Vandersteen 2c vs Mirage M1

The Vandersteens are levels above Mirage in build quality,sound and value. Stick with them and don't look back.

Second the Vandies...they haven't sold over 100,000 of these for nothing...great soundstaging,decent imaging,and for their price point...deep bass...

Mirage makes some good speakers, never heard the M1's but the new top of the line stuff sounded great at the pricepoints. Vandy's are quite nice to but an aquired taste. I would demo any speaker before buying, it is too expensive of a purchase and too heavy to return or resell without taking a big loss with a big hassel. Mirage and Vandy dealers are everywhere, I'm sure you can find one nearby....

The M1's were a Mirage statement speaker to get them on the map, They got very good press. The M3 was very close to the M1 sound wise. In any case they both were very good speakers.

The M1 is a speaker that is bipolar, meaning it rediates sound from the front and the back. They have identicle drivers on both front and back, this may be good enough as surround until you have time to get other speakers. I would recommend the 590i, 790i, or 1090i depending on the size of your room for rears. You will need a large amp on the side of bright and dynamic to help the M1 out. The Vandersteens are alot more dark sounding and don't envelop you in the music as much. Think of it as if sound were water, the Vandersteens would be like a shower while the M1 would be more like being in a pool, totally submurged.