What type of surround speakers do you use for your side surrounds (not rear surrounds)?

What type of surround speakers do you use for your side surrounds (not rear surrounds)?

Recession buster kit from Madisound with SC-8 to handle the bass down to 30Hz (full range surrounds)

waiting on shipment of Energy C-R100s for surrounds

Cambridge Soundworks S200 dipole

So this poll strictly for 7.1 folks:(

Cambridge Soundworks S200 dipole

Mine have a dipole/bipole switch. I answered Bipole since that is the setting I currently use.

I use two large monopole bookshelf speakers (Ascend Acoustics CBM-170 SE) placed far away and 8' high with no tilt--in my opinion, this results in good blend of directionality, diffuse surround field, and imaging with the LCR speakers. Bipoles can be useful with more restricted placement, but dipoles, in my opinion, just sound "hollow" and overly lacking in directionality.

So this poll strictly for 7.1 folks:(

Actually, by definition the 5.1 surrounds are side surrounds, while the additional two surrounds of 7.1 systems are "back" or "rear" surrounds.

So this poll strictly for 7.1 folks:( Nope, this is actually for the SIDE surrounds in a 5.1 or 7.1 setup.

Def Tech Bipole on the side walls.

I have a question. If they use monopole surround speakers in "real" movie theaters, why have speaker companies made bipole and dipole surround speakers for home theaters? If monopoles are what they use in "real" movie theaters, does that mean they are also more preferable in home theaters?

I have a question. If they use monopole surround speakers in "real" movie theaters, why have speaker companies made bipole and dipole surround speakers for home theaters? If monopoles are what they use in "real" movie theaters, does that mean they are also more preferable in home theaters?

Because even though movie theaters use mono-pole speakers there are multiple speakers lining the walls. So sound comes from multiple places, that is what bi-poles and di-poles attempt to recreate.

I personally use and prefer direct radiators,

Because even though movie theaters use mono-pole speakers there are multiple speakers lining the walls. So sound comes from multiple places, that is what bi-poles and di-poles attempt to recreate.

I personally use and prefer direct radiators, Since there is a line of speakers on each of the side walls, do ALL of those speakers work together during a surround sound moment or are each of them configured to specific channels?

I use Tri-poles from M&K

I have a question. If they use monopole surround speakers in "real" movie theaters, why have speaker companies made bipole and dipole surround speakers for home theaters?

What Easyaspie said. Additionally, back in the old days of Dolby Stereo and Pro Logic (not PLII or PLIIx), the mono surround channel was more of a diffuse, non-localizable ambience with limited frequency range and separation. Dipoles (and maybe bipoles) were viewed by many authorities as being the most effective way to practically reproduce this effect in the home without using arrays of small speakers as in commercial theaters. However, with digital 5.1 soundtracks came much clearer-sounding, full-range, and directional surround effects along with the surround ambiance, which seems to have swung the balance of opinion back to monopoles. Each solution is a different compromise, and I certainly wouldn't criticize anybody for preferring one over the others, as it's a personal preference, but I will say that it's monopoles for me all the way.

If monopoles are what they use in "real" movie theaters, does that mean they are also more preferable in home theaters?

They certainly would be if you could have an array of them in a large space. Personally, these days I'd sooner compromise on the diffuseness of the sound than the quality and directionality of it, but others are free to disagree. Another consideration is that multichannel music is mixed using monopoles.

Since there is a line of speakers on each of the side walls, do ALL of those speakers work together during a surround sound moment or are each of them configured to specific channels?

Short answer: They only reproduce two or three surround channels, not one for each speaker.

Long answer: Most soundtracks in commercial theaters are 5.1 (same as in the home, only more so), so there is only a single channel for each side of the theater (left and right). All of the surround speakers on the left side of the theater will play the same left surround channel, and all of the surround speakers on the right side of the theater will play the same right surround channel. Additionally, in a properly equipped theater, movies that have Dolby Digital Surround EX soundtracks will have a derived back surround channel that all of the surround speakers at the back of the theater will play.

Actually, by definition the 5.1 surrounds are side surrounds, while the additional two surrounds of 7.1 systems are "back" or "rear" surrounds.

Nope, this is actually for the SIDE surrounds in a 5.1 or 7.1 setup.



