My HT will have a riser at a yet to be determined height. I have used the riser calculator, but want to make sure I will be able to see the whole screen when in a reclined position from the 2nd row. This will be my primary viewing position. I am considering a Berkline that can be placed close to the back wall, one that reclines with a forward motion. I'm not sure the exact model number.

Thanks.

My HT will have a riser at a yet to be determined height. I have used the riser calculator, but want to make sure I will be able to see the whole screen when in a reclined position from the 2nd row. This will be my primary viewing position. I am considering a Berkline that can be placed close to the back wall, one that reclines with a forward motion. I'm not sure the exact model number.

Thanks.

The short answer is yes, reclining can be a factor in line-of-sight calculations. The long answer includes math. :D

As long as your measurements are correct, the riser height calculator does not lie. I have used it with much success. The key is plugging in the right numbers for the particular scenario you're trying to test.

The question is, how high will your back row eyes be when viewing from a reclined position? and How high will front row heads be when viewing from an upgright position?

You will have other scenarios too. For example, what if you've got a short person (a kid, for example), watching in a reclined position while your friend with the giant head is sitting directly in front of her? :D

Lots of scenarios to run numbers for, and sometimes you have to compromise. My eyes probably drop 4-6 inches when I recline in my Berkline 088s -- I would have to measure to be sure.

Also, just as a side note, putting your primary seating directly against the back wall will not be good for acoustics.

That's something you might have to calculate. I don't recall seeing any riser calculators that measured for what you are wanting. The first part you need to decide on is your screen height off the floor. Just try to keep the eye level of both rows in the bottom third of the screen if possible, at least the bottom half.

I spent the time to measure my seats once I got them. This was of course before I built my risers. I wanted to make sure the second row could be fully reclined and be able to see over the front row with the front row in the upright position. I think my screen is 30 inches off the ground, but I'm not positive of that, might have been more. I also tried to make sure that the reclined person's own feet don't block the screen. This was accomplished unless the viewer is really short since my chairs do not recline all the way flat. But then, short people don't have big feet. I just drew it all out on paper and used geometry to figure out the heights I needed. Unfortunately, I don't have those measurements anymore. I do know that my riser for the second row had to be 14 inches high and 6 feet deep.

On riser height more is better in my opinion. My current riser is 8" and works for me though when you get a shorter person in the back row it could be better. In revisiting this I have decided to build an additional riser to make mine 14" in total. That way you clearly see over the front chairs and just as important movement in the front chairs will not be a distraction as the back row will be much higher.

Based on the riser calculator my current riser is probably two inches too low. I think the riser calculator is more of a minimum height in my opinion.

Thanks for your input. I'm leaning towards making mine higher and putting in a side step. I think I need at least 14" to accomodate a side step. I'm guessing 9" is about as high as I would go with no step and then a minimum of 14" with a step otherwise the step would be a waste.

Don't quote me on this but I think code says anything over 7" high must have a step. Also, a step can only be a max of 7" high. That means from over 7" up to 14" needs one step in between, over 14" to 21" needs two steps, and so on.

Don't quote me on this but I think code says anything over 7" high must have a step. Also, a step can only be a max of 7" high. That means from over 7" up to 14" needs one step in between, over 14" to 21" needs two steps, and so on.


Local codes may vary. In CA, in a private residence, a step can have a max rise of 8" high.

I think the riser calculator is more of a minimum height in my opinion.

The riser height calculator is very precise. But it's important to understand that the riser height calculator isn't going to give you a height "high enough" to cover a worst case scenario unless the numbers for a worst case scenario are plugged into it.

It's just a simple math formula. Its user has to provide the intelligence.

Example: Let's say you used the calculator assuming that rear row eyes would be 42 inches off the floor and built your riser accordingly. Now let's say that some little kid or "reclined person" comes along with their eyes at 36 inches instead --then the riser won't be high enough.

The moral of the story is to consider short/reclined people in the back row and tall/big-headed people in the front.

And don't forget about local codes regarding ceiling height and stairs.

P.S.

I totally agree with you that higher is generally better and certainly provides more of a fudge factor.