Mirage Loudspeakers OMNIPOLAR OMD-C1 - Manual (Page 4)

owners manual
4
MULTI-CHANNEL AUDIO SET-UPS
The OM Design series offers the ultimate in flexibility; it excels at traditional
2-channel stereo set-ups or can provide illustrious multi channel audio/home
theater performances. Depending on your particular room layout and your
personal requirements the OM Design series can be used for any imaginable
multi-channel set-up. Please consult your authorized Mirage dealer for specific
recommendations based on your requirements and your room layout.
NOTE: In order to acheive perfect timber matching between your multi
channel audio system, it is highly recommended to use only models from the
OM Design Series.
BREAK-IN PROCEDURES
It is VITAL that your new OM Design speakers be allowed to break-in
properly before you perform any precise set up procedures, system
adjustments, and before you play them at higher volume levels.The best
method of performing the break-in is to play a full range musical passage at a
moderate level as long as possible. Utilizing the repeat function on your CD
or DVD player can assist greatly. Optimum sound will not be achieved until
approximately 100 hours of playing time. After break-in, the volume level can
be increased. Do not play the speakers at high levels until the break-in
process has been completed.The transducers need to “loosen up”, and until
this occurs, damage can result to the transducers.
5.0 FINE TUNING YOUR
AUDIO SYSTEM
Before beginning any fine-tuning, please ensure all connections are properly
made and your speakers have had the chance to break-in for a minimum of
100 hours. Also, it is assumed that you have already performed the initial
placement of each speaker in your system and are now trying to fine tune
the performance of your new speakers in your room.This will ensure the
proper results are achieved.
GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Your listening room is the final component of your audio system and will be
the difference between mediocre sound and high quality sound. Reflections,
which are a part of every recording and music playback, will have a major
effect on your system's performance. If your room is too “live”, meaning there
are many bare surfaces like glass windows, hard floors and thin furnishings,
you might find the sound overly bright. If your room is “dead”, meaning there
is thick pile carpeting, heavy furniture and a lot of wall coverings, you might
find the sound lacks dynamic energy.To remedy these issues, small changes to
your room should be considered as they generally lead to large
improvements in sound quality. Most listening rooms must balance aesthetics
and sound, but patience and small adjustments in positioning and settings can
pay huge acoustic dividends.The lower bass frequencies are typically the most
influenced by your listening room. If you find the bass in your room to be
uneven or exaggerated in certain frequencies, experimenting with placement
of the front speakers or their orientation towards the listening position can
alleviate some of these issues.The proximity of the speakers to room
boundaries, like walls, will also affect the bass frequencies.
HOW TO FINE-TUNE THE LOW
FREQUENCY PERFORMANCE
If you find your system lacks bass, first check your connections to make sure
your system is in phase, then experiment with placement.The further from the
wall, the less overall bass output your system will have, but the bass will generally
be better defined. If bass is too prominent, try moving the OMD-15 speakers
further from the wall, or spacing them a little further apart from one another.
NOTE: The bass performance will tighten up significantly, once the isolation
feet are installed to the OMD-15 front speakers.
HOW TO FINE-TUNE THE IMAGING
If you are experiencing issues with imaging, first ensure your speakers are in
phase with each other. If this is the case and imaging is still an issue, moving
the speakers closer together or toeing them in slightly (angling them towards
the listening position) can aid in this respect.
HOW TO FINE-TUNE THE
SOUNDSTAGE DEPTH
The soundstage depth can be adjusted by changing the distance from the
speakers to the back and/or the side walls. If your system is lacking soundstage
depth, try to move the speakers further away from the back wall. If your
soundstage is lacking width, moving the speakers further away from the side
wall is a good measure to increase the soundstage width. In the opposite
cases, when the soundstage is overly large in either width or depth, try to
move the speakers closer to the respective wall.
HOW TO INCORPORATE ACOUSTIC
ROOM TREATMENTS
If the sound has poor focus and seems to be too "splashy" or indistinct
sounding, more damping may be required in the listening area. Experiment by
adding an area rug between the listener and the front speakers if there is a
bare wood floor. Some damping treatment to treat the ROOM, not the
speaker reflection points, can work well to reduce this problem. A number of
different options are available on the market, damping pads for the corners of
the room at the ceiling, pads for the corners of the room, etc. A room can be
tested simply by clapping while walking around the room.The sound of the
clap should die off smoothly, but not instantaneously. If the clap results in a
long standing echo, the room may require some acoustic treatment.
NOTE: Do not attempt to add dampening materials to the first reflection
points of the speakers! Omnipolar Speakers are designed to embrace such
reflections and they are a crucial part in the performance of the speakers.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
SURROUND SOUND SET-UPS
When installing a surround sound system, all the above holds true. Calibration
of your speaker distances, adjusting delays and balancing your levels with an
SPL meter is recommended to extract the most out of your system.