Let us know how that turns out.
Using Dipole Speakers in a Stereo System
I'm in the process of trying to determine if I should purchase a pair of Genesis APM-1 speakers that have become available in my area. However, in my many years of listening and experimenting with audio equipment I have never used dipole speakers and need some advice.
My current system consists of an older Shanling solid state CD player, California Audio Labs DAC, Rogue Audio 100W Sphinx integrated hybrid stereo amp and Martin Logan Odyssey speakers. My main concern is that, because I listen primarily to solo guitar and light jazz, the expanded soundstage that I've read that dipoles are known for, might not be a good match.
Any advice will be appreciated.
My current system consists of an older Shanling solid state CD player, California Audio Labs DAC, Rogue Audio 100W Sphinx integrated hybrid stereo amp and Martin Logan Odyssey speakers. My main concern is that, because I listen primarily to solo guitar and light jazz, the expanded soundstage that I've read that dipoles are known for, might not be a good match.
Any advice will be appreciated.
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- 24 posts total
Jcharvet, I bought some egg crate design open cell foam and cut two panels from it to match the dimensions of the transducer panels of the Odysseys. i had my wife and a grandson hold these panels about ten inches behind the speakers and started listening to solo guitar CD's. At lower volumes I could discern no difference whether or not these dampers were in place. At higher volumes, though, there is a noticeable difference which seems better with the dampening in place. This difference seems as much related to an improved center stage as anything else. The bottom line is that this reduction of reflected energy improves listening for me, at least for this solo instrument. |
Mrmb, I decided not to try the felt; the egg crate design foam seemed to more closely resemble the material used in anachoic chambers that I've seen. Also, felt actually seems like a fairly hard material, now that I've looked at it, and it may be somewhat reflective of sound energy itself. Anyway, the design I'm using will be an attachment to the Odyssey cross brace holding the damping material approximately one foot behind the tranducer. I could easily be wrong in assuming this but, because of the curved design of Martin Logan panels, damping material closer to the speaker may work better. |
If the egg crate foam helps, you may consider something with more of a broadband acoustic effect. Several years ago, I built 2 DIY acoustic panels via Jon Risch's design perameters on AudioAsylum. My final floor standing-size products were 6'H x3'W x18"D. I'm still using them. But while researching these, folks mentioned that egg crate foam -- the type used as bed toppers -- although it looks like the foam used in studio's, it really wasn't, and didn't have the same acoustic properties. However, it certainly should give you the opportunity to learn (rather inexpensively), whether you're on the right sonic/acoustic track or not. FWIW, Soundlab sells an item called the "S.A.L.L.I.E". http://www.soundlab-speakers.com/#!__products/accessories S.A.L.L.I.E.'s are mainly for those who can't pull their stats very far out into the room. They're rather expensive, but perhaps one could produce a similar DIY device. I've also heard it mentioned that artifical floor standing plants behind dipoles also acoustically helps. |
- 24 posts total