Projector Screen Placement

[The13thGryphon]

Question: Is it better to place the screen on the same plane as the front three speakers (L, C, R), or can it be several feet behind the front speakers?

The reason I ask is that I currently have a wall mounted screen, and my KEF Q-series speakers about 18" out from the front wall. I don't notice any issues with the speakers/sound distracting from the picture. However, I'm going to be purchasing a pair of Magnepan MG-1.6QR speakers soon, and they need to be 3 to 4 feet out from the front wall. Will this degrade the audio-video integration or otherwise damage my abilit to "suspend disbelief" and be drawn into the movie?

Where are your front speakers in relation to your projection screen? In line, or several feet in front? Also, what front speakers do you use: large towers or small monitors?

Thanks in advance for your answers.

 

[djoxygen]

Question: Is it better to place the screen on the same plane as the front three speakers (L, C, R), or can it be several feet behind the front speakers?

If you have "lip sync" delay or a similar setting in your receiver/pre-pro, you can just kick it up a millisecond or two if you feel that the audio is slighty leading the picture.

 

[The13thGryphon]

If you have "lip sync" delay or a similar setting in your receiver/pre-pro, you can just kick it up a millisecond or two if you feel that the audio is slighty leading the picture.

True. Thought the gist of the article was more that having large speakers several feet in front of the screen would tend to dominate the screen, and that the size of the speakers would draw the eye, thus reducing the viewer's ability to suspend disbelief... so they wouldn't be drawn into the movie as easily. Any thoughts on that?

 

[djoxygen]

having large speakers several feet in front of the screen would tend to dominate the screen, and that the size of the speakers would draw the eye

Light control?

Really I guess it would depend on the audience. People who are in the space regularly will stop realizing they are there. If you commonly invite strangers over for movie night, the first-timers will probably be distracted. The less ambient light in the room (and the darker and less reflective the speaker cabinets are) the better.

 

[sploo]

My rather ropey DIY projector results in a little light being cast onto my front speakers. It doesn't seem to detract from the movie experience - you quickly immerse yourself in the main image, and the sound works fine.

My speakers are between 1-2ft from the back wall/sceen.