Using Dipole Speakers in a Stereo System

Hi Broadstone: If you have the opportunity, a report of your trials & findings would be appreciated and perhaps helpful to other dipole owners.....

Whether the felt panel works or not, it would be great if you let everyone know via this thread.

Additionally, some acoustic panel manufacturers make stand mounted panels. These positioned behind your M/L's may be less visible & hence, less likely to be an aesthetic issue.

"FWIW, careful set up of well designed conventional speakers in a good room can improves on anything that dipoles can do."

Generalizations may allow one to minimize variables and more easily formulate a conclusion; however, as in life and this hobby, they rarely represent the final word, or conclusion on the subject. This generalization regarding conventional vs. dipolar speakers is no exception.

I've heard outstanding music reproduction from every type of speaker (dipolar, horns, so called conventional and otherwise), amplifier (tube, SS, SET, etc.), turntable (high/low mass, belt and direct drive etc.), DAC (SPIDF, USB, tube, etc.). Not blindly believing that any of these, or for that matter, any type of music reproducing hardware is inherently better than the any other type, is the reason why I frequent this forum.

Do I have my preferences and have I found synergy with the components I own, yes. But do I believe that my way is the right way, or that dipole speakers properly setup sound better than any box speaker, or vice versa, no; and the same applies to every other sort, or type of music reproduction devices that are available.

Broadstone: My dipolar type loudspeakers provide a spectacular center image as well as a great soundstage. As the manufacturer suggested, I have the speakers well out into the room and have installed absorptive panels in back of them to ameliorate the back wave.

However, I suggest that you keep trying different speakers and certainly types -- albeit: open baffle, boxed, panel, horns, etc.) to determine YOUR preferences. If audio retailers in your area are limited, you might consider some road trips, or attending one of the many audio shows that occur annually. While setups during show conditions are obviously not the best, a show's advantage is that it allows you to hear lots of different speaker types which may allow you to more easily hone into the sound that you prefer, or are seeking. It's not really about what my preferences, nor any others on this forum. It's all about your preferences. For the most part, there is no right, nor wrong way in this hobby, just different ways to enhance our musical enjoyment.

As an addendum to the information provided by Jcharvet, indeed heavy drapes or rugs will work. However, for my application, I purchased absorption panels from Acoustical Solutions: http://www.acousticalsolutions.com/acoustical-wall-panels.

Additionally, one can either buy purchased complete panels as I, or DIY, by buying Owens Corning 703 panels, fabric, etc. such as available here:

http://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/servlet/the-492/Owens-Corning-703-Acoustic/Detail

http://www.atsacoustics.com/cat--DIY-Acoustic-Materials--102.html

http://www.acoustimac.com/dmd-acoustic-panel-422/

Website’s with DIY acoustic panel information follow:

http://www.facstaff.bucknell.edu/esantane/movies/Acoustic.html

https://sites.google.com/site/computeraudioorg/do-it-yourself

After I mounted apsorptive 2" thick panels in back of my Soundlab ESL's, wow, what a positive difference (huge smile)! They improved the sonics at least, if not more, than any item that I ever bought! Frequency response remained essentially the same, but focus, clarity, imaging and soundstage dramatically improved.

My experience (at least with Soundlabs) suggests that its paramount to absorb the back-wave emanating from the panel and it’s quite difficult to overly dampen that portion of the listening room.

Before installing acoustic panels, I allowed uncertainty with the science verses the art of acoustics, to inhibit purchasing and installing treatments. However, Roger West’s discussion via Soundlab’s set-up tips page http://www.soundlab-speakers.com/#!__technology/setup-tips, and discussions with a local audio store owner whose opinions I respected, convinced me that installing absorptive material is better than not, and if that were so, I needed to do more and as I’ve discovered, the end result was a resounding success and highly recommended!

If the egg crate foam helps, you may consider something with more of a broadband acoustic effect.

Several years ago, I built 2 DIY acoustic panels via Jon Risch's design perameters on AudioAsylum. My final floor standing-size products were 6'H x3'W x18"D. I'm still using them. But while researching these, folks mentioned that egg crate foam -- the type used as bed toppers -- although it looks like the foam used in studio's, it really wasn't, and didn't have the same acoustic properties. However, it certainly should give you the opportunity to learn (rather inexpensively), whether you're on the right sonic/acoustic track or not.

FWIW, Soundlab sells an item called the "S.A.L.L.I.E".

http://www.soundlab-speakers.com/#!__products/accessories

S.A.L.L.I.E.'s are mainly for those who can't pull their stats very far out into the room. They're rather expensive, but perhaps one could produce a similar DIY device.

I've also heard it mentioned that artifical floor standing plants behind dipoles also acoustically helps.