In terms of audio performance, none of the fixed AT screens from established manufacturers have been reported to perform well. Fixed spacing perf screens suffer comb filtering, in addition to severe attenuation at high frequencies.
When I was planning my theater, I looked at the standard options and was quickly losing enthusiasm. My friend Ethan Winer, a pretty critical audiophile, absolutely eschews any type of AT screen for this reason.
That said, I happened across a (at the time, DIY) solution from a small startup called SeymourAV Products. They have a weave that is about 8X finer than Stuart's offerings, and the holes are random, more like the holes in basket weave grill cloth. I studied all the information I could find on this material and it's acoustic properties. It looked promising enough that I bought some, pre-cut for my screen dimensions.
I am pleased to report that it has negligable effect on the audio response of the system and I can't hear any degradation of sound with it in place. It is open enough to let a breeze pass through, so it won't flutter and move much even with fairly aggressive low frequency energy.
Word has it that SeymourAV has a new fixed AT screen on the market, so if you're not into DIY, this may be the solution you're looking for.
Visually, the screen is just as terrific. And.. because the weave is finer, you can sit much closer before a pattern is visible. With the fixed pitch perf screens, you have to be as much as 50% further away not to see the holes. I like the SeymourAV screen because I can sit close enough to have an enveloping experience where I have to look left and right and up and down a bit to follow the action.
And the good news is that it costs quite a bit less. That leaves money for a better sound system, a higher resolution projector, or some new furniture.
