A Guide to Bipolar, Dipolar, & Direct-Radiating Monopole Surround Speakers (PART I)

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by reyz

thanks for the informative guide! really piqued my interest towards bi/dipole speakers and they sure do look inviting now..

just wondering, do most speakers just fall under the direct-radiating category if they're neither bi or dipole?

currently in the midst of getting a 5.1 setup now... would just like to check whether the Yamaha NS-M325 speakers are bipole, dipole or direct-radiating?

and if one wishes to upgrade to a 7.1 in the future, must the rear surrounds be similar to the surrounds (e.g. all bipole)? or can they just be anything else, even direct radiating?

The Yamaha NS-M325 speakers are direct-radiating speakers.

Out of the three types of speakers, bipole speakers are the best option for the new surround systems. Their placement is also a bit more flexible than dipole or direct.

Dipole speakers had an advantage during the old days of Dolby Pro Logic era where the sound from the surround speakers was mono. They lack a bit in the low frequency extension.

It is a good idea to use bipole speakers for all your surround (side and rear)speakers, but is not an absolute necessecity. Surround speakers are not as important as the front speakers.

As a general rule, bipole/dipole speakers work better for movies as most of the sound from the surrounds are ambient sound. Direct-radiating speakers are more appropriate for multi-channel music such as SACD and DVD-A.

Bipole speakers work for both movies and music and you can also use them for your front speakers.

[reyz]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

The Yamaha NS-M325 speakers are direct-radiating speakers.

Out of the three types of speakers, bipole speakers are the best option for the new surround systems. Their placement is also a bit more flexible than dipole or direct.

Dipole speakers had an advantage during the old days of Dolby Pro Logic era where the sound from the surround speakers was mono. They lack a bit in the low frequency extension.

It is a good idea to use bipole speakers for all your surround (side and rear)speakers, but is not an absolute necessecity. Surround speakers are not as important as the front speakers.

As a general rule, bipole/dipole speakers work better for movies as most of the sound from the surrounds are ambient sound. Direct-radiating speakers are more appropriate for multi-channel music such as SACD and DVD-A.

Bipole speakers work for both movies and music and you can also use them for your front speakers.

thank you so much! i've an extremely good idea on what to get now..

will probably be getting a pair of bi-pole when i upgrade to a 7.1 in the near future... so 2 surrounds bi-pole and prob 2 rear surrounds direct radiating. or i might swap the rear and surrounds to see which has a better effect for my room acoustics.

thanks again! your information is priceless

[talstarone]

I have tried my surrounds both ways.
I have had one pair of bipoles and one pair of direct radiating speakers.
The combonation of the two was effective to a point.

I have since moved to all 4 surround speakers being comprised of bipole speakers(or actually a hybrid bipole design).
The surround sound effect is simply amazing.It is the closest to true theater sound as anything I have tried,with any direct radiating speaker I have tried.

If you have the oppertunity I can not stress enough the need and effectiveness of using bipole speakers for your surround channels.
It makes as big of a difference as ANY change I have made in my Home Theater.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by talstarone

I have tried my surrounds both ways.
I have had one pair of bipoles and one pair of direct radiating speakers.
The combonation of the two was effective to a point.

I have since moved to all 4 surround speakers being comprised of bipole speakers(or actually a hybrid bipole design).
The surround sound effect is simply amazing.It is the closest to true theater sound as anything I have tried,with any direct radiating speaker I have tried.

If you have the oppertunity I can not stress enough the need and effectiveness of using bipole speakers for your surround channels.
It makes as big of a difference as ANY change I have made in my Home Theater.

For movies, bipole surround speakers are the most effective. They also work great as front speakers.

[jerix]

________________________________
l FL Screen FR Sub1 l
l Sub2 l
l l
l l
l l
l l
lSL ______SR_____l
l l
l l
l l
l________________SB l

Big daddy, the illustration above shows my HT area and present speaker setup. I am using only one back surround and I want to put one more. Where can i possibly place the other back surround?

I am using dipole surround speakers and my available back surrounds are also dipoles.

