Multidirectional Speakers

N

nzgdog

Audiophyte
Hi all,

I'm new to this forum and have a question about using multidirectional speakers. I live in a small condo and I'm trying to find great sounding speakers that don't intrude too far into the space. I thinking of using Energy's C-R100's http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=298 as well as the RC-R http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=271 as my surround and front LR speakers respectively. I'm interested in using them b/c they're depth is minimal and they'd look really good. I'll be sitting approximately 8ft from the speakers at the front.

I realize this kind of setup is somewhat taboo, but I'd really like to hear what people's thoughts are.

Thanks!
 
N

nzgdog

Audiophyte
Yeah, that's exactly what the manufacturer recommended as well. Why is that? What will happen using the other speakers in the front?

Thanks!
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
It'll sound like drek.

Yeah, that's exactly what the manufacturer recommended as well. Why is that? What will happen using the other speakers in the front?
A diffused sound is fine for surround speakers but it's not what you want front fspeakers. You, or at least everyone else, wants to be able to localize the front sounds.

But, YMMV
 
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N

nzgdog

Audiophyte
Ok, so what exactly am I missing by using bipol type speakers in the front? I know using other speakers would actually be a cheaper option for me, but the bipol speakers are small and look good mounted on the wall. I don't understand exactly how it affects my sound field coming from the front?
 
avaserfi

avaserfi

Audioholic Ninja
Bipoles are not direct so you won't be able to localize the sound as others have said.
 
Gimpy Ric

Gimpy Ric

Moderator
Yeah, the bipoles as fronts would image like something from Bose, God forbid.
 
N

nzgdog

Audiophyte
Yeah, the bipoles as fronts would image like something from Bose, God forbid.
Ok, that makes sense. Thanks to all who responded. With that said, do you think I may be able to get around some the concerns posted by using these speakers: http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-page.php?id=271#

I know they're specifically designed for surround sound, but I'm thinking b/c they have a tweeter and a small mid-range speaker facing frontwards it may be doable?

The rest of the speakers I have are all from Energy's C series including the 10" sub, C-R100, and C-C100.

Thanks!
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
It'll work

How good it sounds is up to you.

I wouldn't use it but, apparantly, your mind is made up.
 
N

nzgdog

Audiophyte
My mind's not made-up, but I want to make sure I at least hammer out the pro's and con's of this idea before throwing it away. I originally bought the C-500's and they sound amazing, but unfortunately they're just too big for my place.
 
avaserfi

avaserfi

Audioholic Ninja
I don't understand the problem, you talked to the company and they told you it was a bad idea. You ask us, we say its a bad idea. If you are going to get nice speakers save up and get the proper set up don't try to skimp and get crap.
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
The C-500's are towers, right?

My mind's not made-up, but I want to make sure I at least hammer out the pro's and con's of this idea before throwing it away. I originally bought the C-500's and they sound amazing, but unfortunately they're just too big for my place.
...and you expect these dipolars to fit your need?

IIWY, I'd take a previous posters advice and use these for your front three

http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/products/product-line.php?id=318

They would be perfect for your application. They aren't overpowering in size, but they aren't as "cute" as the bipolars, are they?

But you're not me. Go ahead, Ignore what everyone says. Go for the bipolars and be happy, at least until you live with 'em for a while. Don't bother asking for advice here. You don't want advice. You want affirmation for something totally absurd.
 
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N

nzgdog

Audiophyte
I'm not looking for affirmation, dickwhads! I was merely looking for a description of the kind of pro's and con's of something that was merely an idea. The manufacturer didn't provide any explanation or any other suggestions to my questions. So far the opinions have been mixed at best and nobody's able to provide a technical explanation of either the pro's or the con's.
 
B

bpape

Audioholic Chief
I don't know how much plainer we can be. ...and name calling certainly isn't going to get you anywhere. I'm also not sure where you're getting the idea that the answers have been mixed - looks pretty much the same all the way down the line - "don't do it".

Front speaker should be direct radiating - not 3 axis surround types. The multi-axis speakers are designed specifically to not be localizable so you'll get a crappy audio image and the sound will not lock well onto the picture. That's the answer as to why not.

Bryan
 
M

markw

Audioholic Overlord
"opinions have been mixed"?? What thread is he reading?

Sometimes, people can read whatever they wish into almost anything if they try hard enough.

Perhaps the implied sarcasm when I said "It'll work" in a subject line was misconstued as a tacit approval. Apparantly the qualifier in the body of the post was either ignored or misinterperted.

As for "It'll work", well, you can dig a hole for a swimming pool with a teaspoon. It'll work, but you might not be happy with the results.

And, I can't give the technical reasons that arsenic can kill you. I just know that it does and, when asked if one should eat some, I'd just advise "no". No technical reason needed. If they still wish to try it, then have at it. I just hope they have an open bar and serve good food at the wake.

My final advice to OP: Use your own ears. Quit asking us, over and over again, to affirm your misguided belief. If you want "scientific proof", then the company is the place you should be bugging, not us.

Apparently you don't want to take our (and Energy's) advice. In that case, be a man, order them, and make your own decision.

If you like 'em, fine. If not, then send 'em back.

It's your life, ears, room and decision. Not ours.
 
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no. 5

no. 5

Audioholic Field Marshall
The technical explanation was given several times; using multipolar speakers in the front channels will remove the audible directionality the front sound field is meant to have.

If you want to get a very rough approximation of what multipolar speakers will do, watch a movie (or even part of a movie) on your current system, then reverse the phase of one of your main (left or right) speakers, then start the same movie over again.
 
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