OK then I have some slightly slantish mono Sides Dali Helicon W200 that do a wonderful job of enveloping me in the action quite well.

Djoel

OK then I have some slightly slantish mono Sides Dali Helicon W200 that do a wonderful job of enveloping me in the action quite well.

I like the funky form-follows-function cabinets. :cool:

Another argument in favor of monopoles is that with two and sometimes even four surround channels today, re-recording mixers can (and I'm sure do) play with phase effects to get a more enveloping, diffuse surround sound field when desired without having to rely on such effects from speakers (specifically dipoles).

Klipsch RS-62 bipoles.

I use 7 identical 3-way monopole speakers. Great for MC music and movies.

Paradigm Studio 20v.4s

Nope, this is actually for the SIDE surrounds in a 5.1 or 7.1 setup.

Fwiw, I have Towers that I run as side surrounds and large bookshelf for my rears, but if I were running only 5.1 I would consider using my Surround "B" speakers which are RS-7s (Klipsch WDST speakers), but prefer converting 5.1 into 7.1 using direct radiating speakers.

I'm using an in-wall THX bipole by Sonance... rear wall mounted on a pitched ceiling... not ideal, but sound great none the less.

A pair JBL Venue Stadiums 8". Compared to the Ascend CMT 340SE front LCR, they are tinny and static-e. What a waste of money. Will replace em and experiment with 8" subs in them.

Inexpensive tSc bipoles.

Pretty good bang for the buck.

For the size of my room, I just can't justify spending a ton on surrounds.

Cambridge Soundworks S200, a switchable bipole/dipole. I currently use dipole because of room limitations.

Paradigm Studio 20v3's

NHT IC2 in-ceiling speakers. They aren't exactly monopoles because they have a three-tweeter array.

Def Tech BP1.2X's.

I use real cinema surrounds, the JBL pro 8340A's. They work fantastic. I have owned tripoles, dipoles, monopoles, and out of all of them I like these the best. I always match the speakers with their surrounds and it probably helps that these surrounds come with awesome mains.

NHT classic 3's all around.

I use the same 5 speakers all around - Selah ScanSpeak Reference's.

Cambridge SoundWorks S305 in the dipole setting. (Bought for $100 during the recent clearance sale.)

These are the side surrounds in a 7.1 system. They can also be switched to monopole or bipole, and I did compare the dipole and bipole settings for a variety of things I usually watch -- TV movies and documentaries. Dipole was better. But there are hardly any directional back sounds in the source material I listen to, so that may be why I like dipole better.

NHT IC2 in-ceiling speakers. They aren't exactly monopoles because they have a three-tweeter array.

Are you happy with these? I am thinking of using the IC2 for my surrounds because my sofa is backed up against the wall.

Other kind of system.

i also use 7 identical 3-way monopole speakers too...

very nice when watch movie!

Well that’s just it the rear is also part of the common wrap around surround thou specifications in presentation style has only changed the original configuration around.

I went with monopoles all-around and after experimenting in the room I found that spacing each along the sidewall provided a defused sound-field for monaural surrounds and split-surrounds with centre phantom imaging effects, which is until there is discrete, form of sound shift or movement that wideness the effect in the room.

Centre back surrounds are the same as the sidewall to insure voicing clarity with minimal EQ hassles as level needs to be equal for all channels. Surrounds are wired in series and the cost over expensive overpriced dipole/bipolar for x10 JBL control 1, priceless.

The sidewalls area covers at least 8 feet 2inches out of the 15 feet length, to insure perfect uniform coverage at the front middle and back of the room with an in-head like effect that surrounds!

Surrounds are tilted downwards to a middle point in the room, this allows for the highs to be perceived easily without fidgeting around.

Also have plans to install more of the same, the more the merry the surround will be. Only problem is, I need a few more amplifiers, but as it stands for now, quite impressive enough.

Surrounds specifications says 70Hz -20Khz 150watts sensitivity 87db. I’ve noticed frequency response down to 40Hz at slim narrow SPL db thou at most they handle above at best with little support from sub bass extension you’d never be able to tell.

I use real cinema surrounds, the JBL pro 8340A's. They work fantastic. I have owned tripoles, dipoles, monopoles, and out of all of them I like these the best. I always match the speakers with their surrounds and it probably helps that these surrounds come with awesome mains.


