone · « **Reply #4 on:** 19 Apr 2014, 03:07 pm »

Here's a link to an article I wrote about the OMD-5 (I own two pairs) - http://audiophilereview.com/affordable-speakers/is-the-mirage-omd-5-speaker-the-best-150-desktop-speaker-ever-made.html

Doublej · « **Reply #5 on:** 19 Apr 2014, 03:12 pm »

Quote from: Steven Stone on 19 Apr 2014, 03:07 pm

Here's a link to an article I wrote about the OMD-5 (I own two pairs) - http://audiophilereview.com/affordable-speakers/is-the-mirage-omd-5-speaker-the-best-150-desktop-speaker-ever-made.html

I know! It's this article that got me interested in them. How far away from the wall do you have them?

Steven Stone · « **Reply #6 on:** 19 Apr 2014, 03:14 pm »

When I use them OMD-5s in a desktop they are about a foot away from the wall (which is a LARGE window with treatements). I always use them with a sub, as I mentioned in the article.