Acoustically transparent screens

discman -- Tue, 05/06/2008 - 06:40

I am upgrading my projector. I currently have a perforated screen. One thing I don't like about it is that the image projects through the screen onto the wall behind. I understand there are woven screens that are acoustically "transparent". Do these sound better or worse than perforated screens? Are they better or worse visually? Will they solve my image-on-the-wall problem? Who makes them?

Thanks.

MacGyver -- Wed, 08/20/2008 - 21:15

The good woven screens are by Screen Research and they are expensive.
They too (although not as bad) allow light to shine through them. They make an additional screen that you can put behind them that is also woven and black in color. This stops the light from reflecting back.

How far from the wall is it? What size screen is it? What's behind it? What is the light reflecting on?
You could try getting some black felt fabric from a fabric store and cover the wall behind the screen.

If you need something else, I can get you some info on a less expensive acoustic screen that should help and may work in your application. They knock the highs down a little, but should be fine depending on the available adjustments on your surround receiver or pre/pro.

discman -- Thu, 08/21/2008 - 08:06

The screen is about 110" diagonal. It is 3' from the wall. Wall has acoustic panels on it (fabric covered in a light neutral color that matches the room paint).

Do you know if the Screen Research seoncdary black screen is part of the roll-down feature?

MacGyver -- Thu, 08/21/2008 - 11:11

Oh.. you have a drop screen.
The Screen Research screens I've seen are all fix frame and the black material is on the frame behind the main white front.

Now I understand your situation. Most of the time the screen is mount on or very near the wall. And if it's a fix screen it doesn't matter what is behind it.

I'm sure that the way your describing it, there is probably a lot of stray light and I can see why this bothers you.

Screen Research does make motorized drop screen with the option black backing.
Check out where it mentions it's optional on Page 13 here:
http://www.screenresearch.com/documents/CPMotorized_TechSheet_RevS2007.0...

You can see what it looks like on Page 14 here:
http://www.screenresearch.com/documents/CPMotorizedSupreme_InstallENRevR...

I don't have the pricing on them now, since it's been awhile since I dealt with them.

Steven Stone -- Thu, 08/21/2008 - 14:11

Screen Research makes excellent products, but they can't overturn the laws of physics. No acoustically transparent screen delivers as good a picture as a regular screen.

SR makes two versions of acoustically transparent screens - one with micro-perferations and one with a woven mesh material. Both have their place. The micro perf can develop moire with some micro-mirror dispalys. The weave screen has a noticeable and pervasive "grain" to its texture.

And yes, if your speakers have any bright metallic parts (like a metal dome tweeter) you will need an additional black cloth back panel piece.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

ED (not verified) -- Sun, 01/18/2009 - 12:45

I am having a Stewart Microperf screen installed the week of 1/26/09 (92" diagonal). It will be paired with the Planar 8150 projector. The screen comes with an equalizer dedicated to the center channel which is a Wilson WATCH II. Any comments from users or reviewers???

Steven Stone -- Tue, 02/17/2009 - 18:34

I think the best advice I can give is to try listening with the EQ in and out and decide for yourself if it helps or hinders.

As for the image, again it may be a great match, or not. It depends on the projector/screen combo and the magnification. If you're lucky there won't be any moire issues. If there are problems, somtimes moving the projector back or forward slightly and changing the zoom lens adjustments can eliminate moire issues.

Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications

David Laloum (not verified) -- Mon, 09/07/2009 - 04:04

Other acoustically transparent drop down screens are from Chris Seymour at SeymourAV

I have received mine (a couple of weeks back) but have not had the chance to mount it.... so cannot make a comment yet.
It does feature a black acoustically transparent backing material....