Last time you went on a movie night at one of your friend’s houses, you might have noticed that the speakers were nowhere to be seen, and the voice seemed to be coming right out of the projector.
See what it does?
The speakers are now put behind the projector screen for a more natural effect of the sound and a seamless audiovisual experience. Not only does the change in locations of the speakers reduce echo and sound reflection, but it also improves the quality in many other ways.
So why do people keep speakers behind projector screens, and should you do the same?
The Basics of Acoustically Transparent Screens
Got a home theater but don't have enough room for the speakers? Why don't you opt for acoustically transparent or AT projector screens to save up space and make the most of your home theater?
AT projectors allow the audio to reach you perfectly by making use of the minute-perforated holes in the surface. It doesn't take away the quality of the picture, where the difference is practically unnoticeable at 12 feet in most AT projectors. Many of the screens now have holes in micrometers rather than fractions of millimeters, further allowing you to get the best quality in terms of audio and video.
The screens can be found in both perforated and woven versions. The former is a solid material with integrated holes, while the latter is fabric weaved into shape. It is considered the better option of the two since it reduces distortion and allows the sound to pass through more readily.
Key Considerations for Speaker Placement
Placing your speaker behind your screen might not be enough if you are not doing it properly.
Distance from the Screen
The distance between your AT screen and the speaker should be as close as possible, approximately 1-2 inches, not more, if you want to maintain the quality of the sound. This helps minimize distortion and the destructive interference that can occur in the material and wavelength of the sound.
Speaker Angle and Positioning
Another thing you might want to take care of to achieve a cinematic effect is the angle of the speakers in your home theater. The left and right speakers, which mainly handle the music, should be angled towards the listeners for minimized distortion, while the central speaker needs to be at the midpoint and at the ear height of the listeners, right behind the screen, for effective dialogue delivery.
The position of the central speaker is extremely important since the speaker is responsible for seventy percent of the audio playback in movies and music, where it mainly handles the dialogues and vocals, so you want to make sure you get it right.
Avoiding Acoustic Reflections
Echoes are the most annoying things in your home theater, especially when you are playing your favorite movie, and the sound is reaching everywhere but your ears.
One of the best ways to avoid them is to ensure your speakers are in their right position, where you can employ brackets or speaker stands to keep them where they are. Adding rugs and curtains to the room can also stop the sound from bouncing off the walls and ceiling of your home theater.
Pick the Right Speakers for Your AT Screens
The quality of your speakers matters a lot in the audiovisual delivery of your home theater, especially in a movie with dynamic sound effects. It won’t matter if you have AT screens in your home theater if the sound delivery of your speaker isn’t right, even if you have placed them right.

This is why you should pick AWOL Thunderbeat, with its wireless configuration of four satellite speakers and two subwoofers, to keep the place tidy while ensuring the best sound experience. The Dolby Atmos upward-firing speaker allows for a 3D effect. At the same time, the dual 8-inch, 120W subwoofers provide deep bass and low-frequency sound effects, making a grand configuration of 5.2.2 when paired with the CenterSync built-in speaker of AWOL UST projector.
If you are looking for a surround sound system for your home theater, it doesn’t get any better than AWOL Thunderbeat, with its ultra-high power of 480W, providing you with the ultimate experience.
Technical Requirements and Challenges
The first thing you need to consider when opting for an AT screen is the compatibility of the frequency and wavelength of your sound speaker with the material of the projector screen. The distortion effect is more prevalent in perforated screens, especially when channeling high-frequency sounds. It’s better to opt for woven screens rather than perforated ones for a better experience
However, woven screens can also reduce the brightness of the footage, which is why you need to ensure the proper setting of your projector before starting the movie, where the brightness should be optimum.
If you have done everything you can to make your home theater sound and feel the best, but you still feel like you are missing out on something, you can always consult a professional for a better experience
Conclusion
Employing an AT screen and placing the speakers behind your projector screen can prove to be a game changer for you and your home theater. Not only will you save up space and reduce the messy outlook, but you also get a better audiovisual experience, all within the comfort of your home.
Beware of the technicalities beforehand, and make sure to invest in quality projector screens and speakers that are compatible with one another. This will save any additional costs and inconvenience you may have to face after installation of your home theater.