Hello. I'm looking for a relatively small center speaker as I only have about a 7" clearance between my fireplace mantle and my TV. Looking to spend about $300 for 100W - 120W. I'm also looking for a pair of 6 1/2" in wall speakers. 100W - 120W in the $300 -$400 range. I inherited the current setup from the previous homeowner. The receiver is a Denon AVR-486, 120W + 120W. I blew up the Symphony Direct front speakers (90W) the first week. I've never heard of this company but the in wall surrounds seem to be OK. Any advise as to where I can get the best value for this price range and size would be greatly appreciated.
Hello 99Boomer. Welcome to afterdawn. I'm a real mirage speakers buff and thought I'd give you a couple to take a look at. The first are Mirage Omnisats (which can also be used as centers). I'm posting them because these are currently dirt cheap right now because they're being discontinued; retailers are selling cheap preparing for new inventory, you can get them for about $80.00: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/542249994 These are the newer version, Omnisat v.2 . About $250.00 and can handle 150w. I have these powered with a Denon 3805: http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/544250122 They also sell some in ceiling speakers but I've never heard them. If interested, I would also check them out at mirage's web site to get more specific information. BY THE WAY, SPEAKERS MUST BE TIMBER MATCHED ALL THE WAY AROUND. In other words, you've got to have the same make and even the same series of speakers all the way around or the best speakers in the world can sound like crap. Either buy all your speakers as a matching package or make sure you buy timber matched, compatible speakers. Don't mix brands because nine times out of ten, you've made a BIG mistake. Here is an article with some tips ... they call it "voice matching" here. http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/S-CWB2vHWtvzA/learningcenter/home/ht_speakers.html
Thanks for the reply gerry1. I checked out the Omnisat and the center speaker would work fine for me. They also look like one heck of a deal. However, you brought a good point about matching speakers which creates a new dilema. It seems Omnisat doesnt make in wall speakers. Any ideas on matching in wall speakers with a relatively small center speaker. Again, I only have a 7" clearance from my fireplace mantle to my TV. Thanks again for the advice.
Mirage makes a number of in wall / in ceiling speaker models. I can't imagine mirage making junk but I've simply never heard them: http://www.miragespeakers.com/v2/product_type.php?open=types&subid=697&id=697 Edit: it would be my guess that the omnisat as a center would be timber matched but I couldn't say for sure. Mirage has an owners forum with a company rep; I'd ask him: just click on "Post a message in the forum" http://www.miragespeakers.com/v2/forum.php# Yeah, I've been telling a lot of people looking for sats about the omnisat; the sound from them is just awesome; for $80 per speaker, I doubt that there's even a distant second as quality for the buck goes. Also, I forgot to mention that the subwoofer is the exception to the rule when it comes to "timber matching".
gerry1. Thanks for the advice. I'm going to go with the v2 cc center and the HDT WM7 in walls. I was going to post another question about receivers but I would welcome your opinion first. I have a Denon AVR-486. It's an entry level Denon. Are there any receivers that stand out for home theatre that are reasonably priced? Remember, I have in wall speakers. I don't want to get a receiver that I can't maximize to its full potential. Thanks again.
Sorry Boomer...I've been away. This is the manual for your denon: http://www.usa.denon.com/AVR-486-OM.pdf It's a very nice unit, relatively new, all the necessary bells and whistles, a 7.1 unit @75w per channel X 7 (actual power) which is really more than adequate unless your home theater is the size of a real theater lol! (My 3805 is 120w X 7 which is way too powerful and I run a bit internally muted for more control). It seems perfect for your uses. I wouldn't change anything until you're well accoustomed to home theater and better know your own tastes as well as what you may consider to be its shortcomings, if any. Seems like a really decent unit.
