Simple Explanation

A subwoofer design with “two poles”—it sends sound forward and backward, canceling sound to the sides and creating a figure-8 pattern.

Concise Technical Definition

A loudspeaker or subwoofer design that radiates sound from both the front and rear of the driver in opposite polarity, producing a figure-8 radiation pattern with minimal side output.

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Imagine a fan blowing air forward and backward at the same time—dipole bass pushes sound in two opposite directions, making it feel focused and clean in front of you.

Industry Usage Summary

Dipole subwoofers are favored in audiophile and open-baffle speaker designs for their controlled bass dispersion and natural integration with room acoustics. However, they require careful placement and room consideration due to rear-wave cancellation.

Engineering Shortcut

Dipole = front/rear sound radiation, out-of-phase, figure-8 pattern—no box pressure loading.

Full Technical Explanation

A dipole subwoofer emits sound from both its front and rear in opposite phase, creating a figure-8 radiation pattern where sound pressure is strongest front and back, and minimal at the sides. This design minimizes room mode excitation along side walls and helps achieve cleaner bass in some acoustic environments. Unlike sealed or ported enclosures, dipoles do not pressurize the box and rely on open-baffle or planar construction. While offering natural sound, dipole subs are less efficient and can require equalization and large drivers to achieve adequate low-frequency output.