MIRAGE LOUDSPEAKERS 50 SERIES MoD i MODEL 190i OWNER’S MANUAL TAIM90Z Printed in CanadaTABLE OF CONTENTS FSATURES AND BENEFITS ... hJUM ACOUSTICS AND SPEAKER PLACEMENT . : SELECTION OF PROPER WIRE wissstscssssesssssssssnsstesessesnsanenees AMPLIFIER TO LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTION. ..ss.s:sscccscsssesees Bi-Wire hook-up Bi-Amp hook-up Conventional hook-up AMPLIFIER REQUIREMENTS ....ccsnssssectsssssssrscnnesserssssnsnsssensen RECOMMENDED POWER RANGES CARE OF FINISHES DISTORTION CAUSES SPEAKER DAMAGE. ....ssssscscsssnsssessnane We are sure you will enjoy this superd product. The following advice is offered to facilitate proper installation of your Mirage speakers in your home. Extensive research along with great care at avery dasign stage has enabled Mirage to produce loudspeakers with extraordinary performances characteristics: a performance level that is equal, or superior to other speakers costing many times their price. The finest components and materiais, made with sophisticated manufacturing and quality control ensure that you will enjoy this exceptional performance for many years. Please remember to complete and mail the enclosed warranty card to ensure proper registration. | Welcome to the world of Mirage loudspeakers. } iFEATURES AND BENEFITS Your new Mirage 90 series speakers feature state-of-the-art technologies derives: from development of the flagship of the line...the world acclaimed Mirage M-1 Models M-790 and M-990 Elegant Styling: Representing an exciting new took, these lean and elegant floor-standing models take up less than one square foot of floor space, yet their high-tech design suggests they conceal an entire stage full of musicians. Bipolar Design: Unlike conventional front-radiating speaker, the M-790 and M-990 employ the exclusive Mirage Bipotar design the disperses sound in a 360 degree pattern imparting the depth. oreadth and emotional involvement of the concert hall to your music. Operating independently of the front radiating woofers and tweeters, the new Mirage Soundstage Enhancement transducer (MSE™ } in the M-980 and M-790 radiates to the rear reproducing the range of frequencies required to achieve this lifelike Bipolar effect Models M-990, M-790, M-490 and M-290 Titanium Hybrid Dome Tweeter: An ultra-light, pure titanium dome is combined with a unique clath suspension system for minimat distortion and near perfect transient response. Bass/Mid Drivers: Mirage 90 Series bass/mid drivers employ injection-molded polypropylene cone bodies and rubber surrounds. These new drivers provide rigid control of critical mechanical parameters, vastly improving consistency for superior deep bass extension and image stability. Crossovers: Computer assisted crossover optimization and premium quality components provide seamless transition between all drivers Sculptured Ports: Aesthetically distinctive cabinet venting through unique sculptured ports significantly enhance low frequency extension and reduce unwanted vent turbulence. Cabinet Construction: Rigid tongue and groove construction, reinforced with computer designed internal bracing and damping materials reduce undesirabie structural resonances minimizing cabinet coloratian. The M-990 and M-790 feature stabilizing spiked-feet to decouple the cabinet from the floor. Model 90i: Is a vented 2-way non diffracting enclosure, comprising of a 1/2" Titanium dome tweeter and a 5 1/2" injection molded with foam surround woofer combine to provide superb performance in this bookshelf speaker. The 9¢i comes with a non removable grill Model 1901: The bigger brother of the 90i ts the model 190i. Again, this is a 2- way non diffracting enclosure, comprising of a 3'4” Titanium dome tweeter and a 6 1/2" injection molded woofer with foam surround. The 190i comes with a non removable grill ROOM ACOUSTICS AND SPEAKER PLACEMENT "ace loudspeakers have been designed to provide high performance in a wide ty of domestic settings. It is important to note however, that building struc- ture, dimensions and furnishings all play a part in the quatity of sound you will ultimately achieve. Where possible the following should be taken into considera- tion when placing Mirage speakers in your listening room 1, Low frequency performance (belaw 100 Hz) can be affected by the struc- ture of the room. A solid floor is preferred to aveid exaggeration of low fre- quencies. 2, Rooms with different height. width and length are preferable for best low jrequency performance. 