Dipole speakers

[saprano]

Im interested in getting this type of surround speaker and was wondering where should these be placed, to the sides, or in the back like a direct surround speaker?

Im reading soud and vision's artical on speakers and the mention that dipole's should be placed on the sides? i thought they belong in the back?

[Drew664]

You are thinking of bipoles. That picture was taken from Big Daddy's sticky in the speaker forum. Lots of useful information in there, and great summaries of each kind. If nothing else, the pictures really tell a lot of what the type of speaker can offer.

[Steve]

Dipoles are designed to have a null area in front of them and the listener is intended to sit within that null for the proper ambient effect. As such you get the proper effect from dipoles by putting them on the side walls, as shown in the picture above. Bipoles on the other hand, have no null area, and as a result are much more flexible in their placement. They can be used on the back wall or side walls with excellent results. Having said that, there are plenty of people who are using dipoles on the back wall and are very pleased with the results. However, it is unlikely they are getting the "proper" effect from them.

[Big Daddy]

Check A Guide to Bipole and Dipole Speakers. All your questions will be answered.

I would recommend bipole surround speakers for two reasons:

1. They are more flexible in placement.
2. They have better bass response.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by saprano

Im interested in getting this type of surround speaker and was wondering where should these be placed, to the sides, or in the back like a direct surround speaker?

Im reading soud and vision's artical on speakers and the mention that dipole's should be placed on the sides? i thought they belong in the back?

The sides - so the Null can be at your ears.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Check A Guide to Bipole and Dipole Speakers. All your questions will be answered.

I would recommend bipole surround speakers for two reasons:

1. They are more flexible in placement.
2. They have better bass response.

+1

[DonRSD]

dipole = go on SIDE walls
bipole = go on REAR walls

[Steve]

Originally Posted by DonRSD

dipole = go on SIDE walls
bipole = go on REAR walls

Bipoles can be placed on side walls.

From A Guide to Bipolar, Dipolar, & Direct-Radiating Surround Speakers

Normally, surround speakers are placed at or above ear level. In a 5.1 setup, if they are placed behind the seating area, bipolar speakers are best. They can be installed on the side or rear walls or hung from the ceiling.

From Audioholics Speaker Placement: Setup Tips for Upgraded Home Theater Systems

Bipolar/Dipole surrounds usually perform best when placed on the side walls directly across or slightly behind the seated listening position and at approximately 18-28" above the seated ear level position.

From Home Theater & Sound Cinema Cynergy

Dipolar and bipolar surrounds are designed so that they will not radiate sound directly at the listener and are most often placed on the side walls. However, they can still be placed on the rear wall to good effect.

[saprano]

Thanks guys.

I didn't know diploles had to go on the side walls. i thought you could put them anywhere. looks like i have to get bipoles then, its going to be to uneven if i get dipoles. i wouldn't be able to get proper placement with those.

Thanks BD for the link.

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by saprano

Thanks guys.

I didn't know diploles had to go on the side walls. i thought you could put them anywhere. looks like i have to get bipoles then, its going to be to uneven if i get dipoles. i wouldn't be able to get proper placement with those.

Thanks BD for the link.

the polk FXI3's i have have a switch to make them dipole or bipole

[-DLS-]

I've got Paradigm ADP's(Adapted dipoles) on my back wall and I think they sound great. I know bi-poles are recommended for the back wall and dipoles for sides but I think each would work in either placement and some may not notice a difference.

Here is an old article but an interesting read. You can start from page one but in the end this reviewer preferred monopoles for the sides and dipoles for rears as his first choice. This is the way I have it as well but i couldn't try any other way cuz of the way my room is set up. Dipoles don't have to go on side walls. They are recommended for sides and I know the article is taking more about a 7.1 configuration but they will work in the back as well for 5.1.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by DLS_222

I've got Paradigm ADP's(Adapted dipoles) on my back wall and I think they sound great. I know bi-poles are recommended for the back wall and dipoles for sides but I think each would work in either placement and some may not notice a difference.

Here is an old article but an interesting read. You can start from page one but in the end this reviewer preferred monopoles for the sides and dipoles for rears as his first choice. This is the way I have it as well but i couldn't try any other way cuz of the way my room is set up. Dipoles don't have to go on side walls. They are recommended for sides and I know the article is taking more about a 7.1 configuration but they will work in the back as well for 5.1.

In that link to HT magazine - they only faced off monopoles vs dipoles. Bipoles give you the best of both worlds - diffuse sound as well as some pinpoint imaging for highly directive sounds. I've tried "all of the above" and finally went with Bipoles in the rear and on the sides - if I'm not mistaken - they have lasted longer in my system than any piece of gear.

[-DLS-]

Originally Posted by prerich

In that link to HT magazine - they only faced off monopoles vs dipoles. Bipoles give you the best of both worlds - diffuse sound as well as some pinpoint imaging for highly directive sounds. I've tried "all of the above" and finally went with Bipoles in the rear and on the sides - if I'm not mistaken - they have lasted longer in my system than any piece of gear.

Your right, sorry I forgot to mention that. I want to try out bipoles as well - I was originally gonna buy the Energy RC-R's(switchable between bipole/dipole)but I got a better deal on the ADP's and it was the same brand as the rest of my setup. I think the OP was asking about a specific speaker though - didn't mention which ones but dipoles of course.

[DonRSD]

Dipole/Bipole Switch:
There is a switch that allows each speaker to be used as a Dipole (out of phase) or Bipole (in phase) speaker. If you're mounting the speakers on the side walls in line with your listening position, the dipole mode will create a diffuse, ambient soundfield. If you're placing them behind your position, the bipole mode fires the drivers in phase to flood your room with surround sound. When used with a Dolby Digital system, the surround speaker setting should be set to small.

[Twitch9]

Originally Posted by DonRSD

dipole = go on SIDE walls
bipole = go on REAR walls

Both dipole and bipole speakers can be placed on sides or back walls, reversing dipoles on back walls is recommended. I don't know where people get the idea that dipole speakers are not good for back walls and 7.1 surround setup.