Bought mine used, but in perfect shape. The sock grills and the piano black tops were nice. I found I could resell them for a nice price which was my intention all along. Hooking them up I found them to be shockingly poor. No real bass, to radical of highs, and they couldn't handle to much volume.
This is my first review, because this was my most memorable disappointment. I ended up selling them for $150.00 and felt guilty doing so. I did hook them up using a couple different applications, but really these speakers are great replacements for a bookshelf stereo system.
Get a nice pair of Infinity Entra Two speakers and experience the reproduction of sound by way of modern technology.

I own the Mirage M-990s, M-790s, "M-490s" and M-190s! This should exibit my passion for these Speakers, to me they all are an audiophile's delight which superbly integrates form and function at a modest price and can handle anything
you throw there way!

Very musical and yet so smooth that they vanish within the music they produce like a Mirage.

None that I have found.

I brought home a pair of Mirage 490is to audition and must say that I very pleased with them (to say the least).

They are very musical and yet never overpowering.

Other reviewers have said it and I must agree, if there is one word that sums up these speakers it is SMOOTH almost to the point of transparency (a Mirage).

You never find yourself listening critically to these speakers for very long. You end up listening to the wonderful music they make instead.

That folks is what makes a great speaker and that is why this pair will not be going back to the store but will remain where they are for many years to come.

Similar Products Used:

Paradigm, B&W, Energy, KEF, Klipsch and DCM.

I haven't yet had the oportunity to have a proper audition of these speakers but I did try them out and from what I heard they were very clean and pronounced and would undoubtedly work well with a good Mirage subwoofer.

I bought the Mirage 490 2 years ago prefering their smoothness over the harshness of other similarly priced, or even more expensive speakers. After 2 years of use, I think they are good entry level speakers and their relative smoothness is a blessing at this early stage. For years I never bought a "decent quality system" because everything I heard was harsh and bright. I found the 490s to be smoother than other speakers. I think smoothness is important especially when matching the speakers with mass market CD player and receiver which might sound harsh. The 490's small size and magnetic shielding is also a bonus. However, I must say I am now a bit disappointed by the speaker's lack of detail. I'm planning on buying a new amp to see if it makes a difference. I hope this speakers will be a perfect match for a good quality and highly detailed solid state amp.

I finally had a chance to listen to these speakers in a 2-channel setting, after originally purchasing them for home theater. I tested them with my Yamaha 793 Amp and a Marantz CD-46 CD-player. I have to say that I think that these speakers are SOLID. I listen to a wide range of stuff (classical to metal, and everything in between), and I was incredibly impressed. Percussion was spot on, excellent sound stage, and nice crisp highs. If there are flaws in these speakers, I can't hear them with my Amp. The Marantz CD player did an excellent job as well. Perhaps someone who has heard these speakers with a high-end amp could comment?

These speakers are the first I ever bought, so I admit I don't have much to compare to. However, I've been very pleased with their performance. Compared to similarly priced speakers I've listened to these are as good or better. I don't have any complaints.

I could not agree any more with Robert. Excellent speakers, I have the 490i, great front firing speakers, OM-C2 omnipolar centre, OM-R2 omnipolar rears and the BPS-150i the omnipolar sub.
I am planning to upgrade my amp in the very near future to the Yamaha 2095, I am hoping that this would enhance the performance of the speakers.

Highly recommended and enjoy listening!

Ashesh Kapur

I have had the Mirage 490 (not 'is' model) since 1994, and have been consistently pleased with the bass, mids, and highs. I think the key is to run these speakers on decent cable (I use StraightWire) and an amp that is not going to over-power them. If you get them set up nicely, on points or good stands, I think they compare to speakers costing twice as much.

Smooth, easy to listen too highs

Can be a bit too warm in the bass

I have been listening to a pair of Mirage 490's for 3 years now. I also own Signet 260 and Maggies and have listened to countless numbers of loudspeakers of all types and sizes in my living room down through the years.

These speakers are very smooth and liquid in the highs. Never harsh! They are very forgiving and improve with improvements in associated equipment. They sound better than my other speakers with my son's Marantz receiver!

The bass can get a little too warm and loose at times. Not recommended for use with tubes. The midrange is much better than expected but doesn't match the more expensive stuff around. I would guess there are a couple of other speakers around now that will sound better in the mids. Still very fine for the bucks!

On the matter of detail, speakers that are a bit bright will sound more detailed. I prefer "laid back" and smooth to "in your face" and harsh! Most of the stuff I've heard lately in the "low end" has been brigh and harsh with boomy bass.

There are a few speakers around (usually very expensive ones) that manage to sound detailed without added harshness. Once again associated electronics can make a big difference here. Here, personal tastes will vary, of course! [My Signets sound "more detailed," brighter, with a bit more detail in the mids and base as well. However, they lack "weight" in the bass and deliver much less impact as well! But then again, do you really expect miracles at this price?]

I was not as impressed with the 490 slim tower replacement unit auditioned in the store some time ago. If you like the Mirage sound move up in the line. The mids are improved and the bass it a bit tighter in the 790s and up. Perhaps you can find one of the top of the line units. They are beautiful to look at and sound quite wonderful as well.

I have really enjoyed this speaker. You can listen to it for hours and never be offended! Check out the new Mirage and see if you agree!

If you've got $1,500+ to spend on a speakers plus a couple thousand for electronics, there are better choices but if you just want smooth, clear sound from modest electronics, give Mirage a try.

Similar Products Used:

Signet 260s, old Large Advents, Maggies