Home theater - ground up

I think either 400" is a typo or you seriously need to reconsider the size of your screen. There's no way you could fit a 400" screen in a space with only 9' ceilings. Also you aren't going to find a projector anywhere near $3500 that will be bright enough to fill a screen that size. You would need a projector outputting 8000+ lumens for something that large.

Some other things to consider before anything projector or screen related can be talked about are the intentions of this room. Is this 15x20 space a dedicated space that you will have full light control and walls/ceilings/carpet all will be dark? Are there any windows or ambient light that we should know about? Is there anything specific you want the projector to do other than 3D? Also, what is "HH contrast"?

I would highly suggest reading the first bunch of pages of this thread as all of the projectors there are going to be within your budget and are considered the best of whats available in that price range currently:

http://www.avsforum.com/t/1434826/sony-hw50-benq-w7000-epson-5020-jvc-rs55-jvc-rs-46-jvc-rs4810-jvc-rs56-mini-shootout-2012-2013/0_50


As for the screen size, at this price point, the largest screen you'd want to be looking at is something near 135" diagonal (1.78:1), otherwise you run the risk of 3D being too dim to be enjoyable.

At that size your best bet for a decently bright 3D image would be the Epson 5020 or if you decide on a higher gain screen most of the other projectors in that thread should suffice.

Try looking at the panasonic pt ae 8000u as well. I watch 3d on a 130 diag and it looks great

While the Pannasonic PT-AE8000 is a nice unit the Epson basically outperforms the Pannasonic in all areas. For the price the Epson is a much better value over the Pannasonic.

My priorities were for a CIH setup so I went for the motorized lens shift and memory. And also as a gamer the panny was a bit better. But it was an agonizing decision. The epson is a fantastic projector and from what ive read the wireless HDMI performs very well. And the warranty and customer support are far better than what you get almost anywhere else.

For audio you should take the discussion to the audio subforums. But I will tell you this, for $2500 you can do WORLDS better than that Bose system.

An Epson 5020 along with a 130 to 140 inch screen (diagonal size in a 16x9 format) should work OK, but I would look for a screen with some moderate gain, such as the Stewart StudioTek 130 with an actual gain of 1.3 (but its expensive). There are lower priced alternatives but many that the manufacturer's rate as having a gain of 1.3 to 1.4 are really closer to 1.0. So before you settle on the screen do your research in the Screens section of this forum (HERE). Also ceiling mounting the projector close to the shortest possible projector to screen throw distance compatible with the spcific size screen you select will provide the brightest image on the screen. With an Epson projector the shortest throw distance allowed for a screen of the size your are considering is in the 13 to 14 tt. range.