I'm thinking of building a dedicated theater above my garage and I've noticed a lot of comments here about stages below the screen, but I haven't found an answer to this question: What is the purpose of a stage? Why not have a flat wall with the screen mounted on it? Am I missing something obvious?

It's cool, that's why! :)

Seriously though, people make a procenium to hide their speakers and some will use a acoustical transparent screen as well with the speakers behind the screen.

Been covered several times. Here's one:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=853599

I did it because it looks better to me than a flat screen wall. Also, mine is functional for (little) kids singing/dancing.

Been covered several times. Here's one:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=853599

I did it because it looks better to me than a flat screen wall. Also, mine is functional for (little) kids singing/dancing.

I just finished my stage (carpeting goes in today) and it looks pretty cool. When my wife (who thinks I am crazy given the amount of time and $ I am putting into this) saw it last night even she got a little excited.

So look at it as an investment to make you happy, make your spouse happy, and impress your friends. Everyone wins.

I used mine for dvd and gaming storage....and whats a theater without a stage ?

http://picasaweb.google.com/mahler007/TheatreRoom/photo#5015182732459714546

....and whats a theater without a stage ?


A nice TV room

Just so you know... Not all of us have a stage. :)

Now how the heck could a die hard Rush fan not post the below???

Seriously;
My in progress HT does NOT have a stage in it.....yet.....after reading threads and thinking I'm 90% going to add one.
(Yea, I'm LOGANED also)

Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson

Living on a lighted stage
Approaches the unreal
For those who think and feel
In touch with some reality
Beyond the gilded cage

Cast in this unlikely role,
Ill-equipped to act
With insufficient tact
One must put up barriers
To keep oneself intact

Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem

Those who wish to be
Must put aside the alienation
Get on with the fascination
The real relation
The underlying theme

Living in a fisheye lens
Caught in the camera eye
I have no heart to lie
I cant pretend a stranger
Is a long-awaited friend

All the worlds indeed a stage
And we are merely players
Performers and portrayers
Each anothers audience
Outside the gilded cage

*If you are not using projector and screen, placing the TV on the stage boosts its height. If you have a second row of seating that is important and you don't need as high a riser to boost the screen to a good height for the second row. My stage allowed me to go with a single step riser for the couch in my second row.
*Aesthetics
*Many people fill them with sand giving a nice platform for their sub(s).