Your audio equipment?

[hopkins]

On 8/18/2024 at 10:56 AM, hopkins said:

I build large speakers ("open baffle") and dabbled with vintage speakers (Altec), but I realized I was spending too much time tinkering with the sound, never really satisfied, and I was too often listening to the same "playlists" for comparison purposes. 

6 months ago, I "downsized", in favor of a set of very cheap speakers (400€!) that someone recommended. I did modify them by changing the "crossover filters" (I just followed instructions provided by a trusted source). I'm really happy with the sound, which I find detailed, lively, yet relaxing and very easy to listen to for a long time.

My girlfriend is happy not having monster speakers in the living room, and she really enjoys the sound as well.

 

I downsized even further, with a pair of “vintage” Mirage SM-6 speakers that I bought for 65€.

Mirage was a Canadian brand, and these were made in the early 1980s. Interestingly I could not find any reference of this model on the internet. SM-5 model is referenced and seems to be very nice as well.

https://radique.com/product/vintage-mirage-bookshelf-speakers-with-exceptional-sound-sm-5/

 

These speakers are easy to listen to, and provide a balanced, dynamic, sound with good detail.
 

 

Edited May 2 by hopkins

[Kevin Bresnahan]

12 hours ago, hopkins said:

I downsized even further, with a pair of “vintage” Mirage SM-6 speakers that I bought for 65€.

Mirage was a Canadian brand, and these were made in the early 1980s. Interestingly I could not find any reference of this model on the internet. SM-5 model is referenced and seems to be very nice as well.

https://radique.com/product/vintage-mirage-bookshelf-speakers-with-exceptional-sound-sm-5/

 

These speakers are easy to listen to, and provide a balanced, dynamic, sound with good detail.
 

 

I assume you re-did the woofer foam surrounds? Even if they look good, if they are original they are likely not working as they should. I once had a friend say that his woofer surrounds were fine but when he lightly touched one, it crumbled before his eyes. After re-foaming, they sounded great.

[hopkins]

3 minutes ago, Kevin Bresnahan said:

I assume you re-did the woofer foam surrounds? Even if they look good, if they are original they are likely not working as they should. I once had a friend say that his woofer surrounds were fine but when he lightly touched one, it crumbled before his eyes. After re-foaming, they sounded great.

This model I have has rubber surrounds, not foam, and they are in good condition. Perhaps the previous owner changed them, or they were made like this. I cannot tell, but they do sound good. Changing the surround from foam to rubber (or vice versa) can seriously alter the sound. I do plan on getting a pair of SM-5 as well and will probably have to change the foam surround on those.

[SMB1968]

Home Office: Bluesound Node & Sim Audio Moon CD 1 > Decware Torii 5 > Reference 3a Episodes

Den: Wiim Ultra & Oppo BDP 103> Jolida JD502 CRC > era D 10s

Living Room: Wiim Ultra & Rotel CD 12 > Valve Audio Predator > Ohm Walsh 2000s