Maxim Man

i was going to use my Mini Monitors for surrounds but i wonder if it would be better to get bipolar speakers...i've heard that it depends on where you place them and the size of the room...

are direct speakers more forgiving, i.e. they don't have to be as perfectly placed???

Xytraguptorh

I ended up going with Paradigm mini moniters for my surrounds. I originally ordered the ADP 350s (the dealer did not normally stock them), but I just did not like the sound as good as a direct radiator. I often use 5 channel stereo for music, so I felt the mini moniters were a better choice for that. Even with movies, I could not see much of an advantage with dipoles. Just my opinion, I know that many people prefer them though.

shaun3000

Directs are nice if you are the only one watching, cuz you get the sweet spot and they sound really good. If you have a whole lot of people watching (as I often do), then di/tri/bi-poles are very nice because they have a very wide sound field, very similar to one you would get in a movie theater (you know, with 7 surrounds beside/behind you on each side), so everyone gets the benefit of the surrounds, instead of just you.

jpcamb

I've recently gone a buying frenzy, new DD/DTS receiver, new center channel and new rears. My old rears were directs, positioned behind the listening area and they sounded pretty good. I listened to this setup for a little over a week and decided I wanted to get the Cambridge Sound Works 5.II di/bi's.
The sound difference is quite noticeable, with the speakers on dipole the sound truly feels like its radiating around you especially in the Matrix when the electric sparks are pulsating in various scenes. The only difficulty is placing them properly on the sides of the room in my house, I've got a odd "L" shaped room and I may end up making a bracket to properly position the speaker- my receiver won't independently adjust the delay on the rears.

audrey

This is one of those topics about which people will always disagree. I've tried both types of speakers and in my room, with my equipment, direct radiators are more satisfying. BTW: as you no doubt know, bi/di's should be placed on the sides of the listening room and direct radiators in the rear. Often the choice comes down to where you can locate the surrounds.

shaun3000, what are tri radiators?

jfoobar

audrey is right on. If you don't have a HT room with good general dimensions, forget the bi's and go with directs. Even if you do have an ideal room, try both to see which you like better.

I use Mini-Mons for surrounds in a poorly dimensioned room and am very happy with the sound.

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stevevt

My surrounds have a switch that toggles them between dipolar and direct.



This solution makes for very little compromise other than positioning.

-S

JBDomain

Just like stevevt, I have a switch on my surrounds for bipolar/dipolar(Polk Audio RT f/x 500). Right now, I have it behind me(against the wall)in the bi-position. I could have gone and position the surround either way but the room lent itself more to a bipolar(directional)sound.

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