The home theater landscape has dramatically shifted in recent years, with Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors becoming increasingly popular alternatives to traditional large TVs. These technological marvels can project massive images from just inches away from your wall, transforming any room into a cinema without the complexity of ceiling-mounted projectors.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,499) and Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 ($2,999) represent two distinct approaches to UST projection, each with compelling advantages for different users. Let's dive into what makes these projectors special and who should choose each one.
The Epson LS800 delivers an impressive 4,000 lumens using its 3LCD technology, which means it maintains equal color and white brightness - a significant advantage in rooms with ambient light. The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro outputs 3,300 ANSI lumens through its tri-laser system, which, while slightly less bright, offers superior color accuracy and black levels in controlled lighting.
Think of it this way: The Epson excels in family rooms where you can't always control the lighting, while the AWOL shines brightest (ironically) in dedicated theater spaces where its superior contrast and color accuracy become more apparent.
The AWOL's tri-laser system achieves 107% of the BT.2020 color space - a technical way of saying it can display more colors than most TVs. What's more impressive is its support for every major HDR format, including Dolby Vision, which dynamically adjusts contrast and brightness scene-by-scene for the best possible image.
The Epson, while offering good HDR10 support, lacks Dolby Vision capability. However, its 3LCD technology eliminates the "rainbow effect" that some viewers notice with single-chip DLP projectors like the AWOL.
Modern gaming demands quick response times, and both projectors deliver here. The AWOL edges out with an impressive 8ms input lag at 1080p (15ms at 4K), while the Epson manages a still-respectable 16.7ms. For context, anything under 20ms is considered excellent for gaming.
The Epson includes a dedicated gaming HDMI port that bypasses some processing for better performance, while the AWOL offers gaming-specific picture modes across all inputs. Both support 4K/60Hz, though the AWOL adds broader format support for serious gamers.
The Epson's 0.17:1 throw ratio means it can project a 100-inch image from just 9.8 inches away, compared to the AWOL's 0.25:1 ratio requiring about 16 inches. This difference might seem small, but it can be crucial when fitting these units into existing furniture.
Both projectors offer powered focus, but the AWOL provides more extensive calibration options, including full CMS (Color Management System) controls. The Epson's setup is more streamlined, with an excellent auto-setup feature through its smartphone app.
At nearly half the price of the AWOL, the Epson LS800 presents compelling value. Its laser light source is rated for 20,000 hours, while the AWOL promises 25,000 hours. Both should last many years under normal use.
The AWOL's premium price brings additional features:
While both projectors include built-in sound systems, the AWOL's 36W system with Dolby Atmos support outperforms the Epson's 20W Yamaha 2.1 setup. However, for a proper home theater, you'll likely want an external audio system regardless of which projector you choose.
Since their releases (AWOL in late 2022, Epson in September 2022), both projectors have received firmware updates improving their performance. The AWOL's updates have added gaming features and enhanced HDR processing, while the Epson has refined its auto-calibration capabilities.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro and Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 represent different philosophies in UST projection. The AWOL pursues ultimate performance regardless of cost, while the Epson balances features and value for broader appeal.
For most users, the Epson's brightness, value, and ease of use make it the more practical choice. However, if you're building a dedicated home theater and want the absolute best picture quality, the AWOL's premium features and superior HDR support justify its higher price.
Remember: The best projector is the one that fits your specific needs, room conditions, and budget. Consider your viewing environment and primary use cases carefully when making your decision.
| AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro | Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 |
|---|---|
| Price - Total Investment Required | |
| $5,499 (Premium tier) | $2,999 (Mid-range tier) |
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 3,300 ANSI lumens (3,500 peak) | 4,000 ANSI lumens (Color & White) |
| HDR Support - Impacts color and contrast quality | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, HLG | HDR10 only |
| Color Gamut - Determines color richness | |
| 107% BT.2020 (Tri-laser) | 100% Rec.709 (3LCD) |
| Throw Ratio - Affects installation flexibility | |
| 0.25:1 (16" for 100" screen) | 0.17:1 (9.8" for 100" screen) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower is better | |
| 8ms @1080p, 15ms @4K | 16.7ms @4K |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long-term durability | |
| 25,000 hours | 20,000 hours |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 36W with Dolby Atmos | 20W Yamaha 2.1 system |
| Smart Features - Streaming and control | |
| Android 9.0, Control 4, IP Control | Android TV, Basic smart features |
| Resolution Technology - Image clarity | |
| DLP with XPR (True 4K) | 3LCD with pixel shifting (4K PRO-UHD) |
| Contrast Ratio - Black level performance | |
| 2,200:1 native (1,000,000:1 dynamic) | Up to 2,500,000:1 dynamic |
| Operating System & Streaming | |
| Android 9.0 with Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Built-in Android TV 11 |
| Advanced Features - Extra capabilities | |
| 3D support, MEMC, Custom laser modes | Scene Adaptive Gamma, Auto setup app |
| Audio Connectivity - Sound options | |
| eARC, optical out, Bluetooth | ARC, optical out, Bluetooth |
The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 is superior for bright rooms with its 4,000 ANSI lumens compared to the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro's 3,300 lumens. The Epson's 3LCD technology also maintains consistent color brightness in ambient light.
The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro costs $5,499, while the Epson LS800 is priced at $2,999 - a significant $2,500 difference.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers better gaming performance with 8ms input lag at 1080p (15ms at 4K), compared to the Epson's 16.7ms. Both are good for gaming, but the AWOL has a slight edge.
The Epson LS800 needs only 9.8 inches for a 100-inch image (0.17:1 throw ratio), while the AWOL LTV-3500 Pro requires 16 inches (0.25:1 throw ratio).
The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro offers superior HDR support with Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG, while the Epson LS800 only supports basic HDR10.
The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro has a 25,000-hour laser life, while the Epson LS800 offers 20,000 hours. Both should last many years under normal use.
Yes, both projectors offer streaming capabilities. The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro uses Android 9.0 with an included Fire TV Stick 4K Max, while the Epson LS800 has built-in Android TV 11.
The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro features a more powerful 36W system with Dolby Atmos support, while the Epson LS800 includes a 20W Yamaha 2.1 system.
Neither projector is designed for ceiling mounting. Both the AWOL LTV-3500 Pro and Epson LS800 are specifically designed for table or cabinet placement as ultra-short throw projectors.
The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro is better suited for dedicated home theaters due to its superior contrast, better HDR support, and more accurate colors, though it costs significantly more than the Epson LS800.
Yes, both the AWOL LTV-3500 Pro and Epson LS800 support external audio through HDMI ARC, optical output, and Bluetooth connections.
The Epson LS800 offers better value for most users at $2,999, providing excellent brightness and good overall performance. The AWOL LTV-3500 Pro at $5,499 is better for enthusiasts who need premium features and maximum performance.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: projectorreviews.com - dreamediaav.com - youtube.com - projectorcentral.com - awolvision.com - awolvision.de - projectorjunkies.com - youtube.com - awolvision.com - projectorcentral.com - techradar.com - danamic.org - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - epson.com - dreamediaav.com - dell.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - audiogeneral.com - news.epson.com - projectorcentral.com
