Bipole/Dipole or Direct

[supervij]

jcPanny, I know that a switch can't cause a tweeter/woofer to point somewhere specific, but it's mounted right, I can move it myself. I just didn't want to add the additional sound from the second tweeter/woofer.

Greg, thanks so much for your advice about the tripoles. I think I'm going to start taking a look at these (as well as the Energy ones pointed out by SheepStar). If they are direct enough for m/c music and dispersive (is that a word?) for movies, then they just might be the way for me to go.

Yeah, I sorta expected that levels would be different from direct to diffuse. Although my receiver can't remember different setups (at least, I don't think so . . .), I can easily change things myself since my ratio of movies to music is pretty high.

Thanks again!

cheers,
supervij

 

[Sheep]

jcPanny, I know that a switch can't cause a tweeter/woofer to point somewhere specific, but it's mounted right, I can move it myself. I just didn't want to add the additional sound from the second tweeter/woofer.

Greg, thanks so much for your advice about the tripoles. I think I'm going to start taking a look at these (as well as the Energy ones pointed out by SheepStar). If they are direct enough for m/c music and dispersive (is that a word?) for movies, then they just might be the way for me to go.

Yeah, I sorta expected that levels would be different from direct to diffuse. Although my receiver can't remember different setups (at least, I don't think so . . .), I can easily change things myself since my ratio of movies to music is pretty high.

Thanks again!

cheers,
supervij

I think the Energy ones will match up the closest with your Athenas. That whole energy line is basically a nicer version of the Audition series. the C-R1 is the same speaker box as the Athena AS-R1. It doesn't get much closer then that.

Also, the Energys switch has settings for bi or di, while the others(RC-R, V2.0Ri) have bi di or direct.

I still think you would be better off with the C-R1, just because of the timber.

SheepStar

 

[GregBe]

I still think you would be better off with the C-R1, just because of the timber.

SheepStar

I couldn't agree more. All the advice in this thread is great, but in my opinion, I would much rather match the speakers to the front than choose the perfect dispersion characteristics amongst other brands. Even if I was starting from scratch, I would go with the mains that sounded the best to me. If I was up in the air on a few different brands, than I would look at what the line offered for surrounds as the tie breaker. I love my tripoles, but they were actually just luck, because my decision was based on my L/C/Rs

 

[supervij]

You guys are right. Timbre matching does seem to make the most sense in this case. All right -- Energy it is. SheepStar, when you say that the C-R1 would be the closest in terms of timbre to my Athenas, why wouldn't the RC-R or V2.0Ri be close as well, since they're from the same brand? You mentioned the speaker box of the C-R1 being identical to the speaker box of the Athena AS-R1. Is it as simple as that? Just the speaker box?

Greg, I want to hang on to my shiny Athena mains as long as I can! I have no desire to replace those anytime soon. So while I've got 'em, I'll match the surrounds to 'em. Thanks for the advice.

cheers,
supervij

 

[Sheep]

You guys are right. Timbre matching does seem to make the most sense in this case. All right -- Energy it is. SheepStar, when you say that the C-R1 would be the closest in terms of timbre to my Athenas, why wouldn't the RC-R or V2.0Ri be close as well, since they're from the same brand? You mentioned the speaker box of the C-R1 being identical to the speaker box of the Athena AS-R1. Is it as simple as that? Just the speaker box?

Greg, I want to hang on to my shiny Athena mains as long as I can! I have no desire to replace those anytime soon. So while I've got 'em, I'll match the surrounds to 'em. Thanks for the advice.

cheers,
supervij

Its not the box only. That whole series its close to the Athena Audition series in sound. The Reference and Veritas are huge steps above the Audition and Conoissuer line.

I have Energy C-1's and they sound close to the AS-B1's with different aestetics(sp?).

SheepStar

 

[supervij]

Well then, heck, I may as well just get the Athena Audition AS-R1 dipole surround. As timbre matching is the most important issue, and if dipoles can, in fact, make the m/c music sound good, then why not get the complimentary surround. The only difference I can see is that the Athena is dipole, whereas the Energy is switchable between bipole and dipole. Hmmm . . . is it important to be able to switch between the two? Or would dipole cover my bases just fine?

cheers,
supervij

 

[HSM]

Just so you know the ASR-1 are bipole speakers. Great value for dollar especially if you can find version 1

 

[]Robert56]

Well then, heck, I may as well just get the Athena Audition AS-R1 dipole surround. As timbre matching is the most important issue, and if dipoles can, in fact, make the m/c music sound good, then why not get the complimentary surround. The only difference I can see is that the Athena is dipole, whereas the Energy is switchable between bipole and dipole. Hmmm . . . is it important to be able to switch between the two? Or would dipole cover my bases just fine?

cheers,
supervij

I have the Veritas surrounds, they can be selected for, bi-pole, di-pole or direct. To get direct radiating, just turn the sound field management dial all the way to min.

Here's from the Manual:
LEVEL CONTROL
The Level Control adjusts the relative outputof the side
firing drivers compared to the front drivers. At the
maximum setting they are approximately 1db lower in
volume than the front drivers. The minimum setting turns
the side firing drivers completely off.


Actually they have a sw for bi-pole, di-pole and corner, then the Management dial. Very, very versatile speakers. A great set-up manual for selecting bi-pole or di-pole for your audio/video needs, depending on placement distants. Then of course direct for us that like SACD.

I was listening to Pink Floyd tonight in direct mode, and the Veritas 1.8's fronts (the original Veritas) and sweet sounding it is/was. Good luck on your choice.
Robert

 

[supervij]

I can't believe how old this thread is; I'd almost forgotten my obsession with getting bi/dipole surrounds. This was before I found a great spot for my surrounds: on shelves at either side of the room, at roughly 95 to 100 degrees, placed two and half feet above the seated position, tilted (just a wee bit) slightly downward, and facing into the room. This seems to have made the speakers almost disappear. Listening to DVDs with my eyes closed, I can't place the speakers at all (pinpoint from where the sound is coming). So for movies/TV, the new placement works wonders.

For multi-channel music, I move them to stands that bring them to ear height, place them slightly behind their previous spot, and toe them into the room. Works a ton.

But thanks for the recommendation, Robert! That sound field management sounds like a brilliant idea. If I had the dough, I'd seriously consider something like that. But alas, I just blew a huge wad of cash on a new HDTV, upconverting DVD player and hi-def PVR, so any upgrading will have to wait quite a while.

Still, you've got me curious. I wouldn't mind checking them out sometime. Thanks again for the suggestion!

cheers,
supervij