[Andre Smith]

I will be using a video projector on a 6' X 8' (100" diagonal) screen in my theatre set-up. As it will be in the basement (w/low ceiling height), the bottom of the screen will only be about a foot from the floor. Where should I place the center channel speaker - should it go behind the screen at listening/ear level?

 

[sushi]

To place the center channel behind the screen, you will need an acoustically transparent screen fabric, which: (1) will still roll off high frequencies noticeably; (2) tends to be appreciably inferior in image quality; and (3) is pricier. I would place the center channel directly below the screen -- perhaps you can use a couple of pieces of exterior bricks to raise the speaker from the floor by at least 4-5 inches, so that it will not have adverse coloration in bass frequencies. Another option is to wall-mount the center channel above the screen, but I personally think it is better to have it below the screen with respect to the quality of soundstage.

 

[Andre Smith]

Sushi -


Thanks for your suggestion. I really do not want an an acoustically transparent screen for all the reasons you stated. What adverse effects will I notice if the speaker is below the screen? Won't the sound appear "off-center" when viewing the image?

 

[sushi]

Quote:

What adverse effects will I notice if the speaker is below the screen? Won't the sound appear "off-center" when viewing the image?

At least it does not to me. I have my center channel just below the screen, and all the dialogs sound naturally coming from the screen. I guess your own brain does some sophisticated visual-acoustic processing there! Like I said, if you place the center too close to or directly on the floor, it may color bass/mid-bass frequencies, as well as compromise the soundstage due to reflections.

 

[Andre Smith]

Understand. Can you elaborate on your home theatre set-up, i.e. screen size, viewing distance from the screen, the projector specs you use, etc? I'm looking at using the Toshiba TLP-720 - 2400 lumens w/native XGA.

 

[sushi]

I am viewing at a 120"-diagonal 16:9 screen from between 10-15 feet. My projector is the Yamaha LPX-500 (1280x720; rated at 800 lumens, and measured pretty close).


[added in edit] The bottom of my screen is at about 3 feet from the floor. See this thread for more details.

 

[Andre Smith]

Sushi -


Thanks again for the info and a very well detailed report on your viewings in Japan. Do you have any idea on how close video/data projectors are getting towards a 1920 X 1080 native resolution?

 

[sushi]

Well... Sony aims at releasing their SXRD-based full-HD projector by March-April, 2004. Rumor has it that other brands might release LCD models based on Epson's full-HD panels even within this year. TI will not be standing still with their DLP chips, either...


But... we should really discuss this in the projector forums. LOL