bipole or dipole

[xfontanax]

Polkie Brothers,

I just ordered a pair of LSIFX!!! Here's my question for folks with bipole/dipole speakers. Assuming placement is not an issue (speakers have priority over furniture) what do you find most desirable, bipole or dipole? Why? Is there a huge difference with these settings? Is there already a thread that debated this?Being at remote location, I have a month to wait for my speakers and I'm already considering these options. I don't listen to multichannel music, so that's not an issue. what's your opinions? any would be helpful.

from the far east,

xfontanax
equipment
denon avr4800
denon poa-5000 amp
toshiba sd9200 dvd
LSI 15s
LSI center
LSI 9s (soon going to the bedroom)
Velo cht15

[seaslug]

IMHO, the dipole setting is the way to go for home theater. Ideally, your surrounds should be directly in line with your seating, mounted with the tweeters at approximately standing ear-level. In dipole mode, the drivers fire out of phase, thus creating a diffuse sound field in front of and behind the listening position. This is perfect for the ambient sound effects included in most Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks. In bipole mode, a good deal of the sound is fired directly toward the listening position, and this can make the effects seem a bit too localized. If you were interested in multichannel music, then you would probably prefer bipole (and direct-radiating would be even better), but since this is strictly a home theater rig, go with the dipole. This is just my two cents, and you can always experiment with your setup with just the flick of a switch. Good luck, and enjoy those LSI's!

[jdavy]

Ask polk audio for a back issue of thier newsletter. They had a article explaing the difference and which to use depends on how your room is set up and where you place the speakers. IE behind you or too your side. Sorry I do not have the article handy but the folks at polk are really helpful so just drop them a line.