Using Bipolar Surronds with Monopolar Mains? (1 Viewer)

[LowellG]

Would a setup like this work together? That is using the Bipolar surrounds with Monopolar center and mains or do I need Bipolar mains? Also, what’s the difference between bipolar and dipolar?

As always, thanks for your inputs/suggestions.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

Dipole This speaker fires in 2 directions, but it is designed to fire ALONG A WALL so you hear the reflected sound. It was popular for ProLogic tapes where the rear sounds were mono, and only ambient noises (wind, rain, etc.) You should avoid these speakers with a modern DVD system.
Bipolar This speaker fires forwards and backwards, but is designed to fire AT THE LISTENER. The back echo should hit your ears with some delay which can fool your ears into placing the sound-source several feet farther away than it really is.
Yes, you can have monopole mains and bipolar rears.

 

[Alex F.]

If I may interject a correction about wall-mounted bipolar surround speakers: They, too, fire along the wall like dipolar surrounds. They differ from the dipoles only in that all the drivers remain in phase with each other.

I also certainly do not agree that dipoles should be avoided for DVD use. Like so many others, including Dolby Labs and THX, I recommend such speakers for DVD movie reproduction in the home.

I also prefer wall-mounted bipolar surrounds over monopoles for music reproduction, and find that such bipoles are ideal for all-around (i.e., movie and music) use. They provide a unique and very satisfying combination of spaciousness and localization that works nicely for both sound mediums.

Monopole mains and wall-mounted bipolar surrounds make for a great system.

 

[LowellG]

Thanks for the inputs so far. The specific speakers I am looking at are Def Tech PM500 for mains and center and Def Tech BP1.2X for the surrounds.

 

[Bob_A]

Lowell, they should work nicely together since all DT speakers have similar voiceing. Good luck!