In the world of speakers, finding a norm is a cumbersome task. Everyone has their own ideas on how to obtain the most accurate sonic resonance. From your basic bookshelf to the 200 lb. behemoth that looks like the Others have landed, speakers incorporate all kinds of design and character.
If you were pressed to find a norm, it would probably be a basic direct-radiating speaker, in which the speaker is equipped with a given array of woofers and tweeters on its front. These speakers fire sound directly at the listener.
One simple spin on this basic speaker design is bipolar construction. In speakers, unlike humans, bipolar design is generally a positive and offers some definite sonic advantages.
In contrast to the common direct-radiating speaker, the bipolar speaker also incorporates an identical driver in the rear. The design allows for the sound to fire off the walls behind the speaker, as well as directly at the listener. The result is a broader sound field and a richer sound. A well-designed bipolar speaker will surround you in a full sound, often more effectively than a standard direct-radiate.
The sound quality provided through bipolar design can be dramatic. Bipolar speakers can often provide sound parallel with much more expensive speakers. Try switching back and forth between direct-radiating and bipolar speakers and the enrichment of the sound field will likely be obvious, even to an audio newb.
Bipolar speakers have impressed me, both in first hand experience and in reading reviews and opinions from others. I would definitely recommend seeking out a pair while you’re shopping around for speakers. Even if you end up with a different model, bipolars are worth a strong consideration.
In comparison to direct-radiating speakers bipolars are pretty rare. However, I have seen a variety of brands offer them. Definitive Technology is the first that comes to mind. They specialize in bipolar speaker and offer a complete range. I have also seen bipolar speakers from such major manufacturers as Paradigm and Mirage, although the latter has seemed to have shifted toward an omnipolar focus, which is a whole other topic. Given the diffuse market of speaker manufacturers, I am sure that there are plenty of other brands out there that offer a bipolar model as well.
The only discernible disadvantage that I can see for a bipolar speaker is that it is comparatively more dependent upon placement than other speakers. Given that its very design demands a certain placement for proper operation, it could potentially be a little trickier to find that perfect sound. Bipolars will need to be placed within a couple of feet of a wall so that the rear driver can function as designed. However, given that most speakers are dependent upon placement to some extent, this should hardly discourage the consumer. So long as you’re not looking to drop your speakers into the middle of your living room, you should be able to establish a functional spot for them.
Bottom line—bipolar speakers deserve a serious look. If you’re on the prowl for a great, affordable speaker that offers the best sound possible for the price, bipolar design might be the cure to what ails you. Ask your dealer about them, or track down a dealer that carries a line of Definitives, or other bipolar speaker.
-Chris Weiss
Chris Weiss
Chris has had audiophile blood running through his veins since birth. As a small child his father’s component-based stereo system was the source of much gloating over friends whose fathers had run-of-the-mill mini-systems.