I can vouch for the JBL 8340 they sound wicked and I’ll be getting another taste of there awesomeness on May 7th EMPIRE Leicester Square, with STAR TREK (2009) 56KW JBL THX! I’ve counted at least x44 JBL 8340 at EMPIRE wicked awesomeness.:p

I use Emotiva's ERD-1s (http://emotiva.com/erd1.shtm), a bipole/dipole design by Vance Dickason, selectable via switches. For the price its hard to beat these. And they come with mounting plates for the wall.

A very impressive little speaker. The gunfire in Letters from Iwo Jima was very convincing.

I use the Paradigm ADP190 on the side walls with the rest of my Paradigm Monitor series 5.1 setup

M&K surround 550's in maple.

Axiom QS8's.
classified as quadpolar but are more of a directional speaker rather then using in/out of phase to get a dispersed sound.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/surroundspeakers.html

PSB Ambient I dipoles. I can see where 1 poster says that dipoles are hollow sounding. Sometimes I get that effect but if I do sit within the null space as is suggested I get clear surround effects. My current configuration doesn't allow for sitting completely in the null space.

Wall mounted VA HG's w/ BT77's

The survey choices don't include Mirage Omnipolars for surrounds, which have gotten some good reviews and a lot of discussion here. I'm considering them to go with my "conventional" fronts and center.

Hey guys, I thought I'd ask this question here.

I'm in the process of getting my first HT setup together. I've already bought the Energy C-300s and C-C100 for F/C/L.

My living room isn't the biggest, its 12ft x 15ft with the TV on the 12ft wall. My sofa is going to be placed all the way against the back wall.

Going for a 5.1 setup, would bipoles work well as rear speakers? I see the Energy C-R100s are pretty cheap and would love to buy 'em to finally complete my system.

Any thoughts?

I just recycled a pr. of the ledgendary Linaeum/Radio Shack dipoles left over from numerous LX5 mods over the years.
I just bought this system(4.1, music mostly) and I matched the speakers (Polk TSi series), but no surround locations could get rid of the directionality of the TSi100's monopoles.
So, while in R.S. the other day for do-hickies, I noticed the cheap little Sony SSB1000's on clearence for $23/pr. and bought them.
Disconnected the Nanofine tweeter, layed the speaker box on it's side, placed the Linaeum on top and wired it to the spring clip terminal with a 4.7 uf cap in line(6 db roll off @ 4700 Hz.) to match what I est. is the acoustic roll off of the 5" woofer(no inductors are used).
These have always been my favorite surround tweeters and I'm glad to be using them again.

Talk about budget speakers!

Axiom QS8's.
classified as quadpolar but are more of a directional speaker rather then using in/out of phase to get a dispersed sound.

http://www.axiomaudio.com/surroundspeakers.html

I also use the QS8s.

I voted for bipole since all 4 drivers are in phase.

Going for a 5.1 setup, would bipoles work well as rear speakers? I see the Energy C-R100s are pretty cheap and would love to buy 'em to finally complete my system.

Any thoughts?

Well, that’s sorta what bipoles are meant to do, make the sound more diffuse for situations where the seating is right up close to the speakers.

That said, back in our previous house we had the couch right up against the back wall with very little room to get away from the speakers. We had good results using direct radiating speakers located a little above ear level, pointing straight up at the ceiling (had lofted ceiling maybe 12’ to 14’ high, btw). Gives good dispersion without sounding like the speaker was right in your ear, even though it was right behind your head.

Sounded good and made the wife happy because the speakers were pretty much hidden from view by the couch.

…Ah the more things change, the more they stay the same… Working on the basement HT now and while she is fine with 4 surrounds being out in the open, I’m fighting for acceptance of a fully fabric covered front wall surrounding the projection screen… :cool:

-Suntan

Are you happy with these? I am thinking of using the IC2 for my surrounds because my sofa is backed up against the wall.

They work great for me but they are mounted a foot or two behind my head when seated. I don't know how well they would work directly overhead against a wall.

I use mono HTD Level 3's.

All five speakers or just the rears.

Front. Sony SSB-3000
Center Insignia NS HT51 (horizontal)
Rears NS HT51
SUB-Insigna NS HT51

All 5, I have a set of their smaller bookshelf type ones for the 7.1's...