3. Mid and high frequencies are affected by the mix of soft and hard furnish- ings in the room. An excess of soft items such as curtains, carpets, sofas and wall coverings can produce a dull, lifeless reproduction. The same toom without any soft furnishings will produce a brighter, harder sound, so a balance of soft and hard furniture, floor and wall coverings should be your goal for optimum sonic performance. 4, Most of the sound heard from a loudspeaker has been reflected from one or more walls of the room. Usually, jess than half the sound is heard direct. ly from the loudspeaker. The remaining information you hear has been reflected from the surfaces of your room. Reflective surfaces have individual sound absorption characteristics, and it is importani for good stereo perception that frequency response be the same from both left and right channels. It is therefore important that consid- eration be paid to the left and right reflecting wails. First, they should be symmetrical, equally seaced from the speakers and the listeners. Secondly, they should have the same, or very similar reflective properties. Example: A curtain on one wall and a painted surface on the opposite wall will result in unbalanced reflections, which in turn affect the stereo image. ) Experiment with toe-initoe-aut positioning of your speakers until best results are achieved. 5. Mirage loucspeakers are designed to be free standing. They should there- fore be positioned with an open space between the loudspeakers and the walls and floors of the listening room 6. Rigid speaker stands that bring the tweeter to ear level are essential to optimize performance. Speaker stands with spiked feet will aid rigidity on carpeted floors and are thus also recommended for non-floor-standing models. Quality metal stands such as AP| SST-13, API SST-21, API SST- 25 and APi SST-26 for the M-90i and the M-190i are recommended. 7. On stands, the loudspeakers should be positioned at least 30 cm (12”) from the back wail. The distance from the iefi and right speaker to the side walls should be equal. For best results, placement distance from the rear wall should not be the same as from the side walls. (see figure 1).8 Floor standing models should be positioned at least 38 cm {15") from the back wall. Spiked feet are recommended for stability on carpeted floors. 9. The loudspeakers should be placed 2 to 3 meters (6' to 10°} apart. The dis- tance from ioudspeakers to listener should be about 1 to 1.5 times the dis- y tance separating the speakers. (see figure 1}. SELECTION OF PROPER WIRE We recommend the use of heavy gauge and high quality speaker wire to obtain enhanced performance from your speakers. Wire that consists of high quality Copper. or silver will normally result in the best performance from your speakers. Your Mirage dealer can recommend a cable that is best-suited to the speaker model you have purchased. The speaker wire you select should have high quality connectors with either Spade lugs or dual banana plugs. In most installations, ordinary lamp cord (16-18 gauge) has enough resistance to degrade the signal between amplifier and speakers, particularly in lengths over 3 meters (10’). Vf possible the speaker wires should be the same length for both channels and the shorter they are, the better the sonic performance will be. *When connecting your speakers to your sound system make sure your amplifier is turned off, to avoid damage which could result from accidental shorting of the speaker leads. AMPLIFIER TO LOUDSPEAKER CONNECTION BI-AMP/BI-WIRE MODELS ( N-990 and M-780) These models can be recognized by two sets of binding posts. The upper set is for high frequencies and the tower for lower frequencies. Bi-amp/bi-wire allows three different wiring options. 1) Conventional - You will note shorting straps have been installed. (see fig- } ure 4) - Positive (+) to Positive, Negative (-) to Negative. Connect speaker wire from the red positive (+) terminal on amplifier to lower positive terminal on speaker. Connect black negative (-) terminal from amplifier to lower negative terminal on speaker. 