Which PS Audio speaker to replace Mirage M3 si?

Loudspeakers
1

Hi,

Is anyone familiar with the Mirage M3 si speaker? It’s an older speaker set, in the man cave basement, but i like the sound of it. I’m trying to “one up” this set in our living room…

Here’s a review of the M3si if you’re interested: https://www.stereophile.com/floorloudspeakers/1192mirage/index.html

What I like about my Mirage speaker is the huge wall of sound and full range of frequencies it can reproduce. Essentially, I feel like i’m at a concert when listening at high volumes.

I’m guessing the FR10, and certainly the FR20, would be a superior speaker too the Mirage M3si, but I also understand that different speakers are better at different things…I would love to hear some impressions from people who might have experienced both.

thanks in advance,
Steve

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What components are driving your M3’s?
I have the FR20’s driven by a Conrad Johnson GAT preamp feeding a Levinson 5302 power amp, and am extremely happy with this combination.

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At my dad’s (RIP) home his music room remains operational with his M3s! Those replaced his DQ10s. I love them, pricing not a factor I would say go with the FR20s, if pricing factors in the comparison, then the FR10s

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hi @adifferentpaul i have a much more budget system than yours. My source is an Eversolo DMP-A6 to an Adcom GFA 5800. It was a great value play for what it is - less than $3k with the speakers!

The amp specs are 250w/ch into 8ohm and 400w/ch into 4. It’s a Nelson Pass design from when he worked for Adcom.

For the next system, i’m considering a set of M700 amplifiers and probably a set of FR10, though they are a bit steep for me. After looking at the prices the FR20 are out of my price league.

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@ErVikingo i’m glad to hear you shared that audio passion with your dad. May he rest in peace with the Good Lord.

Did he have the M3 or the M3si? Either way, how big of a sonic leap is it to the FR10? As mentioned above, the FR20 is too expensive for my budget.

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Thanks for the kind words Patriot!

His were the M3s originally powered by a Carver magnetic and later by an Adcom 5800. We tried them with my old Aragon Palladiums and they shined even more.

I have not listened to the FR10s but the tech is much newer.

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I went the FR10 route a couple of months ago and am in love with them. There is a definite burn-in period and the sound changes somewhat dramatically during that time plus you need the space to set them up correctly, but once you do - oh man!

Paul McGowan talks a lot about how revealing all the Aspen speakers are and that is truth. These replaced a pair of B&Ws and I’ve had to adjust my hearing as a result because you do hear everything. That said, true three dimensional, full spectrum, non-fatiguing sound awaits.

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@Robster that sounds enticing. Which B&W did you have?

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I almost bought new in '94 a pair of M7si’s from the same Dealer that I bought my Adcom GFP-345 & GFA-545II. But I didn’t have enough saved up (just graduated College) so no luck but they did sound great at the store where I bought the Amps. Went the DIY route instead.

Great Speakers the M series were.

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CM 8. I have them set up at the office and they sound fantastic. Very natural sound across a broad spectrum. That design has had a long life.

A LOT has changed since then!

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I would think the FR10 would be much better than the M3si, in any setting. Maybe add subs later. I have FR20’s with pair of REL subs, good friend has had the M3si for many years (with and without subs)…

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@jll37 oh, so you’ve heard the M3si as well? It’s an interesting speaker, but the backward radiating drivers make placement challenging.

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I always liked the M3si, and they are probably still quite good for your current use, but I think the FR10 is way better in probably all ways “as it should be” …even if the M3si is set up “perfectly”…

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