Please comment too on the placement of my speakers. Thanks

[Opips2]

I believe that bipole or dipole speaker are only surround. I think that's best way on side for large room. if a small room then back wall.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by jerix

________________________________
l FL Screen FR Sub1 l
l Sub2 l
l l
l l
l l
l l
lSL ______SR_____l
l l
l l
l l
l________________SB l

Big daddy, the illustration above shows my HT area and present speaker setup. I am using only one back surround and I want to put one more. Where can i possibly place the other back surround?

I am using dipole surround speakers and my available back surrounds are also dipoles.

Please comment too on the placement of my speakers. Thanks

You can put the other back speaker to the left of SB and behind SL. Also move the SR closer to you and in the same line as the front right speaker. As far as the subwoofers are concerned, I would put one sub in the middle of the front wall and the other in the middle of the rear wall. The following diagrams should help you.

The following diagrams demonstrate the best positions for multiple subwoofers.

Very Good



Good



Best



Best

[STARSCREAM]

BigDaddy, I just got the Polk FXiA4's for side and back surrounds. I have the sides set on dipole and the backs set on bipole. My question is on the backs set on bipole should I flip them in the way they are labeled? Meaning the speaker labeled left should I put it where the left back surround speaker goes or where the right back surround speaker goes? I saw the posts that said you need to switch them when set on dipole so they don't cancel each other out but it didn't say for bipole.

[prerich]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

BigDaddy, I just got the Polk FXiA4's for side and back surrounds. I have the sides set on dipole and the backs set on bipole. My question is on the backs set on bipole should I flip them in the way they are labeled? Meaning the speaker labeled left should I put it where the left back surround speaker goes or where the right back surround speaker goes? I saw the posts that said you need to switch them when set on dipole so they don't cancel each other out but it didn't say for bipole.

Correct me Big Daddy if I'm wrong:

Starscream - Let your rear speakers be Bipoles (dont switch right with left - let right go to right and left to left in a bipole configuration) - the reason for switching on dipoles is that they are wired 180 degrees out of phase with each other - bipoles are wired in-phase. Your Dipole configuration creates a null field at your ears when the speakers are placed to the sides of the room. The reflections from the front and opposite reflections from the back create a diffuse soundfield. This is great - when the speakers are on the sides. Dipoles in the rear would defeat the purpose of Dipoles (placing the null at the back of your head instead of the sides ... at your ears). Rear (back wall) speakers should be bipole in my opinion - they use a 360 degree radiation pattern that will bathe the listener in sound. Bipoles will maintain an open soundfield while allowing for the right amount of directivity. Just my two cents

[prerich]

P.S. All of my speakers are Bipoles - My Snells and my Def Techs.

[Opips2]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

BigDaddy, I just got the Polk FXiA4's for side and back surrounds. I have the sides set on dipole and the backs set on bipole. My question is on the backs set on bipole should I flip them in the way they are labeled? Meaning the speaker labeled left should I put it where the left back surround speaker goes or where the right back surround speaker goes? I saw the posts that said you need to switch them when set on dipole so they don't cancel each other out but it didn't say for bipole.

no problem. i draw for you.

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by STARSCREAM

BigDaddy, I just got the Polk FXiA4's for side and back surrounds. I have the sides set on dipole and the backs set on bipole. My question is on the backs set on bipole should I flip them in the way they are labeled? Meaning the speaker labeled left should I put it where the left back surround speaker goes or where the right back surround speaker goes? I saw the posts that said you need to switch them when set on dipole so they don't cancel each other out but it didn't say for bipole.

the FXI series has
a side = woofer & tweeter
b side = only tweeter

when set to BIPOLE (speakers behind us) the woofers/tweeters (a side) face OUTWARDS thus ONLY THE SIDE WITH TWEETERS (b side) FACES TOWARDS THE LISTENING AREA

would flipping the speakers in bipole mode make a difference....have woofer/tweeter face listening area (a side) and only tweeter side face outside (b side)????

