Choosing Between Today's Best Ultra Short Throw 4K Projectors

If you're looking to create an impressive home theater setup without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector, today's Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors offer an exciting solution. I've spent considerable time with both the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 ($2,999) and the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 ($3,448), and I'm here to help you understand which might be right for your needs.

Understanding Ultra Short Throw Projectors

UST projectors sit just inches from your wall or screen, projecting upward at an extreme angle to create large images without requiring much room depth. Think of them as a way to get a massive TV-like experience without permanently mounting anything on your wall. These projectors have come a long way since their introduction, with major improvements in brightness, color accuracy, and smart features in the last few years.

Both of these models were released in late 2022, representing the current state of the art in consumer UST technology. They take different approaches to achieve their goals, which makes this comparison particularly interesting.

Image Quality: A Tale of Two Technologies

The AWOL LTV-2500 uses an RGB triple laser system, which means it creates colors using three distinct laser light sources (red, green, and blue). This results in exceptionally pure colors - covering 107% of the BT.2020 color space, which is notably wider than what most TVs can display. In practical terms, this means colors look more vibrant and natural, especially in content mastered for HDR (High Dynamic Range).

The Epson LS800 takes a different approach, using 3LCD technology with a laser light source. This system splits white light into primary colors using dichroic mirrors and passes each through its own LCD panel. While this might sound more complex, it's a proven technology that Epson has perfected over many years. The big advantage here is brightness - the LS800 outputs a massive 4,000 lumens compared to the LTV-2500's 2,000 lumens.

In my testing, both projectors produce excellent images, but they shine in different environments:

• The LTV-2500 produces more accurate colors and better HDR performance, making it ideal for dedicated home theater rooms where you can control the lighting
• The LS800's extra brightness makes it more versatile for rooms with ambient light, like living rooms with windows

Installation and Setup Considerations

One of the most significant differences between these projectors is their throw ratio - how far they need to be from the wall to create a given image size:

• The LS800's 0.16:1 throw ratio means it can create a 100-inch image from just 9.8 inches away
• The LTV-2500 needs about 15.7 inches for the same size image with its 0.25:1 throw ratio

This might not sound like a huge difference, but in practice, it can determine whether a UST projector will work in your space. The LS800's shorter throw distance makes it more flexible for tight spaces and reduces the chance of people walking between the projector and screen.

Gaming Performance

If you're planning to use your projector for gaming, input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen) becomes crucial. Here's where we see another clear difference:

• The LS800 achieves a very respectable 16.7ms input lag
• The LTV-2500's input lag is higher, though it varies by resolution and refresh rate

For casual gaming, either projector will work fine. However, for competitive gaming or fast-paced action games, the LS800's lower input lag makes it the better choice.

The 3D Factor

One unique feature of the AWOL LTV-2500 is its support for 3D content. While 3D might not be as popular as it once was, there's still a dedicated community of 3D enthusiasts, and many movies are available in 3D format. The LS800 doesn't support 3D at all, so if this feature matters to you, the LTV-2500 is your only option between these two.

Sound Quality and Built-in Audio

Both projectors include built-in sound systems, but there's a notable difference in approach:

• The LS800 features a Yamaha-designed 2.1 system with two 5W speakers and a 10W subwoofer
• The LTV-2500 has a 36W stereo system

In practice, the LS800's sound system produces better-balanced audio with more bass presence. However, for a proper home theater setup, you'll want to pair either projector with a dedicated sound system or soundbar.

Value Proposition

At $2,999, the AWOL LTV-2500 represents excellent value for home theater enthusiasts who prioritize image quality and color accuracy. Its triple laser system and superior HDR handling make it particularly appealing for movie watching in controlled lighting conditions.

The Epson LS800 at $3,448 costs more but justifies its premium with class-leading brightness, better gaming performance, and more flexible placement options. It's particularly well-suited for multi-purpose rooms where ambient light control isn't always possible.

How to Decide

Choose the LTV-2500 if:

• You're setting up a dedicated home theater room
• Color accuracy and HDR performance are your top priorities
• You want 3D capability
• You're working with a slightly tighter budget

Choose the LS800 if:

• Your viewing space has significant ambient light
• Gaming is a primary use case
• You need the shortest possible throw distance
• You want the most flexible placement options

Both projectors represent significant improvements over previous generations of UST technology, offering better color accuracy, higher brightness, and more sophisticated smart features than models from just a few years ago.

Final Thoughts

After spending time with both projectors, I've found that they each excel in their intended environments. The LTV-2500's superior color accuracy and HDR performance make it my personal choice for a dedicated home theater room, while the LS800's brightness and versatility make it more suitable for living room use.

Remember that either projector will need a proper ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for the best performance - this isn't an optional accessory but rather a crucial part of the UST projection system. Factor this additional cost (typically $500-1,000) into your budget when making your decision.

Whichever you choose, both represent the current state of the art in UST projection technology and offer compelling alternatives to traditional large-screen TVs.

AWOL Vision LTV-2500 Ultra Short Throw 4K Projector Deals and Prices

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 3LCD Laser Projector Deals and Prices