I am doing an upgrade and the inwalls are behind the listening area low. Obviously not ideal but they do not want to move them. The question is should i go with surrounds or standard inwalls?

If the seating is quite a distant from the speakers then direct radiators might be a better choice, otherwise go with the Dipole surrounds. Is this surrounds for a 5.1 system or the backs for a 7.1? That might change my suggestions to direct radiators for the back unless seating is real close.

Bob

its 5.1 and some of the seating is VERY close to the speakers

If you ask 10 designers, you will likely get 10 different answers...

The THX school says to always use dipoles for movies, but personally I do not accept that as gospel.

My thought is that dipole/bipole designs were intended to duplicate an array of surround speakers that would be present at a theater. If I have room (and budget) for multiple sets of direct radiating speakers like the IW Silver or Gold Omnis or IW Silver Mini-Monitors from Triad, then that's what I like to do.

If I am upgrading a room with just a single pair of surround locations, I would generally do the dipolar surrounds like the Bronze or Silver Surround from Triad.

Rick.

Thanks Rick. My thought was to go with the surrounds, just neede a second opinion

If I understand your situation your location is low in the rear. Bad placement for dipoles. If they are low on the side, you can use either dipoles or standard in walls as you prefer. If sound pressure is an issue I'd use monopoles. If spaciousness is preferred then dipoles. If music is as likely as video then monopoles. But to reiterate I'd use monopoles or direct radiators if these speakers are located in the rear.

Alan

What is a Monopole?

Another term for a direct radiating speaker like a traditional in-wall, bookshelf, or floorstanding speaker.

Love my bi-poles! Best of both worlds: dispersion without cancellation.

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