2) Bi-Wire Hook-up - Remove shorting straps. Use two dual conductor cables: one cable for low frequencies and one cable for high frequencies. Separate connections are made between the power amplifier to the low frequencies binding posts on the speaker and from the power amplifier to the high tre- quency binding posts. This allows you to choose separate wires that are best suited far the low or high frequencies. (see figure 2) 3) Bi-Amp Hook-up - This enables the listener to use specific amplifiers for the low frequency section and high frequency section of the speaker. This dramatically improves musicality. The gains of amplifiers must be identical d and the phase relationship of the amplifiers’ input to outout must also be the same. (see figure 3) CONVENTIONAL MODEL HOOK-UP Conventional models have one set of binding posts. The red (+) terminal on your amplifier must be connected to the red (+) larminal on your speaker. The same applies for the black (-) terminal. Connect one loudspeaker at a time to ensure proper connection of left and right channels, Make sure all wires are firm- ly fastened, (see figure 4) "NOTE: {f you notice a lack of bass, it is likely your loudspeakers have been connacted improperly and are out of phase. Recheck your wiring and make the necessary corrections per the above instructions. AMPLIFIER REQUIREMENTS Mirage loudspeakers have been designed to be driven to high listening levels with moderate power, while at the same time being capable of handling the power output of large amplifiers NOTE: Most Mirage 90 Series speakers are 6 ohms and will function well with most amplifiers. If using more than one set of speakers. powered by one amplifier. please check with the amplifier manufacturer to confirm that the amplifier can handie loads of 3 ohms. CARE OF FINISHES Your Mirage speakers are attractively finished and should be gently wiped, clean, from time to time, with a damp cloth to remove any dust or stains. Btortion Causes Speaker Damage Wher an amplifier is “overdriven” it produces distorted output power several times greater than its rated power. Ail amplifiers produce high levels of distortion when they are driven beyond their rated power output and this distortion can damage any speaker. Overdriven amplifier distortion is called “Clipping” Clipping can be identified by a fuzzy or distorted sound. If this is heard, lower the volume immediately to avoid damage to your system If louder volumes are dasired, the only practical solution is to obtain an amplifier capable of more clean (undistorted) output power.MIRAGE 90 SERIES SPECIFICATIONS M-790 Vented-QB3, SPECIFICATIONS M-S90 SYSTEM TYPE: Vented-Q83 Bipolar TWEETERS: 1-1" pure titanium dome with cleth suspension FULL RANGE 4.5MSE™ WOOFERS 2.6 1/2 injection-molded polypropylene cone with rubber surround FREQUENCY RESPONSE. On Avis: +3.d8 35 - 22kHz On-Axis: + 3.48 @ 30 35- 18kHz USABLE BASS RESPONSE: 29Hz CROSSOVER POINTS: — 450Hz, 2kHz SENSITIVITY, 870B IMPEDANCE: 6 ohm nominal 4 ohm minimum REC. AMP POWER: 80-200 watts MAX POWER HANDLING: 200 watts DIMENSIONS (HxWxD): 4342" 958x114" fem} (110.6 x 24.5 x 28.6) WEIGHT (EACH): 70 lbs (31.8 kg) FINISH Black Ash GRILLE COLOUR Slate Gray Descriptions and spect polypropylene cone with rubber surround 36 - 22kHz 36 18kHz StH AS0Hz, 2kHz 87dB 6 ohm nominal 4 ohm minimum 50- 150 watts 150 watts 98 1/2" «9 518" x11 14" (97.9 x 245x286) 60 Ibs (27.2 kg) Black Ash Slate Gray NS subject to change without notice. A M-490 Vented-QB3 1-1" pure titanium with cloth suspension polypropylene cone with rubber surround 40 - 22kH2 40 - 18kHz 35Hz 2kHz 8608 6 chm nominal 4 ohm minimum 50 - 150 watts 150 watts 19 1/8" x9 5/8" x 10 3/4" (48.9 x 245x273) 28 lbs (127 kg) Black Ash Slate Gray M-290 Vented-QB3 1-1" pure titanium wth cloth suspension polypropylene cone wih rubber surtound 4B - 22kHz 45 - 18kHz 40Hz kHz 86d 6 ohm nominal 49h minimum 50 - 100 watts 190 watts 15 3/4" x 8 5/8" 1 B 1/2" (40 x 21.9x21.6) 16 Ibs (7.3 kg} Black Ash Slate Gray SSS M-190i M-90i Vented-O83 Verted-QB3 1-3/4" vapor deposited 1-1/2" vapor deposited fitanium polypropylene titanium polypropylene dome dome 1-6 1/2" injection-molded 1-5 1/2" polypropylene cone polypropylene cone with rubber surround: with rubber surround 48 - 23kHz, 60 - 20kHz 48- 18kHz 60 - 15kHz 42Hz 52Hz 2.3KHz, 3.5kKHZ 87.5dB 8605, 6 ohm nominal 6 ohm nominal 4ohm minimum 4obm minimum 30- 100 watts 30 - 80 watts 100 watts 80 watts 1BV2x7 Bax Be" 1e"x 7x7 3a" {84.4 x19.7x125) (307 x 18.5.x 19.5) 10 Ibs. 7 Ibs (45 kg} (3.2kg) Black Ash/White Black Ash/White Black/White Black/White Bee S22 ais wv iw = a 2 zs 222 a. B35 = gs o Bie = =* at eed 25 = Sze Ln Eee Gs = = = 3 o & Speaker Outnuts Main amplifier Connect to the ight pre-sut ot your preanplitien,