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

[kamiller42]

Thank you gentlemen! I pulled the trigger on 2 pair, black. There are a lot of favorable reviews on PSB speakers. I have a good feeling about these. Big Daddy, thanks for the hat tip on big savings at DMC Electronics.

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by kamiller42

Thank you gentlemen! I pulled the trigger on 2 pair, black. There are a lot of favorable reviews on PSB speakers. I have a good feeling about these. Big Daddy, thanks for the hat tip on big savings at DMC Electronics.

I am glad I was able to help. With new speakers, we expect new pictures and an invitation to your house.

[Big Daddy]

I added new diagrams on bipole and dipole setups to post #1.

[Kryptonic]

I'm new to the dipole/bipole speakers, but am intrigued by TSC's TSS-B dipole speaker that is now on sale. I do like the direct sound of my Polk T15's on the side walls, three feet above ear level, and behind the main recliners (see gallery). Would these dipoles provide better surround field? I feel that I get really good dispersion from the Polk's, but am more curious than anything. I've been reading up on dipole/bipoles speakers for the last day or two and feel I have a pretty good understanding of them, but would like some advice.

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TSS...r-P105C10.aspx

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

I'm new to the dipole/bipole speakers, but am intrigued by TSC's TSS-B dipole speaker that is now on sale. I do like the direct sound of my Polk T15's on the side walls, three feet above ear level, and behind the main recliners (see gallery). Would these dipoles provide better surround field? I feel that I get really good dispersion from the Polk's, but am more curious than anything. I've been reading up on dipole/bipoles speakers for the last day or two and feel I have a pretty good understanding of them, but would like some advice.

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/TSS...r-P105C10.aspx

This is technically not a bipole/dipole in the truest form. A true bipole would have a midrange and tweeter at 90 degrees opposite from one another. Thus you would have a tweeter and midrange on one side and the same on the other. This appears to be more like a "hybrid" bipole since the tweeters are at 90 degree angles and there is a single midrange in the middle. Either way, it does spread out the sound better than a monopole. I still believe that a true bipole would function better in creating a more immersive atmosphere around the listener, but these can also do the job. I think these "hybrid" bipoles would do a better job than you current Polk T15's of spreading the sound out and around you, thus enveloping the ambient sounds more effectively.

My Klipsch Synergy S-3's are another example of what a "hybrid" bipole looks like.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

This is technically not a bipole/dipole in the truest form. A true bipole would have a midrange and tweeter at 90 degrees opposite from one another. Thus you would have a tweeter and midrange on one side and the same on the other. This appears to be more like a "hybrid" bipole since the tweeters are at 90 degree angles and there is a single midrange in the middle. Either way, it does spread out the sound better than a monopole. I still believe that a true bipole would function better in creating a more immersive atmosphere around the listener, but these can also do the job. I think these "hybrid" bipoles would do a better job than you current Polk T15's of spreading the sound out and around you, thus enveloping the ambient sounds more effectively.

My Klipsch Synergy S-3's are another example of what a "hybrid" bipole looks like.

But do you think they would be a significant enough improvement over the Polk's to warrant another $110? The Polk's are very immersive and directional as well, but then I haven't heard any bipole/dipole speakers so I don't know how much better they would be.

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

But do you think they would be a significant enough improvement over the Polk's to warrant another $110? The Polk's are very immersive and directional as well, but then I haven't heard any bipole/dipole speakers so I don't know how much better they would be.

For $110, I will say it is worth it. You should notice improved sonic performance eminating around you with these hybrid bipoles/dipoles. The sound would be sent out with a wider range, thus creating a larger soundfield that should further immerse you into the audio significantly. The improvement should be noticed almost right away, and for $110, I believe it is worth the investment.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

For $110, I will say it is worth it. You should notice improved sonic performance eminating around you with these hybrid bipoles/dipoles. The sound would be sent out with a wider range, thus creating a larger soundfield that should further immerse you into the audio significantly. The improvement should be noticed almost right away, and for $110, I believe it is worth the investment.

Would directionality be as good as the direct Polk's though? The way I understand it dipole/bipole are better for ambience and atmosphere, but aren't as good as direct radiating speakers for directional sound effects. The Polk's create a good wall of sound from the recliners and the couch also, while also still being directional. I think a lot of it has to do with the placement of the Polk's, which I think are about as perfect as I could get for the room. I may order the TSS since they have a 30-day in home trial period. Thanks for the info.

[Fors*]

Seems like you are going to do what I was going to suggest....try it out and see if you hear any differences yourself. All that really matters is what sounds good to your ears in the end anyway.

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

But do you think they would be a significant enough improvement over the Polk's to warrant another $110? The Polk's are very immersive and directional as well, but then I haven't heard any bipole/dipole speakers so I don't know how much better they would be.

get a set of POLK FXI3's

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by DonRSD

get a set of POLK FXI3's

Those are bit too expensive for me based on the MSRP of $350. Are there any good deals on a pair of these?

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Those are bit too expensive for me based on the MSRP of $350. Are there any good deals on a pair of these?

Here is some info. If you call this # and speak to Jessica, I am told she can hook you up from I believe is PolkDirect with a pair of FXi3's for just $175......which obviously is a lot cheaper.

Jessica Villavicencio
Sales and Operations Assistant
(ph) 410-764-5211
jvillavicencio@polkaudio.com
Polk Audio, Inc


It's worth a try anyway.....

