[Digital Fool]

I've been spending the better part of a month trying to figure out the best way to finish our basement with a theater "room". I say "room" because it will not be a dedicated theater room, but a shared room space (~24' x 29' x 8' ceilings) with a wet bar and entertainment area. The theater "room" will basically be situated in a 12' x 15' space; open to the left side, wall to the right and backed by a bar height counter top. Based on seating position, I'm pretty much sold on a 120" screen with a main seating area approximately 14' from the screen. Based on the fixed screen, I've calculated the bottom of the screen to be just over 26" off the floor. What I'm trying to figure out is three options:

1) Mount screen on wall - place center channel speaker under screen (~18" based on speaker height) and subs under L/R towers (or equiv) beside screen. MY ISSUE: Center channel not at ideal listening height and will be greater than 12" on tower tweeters (I am assuming, but have not picked out speakers yet)

2) Install in wall LCR speakers and get an acoustic screen. MY ISSUE: Am I potentially losing out on overall sound compared to speaker "boxes"? I haven't been able to find any good options (nor will I have many listening options at local stores)

3) Create a 2' false wall to allow for speakers to be optimally placed behind acoustic screen. MY ISSUE: My viewing distance is now shrinking to under 12'. The calculators I use are showing 13' 4" as best viewing distance for 120" and I don't want to go down to 106".

I have a max $4,000 budget for 2 subs, center, left, right and 4 ceiling (2 acting as rears as my room will not allow rear placements). What's the most ideal option? Thanks in advance.

 

[Digital Fool]

Let's say I go with #3 and need to create some sort of false wall - how can I go about it? Here is my space.

Some dimension - the post to the screen wall is 12ft , back of sitting area to screen is 15ft, bedroom wall to unfinished storage is 23 ft, far right post to unfinished wall is 3ft.

I don't have that nice enclosed space , so how would I finished off the sides? Would I have to lose 24" along that whole back wall?

 

[DAK]

I would not worry about placing the center channel under a screen; many center speakers have a face that tilts upward. If yours doesn't, get stands with a baseplate with adjustable spikes or feet and tilt it yourself. I'm not a fan of in-walls (except for maybe rear surrounds/Atmos), but that's just me.

So that 120" screen... is that 16:9, 2.35:1, or ???. Where are you planning on placing the projector, will it be right over the seating position (with only 8' ceilings, your choices are pretty constrained unless your projector is small or don't mind bashing your head into it every now and then). What's the deal with that unfinished space on the right? Is it usable space (i.e., for your false wall idea, use that wall to the right as the false wall instead adding one in your main area, and put the screen on that wall instead of the back one)?

AT screens come with their own set of issues and added expense, I'd avoid them with your budget parameters. Actually, your projector should drive your choice of screen material and size. If you want a 120" screen, you better have a really bright projector (>1500 lumens). If you don't have total light control (or want white walls instead of dark), you'll want to carefully choose the screen gain to match. Build the space around the projector's parameters/capabilities, not the screen size or speakers.

 

[Digital Fool]

I would not worry about placing the center channel under a screen; many center speakers have a face that tilts upward. If yours doesn't, get stands with a baseplate with adjustable spikes or feet and tilt it yourself. I'm not a fan of in-walls (except for maybe rear surrounds/Atmos), but that's just me.

So that 120" screen... is that 16:9, 2.35:1, or ???. Where are you planning on placing the projector, will it be right over the seating position (with only 8' ceilings, your choices are pretty constrained unless your projector is small or don't mind bashing your head into it every now and then). What's the deal with that unfinished space on the right? Is it usable space (i.e., for your false wall idea, use that wall to the right as the false wall instead adding one in your main area, and put the screen on that wall instead of the back one)?

AT screens come with their own set of issues and added expense, I'd avoid them with your budget parameters. Actually, your projector should drive your choice of screen material and size. If you want a 120" screen, you better have a really bright projector (>1500 lumens). If you don't have total light control (or want white walls instead of dark), you'll want to carefully choose the screen gain to match. Build the space around the projector's parameters/capabilities, not the screen size or speakers.

Appreciate the response. I will say I try to read as many threads about a subject before I formulate a post, but the majority of opinions say yes, you can do that with a center channel if that's what you have to do for a room, BUT, if you have the opportunity to build something out it isn't ideal. I know a LOT of living room type HT setups pretty much become de facto lower centers, but I figured I would ask opinions since I do have some options. I went into this project thinking I was going to do that, but now I don't know. I know my space isn't really an ideal layout.

The 120" screen is 16:9. The projector is an Epson 5040UB. The thought is it will most likely be right above the main seating area, possibly behind, but I haven't locked it down yet. I've calculated the throw distance and with the vertical shift, I should be golden. The good thing is the basement really has no windows with bedroom door closed, so it can get really dark. Walls won't be white, but they won't be dark either. I was looking at the Silver Ticket AT screen for $400 which I feel is reasonable.

I should have elaborated the unfinished space - it's my HVAC, water softener, water heater and RO as well as storage racks. That area is a done deal.

 

[DAK]

Appreciate the response. I will say I try to read as many threads about a subject before I formulate a post, but the majority of opinions say yes, you can do that with a center channel if that's what you have to do for a room, BUT, if you have the opportunity to build something out it isn't ideal. I know a LOT of living room type HT setups pretty much become de facto lower centers, but I figured I would ask opinions since I do have some options. I went into this project thinking I was going to do that, but now I don't know. I know my space isn't really an ideal layout.

The 120" screen is 16:9. The projector is an Epson 5040UB. The thought is it will most likely be right above the main seating area, possibly behind, but I haven't locked it down yet. I've calculated the throw distance and with the vertical shift, I should be golden. The good thing is the basement really has no windows with bedroom door closed, so it can get really dark. Walls won't be white, but they won't be dark either. I was looking at the Silver Ticket AT screen for $400 which I feel is reasonable.

I should have elaborated the unfinished space - it's my HVAC, water softener, water heater and RO as well as storage racks. That area is a done deal.

OK, that projector and screen should be a nice combo. I had an Epson UB up until recently and it was a great unit, and it should work nice with that screen. If you really want to do the in-wall speakers to save floor space, at least think about putting in enclosures (something like http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/enclosed-in-wall/In-wall-Speaker-Performance-Enclosure or equivalent); in-walls without some enclosure will never sound as good as a regular speaker. Or consider on-wall speakers, like perhaps the Paradigm Millenia series. You could build a "box" or frame about 4"-6" deep on the wall to mount the AT screen on, then tuck an on-wall center channel in the space behind the screen. That way you won't need a huge 2' deep space eating up main room; it would intrude into the room only a few inches. Then finish it off with either regular towers or a pair of on-walls to match. The center channel is super important for movies, so don't skimp on it.... One sized to match your main L-R speakers is not unreasonable.

 

[John Habeib]

If you have the time, I'd go with #3