Bipole surround loudspeakers radiate hemispherically to deliver similar direct sound to all listeners

Evidence

In spite of an appearance suggesting bidirectional radiation, over most of the frequency range this loudspeaker behaves as a hemispherical radiator. The measured curves in (b) are all very similar. For surround-channel loudspeakers mounted on side and rear walls this ensures delivery of similar direct sound to all parts of the audience. These bipole (bidirectional in-phase) designs are also appropriate for the current immersive systems; the dipole versions are not (see Section 8.5.3). — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1497

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines bipole (bidirectional in-phase) radiation and contrasts it with dipole versions for immersive systems.