Hello - Cross-posting from AVS:

I am considering the M80s for my L/C/R, behind an AT screen.

I have 25 inches behind the framing of my screen, and another 3" to the screen material itself.

That would leave me with only 8" to play with, plus a little extra to the actual screen itself. So for example 5" behind the speaker, and 3"-6" to the screen depending on height.

Can anyone comment on M80s behind an AT screen?

Thanks for your help!

The m80's have rear ports so you are gouing to want to keep them away from teh wall abit. I think 5" would be sufficient... Mine are currently at about 8" from the wall

I think mine are about 7-8" out from the wall. I believe Axiom has mentioned that you want at least 4-5" if I recall.

Josh, welcome. As the previous replies have indicated, you'd have enough "breathing room" for the M80 ports in the setup that you describe. You haven't mentioned the size of the screen, and if all three front speakers are behind it, the question might be if the mains are separated enough for the best effect, since generally they should be about as far apart as the distance to the listeners.

My screen is 151" wide (2.35:1). I know - I built the room for a projector that either doesn't exist, or that I am not willing to pay for.

I realize I will probably be waiting several years before I can take full use of that screen =)

Thanks for your help!

Josh

Wow! That is a pretty big 2.35 screen, mine is 120" wide

Randy is not used to this new feeling, this ... screen envy.

There is only one cure, Randy - upgrade time!

Oh yeah - movie roadtrip to Joshmkiv's house!

Except that I have no projector and no real clue as to what I am going to use! I am getting close to the end, going to have to buy something sooner or later.

Thankfully I didn't buy a projector when I started 1.5 years ago!!

Hi Joshmkiv,

It's really a matter of just how acoustically transparent the screen is. Worst case is that the screen might cause a bit of high-frequency attenuation (roll-off), but that's really not all that critical because it often occurs at frequencies of 15 kHz or higher, which are musically not all that important.

I'd be more worried about any possible boundary interference effects of your screen's framing. If that's well out of the way, then it shouldn't be a problem. On the other hand, this is kind of informed speculation on my part, since I've never had a demo of acoustically transparent screen materials.

You could always try it of course, with a pair of M80s. Put one behind the screen material you're planning on using and the other without the screen material. Try some pink noise test signals and then some music, vocals, cymbals, where it might be detectable. Be sure the two speakers are fairly close together, otherwise just differences in locaton may account for audible differences you might attribute to the screen material.

Regards,
Alan

To some extent is depends on the screen material. different companies that make AT screens will often give recommendation for the distance between the speaker and the screen. For example, I am using a SmX AT screen and Ruben recommends at least 6 inches (although people have used less without complaints with SmX) from screen to speaker.