7.1 surround backs- mono vs bipole (1 Viewer)

[Eric D Wong]

Just wondering what everybody's opinion is on this. Right now I'm using Optimus LX5s. They are monopole on the woofer but the tweeter is the Lineaum dipolar model. I have them so that they fire straight ahead but are toed down and are behind me. So far I like the effect and I do not find them to be too localizable when I have the space apart from the 2 speakers optimized. I know that the sides should be dipoles but for the surround backs is it ideal to do bipole in the rear? Bipole speakers are considerably more expensive then monopoles are....also most of them you cant aim them down.

Trying to decide between using the same set of dipole/bipole surrounds, or use a bookshelf version of my main speakers...

 

[JustinG]

when i had 5.1, i had the surrounds in the back pointed down to the sweet spot. These were direct firing.

When I recently moved to 7.1, I moved those to the side surrounds and put dipole/bipole as the rear surrounds. I believe that the dipoles in the back create a much fuller surround back channel. I really like the effect much better than direct fire. Since the purpose of the back channel is more for fill, the back channel decoding is better for a dipole/bipole speaker. Course, thats just my opinion.

 

[lyradWong]

I agreed with JustinG, dipole/bipole is a better choice.

 

[Eric:F]

the LX5's allow you to have the best of both worlds (direct fire/dipole). the famous lineum dipole tweeter must be heard to appreciated, they make me think of good electrostats or magneplanars.
i have modded LX5's at all positions of a 7.1 set up. i'll post the link to the mod, if anyone is interested.
the LX5's are a comfortable size for most living rooms. they look cool, and were on stereofile's recomended component list for

 

[Eric D Wong]

Thanks for the reply- yes the link would be wonderful.

Heres my problem is I dont think the LX5s will match either of the systems I'm planning on going with-

Option 1) I have existing MGIIIA Magnepan speakers. I plan to add the CC3 and 4 MGC1's for surrounds (dipoles).

Option 2) Ditch the Maggie MGIIIA, put speakers in the other room and go with a complete Polk system. Polk LSi25s in front, LSiC, and 4 LSiFX (dipole/bipoles). I'd use the sides as dipole and the rears as bipoles.

I am leaning towards option 2 cuase the TV room right now is really not optimized for Maggies (they are very placement sensitive) and I plan to get myself a frontal projection screen and the MGIIIA's are entirely too large and would block the view.