What is the "best" bipolar/dipolar surround on the

Dokter_doug · « **on:** 14 Dec 2003, 03:45 pm »

I have just upgraded my mains to PMC IB1's and would like to purchase a couple of full range bipolar/dipolar surrounds. I am currently using Paradigm Reference ADP 370's, with Paradigm Reference Studio 20's for the rear surround of my 7.1 setup.

I will probably upgrade my rear surrounds to PMC LB1's or FB1's and would like a more robust side surround speaker than the 370's. If others know of high quality bipolars with the capacity to handle a full range signal at pretty high volume could you please post your reccomendations here?

All opinions welcome. Many thanks.

rkapadia@ROOP · « **Reply #1 on:** 14 Dec 2003, 06:07 pm »

Here's a seious dipole

:

VMPS Dipoles. These are capable of 115dB + transients, from 40Hz up. $2600/pr.

Regards,

Soundbroker · « **Reply #2 on:** 18 Dec 2003, 02:05 am »

I'd recommend sticking with PMC's or your tonal balance will end up being off. Since there isn't a TON of signal coming from the sides...consider mounting two TB-2's back to back.
Rear channel wise...there is a new Center/Rear channel speaker out designed to match the OB-1/IB-1 called the CC-3. Same tweeter, woofer and midrange dome as an OB-1. Perfect match for your IB's.

Kevin

Dokter_doug · « **Reply #3 on:** 18 Dec 2003, 05:19 pm »

I often read that surrounds and rear speakers should be of the same make (IB1's and TB2's are both PMC speakers) in order to create a consistent sound field. Here are my questions:

1. Can different models REALLY create a consistent sound field and are the timbres of different models actually matched? I know that my FB1's and IB1's sound much different from one another.

2. Given that bipolar/dipolar surrounds are listened to at nearly 90 degrees off axis, do they actually need to be of the same make as the mains? Would the sound of TB2's back to back sound all that much different from Paradigm ADP 370's in such an off axis case?

Thanks for all the advice and info thus far.

Soundbroker · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Dec 2003, 11:41 am »

The ideal is to use identical speakers all around...but we live in the real world. Fortunately, most of the PMC speakers are very very consistent in their voicing (the need to be...a guy producing music in his home studio needs to be able to take that music to a studio with a big boy PMC rig and hear the same things). This means you can do a bit of mixing and matching. IB-1's sound different primarily because of the bigger midrange dome and the soft dome tweeter. But for the sides, with the small percentage coming out, TB-2's should work fine. If you want the best set up, then use the CC-6 (sorry, I said CC-3 before...it is really CC-6) on the sides and rears and you'll have a completely tonally matched system with all the same midrange and tweeters.

Kevin

Dokter_doug · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Dec 2003, 06:03 pm »

What is a CC-6? Is it a PMC-built speaker?

Soundbroker · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Dec 2003, 07:25 pm »

The CC-6 is a new speaker built by PMC. It is a large bookshelf/LCR type speaker designed to be the matching center and/or surround channel for the OB-1/IB-1. It uses the same dome midrange and same tweeter as the OB/IB-1 and the same woofer as an OB-1.

Kevin

witchdoctor · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Jan 2004, 04:35 am »

I use Paradigm Active 20's and Active ADP's as surrounds. Very robust combination altho I don't know if they match your front speakers.