Mirage Omni 350 omnipolar

I don't think they really take getting used to, unless you're used to a limited sweet spot, suckouts, and HF rolloff when you get off-axis. For me that was an easy thing to drop in favor of uniform power response throughout the listening area, more realistic timbres, and the same basic tonal balance wherever you go in the room (excepting, of course, the increased bass in corners and near the back wall.

You still get imaging, about as precise as you get in live music and a realistic soundstage that scales up and down according to the production and size of the ensemble. This does not come at the expense of the midrange; it doesn't sound like it's sitting in a hole, but is transparent and right where it belongs.

The two 5.5" speakers in a column with downfiring woofer works surprisingly well. Bass is very fast and clear, yet full and fairly extended. Should be good for rock. The 350s were from their budget line, now discontinued, with aluminum tweeter and less sophisticated cabinetry, but they should still do a good job for the money. Generally you'll want them 2-3 feet out from the wall, but mostly you lose some soundstage depth if you put them closer to the wall, as with most speakers.

Just an observation here:

Vanns.com has the Mirage 550 CH listed at $300/pair. This looks to be a pretty serious discount and might represent a good alternative to whatever deal you're considering on the 350 - depending on the pricing you've been offered and the relative merits of the 2 models. Johnny, do you know anything about the 550 CH?

The last thing in the world I need is another pair of speakers, but that looks like a pretty low cost of entry for a very interesting design, so...

Marty

Thanks for the good word guys. That was the info and opinions I was hoping for.
Johnny, you answered my prior post about floorstanders under $600. I assume you think these would be a good choice and a great deal at the Vann's sale price?
I read that only black would be available in the U.S. but Vann's says their's are cherry. They look killer with the cherry sides and full legnth black grill on the front.
Thanks again.

Here's the Vann's link to the cherry 550 CH floorstanders. At less than $300/pair with free shipping they're a no-brainer, easily competitive at the $800 price point they were designed for, and will given you fast, deep slammin' bass (but not thumpy one-note frat-house bass) into the 30's.

They have a small footprint and fit easily in a living space, while delivering a big sound when the music calls for it.

Hey John - so fess up,you work at Vann's don't you? Ha ha
I see they are rated below 35hz but don't you think that they're stretching that a tad?
By the way I'll be ordering those in the morning. The girl at Vann's said they were coming in tomorrow. Maybe I'll have them for Saturday night, on second thought, that is stretching it a tad.
Thanks for the help.