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

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I can't find any information about their Bipole/Dipole speakers.
http://www.us.martinlogan.com/frontpage.html

All of the ESL models are dipoles and folks can and do use all of the big panels for surrounds:

Vista http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/vista.html
Vantage http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speake...o/vantage.html
Spire http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/spire.html
Source http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/source.html
Purity http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/purity.html

Summit is no longer listed on the site (soon to be replaced) and not even ML is crazy enough to recommend the CLX for surrounds.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by RUR

All of the ESL models are dipoles and folks can and do use all of the big panels for surrounds:

Vista http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/vista.html
Vantage http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speake...o/vantage.html
Spire http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/spire.html
Source http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/source.html
Purity http://www.us.martinlogan.com/speaker_intro/purity.html

Summit is no longer listed on the site (soon to be replaced) and not even ML is crazy enough to recommend the CLX for surrounds.

Thank you. I added Martin Logan to the list.

If anybody else knows of other companies that make Bipole or Dipole speakers, please let me know. The companies are listed in Post #2.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by arush5268d

Great information!

If you are going for a record for the number of sticky threads created by one member....well you might already hold that title.

Thanks for the information!

Actually I am going for Michael Phelps' record. I believe I have surpassed him. I wonder if Stephanie Rice is willing to have a tonsil game of hockey with me. I am willing to travel to Australia. Please don't tell my wife.

"Michael Phelps doesn't have a girlfriend, but he celebrated his record-breaking eight gold medals in Beijing by sneaking off for a sizzling game of tonsil hockey with one of Australia's hottest Olympians."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/0..._n_120557.html

[Silo5]

Question about the Klipsch surround speakers (i.e. RS-42s,52s, & 62s). If I used them in a 7.1 surround set-up, would I just reverse the speaker wire (+ to -) going to the side surround speakers to make them dipolar? The back surrounds, I assume, would connect normally (+ to +) since they would be bipolar.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Silo5

Question about the Klipsch surround speakers (i.e. RS-42s,52s, & 62s). If I used them in a 7.1 surround set-up, would I just reverse the speaker wire (+ to -) going to the side surround speakers to make them dipolar? The back surrounds, I assume, would connect normally (+ to +) since they would be bipolar.

By reversing the speaker wire (+ to -), you will change the phase. You do not make them dipolar. To make them dipolar, you need to open the speaker boxes and rewire them. My advice is to leave your speakers alone. Don't mess with the wiring. There is nothing wrong with having bipolar speakers in a 7.1 setup. Bipolars can completely fill the room and irritate your neighbors.

[Clapton101]

So what would my RS-52's be Bipolar or what?

[RUR]

Originally Posted by Clapton101

So what would my RS-52's be Bipolar or what?

Bipolar, same as the RS-62. http://www.soundandvisionmag.com/spe...er-system.html

[Clapton101]

ok so here is my question it says they are suposed to be about 6" high or so and aviously above ear level . Is that exact? Were i was thinking about putting them on my wall is about 7.5 feet up?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Clapton101

ok so here is my question it says they are suposed to be about 6" high or so and aviously above ear level . Is that exact? Were i was thinking about putting them on my wall is about 7.5 feet up?

No, it is not exact. It is usually suggested that you place your bipolar surround speakers somewhere between your head and ceiling and slightly to the rear of your main seating position. Remember that this is not rocket science and you have a lot of flexibility where you want to place them. Make sure you go through the receiver's calibration and set the distances and size of the speakers.

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

DIPOLAR & BIPOLAR SETUP

If they are placed behind the seating area, bipolar speakers are best. If the speakers are placed to the sides of the listener, dipolar speakers are the best.

Source: Polk Audio

Dipole surround speakers are typically labeled Left and Right so that, when you place them on the sides, the in-phase drivers are pointing towards the front of the room. This allows them to be in phase with your front speakers and avoid cancellation problems that can occur when out of phase drivers are facing each other.

Excellent thread Big Daddy. Some of it was over my head but I did pick this part up (the pictures helped ).

My question is this. What if my rears aren't bookend "left" and "right" pairs? I have Energy RC-R's and side-by-side, they are exactly the same. The negative (-) terminal is on the same side on both speakers (the side with the dipole/bipole switch, see my gallery pics). It is therefore impossible to "mirror" them with the positive (+) terminal facing forward in a side wall mounting configuration without mounting one of them upside down. They are set to "Dipole" now. If both positive terminals can't face forward, is it better to set them to "Bipole"?

