can bipolar surround speaker on backwall with 5.1


I plan to build a 5.1 Home theater. However, the sidewalls of my living room, one side is window and the other is open space. So, I can't mount the dipolar speakers on the sidewalls. I am thinking to mount a pair of bipolar speakers (PSB imagine S) to the back wall, which is about 4 feet from the back of sofa. Does it work to create a surround evelopement? Or, do I need to change to uni-polar ones?
chang1221

Showing 2 responses by queefee

I'd really like to know your entire layout, the other speakers you are using (crucial), and overall acoustics of your space. Not knowing all of that, my first question would be to know what L/R/C speakers you're using? I'd then match to those. In your case, I'd default to maximizing the main front speaker setup - and integration of the subwoofer (all considering good acoustic fundamental practices) - and strongly consider doing in-ceiling speakers for rears.
I would be doing in-ceiling because the mains are most important in anchoring the soundstage, most of the dynamics, imaging, etc. You really want just some steering and ambience from the rears, regarless. If you put speakers behind you, you'll be having a big gap with transitions from front to back. Overhead is less localizable, you have more flexibilty, and will transition from front to back better than back wall only.
A better option for the money would be matching dipoler speakers mounted above and to the sides of your seating on the ceiling, just like in-ceiling. However, care and caution must be used in mounting on ceiling. So anchor wisely.
Yes, my final is to find MATCHING rears to your mains, and put em on the ceiling. I'd alway recommend here over behind with no sides...better envelopement, better stearing, less localization, more placement flexiblity for best sound, out of the way, etc. (if a little more work in installing)
Good luck
if the other half is picky enough to reject flush mounted, same color in-ceiling speakers, which aren't any more noticable than an HVAC vent, then How's she about the rest of the bulky speakers (including the ones you plan on mounting on back wall) and the rest of the electronics?
If that's the case, there's always the "Stealth" speakers and other invisible, surface integrated speakers, which completely dissapear into the wall!
I suggest ditching all the AV gear cluttered around the room, and simply go with an all in one sound-bar that's been excellently executed by numerous manufactures of late! They sound great, integrate all the necessary speakers, seriously reduce clutter and simplify, and look much more streamline with your monitor.
It just doesn't sound like all that gear strewn around the room is going to earn you any bonus points at your place, status quo.