[bpape]

Just a couple of thoughts...

If the screen is not an AT screen, IMO, it's too big for the room. It will force the speakers too close to the side walls and cause response issues.

The rear row looks to be awfully far back in the room. Try to give yourself as much space as possible for good bass response and good surround field.

Bryan

 

[bpape]

1. Having columns helps break up the large, flat surfaces and also provides a place to hide some thicker absorption, bring in electricity without cutting holes in the walls, etc.

2. Absolutely. Aesthetics are the last reason to do panels and bass absorbers. Don't fall in the trap of just doing many thin panels. That's going to skew things terribly in both frequency and time.

3. Ah. That's the biggest mistake people make. It's very easy. Seats come first and don't move. DO NOT let screen size drive seating position. That's backward. Set the seats. Based on that, get the screen that is appropriate for that viewing distance and your preference. Then, you can look at PJs to fill that screen at a proper brigntness and will also then allow you to know where to mount the PJ for proper throw range.

Bryan

 

[bpape]

That's a perfect example of what I'm talking about with the screen size driving seating position. Set your 2 rows and get a screen that's appropriate for those seating positions.

Bryan

 

[bpape]

I think you misunderstood me. If you do the seating first, then you can have the exact same field of view (apparent screen size) and still have your seating. Buying a screen that's too big so it forces you into seating compromises is costing you more money while at the same time not allowing you to have the seating you want and potentially not having it in the best place for sound and surround field.

Bryan

 

[bpape]

The front row could go back a little as long as you don't mind a little less walkway between rows and the recliners in the 2 rows wouldn't interfere.

85" wide is approx 100" diagonal for 16:9 aspect ratio. That sounds about right to me - especially if you're not going to go with an AT screen (which would bring the screen considerably closer to the seating.

Bryan