Transparent Projection Screen Setup
Sound-Stage as Hollywood Intended It...
Unlike a solid projection screen, acoustically transparent screens allow speakers to be placed directly behind it.
This is the same method Hollywood uses when they mix the dialogue and soundtrack for movies. It localises audio so that it comes out of the actors’ mouth as in commercial theaters, not above or below the screen.
If you have a long room with plenty of space between the front and back wall, a false wall application may work best for you. This is where you allocate 600mm to 1000mm behind the audio transparent projection screen to place your main speakers and subs. Please note that some transparent screens require space between the speaker and the screen. Some screens don't require as much space.
The area behind the acoustically transparent screen wall can be acoustically treated with wall treatments and bass traps in the corners.
Building a false wall is fairly inexpensive and can provide a way of concealing the speakers behind an acoustically transparent projection screen for a very clean finish.
How far do I place my speakers behind the screen?
This may vary depending on the screen. Some screens need as little as 30-50mm.
The amount of space you need behind the false wall is really up to you and is dependant to what is going behind it and what brand of transparent screen is used. Some people commonly use 1 metre to accommodate the subs, speakers, bass traps etc and this leaves space between the speakers and the screen. Other people with bigger rooms can make this area bigger to what they feel necessary for their application.
Placing Your Speakers In-Wall
When your room is not long enough to utilize the false wall method above, another application to place your speakers behind the screen is using In-Wall speakers. In-Wall speakers are becoming a more commonly used method now due to higher quality In-Walls being produced. With a nice set of In-Wall speakers, you can hang your transparent screen right in front of them.
The beauty about some of the transparent screens available is that you don't need to worry about having your speakers a certain minimum distance from the screen surface like conventional micro-perforated screens. This allows you to mount your screen on the same wall the In-Walls are installed on.
