Mirage 450 sound

I have had a good 24 hours with the Mirage 450 speakers originally manufactured in the mid 80's by Audio Products International or better known as API, the same guys that make Energy speakers.

From what I gather these speakers retailed around $450.00 and are definitely a mid-fi offering.

The speakers are very open in the high end by what looks like a Vifa tweeter, the 8 inch woofer digs decently deep to around 40-50hz. I tend to find I like the tightness of acoustic suspension speakers more than bass reflex models. The mid range is right in the middle, not overly emphasized nor to far back.

Acoustic suspension speakers do not over emphasize the bass region and tend to be a little tighter in the reproduction of bass notes. Bass reflex speakers can have a boomy sound to them.

I really like these speakers I would put them 2 notches above a pair of Mission 700's  but three notches below my pair of Mission 770's.

The Mirage 450's are non fatiguing and a real pleasure to listen too, the sound stage seems just right, not to far back but not surrounding you either. Esthetically these speakers are quite pleasing to the eye.

This project was well worth the effort and I will enjoy listening to them before moving them along.

Mirage 450 Speakers completed

The Mirage 450 speakers got a complete overhaul this week, here is the completed project.

Here is what they looked like when I got them home.

New polypropylene capacitors. I ran a 4.7uf and 3.3uf cap parallel to equal 8uf as per the original caps.

The terminal plate got new gold plated binding post.

The woofers got a new lease on life with a re foam job.

New internal dampening material was put in along with new gaskets to seal the acoustic suspension design of these speakers. I was surprised at the lack of sealing gaskets originally installed in these speakers.

The last thing that needs to be done is new speaker grill cloth but that can wait as I am enjoying the sound of these speakers.

Original EPI M100

Just arrived is a first generation pair of EPI M100 speakers. These were posted on the internet with no brand indicated but I figured by the pictures that they were EPI's

As usual for this vintage, the foams need to be replaced and while I am in there the cap will be replaced also.

This pair has real wood veneer which is worth sanding and re oiling.

This is the fourth pair of EPI 100's I have owned and I had a pair of C70's along with the Genesis 22's

EPI's are always worth the time and effort in restoration.

Mirage 450

Lucky strike in the same day as a pair of Mirage 450 speakers also came my way. These guys are in need of a re foam and a replacement cap in the crossover. These Mirage 450's were built by API in Toronto with in house woofers and what looks like Vifa/Seas tweeter. The crossover is a first order for the woofer and a second order for the tweeter. There is also an internal brace between the front baffle and rear panel.

These are definitely a mid-fi range of speakers from the same guys as the Energy 22's.

I will post he re foam and re cap work when done.

Here is what they look like right now.

Nad 7125 Receiver

I just scored a beautiful NAD 7125 Receiver. This is a very nice sounding 25 watt per channel amp that is well built in Japan. I popped it open  to clean out the pots before firing it up. There is a huge toroidal transformer in the back for an amp of this vintage and wattage.

I got about an hour of aural time with it so far. The sound is very similar to my Rotel RA840BX. Very nice sounding receiver.

Weekend Spin

This was made for Vintage Hi-Fi.

Acoustic Research AR 15 done

The Acoustic Research AR-15's are back together.

They went from this:

To this:

Work included: fixed one tweeter, repaired front baffles, re glued the foam woofer surrounds, upgraded the caps on the crossover, upgraded the internal dampening material, painted the front baffle gloss black and sanded and refinished the cabinets.

These speakers were worth it.