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

[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