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to check to make sure the processor is not in some sort of DSP mode.  

 

  

As with the earlier OM series, the OMNI 
series is somewhat sensitive to 
placement. Some people believe these 
speakers have a huge soundstage, but do 
not image as well as a conventional 
design. Living with the OM series for 
several years, I have grown to disagree 
with that statement. Instead, I tell people 
it all depends on placement. With the 
OMNI series, a very similar statement can 
be made. First off, these speakers like 
some room to breathe, so place them a 
foot or two away from the walls. Next, 
you will want to make a decision about 
toe in, as there are some tradeoffs to be 
made. If you want pinpoint imaging, use 
lots of toe in and point the speakers such 
that they are facing the listener. This will 

collapse the width of the sound stage slightly and make the sweet spot smaller, but the 
pinpoint imaging is amazing, easily as good as any other speaker I have used. 

If you want a huge enveloping soundstage, then place the speaker without any toe in. I 
use just a small amount of toe in which gives me the best of both worlds. The OMNI 
speakers are capable of producing a truly three-dimensional soundstage. I have never 
experienced a speaker in a two-channel audio setup that was capable of creating images 
behind the listener. The original OM series were always capable of producing images to 
the sides of the listener on certain tracks but never behind. To be truthful the OMNI 260s 
were a holographic experience. I had to check 3 times (seriously 3 times) to make sure 
the processor was not in some sort of surround mode. I even got up out of my chair and 
put my ear against the surround speaker just to verify one last time. I was of course 
sitting in that perfect sweet spot and it does not happen with all recordings, but when it 
does, it is a real pleasure.  The OMNI 260s are very natural speakers and do not appear 
warm or bright in presentation.  I would recommend using a sub for home theater 
applications, because, like most floor-standers, they just don't have the lower frequency 
extension required to get the most out of a good movie soundtrack. 

The benefits of a timbre matched speaker setup in home theater or multi-channel music 
had been discussed here before, so I will save you the details. In panning around the 
room with pink noise, the setup is well matched. There is some minor tonal difference 
between each speaker, but I have yet to hear a 5.1 setup that did not exhibit this. In 
most rooms even different speaker positions will cause tonal changes.   

The biggest problem I have setting up a 5.1 system is with center channel placement. I 
can never have it at the same level as my main speakers, as the display device is in the 
way. My home theater with a 60”x80” screen is the worst case. I set up the OMNI CC on 

 

Page 7 of 10

Product Review

5/5/2003

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_10_2/mirage-omni-speakers-5-2003.html

Summary of Contents for OMNI 5.1

Page 1: ...e first component to be forgotten The legacy of the Mirage OMNI polar speaker is a long one that started over 15 years ago The flagship of the original series labeled the M1 d buted in 1987 and is sti...

Page 2: ...his orientation Just look at the polar plot of any driver s frequency response when you get more than 30 degrees off axis let alone 90 degrees However that was no reason to give up Instead Mirage s re...

Page 3: ...nd a flared port achieving a 3 dB down point of 35 Hz The cabinets are constructed of 3 4 MDF and covered in Black Ash or Cherry You will not find bi wire binding posts on any of the new OMNI series T...

Page 4: ...our home theater and multi channel music setups The OMNI CC consists of the same OMNIGIUDE technology used in the 260s but in a different configuration The driver components consist of the OMNIGUIDE 1...

Page 5: ...ubber feet which should be attached to the back of the speaker I would have known this had I read the instructions but due to my dislike for instruction manuals I stuck the rubber feet to the wall oop...

Page 6: ...isons The new OMNI 260 lacks the powered subs and lower frequency extension of the FRx 9 but makes up for it by being 200 cheaper On the lower end of the scale the smallest OMNI speakers the OMNI 50s...

Page 7: ...g images to the sides of the listener on certain tracks but never behind To be truthful the OMNI 260s were a holographic experience I had to check 3 times seriously 3 times to make sure the processor...

Page 8: ...the rain in the opening scene of Seven The OM 200 maintains Mirage s excellence in subwoofer design and hold up to its claims of bettering the already successful BPS 150 The bass is tight controlled a...

Page 9: ...time with the new OMNI series so much I am considering moving my beloved OM 6s to my two channel system and purchasing this setup for my home theater While they are not the OM series they are the next...

Page 10: ...Terms and Conditions of Use Go to Home Page About Secrets Register Page 10 of 10 Product Review 5 5 2003 http www hometheaterhifi com volume_10_2 mirage omni speakers 5 2003 html...

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