What are Dipole & bipole speakers

Two similar speakers mounted on a single cabinet back to back (at about 90 degree) and with a phase difference of 180 degree. These are used as surrounds to give a diffuse sound and a greater "ambience" effect.

They are used in 5.1 movie setup but are not of any use in 6.1 or 7.1 setup and should not be used in multichannel music setup.

I think Bipole & Dipole are same (?)

Regards

Sanjay

SDhawan schrieb:

I think Bipole & Dipole are same (?)

This is what i read at AVForums yesterday.

"The drivers (the speaker in a speaker box) of a bipole speaker fire in different directions but in phase to diffuse the sound as opposed to dipoles which fire in different directions out of phase (ie 180 degree) - that means while one driver pushes the other one retracts.
Dipoles are supposed to be the most diffuse and hence very suitable for creating ambience of movie soundtracks while normal speakers (also called monopoles) are very directional and hence preferred for music.
Bipoles are somewhere in between and (can) have a better bass response as dipoles where the sound of the bass from both drivers cancels each other out due to the design (speakers operating out of phase)."

topic link

Yes I just confirmed that's right:

Bipole - in phase
Dipole - out of phase by 180 degrees

I wasn't sure earlier that's why I had put (?)

Regards

Sanjay

Dipoles are supposed to be the most diffuse and hence very suitable for creating ambience of movie soundtracks while normal speakers (also called monopoles) are very directional and hence preferred for music.

You can also mount the monopole (typically surrounds) at a higher height, so that the sound gets easily reflected by the roof and opposite wall, thereby creating a diffuse effect. IMO, instead of a dipole, using monopole in this way is better if you are interested in both music and movies.

- Debu

Hi Debu,

thanks for that suggestion.

Earlier I was thinking of adding towers for the surrounds. According to you is it advisable.

Regards - SY

Dipole should be avoided if you are planning to:

- play multi-channel music
- have 6.1 or 7.1 speaker configuration system

Regards

Sanjay

Doc/Debu

You mean i should go for standmount/satelites for the surrounds ???

If so which one would you advise.

Earlier I was thinking of adding towers for the surrounds. According to you is it advisable.

There are some people who make high towers for surrounds, check surround towers.

However, most popular are wall mounted surrounds, you may use a wall bracket, or make a wooden one using carpenter help. Also it is advisable to leave some gap (typically 6-8 inches) between the speaker and the wall for a good sound quality.

- Debu

You mean i should go for standmount/satelites for the surrounds ???

Yes, bookshelf/ wall mount are typically used as surrounds, as they dont do as much work as front speakers and of course, it saves money.

- Debu