A few questions about screens and false walls... I'm considering building a false wall in the front of my theater for speaker and screen placement. I've seen how some people will recess the screen somewhat as well. Is the reason to maximize throw distance or is there some other reasoning? Is there a limit that you would want to consider recessing the screen? The main reason I wouldn't want to build a false wall would be due to loss of room and throw in the room... the false wall with recessed speakers just looks cleaner to me.

One good and well documented front wall that meets your requirements is BritinVA.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7972682&&#post7972682

Speakers are hidden but he gave up very little throw.

As for your question, a number of people are proponents of the SHADOW BOX, screen mounting technique where the screen sits back in a pocket with the sides lined in black to minimize reflections back to the screen.

I think the only limitation is what looks right and doesn't interfere with sight lines.

But I really like Mark's design.

http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k242/BritInVA/Proscenium-1.jpg

Best choice of all is false wall with an AT screen preferrably Smx and your speakers behind it. but yes you do give up a bit of room, depending on your speakers usually from 18 to 24" but boy what a difference it makes.

I think the shadowbox concept was the terminology I was looking for... however after seeing Mark's concept, I think I will leverage his design... I had been trying to come up with something similar, but just couldn't get it quite right... My room is very similar is size (about 2' wider), so this should work well for my theater.

Thanks for the AT feedback, I'm just concerned about losing throw... I want to back my screen as far back as possible.

Larry Chainin has detailed shadowbox pics on his site:
http://mysite.verizon.net/res8ycu4/index.html

I think the shadowbox concept was the terminology I was looking for....

I thought shadowboxing had something to do with boxing......

My screen wall is going to end up very similar to Mark's. His was an inspiration to me as well. Not only the proscenium, stage and soffits, but the side treatments as well. Mine will be shaping up by summer's end I hope.