Speakers with uniform directionality (without lobing)

[bansal98]

I currently have a pair of floor-standers (Yamaha NS-50) which I am using with Onkyo SR577 AVR. I have auditioned a few other speakers also and found that all these, at least the floor-standers, have high directionality. There is a sweet spot where everything sounds great but the moment you move in either direction, the sound quality takes a hit. This I suppose is how all the regular speakers behave.

Are there any speakers which have uniform response in all directions where audience can be expected to sit? Are single-driver speakers any better in this regard?

 

[venkatcr]

What you are looking for are called omni directional speakers. Some of the companies that make such speakers are German Physiks, SoundSphere, Wolcott Audio, and Viaston.

Omni directional speakers are popular in public places for announcements. They do not have much value in a home, as, at any time, the speakers will need to send sound to just a few people who are sitting at one place. Yes placement becomes important, but once done will work quiet well.

Cheers

 

[bansal98]

Thanks for the links. I am currently reading up on them.

Then what I think I am looking for are semi-omni-directional speakers.

 

[denom]

Hi Bansal.

What was the price of the NS-50 speakers at the time of purchase? How do they perform, esp for Music?

 

[bansal98]

There are two versions of Yamaha NS-50 speakers. One is 2-way 3-driver and other one is 3-way 4-driver system. I have the one with 4-drivers. It sounds excellent. I do not have any long-term experience with owning any other floor-standers though I have auditioned a few. So with that background, I find the speakers to be very good. Please note that I listen mostly to Hindi/Punjabi film/pop music. As far as movies are concerned, I find no reason to complain.

The price won't matter as I bought these used from an acquaintance and I don't think these are being produced any more.

 

[venkatcr]

Then what I think I am looking for are semi-omni-directional speakers.

Omni directional or 'semi' omni directional speakers cannot be used in a closed environment such as a home very easily. You will have to contend with a large amount of reflection off walls that will screw up your sound stage. If you are going to use omnidirectional speakers, you have to set up your room very carefully.

Another thing you have to remember is that there is few software available that can take advantage of omni directional sound movement. As I said before, one major use is in announcements where the quality of sound is not very critical.

Cheers

 

[soulforged]

Mirage has a range of 'omnipolar' speakers. Are they the same?

 

[mridulgoel]

Hey

This is because all the drivers here are dome based and have sound dispersion of 45 to 60 degrees only...These drivers are known as conventional drivers...

I am not sure how many of you have heard about the BMR (Balanced Mode Radiation) Drivers...
These drivers are FLAT drivers, which have a sound dispersion of 160 to 180 degrees, so the sound fills the room equally...

Armour Home's brand Q Acoustics invented these drivers, and had the patent for the same...But after 3yrs, now KEF has taken license for the same and have the KEF Blades launched...

Earlier Armour Home has launched the Q.A.V. (5.1 Package), QTV-2 (2.1 HD System) and OW2 (On Wall Modular Speakers) using the BMR Drivers...

I agree that they dont sound like that great compared to Q Acoustics or other Conventional speakers...but as per the concept, and sound dispersion, they are quite good...

 

[venkatcr]

Mirage has a range of 'omnipolar' speakers. Are they the same?

No. The Omnipoalr speakers from Mirage is an extension of the Bipolar concept. In bipolar, there are two sets of identical drivers placed at an angle radiating sound across some 100 odd degrees compared to the face of the speakers. So whichever side of the speakers you are sitting in, you will hear the sound. Bipolar speakers are popular as Surround Speakers when people sit either ahead or behind the speakers position in the wall.

Mirage use two sets of drivers firing in phase that are behind one another. In this scenario one set of drivers are facing you and another set facing the wall behind the speakers. The sound from the rear drivers come reflected to you, thereby creating a large sound stage.

Omni directional speakers throw sound in 270 to 360 degrees.

Cheers

 

[iaudio]

Venkat, have you heard any of these omnidirectional speakers? How do they sound?

 

[venkatcr]

I have heard a few under controlled environment where they sounded good. As I said, in a home, they will sound terrible with a large number of reflected sound waves hitting your ears.

Sound of Music in Delhi sells a few omni-directional speakers. Though they are hard to drive, they create a good sound stage.

Cheers