Dipole Subs

You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.
You are not authorized to post comments.

Jim Hannon -- Fri, 11/10/2006 - 23:47

Why doesn't anyone make dipole subs anymore (at least that I know of)?
They seem like the ticket to mate with other dipole speakers.

(Yes, I know one can build dipole subs from designs by Siegfried Linkwitz (sp?) but I'm not into projects)

Jim Hannon -- Sun, 11/12/2006 - 20:32

I guess one should count the SoundLab B1 (custom order?) or some of the Genesis towers as dipole subs/woofers.

Tom F (not verified) -- Fri, 07/31/2009 - 11:53

Hello,
I too have read Siegfried Linkwitz's website and white papers, etc. on dipole speakers and subs. Many people do not make them since they inherently do not go that low (despite the Fs ... free air resonance of the woofer(s)) due to the natural cancellation of bass frequencies, especially below about 200Hz. While they can be equalized to go lower, it takes an active equalizer to do it in what is called a "shelf" style filter. It is also drops per octave, so the EQ has to be made to function with that in mind too ... translation ... it is a lot of EQ just to get it to go low. Even an overly damped sealed enclosure (perhaps a Qtc of 0.5) would go lower since the frequency calcellation does not occur. Compare this to a simple and properly ported enclosure with some "EQ" and there it is ... the mass market version of what is wanted.
So many people nowadays want as small a sub as possible with as low extension and high output as possible. While I understand these requests/demands, they are simply not easily done with a dipole sub due to it being an open radiator to the front and rear or side to side if oriented as such. Yes, they can be extremely tight, fast, articulate, and intensely tactile, however it takes much to do that.
Often times, just the fact that the enclosure is some sort of open ended tube or cylinder or "box," the mass market does not want to see the woofer itself or its wires, electronics, etc. in addition to the warranty aspects of adults, children, and pets getting into or touching those things for safety and liability reasons.
As for me, I very much like the sound of a good dipole sub that is properly designed, implemented, installed / placed, and tweaked. I design speakers for a hobby and several of my latest models use open baffle / dipole radiation means. It is just a hobby though.
Hope this helps,
Tom