Introduction, Company Background | Mirage Loudspeakers LF-150

owners manual

INTRODUCTION

We are proud to welcome you as a new owner of a MIRAGE subwoofer. The finest components and materials are manufactured to exacting standards and tested with sophisticated manufacturing and quality control techniques to ensure exceptional performance that is superior to subwoofers costing several times their price. This approach to the development of the LF Series has resulted in a significant improvement over other subwoofer designs in terms of performance and aesthetics.

COMPANY BACKGROUND

MIRAGE loudspeakers and subwoofers are designed and manufactured by Audio Products International Corp., known throughout the industry as “API”. A Canadian company founded in 1973, API is one of the largest speaker manufacturers in North America, supplying products to over fifty-five countries worldwide.

The API factory is a modern 165, 000 square foot research, development and manufacturing facility located in Scarborough, a suburb of Toronto, Canada. More than 280 people are employed in this state of the art facility, designing, manufacturing, and marketing MIRAGE transducers, cabinets, amplifiers and crossovers. A talented research and development team utilizes advanced computer-based design and sophisticated measurement techniques in its ongoing quest for new and better acoustic technologies.

LF SERIES

Subwoofer Positioning and Adhesive Isolation Feet

MIRAGE LF Series subwoofers can be placed in either an upright position to provide a small footprint or a horizontal position for a lower profile. Either position will provide equal, impressive performance.

Once the subwoofer’s position and orientation has been chosen, attach the 4 provided adhesive feet to the 4 corners of the bottom of the subwoofer. The feet prevent the transference of signal from the subwoofer to the ground for tighter bass performance. See diagram 1.

Corner placement

The most popular location for subwoofer placement is in a front corner of the room, to either the left or right of one of the main speakers. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this unobtrusive location if a few simple boundaries can be respected. Start off by placing the subwoofer near a corner, which will produce maximum bass output. Slowly move the subwoofer away from the corner in small stages to find the position that yields maximum bass output while maintaining clarity.

Although a clear path between the subwoofer and listening position is not required, it is recommended to leave approximately 2-4 inches (5-10cm) of clearance between the subwoofer and walls or room furnishings to ensure maximum performance. Moving a subwoofer out from it’s typical placement in a corner can change the amplitude of standing waves and either increase or decrease the amount of perceived bass at your listening position.

Finding the Ideal Location

If the placement of the subwoofer and its effect to the room décor is not an issue, you may want to determine the ideal location where the subwoofer performance can be maximized. An effective method of determining the ideal subwoofer location requires that you place the subwoofer in your preferred listening position. Then, slowly walk the boundaries of the room until you’ve determined the spot where bass is at it’s fullest. Switch positions between you and the subwoofer and the ideal location has been located.

Stereo Placement

If you are using a pair of subwoofers in stereo, it is preferable to place each subwoofer adjacent to the main speaker of the same channel.

Remember to use familiar musical recordings with an abundance of low frequency information when you experiment with subwoofer location.

Cabinet Placement

The MIRAGE LF Subwoofer series was also designed to excel in custom applications. The front port design allows all MIRAGE LF subs to be installed into a wall or cabinet while maintaining its sonic integrity. In this situation, it is best to install the feet to the bottom of the cabinet to eliminate the transference of resonance to the environment.

Room Acoustics and Subwoofer placement

MIRAGE LF Series subwoofers can be placed virtually anywhere in your listening room without significantly affecting the stereo image of your main speakers. However, interactions between any subwoofer and a room’s acoustic properties will have some impact on the overall bass performance. Reading this section will help you find a placement for the subwoofer in your room, which will yield the best bass performance.

There is a common misconception with regard to subwoofer placement. The best position is not necessarily the one with the loudest bass, but the position with the smoothest bass. Keep this in mind while determining your preferred placement.

A subwoofer’s omni directional bass propagation allows placement

almost anywhere in the room. But, just because the brain finds frequencies below 100Hz difficult to pinpoint doesn’t mean that all locations are ideal. Because the low frequency wavelengths can be as long as 50 feet, the position of a subwoofer is hard for the brain to pinpoint, but it must be stressed that it is still a point source with sound waves radiating out from it.

SUBWOOFER CONNECTIONS

Caution: Do not use both low level and high level methods simultaneously. Turn off all power in your stereo system before proceeding with the installation of the subwoofer.

Recommended connection for

Dolby Digital Systems: Xover Bypass

This method bypasses all subwoofer controls, other than phase, in favor of the bass management controls integrated into your receiver or processor.

The rear panel is equipped with a low level input marked Xover Bypass. This method uses an RCA cable to connect the “Subwoofer Output” jack from your receiver or processor to the Xover Input on the rear panel of the subwoofer. See diagrams 2, 3.

LF-150, LF-100 specifications

Mirage Loudspeakers has long been synonymous with high-quality audio performance, and their LF-100 and LF-150 models take that reputation to new heights. These subwoofers are engineered for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts who desire deep, powerful bass without sacrificing clarity and precision.

The LF-100 represents an entry-level marvel that packs a punch. Equipped with an 8-inch woofer, it boasts a frequency response that extends down to 36 Hz, allowing for a deep and resonant bass experience. Coupled with an integrated 150-watt amplifier, the LF-100 delivers impressive power for its size, ensuring that all audio nuances are captured with precision. The inclusion of Mirage’s proprietary Bass Reflex design enhances its performance by minimizing distortion while maximizing output.

On the other hand, the LF-150 takes things a step further with its larger 10-inch driver, which brings the frequency response down to a remarkable 28 Hz. This model features a robust built-in 250-watt amplifier, providing users with even more headroom for those explosive movie moments or the deep notes of music genres like hip-hop and orchestral music. The LF-150 also employs the same Bass Reflex technology, ensuring that every note is rendered with the detail it deserves.

One of the standout features of both models is their flexible connectivity options. They can easily integrate into various sound systems, thanks to line-level inputs and speaker-level inputs, allowing for seamless integration with both passive and active audio setups. Additionally, the adjustable crossover frequency allows users to tailor their systems to their specific listening environment.

Both subwoofers come with a sleek, modern design that allows them to fit seamlessly into any home décor. With a rugged construction that includes a front-firing port, they offer not just performance but also aesthetic appeal.

In summary, Mirage Loudspeakers' LF-100 and LF-150 subwoofers deliver powerful bass performance backed by advanced technologies, making them excellent choices for anyone looking to elevate their audio experience. Whether you choose the compact LF-100 or the robust LF-150, both models promise to immerse you in rich soundscapes that will make your audio experience highly enjoyable.

Mirage Loudspeakers LF-150 Introduction, Company Background, LF Series, Subwoofer Connections

Models: LF-150 LF-100