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by Bluray_ne1

My question is this. What if my rears aren't bookend "left" and "right" pairs? I have Energy RC-R's and side-by-side, they are exactly the same. The negative (-) terminal is on the same side on both speakers (the side with the dipole/bipole switch, see my gallery pics). It is therefore impossible to "mirror" them with the positive (+) terminal facing forward in a side wall mounting configuration without mounting one of them upside down. They are set to "Dipole" now. If both positive terminals can't face forward, is it better to set them to "Bipole"?

I am assuming that you have 5 speakers and a subwoofer?

1. If you set the surround speakers to Bipole, make sure you install them to the rear of the main seating position and higher than your head. You don't have to worry about anything else, except calibration of your entire system.
2. If you set the surround speakers to Dipole, make sure you install them approximately on the same line as the main listening position, facing you, and slightly above your head.

I believe you misunderstood what I meant by Positive and Negative. It has nothing to do with + and - on the speaker terminals. I was referring to the direction of the movement of the midrange woofers. When you set your surround speakers to Bipole, the two midrange woofers will move out of phase with one another. This means that when one moves out (+), the other one moves in (-). Make sure the positive sides (woofer moving out) of your surrounds are facing your front speakers and the negative sides (woofer moving in) are facing the rear wall. This way, the front speakers will be in phase with your surround speakers in order to lessen the phase cancelletion problem of out-of-phase sound waves.

[Bluray_ne1]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I am assuming that you have 5 speakers and a subwoofer?

7.1, but I use direct radiating speakers for surround backs.

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

1. If you set the surround speakers to Bipole, make sure you install them to the rear of the main seating position and higher than your head. You don't have to worry about anything else, except calibration of your entire system.

Unfortunately, I'm unable to mount them at the rear of the room as my main listening position backs up to my kitchen. No where to mount them but the ceiling.

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

2. If you set the surround speakers to Dipole, make sure you install them approximately on the same line as the main listening position, facing you, and slightly above your head.

This is my current arrangement, as shown in the "Dipole" illustration, except that I have no rear wall to bounce sound off of.

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I believe you misunderstood what I meant by Positive and Negative. It has nothing to do with + and - on the speaker terminals. I was referring to the direction of the movement of the midrange woofers.

This is why I defer to you experts! Thanks for your help.

[ozzman]

Big Daddy
I have Paradigms AdP-170's.
My couch is right against the wall.I have them centered in the room with 3 feet in between them and 2 1/2 from ear level.
I've always questioned if i had them placed right or even to the point of just buy powerful bookshelf's to replace them,what do you think.(Just trying to get it right )


http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-spe...-30112538.html

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by ozzman

Big Daddy
I have Paradigms AdP-170's.
My couch is right against the wall.I have them centered in the room with 3 feet in between them and 2 1/2 from ear level.
I've always questioned if i had them placed right or even to the point of just buy powerful bookshelf's to replace them,what do you think.(Just trying to get it right )

http://reviews.cnet.com/separate-spe...-30112538.html

The couch against the wall is the worst location for listening position as the bass becomes extremely boomy. It also makes it very difficult to position your surround and back channel speakers. It will be beneficial if your surround speakers are slighly behind and above your head.

[ozzman]

C:\Users\Joe\Pictures\9.jpg

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by ozzman

C:\Users\Joe\Pictures\9.jpg

On the Manage Attachments menu, click on upload and make sure the pictures gets uploaded. Then, when you click on the Paper Clip on top menu, you will see the attachment.

[ozzman]

BigDaddy
as you well know my situation.I have to ask.I own a older pair of energy's.I could hang them off the back wall(Tilt them alittle) face the couch .

Replace the Paradigms(ADP-170)till i get more room.Honestly what do you think Or should i leave the speakers were they are for now.

Thanks

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/ele/883627308.html

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by ozzman

BigDaddy
as you well know my situation.I have to ask.I own a older pair of energy's.I could hang them off the back wall(Tilt them alittle) face the couch .

Replace the Paradigms(ADP-170)till i get more room.Honestly what do you think Or should i leave the speakers were they are for now.

Thanks

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/ele/883627308.html

Leave your setup alone until you move to a bigger place. Enjoy your system and don't worry so much about the setup in a small room.

[ozzman]

Leave your setup alone until you move to a bigger place. Enjoy your system and don't worry so much about the setup in a small room.

Thanks buddy

[img eL]

Here's another http://av123.com/component/page,shop...art/Itemid,37/