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Here is some info. If you call this # and speak to Jessica, I am told she can hook you up from I believe is PolkDirect with a pair of FXi3's for just $175......which obviously is a lot cheaper.

Jessica Villavicencio
Sales and Operations Assistant
(ph) 410-764-5211
jvillavicencio@polkaudio.com
Polk Audio, Inc


It's worth a try anyway.....

Wow. Thanks a lot.

It's still a bit outside of what I was wanting to spend. I mean, I wouldn't even be looking at the TSC's if they weren't $60 off. Thanks for the info.

How do you like yours? Where do you have them placed in the room?

[DonRSD]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Those are bit too expensive for me based on the MSRP of $350. Are there any good deals on a pair of these?

Originally Posted by forsberg21

Here is some info. If you call this # and speak to Jessica, I am told she can hook you up from I believe is PolkDirect with a pair of FXi3's for just $175......which obviously is a lot cheaper.

Jessica Villavicencio
Sales and Operations Assistant
(ph) 410-764-5211
jvillavicencio@polkaudio.com
Polk Audio, Inc


It's worth a try anyway.....

fors hit it right on
when i was looking on the ebay store i saw they had FXI3's for sale
well the next day when i went to buy them they were gone.
so i contacted polk and after 10 minutes got a hold of Jessica who runs the ebay polk direct store
i bought my FXI3's (pair) for $175 and they sound fantastic

its the best deal youre going to find.....plus you get a full 3 or 5 year warranty as youre buying directly from polk

[Fors*]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Wow. Thanks a lot.

It's still a bit outside of what I was wanting to spend. I mean, I wouldn't even be looking at the TSC's if they weren't $60 off. Thanks for the info.

How do you like yours? Where do you have them placed in the room?

LOL!! I don't own a pair. My basement is only 7' high and I have no location for them on a wall to my right or behind me. With the ceiling so low, I would have to place them right in the walk way if I attached them to the ceiling, thus people would hit their heads on them. Thus, no FXi3's for me.

I just know a lot of useless info (for myself anyway.)

But everyone who has them loves them. You should place them about 1-2 feet above you as side surrounds (left and right of you.) If you use them as rear surrounds, same 1-2 feet, but you should have them behind your seating a good foot or two, and not have the couch right against the back wall if you want the best performance from them.

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Would directionality be as good as the direct Polk's though? The way I understand it dipole/bipole are better for ambience and atmosphere, but aren't as good as direct radiating speakers for directional sound effects. The Polk's create a good wall of sound from the recliners and the couch also, while also still being directional. I think a lot of it has to do with the placement of the Polk's, which I think are about as perfect as I could get for the room. I may order the TSS since they have a 30-day in home trial period. Thanks for the info.

it really depends on what the speakers 'function' would be. in music, you 'can' say it would be used for ambiance, but for movies, more of directionality. based on variables (room layout, speaker placement, usage, height etc), a bipole can work like a direct radiating speaker, because its in phase.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by forsberg21

LOL!! I don't own a pair. My basement is only 7' high and I have no location for them on a wall to my right or behind me. With the ceiling so low, I would have to place them right in the walk way if I attached them to the ceiling, thus people would hit their heads on them. Thus, no FXi3's for me.

I just know a lot of useless info (for myself anyway.)

But everyone who has them loves them. You should place them about 1-2 feet above you as side surrounds (left and right of you.) If you use them as rear surrounds, same 1-2 feet, but you should have them behind your seating a good foot or two, and not have the couch right against the back wall if you want the best performance from them.

Sorry. I got them confused with your Klipsch's. Doh!

I think I kind of like the look and value of the TSC's more though. Plus, it'd be nice to have a uniform setup with all speakers of the same brand.

But thanks for the info. I'll consider it. This isn't a necessary upgrade, but just wanted some opinions and information from owners. Which you guys provided excellently.

[Kryptonic]

Originally Posted by jomari

it really depends on what the speakers 'function' would be. in music, you 'can' say it would be used for ambiance, but for movies, more of directionality. based on variables (room layout, speaker placement, usage, height etc), a bipole can work like a direct radiating speaker, because its in phase.

They're mostly used for movies. I'd say about 80% of my system is for movies only. I play some CD's, but most of the time I usually just play them in stereo.

[jomari]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

They're mostly used for movies. I'd say about 80% of my system is for movies only. I play some CD's, but most of the time I usually just play them in stereo.

then this would be perfect. all im saying is that most people find that bipoles (and occasionally dipoles, again subjective) can perform as any bookshelf speaker can as a surround speaker.

in general,
surround speaker signals
- rarely have a lower frequency below 80hz (even with SACD's or DVD audio, only a rare amount)
- contain more ambiance, distinct signals and maybe a few dialogue if ever
- depend mostly on placement, instead of type of speakers.

i consider that bipoles can work in your situation. listen to em first, audition and research based on findings, and not on personal recommendations.

[krazeyeyez]

Slightly Confused

So a Dipole speaker should always be directly pointed at you as straight ahead is the null area, but in the diagram it looks as if they are to the side of the listener facing forward?

Also when i went to demo my speakers they had them mounted on the rear wall facing directly forward, so not pointed at this listeners position, does this mean they had them set up wrong?

I am speaking of the Klipsch RS-52