[dayneger]

Hi Dave,

I was wondering if you've heard or played with dipole speakers?

I finally got to hear the Linkwitz Orions the other day and was very impressed.  I have no idea how the Orions compare to your 1801s, but I noticed that the driver complement has a lot of similarities--which made me wonder if you'd ever tried out a dipole configuration with them.

SL uses the Excel W22 instead of the W18, and the T25CF002 tweeter rather than the OW1.  Unfortunately I haven't ever heard an OW1, but you and many others seem quite smitten with them and they're an awful lot more cost-effective than the T25CF002.  So with existing parts you've already got on hand you've got a great basis for serious dipole speakers, especially with the addition of one or two of those 10" drivers you mentioned in a different discussion here.

In case any overly sensitive types are reading this (an unfortunate trend on AC recently ), I'm not implying that dipoles sound better a priori.  I'm just curious if Dave has either tried it out, or would be interested in doing so.

  Dayne

[David Ellis]

I have soooo much to do and soooo little time.  A dipole is VERY VERY low on my list of priorities.  I have never compared them using the same drivers, and probably won't do so for many years - if ever.

While there are many concepts surrounding the issue of a dipole, one of them is certinly the lack of cabinet behind the speaker.  Dennis tested this using a viable setup and heard nothing.  I should get this test accompolished this summer.  Probably the more prevalent dipole issues are lobing and the very narrow response pattern.

Above all this, I believe the most prevalent reason that speakers sounds good is the quality of drivers used.  The closest commercial produce is the Joseph Audio Pearl.  It sounds extremely good too.

Thanks for the sensitivity remark.  I appreciate this.  There is one guy who heard the Orion, and, er, another big DIY 3-way.  He though the "other" speaker sounded slightly better.  

I am sure the Orion sounds better than the 1801 in nearly all aspects.  

Dave

[Al Garay]

A very good authority to answer this question is Dennis Murphy. He designed the crossover for the 1801s and has heard the SL Orions. You can pose the question in the Madisound Forum where he and other speaker designers hang out. There are bound to be others who have heard both.

http://www.madisound.com/cgi-bin/discuss.cgi?

Al

[dayneger]

Hi Dave,

OK, looks like your priorities are pretty clear.  I guess I'll for a couple of centuries before I check back!

Al, thanks for the tip!  I'll try reposting over there in a couple of days.

Cheers,

Dayne