Question:
After reading something on the B&W website the other night (thanks to whoever posted the link in here, 'twas most educational), I'm now in two minds about what kind of speakers to use as my surrounds - bipole or standard monopole bookshelfs.
The B&W site says that a lot of surround tracks are now being encoded in such a way that monopole speakers are expected as surrounds (rather than bipolars that were recommended in Prologic days).
Does anybody have experience of running both types and any thoughts on the sound differences either generally or on specific tracks? I'm looking to build myself a new set of speakers that'll stand me in good stead for when I get my own place, so I'll be able to design the room around the ideal speaker placement without compromise, so I'll assume placement isn't going to be an issue.
Any thoughts, people?
Cheers, Kev
Love the comment about ideal speaker placement :lol: Not going to happen without a lot of good luck or building your own home.
However, with the compromise most of us have to make between perfect sound and harmonious living, I really don't see mono-pole speakers being "better" than bipole. I run a pair of Mordaunt-short bipolars and they work great as rear surrounds. In my mind, they are going to be more effective because they are for atmosphere, rather than a directional sound as per the main front speakers. They seem to give a more enveloping sound field to the rear but still maintain the spacial positioning for pans.
In the end, it all depends on the room and how much your spending.
All this is in relation to a 5.1 setup. I can't comment on the effect in a 6.1 setup.
The B&W site says that a lot of surround tracks are now being encoded in such a way that monopole speakers are expected as surrounds (rather than bipolars that were recommended in Prologic days).
Does anybody have experience of running both types and any thoughts on the sound differences either generally or on specific tracks? I'm looking to build myself a new set of speakers that'll stand me in good stead for when I get my own place, so I'll be able to design the room around the ideal speaker placement without compromise, so I'll assume placement isn't going to be an issue.
Any thoughts, people?
Cheers, Kev
Answers:
Love the comment about ideal speaker placement :lol: Not going to happen without a lot of good luck or building your own home.
However, with the compromise most of us have to make between perfect sound and harmonious living, I really don't see mono-pole speakers being "better" than bipole. I run a pair of Mordaunt-short bipolars and they work great as rear surrounds. In my mind, they are going to be more effective because they are for atmosphere, rather than a directional sound as per the main front speakers. They seem to give a more enveloping sound field to the rear but still maintain the spacial positioning for pans.
In the end, it all depends on the room and how much your spending.
All this is in relation to a 5.1 setup. I can't comment on the effect in a 6.1 setup.
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