dipole/bipole or direct

marcpam

what would you guys think will work best in a 7.1 surround system. Dipole/bipole (fxi5) or bookshelf speakers (rti6). I was told that you can use the fxi5's for the side surround and rear surround. Is this correct? Crutchfield told me that I am supposed to use the rti6s for the side and rear. This will be majority home theatre and not music. What do you guys recommend for side surround and rear surrounds? I have yet to put in my fxi5's, which is why I am asking this.

Early B.

You'll get lots of different responses. Depends on lots of different factors such as your room size, personal taste, WAF, budget, proper setup, etc.

The best thing to do is experiment and then decide what you like best. Some people like the dispersed sound of dipoles/bipoles while others prefer direct radiating speakers. I'd start with the 5's on the side and the 6's in the rear. Depending upon your room size and seating position, you may even decide that 7.1 is not your cup of tea.

captain

I wish i had have seen your posting 5 minutes ago before i posted a similar question under another group.

I am tossing up between RTI6's and FXi5's for the surround speakers. And its proving to be most difficult.

I live in rented accomodation, so I am looking for maximum flexability with speakers should I relocate. I was also going to use RTi4's for the surrounds, they are superb speakers but not overly loud. (for my likeing anyways), so im going to use them for rears and go the full 7.1

Both speakers seem to rate very well.
The FXi5's seem to want to bounce sound off the surrounding walls. But what if they are not located near walls? Would the RTi6's shelf style be better. I wish i knew the answer?

Please let me know if you find out any info.
Have you purchased either yet?

Cheers Lee
captain@jcu.edu.au

RTi12's
CSi5 centre
505 Sub
RTi4's rear
Surrounds ??? RTi6 or FXi5's??

danger boy

the FXi5's fire sound in two directions.. so keep that in mind. and yeah, their diffused sound is great.

Just expirement with the two.. swap them out and listen again.. and then decide which works best.

there is not hard and fast rule here for surrounds... whether they should be bi/di or direct firing speakers.. it's up to each persons likes/dislikes. and room size, etc. ..

Tour2ma

Agree... 5's for the sides most definitely.

Rears? Depends on distance they will be behind you. The further they are, the more likely the 6's will work.

For all surrounds before you start drilling holes, grab a couple step-ladders, or other temporary stands, and play with placement. And remember to equalize after each move...

Have fun...

marcpam

how would i mount the fxi5's if i was to suspend them on the ceiling. This is the only way i can do this.

Tour2ma

Here is a place to start looking...

O'Shag

The dipole/bipole rear surrounds will be very effective in larger rooms where the sound dispersion characteristics will help generate a more expansive soundfield. That said, good quality bookshelfs will also work well, but may not be as effective in a large room.

I would pop down to the local audio store that have one or two good listening rooms, then you can spend an hour or so listening to both types of speakers for the surround. With careful listening to two or three multi-channel music discs (either SACD or DVDA) in addition to some action sequences on a DTS encoded movie, your bound to come to a conclusion as to the sound you will prefer. I definitely wouldn't buy your surrounds until you've auditioned both extensively for yourself.