What difference between..........


I am in need of surround speakers.

My sytem: Jm Lab Diva Utopia be, Center 1000be speaker.
There is a SR 1000be speakers in the family of the Jm Lab.

My goal: 2 channel and multiple music and Home Theater.

I have the opportunity to buy the Micro Utopia be from a friend of mine. The Micro Utopia be is a monopole speaker.

What is the difference in regard to sound among the monopole,dipole/bipole speakers.

Which is better or advisable to have as surround.

If I understand correctly if I have as a SR a monopole speaker I will prevent myself of having the "magic" sound of the sound effects behind me.
Would you advise me to buy the Micro Utopia be?

My room is 21'x12.It is my living room.

My listen position is 7' in front of the speakers.
Space behind me 10'.

Thanks
whitestone

Showing 2 responses by nealrm

I did not get the Micro Be's due to budget. For the size of my room and placement of the speakers, I preferred the monopole to the dipole speakers. I place them out to the side and slighly behind my listening position and at about ear height. I have always viewed dipole surround speakers as more of an option for large rooms where multiple people will be listening. The dipole surround channels can then diffuse the sound a bit to accomodate everyone. For smaller rooms and limited people, direct radiating speakers can be precisely placed to provide great surround sound results. At the time, the Profile speakers were the next step down as the new Electra Be's were not yet in production.
I have a pair of the Divas and the Center 1000 Be as well. For surrounds I am using the Profile 908s with great results. If you wanted dipoles, you could always use the SR908s. I visited the Focal factory in France about two years ago and met Dominic, the designer of most of the current product line, and he said that they try to match the different lines to each other as best they can. Not advising you to pass on the Micro's as I would have loved to have a pair, but if you want dipole you could go with the Profiles and get a very close match to the Divas and 1000 Be.