Bipole Speaker Positioning

[ZeroPlex]

Hi,

I have some Bipole speakers currently being used as surrounds, although I'm not entirely sure I'm getting the best out of them given their position.

They are on the back wall only 30 inches apart from one another (2 feet above listening position) and the chair on which I sit is against the same wall. So, when I'm seated, the Bipoles are only just barely behind my head, say an inch or two.

Are the Bipoles only of little benefit in my situation?

Would I have been better off going standard surrounds placed on the walls left and right of the listening position, or standmount bookshelves placed left and right?, although the latter would be pretty close, say only 3 feet each side of the chair.


Thanks.

 

[Pure_Brew]

Hi,
I would first look at the manufacturers recommended placement. I believe dipole/bipole should be flanking you to the left and right, putting them much further away. The idea is usually to simulate multiple speakers to enhance the "theater" like performance and use reflections to fill the gaps. I also like the concept of using standard speakers for rears for multi channel music to create a more solid "image", but that creates more of a "sweet-spot" issue.

 

[ZeroPlex]

Hi,

In the manual it says to ideally place them behind, but can be placed on the side walls too. It says whatever way you choose to go, they should always be behind the listening position.

They also say to start with them about 2m apart I think, so with mine only 30 inches apart and only barely behind me, I'm not sure if I'm getting the best experience from them.

For example, if a plane flies overhead, I don't really feel like it is, if you know what I mean.

The soundstage appears full, i.e. no gap at the back, but with that said, I do often wonder if the bipoles are there at all and find myself checking to see if they are working lol.

I suppose, ideally, you don't want to be drawn to the attention of surrounds, hence why they are recommended to be placed atleast 2 feet above the listening position.

 

[Pure_Brew]

I see. So let me ask, what exactly are these/who makes them? Also, is this for a 5.1 or 7.1 system? I'm off to work so I wont be back to see until much later.
Take care.

 

[ZeroPlex]

It's a 5.1 system and they are Wharfedale DFS surrounds.

http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/Products/Product/tabid/78/PID/166/CID/210/language/en-GB/Default.aspx#detail

 

[AVRat]

http://www.dolby.com/consumer/setup/speaker-setup-guide/index.html
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/speaker-setup-guidelines/

 

[sholling]

It looks like the DFS were designed as rear surrounds in a 7.1 system.

 

[ZeroPlex]

It looks like the DFS were designed as rear surrounds in a 7.1 system.

So would you think I'm getting the best surround experience in my situation?

 

[Pure_Brew]

Well, The manual states these should be placed 1.5meters above the listening position (about 5 feet) and should be about 2.5-3.5 meters apart (8-11ft). These aren't supposed to be jammed up close to your head, and when I looked at that info in the Wharfdale site, what I was suggesting was pretty much on point according to the pictorial representation.

 

[sholling]

So would you think I'm getting the best surround experience in my situation?

I honestly couldn't tell you. I like bipols as side and rear surrounds but that's because I'm jammed in pretty tight.

 

[ZeroPlex]

Thanks guys.

Pure Brew,

They should be 600mm - 1.5m above the listening position, so I'm covered in that department, it's just the distance apart that probably isn't ideal. Then again, that's as far apart as I can put them, plus the listening area is small, so it's not as if I'm shrinking the soundstage by having them so close together.

They are filling the back, but I'm very curious as to how standard left and right surrounds would be. It wouldn't be a hugely expensive experiment, and could always sell the option I though was less effective.

 

[Pure_Brew]

I think that you would get more of a benefit from the diffuse sound. I would think it would be difficult to swap for a direct radiator that wouldn't call constant attention to itself in your situation.

One thing that confuses me a little is what their definition of the listening position is, and how it relates to your placement. If your speakers are 1.5 meters above the listening position, then how could any of the rears be 2 inches away from your head, regardless of separation of each other?

 

[ZeroPlex]

Thanks Pure Brew.

Just one thing I was wondering when measuring speaker distance in the AVR.

If the bipoles are say 60cm above the listening position, but I'm only a couple inches infront of them, what distance do you set in the AVR?

I've it currently set to actual distance above ear height.