HT Speaker and Screen Placement Question

[blcskate]

I am sure this has been asked before a thousand times, but I am having a hard time pinpointing a post with similar stats.

In my theater I wired the speaker wires to come out of the walls at 5' except for the center and the sub. Center is at 3' and the sub is at front left. I have some flexibility from there, but that is where they are pre-wired.

Lets assume I am using today's speakers since I am highly considering buying these:
SX-661/R mains ($2,700/pair), SX-661C/R center ($1,350/each), SX-44/R side surrounds ($2,500/pair), and SX-61/R rear surrounds ($1,900/pair); Total: $8,450

My questions are:

1) Having the center at 3' and the fronts at 5' would this cause major issues in the front sound stage?

2) If I were to put a AT screen in instead I would have to mount it off the wall far enough to get these behind it. Then I could get all my speakers at 5' and I assume I would drop the SX-661C/R for another standard SX-661/R. How would you mount a fixed screen off the wall? Would you use a drop screen instead? and How far does the screen need to be from the front of the speakers (3-6 inches enough)?

3) With a good system like this will it make a huge difference? My preference is to use a fixed screen on the wall and put the speakers around the screen since the alternative is much more difficult to install. I am looking for high quality though so I am willing to do whatever is best.

4) If you do put bookshelf speakers behind a screen would you put dampening panels between them? p=panel s=speaker and ---=screen
Something like this:
p s p s p s p
------------

All of this is referring to my front stage only. The rest of the room I am fine with. I just need to make a final decision on my front stage. Thanks All!!!

 

[TheWarrior]

Need room dimensions for context!

But most of your questions about placement will depend entirely on your seating distance, personal taste, and to do a search for room modes to make sure your dimensions will not need additional support (absorption/reflection panels). You will want to sit an do your own listening test to decide what distance apart, and what height you want them at. You can target a 'sweet spot' for 1-2 listeners, or broaden the sound field for more people. Its because of this that there is no 'one size fits all' rule for speaker placement.

 

[blcskate]

The room is 13'W, 19'L, 9'H. Seats will be about 11' away from wall. I am aware that I will need some additional panels and diffusers on the walls. My main concern is simply the screen and center channel. I have to decide what type of screen to buy and whether to buy a center channel or an additional front bookshelf. I can move everything around to make it perfect once I get it in there, but it won't be so easy switching screens and speakers out. I have been going back and forth on this forever and I just don't know whats better to do with the center and screen. Its been driving me crazy