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Introduction
There are many ways to classify projection screen fabrics. One way is to seperate the acoustically transparent fabrics from the non-acoustically transparent ones.
Acoustically transparent fabrics (we'll call them AT fabrics from now on) have one important purpose, which is to allow sound to pass through.
Benefits of the 2 projection screen fabric types
The benefits of AT fabric are:
- Helps you hide your speakers perfectly behind the projection screen, thus creating a cleaner look in your room.
- Perfectly recreates that true cinema feeling, as sound comes from its natural direction: from where the action takes place on the screen. This brings more realism and a more immersive cinema experience.
The benefits of non-acoustically transparent fabric are:
- Doesn't loose any light through the fabric (as an AT fabric would) and creates a brighter image with the same projector
- Does not suffer from moirée effects, as some AT fabrics do.
We will go into further detail with the AT fabrics.
The 2 different AT fabric types
There are two AT fabrics:
- (Micro)perforated fabrics
- Woven acoustically transparant fabrics
Microperforated fabrics are projection screen fabrics with small holes punctured into the fabric. The holes allow the sound to pass through the fabric.
Woven fabrics are projection screen fabrics consisting of threads which have been woven to create a fabric structure that allows sound to pass through.
Microperforated fabrics offer a better sharpness and brightness, but woven fabrics in general let more sound pass through.
Which projection screens can be used with which fabric types?
Microperforated projection fabric is best used in projection screens that can create tension. These are the A-series and A-velvet fixed frame screens and the M-Series and M-tensioned electrical screens.
The woven fabric can also be used in electrical and frame screens, but can not be tensioned. As such, it is important to check the planarity of the screen, to avoid distortions during projection. The Masquerade projection screen uses a special spring to create a flat projection screen. In addition to the tensioning system, a Screen Research fabric is used to eliminate moirée.
What to be careful with when using AT projection screens.
- Placing your speakers too close to the fabric. First of all, if the speakers are too close, the fabric will move because of the airdisplacement the speakers create. Additionally, the speakers might be slightly visible in bright scenes. This happens when the speakers are reflective and when they are of a different colour than the background. To avoid this, make sure the speakers do not stand out from the background and if possible, make sure they are dark and matt.
- Moirée. As mentioned before, moirée can occur on AT screens. This happens when the projection grid of the projector overlaps with the perforated or woven structure of the projection screen. Make sure to check whether your acoustically transparent fabric will not suffer from it. The Masquerade screen is a projection screen that's moirée-free. Guaranteed through the use of the patented Screen Research fabric.
Conclusion
An acoustically transparent fabric can create another level of realism in your home cinema. Having the sound come from where the action takes place, gives that extra dimension other projection screens don't. Be careful in the selection of the right screen and check for moirée issues, as this will ruin the image quality.
For guaranteed moirée-free images, we recommend the Masquerade projection screen.
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