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NHT 3.3 vs Mirage M3si


Assuming similar price and physical condition, which speaker would you choose given:

1. Listening area: 1400 sq ft carpeted basement area, speaker location will be adjacent to brick wall. listening will be enjoyed from seated position central to speaker focal point, but will also be appreciated as ambient sound throughout the location.

2. Preferred music: is diverse, from rock to jazz to classical. Hard hitting bass is appreciated, but so is a great sounding tenor saxophone or violin.

3. Current setup: Adcom 5800 amp (2 x 250wpc @ 8ohm), matching adcom pre amp, adcom cd player

4. House contains small children and I am slightly concerned about one of them toppling a mirage m3si due to its seeming high center of gravity and narrow foot print.

Please let me know your thoughts, as i would like to have context from you knowledgeable and experienced folk as i will have limited audition time and in listening areas that are quite different from mine.

Thank you!
sm_76
6 responses Add your response
matti
114 posts
 
I haven't owned 3.3's in 10 years - but they were great when I had them. They certainly won't tip with the outriggers on - but they do dominate a room visually, maybe more so than the M3si's. Either one of those speakers will be pretty old - so how they were taken care of should probably play a part in your decision.
zd542
5,339 posts
 
"4. House contains small children and I am slightly concerned about one of them toppling a mirage m3si due to its seeming high center of gravity and narrow foot print."

They're not that easy to knock down. You shouldn't have any problems.

"Mirage designs these speakers to have the grills left on, So if you like to take them off THAT could be a deciding factor. You cannot easily remove them either."

They factor in the cloth when they design the speaker. Also, the grill isn't all that difficult to remove. You just have to take your time and slowly work it down the speaker. The only problem when you remove the sock, is the appearance. They look terrible. Huge eyesore, don't do it.
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
I have heard several NHT models, but not specifically the 3.3s. I *own* Mirage M5si's (one model down from the 3si's), and have owned them for 19 years (and really glad I still have them). They still anchor my 7.2 home theater setup and could just as easily slide into (for all the improvements in speakers in two decades) my analog-based 2-channel system.

Everything Matt said about speakers of this series is true. They have a midrange like a mini-monitor, yet have smooth treble and deep extended bass. I found the NHTs more forward than the Mirages. The Mirages simply sound "right" without exaggerated crispy highs or bloated bass. I even power mine with an Adcom GFA-7700 amp; it's a good match that has worked for 10 years.

The NHTs are 31" deep, which could create a placement problem. The Mirages like about 3' separation from the wall behind them. That's usually not a problem because the speakers are only about 8" deep.
kjvail
3 posts
 
Like Mattmiller, I fell in love with my M3 (Si's)... then married! Yes, they are monolithic, but they're heavy, and with such a low center of gravity, I never was concerned that my progeny (or my 60 lb Dalmatian) would tip them...WITH SPIKES. However, if positioned on carpet, WITHOUT spikes, then I wouldn't rule out tipping over. If I was still a bachelor, my M3si's would NOT be mothballed, but rather, showcased as befits their talents. My upstream components are an OPPO 95, ProJect extension 10 table, and Parasound JC1s. I don't know if you're into movies, but the Mirage center channel and surrounds, were also, in my humble opinion, also invisible and convincing, which is the strongest compliment I can give.
jpainter236's avatar
jpainter236
115 posts
 
Haven't heard the mirages, but my 3.3's with threshold gear are amazing to my ears. 4 way, acoustically suspended. Smooth, detailed, imaging, and have amazing bass. We all have our opinions. Enjoy the music.
mattmiller's avatar
mattmiller
1,479 posts
 
Go with the Mirage M3Si, These speakers Disappear and all you get is a huge wall of sound with great depth and definition. I use to own the 1st series M3's and I loved them even more after I sold them (wife). I kept them for 10 years. Never have I heard music presented so well and with such SLAM, delicacy, detailed, beautiful sound. Mirage designs these speakers to have the grills left on, So if you like to take them off THAT could be a deciding factor. You cannot easily remove them either. So make sure the pair you buy has excellent looking front and rear grills. Never heard the NHT Sorry. Regards,

Matt
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