DS6 Pro-logic dipole speaker, help please!

[Skav]

I bought a pro-logic dipole speaker, pic here: http://www.bwspeakers.com/downloadFile/speakerModel/DONE-product_info_DS6.pdf

I called them and found out it was indeed a pro logic speaker, however I wanted one for digital.

What the plan is, I was going to disconnect the front main speaker, converting the speaker into 2 driver dipole, as it should be.

Will this just downmix the appropriate effects? Will I be missing out on any sound that would be meant to be driven to the centre main speaker?

Or is this just not recommended at all?

Also, since it is a pro-logic speaker, I take it that I am still getting digital sound out of it instead of pro-logic, right?

Thanks!

 

[markw]

Several things I noticed reading the pdf file.

It'll play whatever sound you feed it. By the time it hits the speaker, it's all analog.

First off, this is essentially a two way speaker with one woofer and two tweeters. By disconnecting the front speaker you'll essentially be running only the tweeters. Think very carefully about this...

Secondly, efen at it's best, it only plays up to 8 khz. That's a little better than an AM radio but, considering they were designed as a pro-logic surround speaker, that's more than adequate FOR THAT PURPOSE.

Since DPL was a "matrixed" technology which managed to squeeze four (not five plus a sub) channels out of a two channel analog signal, their surround channels did not provide a "full bandwidth" signal to begin with. Thois wais about the best one can get from a VHS tape.

This technology was essentially obsoleted about 8 years ago when DVD's and digital sound hit the market. ...and for good reason I might add.

With a "digital" multi-channel setup, you are capable of 5 (or more) full bandwidth channels, each with a range akin to that of a CD. These speakers will never be able to handle the upper half of the range.

 

[jcPanny]

Dipole speaker

I agree that the dipole speaker would be more suitable as a surround speaker in a 5.1 system than a main speaker in a 2 channel system. While the frequency response spec only goes to 8kHz, it is likely that they will play higher than that unless a unique crossover is involved.
Assuming that they play up 20K Hz and were modified to "bipole mode" they might work well for background type music in another room of the house.

 

[markw]

I agree that the dipole speaker would be more suitable as a surround speaker in a 5.1 system than a main speaker in a 2 channel system. While the frequency response spec only goes to 8kHz, it is likely that they will play higher than that unless a unique crossover is involved.
Assuming that they play up 20K Hz and were modified to "bipole mode" they might work well for background type music in another room of the house.

The main difference between dipolar and bipolar is that in one, both tweeters are in phase and in the other, out of phase.

To change these speakers from dipolar to bipolar mode would involve simply switching the leads (polarity) on one, only one, of the tweeters so that both match the polarity of the woofer.

In either case, they provide a diffuse sound, great for atmospheric effects but not great when directionality is wanted. Ergo, their use for DPL where the surrounds really were not geared for directional sounds

 

[Skav]

Well, thanks for the information. In all fairness, the lack of a frequency response in them probably can be compensated by the woofer so I'm not too bothered by it.

I really disliked direct radiating rears, which is why I couldn't wait to get my hands on a pair of dipoles.

I've just watched 'Die Another Day' and it's refreshing not to have sound effects right in your face after putting up with that for so long.

 

[supervij]

More than slightly off-topic, but I'm using direct-radiating surrounds, and have no problem with them. I can't localize the sounds at all because I've got the surrounds elevated, to the side and slightly behind me (~110 degrees from the centre). They're also tilted slightly downward. I know the sounds are coming from somewhere off to the side, but I really can't tell from where exactly.

Nothing wrong with using direct-radiating speakers for surrounds if you set 'em up right.

All right. Sorry to interrupt.

cheers,
supervij