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Positioning Surround Speakers
We are often asked about what kind of surround speakers are best: dipole, bipole, or monopole (direct-radiator).
Placement, room acoustics, and other factors affect the sonic realism of movies and multi-channel audio at least as much
as the radiating characteristics of a speaker. Therefore, we do not make specific recommendations but rather suggest you
discuss the best solution for your particular needs with your authorized PSB audio/video specialty retailer or visit our
Web site. Bipole (speakers in-phase) or direct radiating surrounds placed slightly BEHIND the listening position can
offer an exceptionally convincing diffuse soundfield without calling any attention to the surround speakers themselves. It
should be noted that in the alternative dipole surround configuration the two baffles of each surround speaker are out-
of-phase with each other creating a “null” or dead zone of sound in the area along the 90-degree axis of the speaker.
DIPOLE SURROUNDS MUST BE PLACED ON THE SIDE WALLS DIRECTLY BESIDE THE LISTENING
POSITION. The effect is lost as soon as you
move outside the “null”. All PSB Platinum
Series speakers are timbre matched (have
similar tonal characteristics) for easy mix and
match home theater system flexibility and
ultimate performance. Most surround sound is
meant more to create greater depth and overall
ambience than to localize effects as coming
from a particular spot. How much you prefer
these localized effects vs. overall sonic depth
and diffusion is up to your listening
preferences. If you are listening to multi-
channel music from DVD-Audio or SACD,
you may want the maximum localization of instruments. However, for most home theater applications a diffuse
soundfield might be preferred. You can locate and aim your surround speakers to produce the effects you prefer,
whether precisely pinpointed or pleasantly diffused. For example, you may choose to position monitors behind your
listening position on stands at ear height as shown in the diagram at right and, experiment with speaker positioning
relation to the listener to obtain the level of direct versus diffuse sound that you prefer.
Most people find it best to mount dedicated surround speakers like our S2 Surrounds on the side walls slightly behind
the prime listening position and two feet above ear height when seated (this typically
places the bottom of the speaker about 5 feet above the floor.) The surround
speakers can also be mounted at ceiling level or on floor stands if this is preferred
but remember to follow the wiring requirements outlined in Surround Speaker
Connections below. Also, for those adding a rear center channel for 6.1 and 7.1
systems, the S2 offers several rear center surround solutions. The S2 Surround with
both dual crossovers and speaker inputs, provides exceptional wiring and placement
possibilities for achieving a diffuse soundstage. For example, the S2’s Tri-mode
Surround Speaker Placement™ (TSSP) design allows for easy bipole or dipole
wiring. In addition, it offers the possibility of using one pair of S2 for 6.1/7.1
systems by wiring the forward firing baffles for the side surround channels and the rear firing baffles for the rear center
surrounds. The illustrations below show several 6.1/7.1 speaker placement options utilizing two, three or four S2
surrounds. Your PSB audio/video specialist will be able to recommend the best placement options for your particular
needs and budget.
Note that as you move from Figure 1 through to Figure 3 power handling improves, therefore the ability to produce
wider dynamic range increases. Also positioning additional S2 Surrounds allows for a more convincing, enveloping
surround soundfield.
4.
Bipole 5.1 System
Null Zone
Dipole 5.1 System
5