Audiophile Spotlite #105 Matt’s 7.1 Mirage Soundscape: A Sleeper Home Theater with Hidden Potential
The Foundation: Marantz SR5015 – The Silent Conductor
At the heart of Matt’s setup lies the Marantz SR5015, a receiver that punches above its weight with Audyssey room correction, Dolby Atmos readiness, and Marantz’s signature musicality. It’s the kind of AVR that doesn’t just amplify sound; it sculpts it, ensuring each Mirage speaker performs at its best.
The Front Stage: OM-9 Towers – Where Precision Meets Power
The Mirage OM-9 towers aren’t just speakers; they’re sound diffusers. With their omnidirectional design, they create a wall of sound rather than a directional beam, making movies feel expansive and music feel alive. Paired with the OM-2 center channel, dialogue cuts through even the most chaotic action scenes.
The Surrounds: OM-R2 & Omni 50 – The Stealth Immersion Makers
Most surround setups throw sound at you Matt’s wraps you in it. The OM-R2s handle side effects with precision, while the Omni 50 rears pull off a neat trick: they disappear. Their 360-degree dispersion means no sweet spot struggles, just consistent, room-filling ambience.
The Dark Horse: The DIY Car Sub – A Temporary Beast?
Here’s where things get interesting. That homemade car sub? It’s the wildcard. Sure, it’s not an SVS or HSU yet. But there’s something raw about a DIY sub. It’s unfiltered, unapologetic bass, the kind that feels before it’s refined. You can tell Matt’s itching to upgrade, but for now? It rumbles. And sometimes, that’s enough.
The Big Question: What’s Next?
This setup is one upgrade away from greatness. Swap in a real home theater sub, add Atmos heights, and suddenly, this is a reference-level system. The bones are here. The potential? Limitless.
What do you think—should Matt go for a subwoofer upgrade next?
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