[STARSCREAM]

Originally Posted by DonRSD

the FXI series has
a side = woofer & tweeter
b side = only tweeter

when set to BIPOLE (speakers behind us) the woofers/tweeters (a side) face OUTWARDS thus ONLY THE SIDE WITH TWEETERS (b side) FACES TOWARDS THE LISTENING AREA

would flipping the speakers in bipole mode make a difference....have woofer/tweeter face listening area (a side) and only tweeter side face outside (b side)????

Thanks Don, that is exactly what I wanted to know.

[Opips2]

wow! that's ugly!!

the FXI series has
a side = woofer & tweeter
b side = only tweeter



this is best dipole

LsiFX


or

http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs4.html

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by Opips2

wow! that's ugly!!

the FXI series has
a side = woofer & tweeter
b side = only tweeter



this is best dipole

LsiFX


or

http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs4.html

those are also $900 a pair....thanks but no thanks
\behind the grills they LOOK THE SAME

if im spending $900 on a pair of polks surrounds, im going for some B&W speakers

please dont thread cap/go off topic

[Opips2]

Originally Posted by DonRSD

those are also $900 a pair....thanks but no thanks
\behind the grills they LOOK THE SAME

if im spending $900 on a pair of polks surrounds, im going for some B&W speakers

please dont thread cap/go off topic

I know polk surround LSiFX is price.

I won bid on ebay.com for $389.00 (USD). It's real retail price $799 (USD).
PSB image surround S-50 but WHITE white cabinet and white grill. I don't mind white.




(black)

[DarkDune]

Originally Posted by prerich

Correct me Big Daddy if I'm wrong:

Starscream - Let your rear speakers be Bipoles (dont switch right with left - let right go to right and left to left in a bipole configuration) - the reason for switching on dipoles is that they are wired 180 degrees out of phase with each other - bipoles are wired in-phase. Your Dipole configuration creates a null field at your ears when the speakers are placed to the sides of the room. The reflections from the front and opposite reflections from the back create a diffuse soundfield. This is great - when the speakers are on the sides. Dipoles in the rear would defeat the purpose of Dipoles (placing the null at the back of your head instead of the sides ... at your ears). Rear (back wall) speakers should be bipole in my opinion - they use a 360 degree radiation pattern that will bathe the listener in sound. Bipoles will maintain an open soundfield while allowing for the right amount of directivity. Just my two cents

I prefer Bipoles for Left and Right Surround, and Dipoles for SurroundBack Left and Right.

In our case it gives better directionality from the Surround Left and Right, and still maintains ambient sound with the Surround Backs doing that.

Sorry if that isn't too clear, but it is Friday and I am tired from waiting last night for the PSN Store to update

Here are a few images:

[DarkDune]

Originally Posted by DarkDune

I prefer Bipoles for Left and Right Surround, and Dipoles for SurroundBack Left and Right.

In our case it gives better directionality from the Surround Left and Right, and still maintains ambient sound with the Surround Backs doing that.

Sorry if that isn't too clear, but it is Friday and I am tired from waiting last night for the PSN Store to update

I suppose I should mention that the 4 surround speakers I have are Bi/Di-pole speakers with a switch so you can change the mode they operate in. So in the Dipole mode, some sound is directed toward the listener, but significantly less than in the Bipole mode. So perhaps because of this design they still work well as Dipole in the Surroud Back location.

Here is the manual -- look at the image on page 3 in the Multipole Technology description:

Cambridge Soundworks Surround 5.1

[Opips2]

DarkDune,

You’re those speakers surround look okay.

Quadpole is more unique speaker surround by Axiom Audio. It’s best sound than a single or di-pole


more information http://www.axiomaudio.com/qs4.html

[prerich]

Originally Posted by DarkDune

I suppose I should mention that the 4 surround speakers I have are Bi/Di-pole speakers with a switch so you can change the mode they operate in. So in the Dipole mode, some sound is directed toward the listener, but significantly less than in the Bipole mode. So perhaps because of this design they still work well as Dipole in the Surroud Back location.

Here is the manual -- look at the image on page 3 in the Multipole Technology description:

Cambridge Soundworks Surround 5.1

You do know that the arrow pointing to the seated listener on page 3 (dipole operation) actually represents a "null" a place of no sound whatsoever?