Exactly how bad is it to put a non AT screen in front of a center channel speaker??

[codecougar]

I am at my wits end with this new projector set up. Without boring everyone with the details, there is just no perfect way to get the HT set up that I want due to many obstacles *girlfriend included :)

So I have come to the conclusion that the lesser of all evils involves putting my new Da-Lite Hi Power 106" pull down screen in front of my center channel. However, the screen is NOT acoustically transparent.

I realize this is a no no, but how bad is it? My center channel is a fairly large Infinity BETA C360, 3 way. It is pretty huge and puts out some serious volume. Can I compensate by just pumping up the volume? Would removing the speaker grill help to overcome the problem?

Thanks for any advice !!

Center channel specs:

Specs
45 Hz-20 kHz frequency response
91 dB sensitivity
10-200 watts power rating
8 ohm impedance
weight 34 pounds
size 8- 1/2" H x 25-5/8" L x 11-3/4" D
Magnetically shielded

[Woochifer]

You won't know until you actually install it. The problem with using any material that's not acoustically transparent is that it will absorb and/or reflect different frequencies differently. Even acoustically transparent speaker cloth will deaden the high frequencies to some degree. Your processor/receiver should allow you to raise the levels so that they match the other speakers, but depending on how the screen messes with the frequency response, it might not sound too good.

If you find that the timbre is altered too much, then you should consider switching off the center speaker. In my experience, it's better to go with no center speaker than to go with a significantly mismatched center speaker. Your processor will create a phantom center effect, so take advantage of that.

[kexodusc]

Any way you can buy or build a short stand and place the speaker underneath/in front of the screen?

[Feanor]

You won't know until you actually install it. The problem with using any material that's not acoustically transparent is that it will absorb and/or reflect different frequencies differently. Even acoustically transparent speaker cloth will deaden the high frequencies to some degree. Your processor/receiver should allow you to raise the levels so that they match the other speakers, but depending on how the screen messes with the frequency response, it might not sound too good.

...

In my mind there is no doubt that the screen will modify the sound of your center channel to a substantial degree -- so much so that you might be better off without it.

A center channel speaker is necessary really only when some listeners are seated relatively far to one side with respect to the screen. This is because the dialog and other sounds, normally carried by the center speaker, would tend to be perceived as coming from the closer front, (left or right), speaker rather than from the screen area.

Tried both ways. Remeber to set you receiver or prepro to "No Center Speaker" for that part of the experiment.

[Sir Terrence the Terrible]

Do not try this!!

Putting a non acoustically transparent screen in front of the speaker will severely roll off the high frequencies, create strong reflections behind the screen which will cause smearing of the signal and dialog will suffer intelligibility issues. Even preforated screens spread the highs as they pass through the screen to the point it scatters those high along the side walls and ceiling. The effect is a noticeable roll off of high frequencies.

Speakers should only be placed behind woven screens, as they are the only true acoustically transparent screens currently on the market.