Dipole Speakers

When you go from hearing a box speaker to a dipole like I did today, it makes the box speakers sound so congested.

The downside is that you should have rear diffusion and you need at least three feet behind the speakers to the back wall. Many also use external crossovers. But they are often very efficient and inexpensive and quite frankly, sound damn good.

If anyone remembers my report from RMAF, they will recall my comments about the Emerald Physics dipoles. Awesome value. Forget it....awesome speaker....period.


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so mike is that lumin the same lumin as your beloved streamer?
i wonder the difference between the 4 models. not much info, but the 12be being 100db and 8 ohm nom!!! i like that . what model did you hear? and how were they?
 
I've loved Dipole speakers forever, starting with Apogee Duetta II and Alon/Nola speakers. I still miss them. I'd love to hear all those you mention.
 
Petro85 said:
so mike is that lumin the same lumin as your beloved streamer?
i wonder the difference between the 4 models. not much info, but the 12be being 100db and 8 ohm nom!!! i like that . what model did you hear? and how were they?
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Steve - these are brand new. I haven't heard any, but I know Clayton Shaw is the real deal when it comes to designing dipoles. I heard his stuff before. If you have some space behind the speakers (say 3 feet as a guess), these are well worth exploring.

Dipoles to me, truly unbox the sound. I love their efficiency too. They generally speaking image very deep as well.
 
thanks mike!! i never really liked the look of dipole speakers, but those are kinda cool. my speakers now are about 4 ft off the wall, but are also front firing. the only reason they are that far is because i like to have space to be able to walk around behind my equip rack and i want my rack to be set behind the speakers as to not interfere or be right in between them . i could deal with just about any type of front wall scenario by moving stuff around.
and my new rack i will start building soon is looking for a cool color speaker to match up with.lol.
 
Steve - I think they would be perfect for you. Add some rear and maybe front diffusion and fasten your seat belt and hang on!

I've requested a demo/review pair. Stay tuned.


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NorthStar said:
Bipole?
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Not exactly the same, but similar.

A Dipole is ONE radiator open on both sides to the room. The wave is propagated positively on one side and negatively on the other side of the radiator.

A Bipole is TWO separate radiators, one facing front and one facing rear. They can be wired in phase with each or out of phase with each other to mimic (not be the same as) a dipole.

Bipoles are often dynamic cones that face forward and rearward. Ribbons are generally dipoles, but don't have to be. Supertweeter ribbons are often monopolar and are arranged facing forward and rearward in the speaker to act as a dipole. In the Infinity and Genesis, they are mounted on the front and rear of the midrange/tweeter towers wired 180 degrees out of phase to act as a dipole.
 
NorthStar said:
A dipole cancels (phase), and restricts the low frequencies. ...That's why you need separate subwoofer columns like you have Gary.

A bipole doesn't cancel, and there's no restriction of the bass.

________

Omnipole? :)
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1) A Bipole doesn't cancel bass ONLY IF if is wired in phase.

The Transmission Audio (Megatrend Series) speakers are open air with their ribbons as well as their dynamic cone woofer drivers.

2) That is also the reason the crossover points are where they are and the width of the wings on the midrange/tweeter colomns are shaped the way they are on the Infinity and Genesis.

Omnipole? maybe the Walsh drivers and MBL melons.
 
Gary, if I'm not mistaking most bipole speakers are wired in-phase. ...And yes, some give you the option: in-phase, out-of-phase, and monopole mode (unipole or front radiating, like a regular/normal speaker).

And all dipole speakers are wired out-of-phase (except for the optional ones).
 
NorthStar said:
Gary, if I'm not mistaking most bipole speakers are wired in-phase. ...And yes, some give you the option: in-phase, out-of-phase, and monopole mode (unipole or front radiating, like a regular/normal speaker).

And all dipole speakers are wired out-of-phase (except for the optional ones).
Click to expand...

Dipoles aren't wired out of phase. The dipole radiator propagates the wave positively in front and negatively on the back side. It's simply how it works.

As you said, most bipoles are wired in phase.
 
But dipoles don't cancel at some frequencies? ...If the front is wired positively and the rear negatively, doesn't this cancel something in the middle? ...And also screws up the bass by restricting the lows to fully develop?

I guess the crossover point where they meet (in-phase with out-of-phase) plays a crucial role.
 
Dipoles aren't wired separately for the front and rears. There is one membrane and one pair of wires. It vibrates back and forth. The front side of the wave is positive and the rear side of the wave is negative. Panels are that way too.

If the front and back sides of the waves aren't separated they can cancel at very low frequencies. That's why the IRS and Genesis have wings--to separate the front and rear.

If you want good bass with electrostatic panels, the membranes need square footage.
 
Ok, the front pushes while the rear pulls. ...A live band, or orchestra; are some musicians pushing while others are pulling? ;)
...Yes, they are all playing in tune and in phase, at the front end (soundstage) and at the rear end.

My experience with dipoles is limited, mainly to surrounds duty. ...To add spaciousness, and no discrete/localisable sound provenance.

Yes, I also heard panels/stats (dipoles) at audio dealer stores (in front), and omipoles, all around (Mirage) in surround sound systems.
...And bipoles too; Paradigm, Definitive Technology, ...

I think they all have their pluses and minuses. ...At home, in my mansion (palace), I do listen to both types; monopoles (front radiating) and dipoles (front and rear sound waves propagation). ...I like them both for the use I make out of them (their intended duty in correlation with my listening preference from where I'm sitting and the type of music playing, and the medium, and the inspiration of the moment).

And while I'm typing this I am listening to my dipole speakers; Blues music playing too, on the r.a.d.i.o.
 
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