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

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by razza

Awesome thread Big Daddy really informative and straight to the point, thank-you!
I have one quick question, with 2 rows of seating do you have to have a set of surround speakers for each row or are there alternatives? My second row is pretty much hard up against the back wall, with this in mind the options I've come up with are:

1. 2 sets of dipoles (or monopoles?) in line with each row.
2. 2 sets of bipoles with them being slightly behind each row (same as your setup). Although for the second row as mentioned they will be pretty close to the back wall so that may be a problem?
3. 1 set of bipoles inbetween the 2 rows (or some other location).

Ideally I'd like to go with option 3 as it's the simplest and cheapest but if it's not ideal I won't cut myself short.
My receiver doesn't support multiple surrounds so I would just be wiring them up in series if I went with that option.
I'm setting up for 7.2 so there will be back surrounds as well. That would be my next problem, either monopoles or bipoles!

Bipoles will offer you more placement flexibility than dipoles. Two sets of bipole may not be a bad idea. If you decide to use one set, option 3 is perhaps the best option.

Putting the seats against the wall is not a very good idea, but I understand that we all have to make compromises. Your biggest problem when the seats are against the wall is that the bass will be too loud and boomy. If you decide to add two rear surround speakers in addition to the side surround speakers, don't point them down. A set of bipole speakers that are facing toward the front of the room will give you a nice diffuse sound that will not be overpowering and in your face. Adjust their levels carefully so that they are approximately the same as the other speakers. If they are too loud in the back row, turn them down a little.