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I tried using the Parkland plastic material, and have now experienced the hazards of a non-flat screen (and the impact it has on alignment, convergence and especiallyfocus.) I'm sure I could get it flat given enough/the right backing/reinforcement, but weight is an issue, since I'll be dropping this assembly down from the attic via a concealed slot in the ceiling. The center channel speaker (which, at 22 pounds is pretty hefty all by itself) will definitely be a part of this assembly, in one form or another, so you can see why I hope to keep the overall weight of the screen assembly down as much as possible.
With that in mind, a tensioned cloth screen seems like the best way to go, but I'm curious as to how other DIYers have ensured that their frame is/remains flat/true. Heat, humidity and the relative moisture content of the wood available from sources such as Home Depot, etc. all speak to the likelihood of twist/warp in the future, especially given the free-standing (suspended) nature of my screen. (Even "kiln-dried" lumber from a reputable lumberyard will not insure against this, and) I don't have weeks/months to wait while some nice, stable mahogany dries/acclimates in the middle of my living room. Nor do I (currently) have the equipment (let alone the inclination) to turn this into a fine woodworking project with jointed and planed wood.
MDF is nice and stable, but way too heavy for my application. I'm considering L-shaped aluminum bars and/or U-shaped channel (with a protective layer of felt between the aluminum and the back of the screen cloth.) I eagerly await your opinions/recommendations on frame material and construction methods.
Also, given my overall plan (and the space limitations of my attic), it's almost crucial for me to be able to place the center channel speaker behind the screen. If I can accomplish this, it might solve everything, as it would allow me to construct a box (slightly deeper than my center channel's depth dimension), open at the back for reduced weight, but semi-closed on the sides for stability, then stretch the screen cloth over the front frame. The box would be inherently much more stable than a simple frame, but this whole concept is dependent on acoustically transparent screen cloth. If anyone has significant experience with (and a DIY source for) such cloth, PLEASE let me know.)
With that in mind, a tensioned cloth screen seems like the best way to go, but I'm curious as to how other DIYers have ensured that their frame is/remains flat/true. Heat, humidity and the relative moisture content of the wood available from sources such as Home Depot, etc. all speak to the likelihood of twist/warp in the future, especially given the free-standing (suspended) nature of my screen. (Even "kiln-dried" lumber from a reputable lumberyard will not insure against this, and) I don't have weeks/months to wait while some nice, stable mahogany dries/acclimates in the middle of my living room. Nor do I (currently) have the equipment (let alone the inclination) to turn this into a fine woodworking project with jointed and planed wood.
MDF is nice and stable, but way too heavy for my application. I'm considering L-shaped aluminum bars and/or U-shaped channel (with a protective layer of felt between the aluminum and the back of the screen cloth.) I eagerly await your opinions/recommendations on frame material and construction methods.
Also, given my overall plan (and the space limitations of my attic), it's almost crucial for me to be able to place the center channel speaker behind the screen. If I can accomplish this, it might solve everything, as it would allow me to construct a box (slightly deeper than my center channel's depth dimension), open at the back for reduced weight, but semi-closed on the sides for stability, then stretch the screen cloth over the front frame. The box would be inherently much more stable than a simple frame, but this whole concept is dependent on acoustically transparent screen cloth. If anyone has significant experience with (and a DIY source for) such cloth, PLEASE let me know.)