Seymour AV Center Stage Screen

[mechman]

cynical2 wrote:

Thanks for checking, mech. That is incredible for a white screen. If you still have the sample, would you consider taking a pic of the same exact image (penguin face) with moderate ambient light?

There's one right next to it above.

mech

[cynical2]

mechman wrote:

There's one right next to it above.

mech

The 2nd picture on the top row of post #4?

[Tiddler]

The blacks do look good on the sample material.

[mechman]

cynical2 wrote:

The 2nd picture on the top row of post #4?

Jim,

This was the one we're talking about:



Fourth one in row two. That's medium ambient light:



mech

[cynical2]

mechman wrote:

Jim,

This was the one we're talking about:



Fourth one in row two. That's medium ambient light:



mech

Thanks mech. I got confused by you saying that it was "right next to it above"...thinking you meant the row above rather than above in the thread.

The ambient light image still has great blacks. A very slightly lighter black in that shot than with no light...but the difference is almost inperceptible.

Thanks again for the great review! Looks like an awesome product at a pretty good price for AT material...

[chas]

Excellent review mech. This is one I've been waiting to read, and work (and home) has been so crazy I completely missed this thread!

I think the prices seem quite reasonable for a solid performing AT fabric.

[mechman]

chas wrote:

Excellent review mech. This is one I've been waiting to read, and work (and home) has been so crazy I completely missed this thread!

I think the prices seem quite reasonable for a solid performing AT fabric.

I'd have to agree. It seems to be a bit better than the Da-Lite AT screen samples as well. Although I did not get one from Da-Lit that I had requested, the High Contrast Cinema Perf. It would have been similar, performance wise to the Center Stage. I like the quality of the Center Stage though. Seemed like a rugged material, not vinyl.

mech

[chas]

2. The installer-type who wants a powered electric screen, but is handy enough to either install it into a joist space, or trim around it with a soffet or molding. They then don't really need our fancy aluminum case and appreciate the savings for a caseless screen. Their cost would be $761 shipped.

This is a very nice option as well. I also noticed on their site that all screens are tab tensioned.

[mechman]

chas wrote:

I also noticed on their site that all screens are tab tensioned.

I believe that's a must in a pull down fabric screen.

mech

[mechman]

chas,

What's the verdict? Still researching? Give us an update...

mech

[chas]

chas,
What's the verdict? Still researching? Give us an update...

Well I've been trying to decide between adding a motorized screen to my existing family room, or breaking ground on transforming a large basement storage room to a dedicated theater (and making a DIY screen). Money is tight and the room will take forever to complete but I'm leaning towards that option today.

[DougMac]

Mech,

Thanks for the great review and screen shots! Also, a big thanks to chas who pointed me towards this product over on the Ascend Acoustics forum.

I've ordered a sample 2x2 piece. My interest started from a question I posed about center speaker placement. I'm planning an 8'x54" screen, 30" from the floor. I've read some concern regarding low placement of the center, but if I mounted it above the screen, that would be 7' high! chas inquired about the possibility of using an acoustically transparent screen.

I have two concerns. The first is how much attenuation will be created by the screen. The second is seeing the weave of the material. Seating distance will be 12', but I have 20/15 corrected vision. From what I read on the website. I should be OK, but it will be nice to eyeball.

When I get in the sample, I'll set up a couple of tests. When I get the results, I'll post them here.

Doug

[cynical2]

Awesome, Doug! Please share your findings! If my room was suitable for it, I'd consider an AT screen myself.

[DougMac]

I mentioned that I had ordered a sample of the Seymour AV Center Stage Screen material.

The sample arrived Saturday and Sunday I had a little time to begin my analysis. I started by making a small poplar frame and using Chris' suggested stapling technique I attached the material. The material has a nice weight and it was easy to get a nice smooth surface.

I stepped back 12 feet, which will be the viewing distance and could not see the weave. Test one passed.

I then did some informal listening tests, first listening to music without the screen or a grill cloth, then with the screen placed in front. It took all my attention to hear a difference. I felt cymbals might have just a teeny bit of sheen missing, but that was only on music with a lot of high frequency energy.

I then did some measurements using REW and and RS meter. I did tests from two positions. The first test was straight on, more or less at 1 meter, with and without the screen in front. The graphs overlaid each other until ~9k. Then, the graph with the cloth started to fall just a little earlier. The graphs were parallel, it just looked like the screen graph was down about 3-5 db in comparison from 9k to ~20k.

The second test was from my listening position in my den. It mirrored the first test, except it looked like the graphs diverged maybe 500k lower. Still, the difference was very small and perhaps just a slight treble adjustment would negate it. These findings are very much in line with Chris' posted results.

During the week I'll be doing some visual tests and hope to post graphs and screen shots.

At first glance I'm very pleased and may have found my HT Screen. I need to make a decision soon because I'm almost at the point to start roughing in my wiring.

Doug

[mechman]

DougMac wrote:

During the week I'll be doing some visual tests and hope to post graphs and screen shots.

I look forward to your results Doug!

[DougMac]

I did a visual test of the Seymour Center Stage test swatch. I set up my projector and projected my planned screen size (~96"x54"). I mounted the screen material roughly in the center of the projected image where I plan to mount it. I was hoping to have a sample of my other option, which is laminate. I was unable to obtain a laminate sample, though.

My only point of comparison is the image I projected a month ago on a wall primed with Kilz. My memory makes this unreliable. I did take a sheet of foamcore and mounted it directly underneath the screen.

Impressions:

My first and big concern was being able to see the screen pattern from the viewing position. I can see the weave with room lights on and no image projected. Neither my wife or I could see the weave with a projected image. Deb felt that she could perhaps see a little texture on smooth skin, but I can't tell if it was screen texture or pixels from our DLP. Whatever it is, it was very subtle and only rarely showed up.

Another concern was light loss. If you hold the screen up to the light, you can definately see through it. When you look behind the projected image, you can also see light bleed. What surprised me though was the image appeared just as bright on the screen as it did on the sheet of foamcore. It was plenty bright. It also had good contrast and the blacks looked deep and rich.

Colors looked great, nice and saturated. When I examined my photos of the screen under projected white light, there was no color cast.

If there's anything not completely black behind the material, you'll be able to see it under certain circumstances. That's no problem for me, I can paint as appropriate. If you don't have complete control, you'll have to get the black backing. This will have an effect on the audio, from what I understand.

I know, this isnt much good without photos. They're coming this weekend as soon as I can upload them this weekend.

Results:
I got the green light from Deb to pursue. Once you calculate the cost of the laminate and speaker stands, this solution will cost little or no more. It will provide two major advantages: great no comprimise speaker placement, especially for the center and a very clean look. This looks like the way we'll go.

Doug

[mechman]

Doug,

I'd like to see pictures when you're done!

[DougMac]

As promised, here are some photos. I have limited materials since I rent instead of buy. The photos aren't great either, but I think you can get some idea.

You can find them here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/dougbrucemac/HomeTheater

They'll be apparent.
Doug