Type of surround speaker for Rear Center in 6.1

[Sidecar666]

I can't find any info on what type of speaker to get when I go to 6.1 from 5.1. Should I get another Dipole/Bipole speaker like my surrounds...or should I get a center channel speaker (the typical W-T-W) because it's a rear CENTER channel? I have Phase Tech PC 3.1's for the fronts and center and Phase Tech Dipole/Bipole (switchable) surrounds if this helps. Any suggestions or comments would be helpful!

[Geoffcin]

I can't find any info on what type of speaker to get when I go to 6.1 from 5.1. Should I get another Dipole/Bipole speaker like my surrounds...or should I get a center channel speaker (the typical W-T-W) because it's a rear CENTER channel? I have Phase Tech PC 3.1's for the fronts and center and Phase Tech Dipole/Bipole (switchable) surrounds if this helps. Any suggestions or comments would be helpful!

With switchable dipole/bipole/monopole surrounds. I chose to put inwall MTM speakers in for the rear surrounds as there just wasn't enough room to go with standmounts. I would suggest that even if your going with a 6.1 system that you use TWO rear surrounds. This give a much more even responce from the rear, and it's much harder to localize the sound. This makes for a better surround effect, especially if you have multiple seating.

[Woochifer]

Ideally, you would use a speaker identical to your surrounds. But, NOT if the surrounds are bipolar/dipolar. In your situation, probably another PC 3.1 would be the best way to go. And you should probably arrange the back surround speaker vertically rather than horizontally. Horizontal alignments will create voice mismatches with the other speakers, and horizontal center speakers exist only because a TV typically goes where the center speaker would ideally go. In the back, you have no TV, so you don't have to go horizontal.

[Sidecar666]

With switchable dipole/bipole/monopole surrounds. I chose to put inwall MTM speakers in for the rear surrounds as there just wasn't enough room to go with standmounts. I would suggest that even if your going with a 6.1 system that you use TWO rear surrounds. This give a much more even responce from the rear, and it's much harder to localize the sound. This makes for a better surround effect, especially if you have multiple seating.


Thanks for the info! If I use 2 rear centers...how does the actual connection to my reciever work? Do I need to get some sort of line splitter to adjust to ohms so the reciever won't see too much of a load?

[Sidecar666]

I'm sorry...i spoke too quickly...My reciever has an output for a left and right reaer center speaker. I just assumed that since it was 6.1...it only had one output. Thanks for the other advise!

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

After some extensive testing, I have found that bipolar speakers do well as a center rear if you already have bipolars for your left/right surround. Dipolars are totally unacceptable in this role because careful phase matches have to be followed between the out of phase, and in phase portions of the speaker. Not following this rigid matchup will result in phase cacellations at some frequencies. Bipolars have no such issues. They are direct in some respects(using a single cone for the bass and mids) and diffused in others(upper mids and highs scattered). In most respects they are the best of both worlds.

I would follow the advice that Geoffcin gave you. Use two of whchever speaker type you pick. One speaker in the center rear position calls to much attention to itself.

[Geoffcin]

I'm sorry...i spoke too quickly...My reciever has an output for a left and right reaer center speaker. I just assumed that since it was 6.1...it only had one output. Thanks for the other advise!

As some manufacturers claim to have a "7.1" receiver, even when there's really no true 7.1 software available yet. Still the matrixed Dolby EX sounds great. Also the 6 channel stereo is fun when I'm not doing any serious listening.