If you're looking to create a stunning home theater experience without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector setup, ultra short throw (UST) laser projectors offer an exciting solution. Today, we'll compare two leading options: the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,999) and the VAVA Chroma ($3,499).
Ultra short throw projectors use specialized lenses and mirrors to project a large image from just inches away from your wall or screen. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit 10-15 feet back, these units can create a 100-inch picture while sitting less than a foot from the wall. This technological advancement, combined with modern laser light sources, has revolutionized home theater possibilities.
The technology has evolved significantly since early UST projectors appeared around 2019. Both our featured models represent the latest generation, released in 2022, and showcase how far we've come in terms of brightness, color accuracy, and smart features.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro leads with 3,500 ANSI lumens, while the VAVA Chroma offers 2,500 ANSI lumens. ANSI lumens are a standardized measurement of brightness - think of them as "honest" lumens, unlike marketing numbers some manufacturers use.
In real-world use, this difference is noticeable. The AWOL Vision performs exceptionally well in rooms with ambient light, making it more versatile for everyday viewing. The VAVA Chroma still produces a beautiful image but works best in controlled lighting conditions.
Both projectors use triple-laser technology, which means they create colors using separate red, green, and blue lasers instead of a white light source with color wheels. This results in remarkably vibrant and accurate colors.
The AWOL Vision edges ahead slightly with 107% coverage of the BT.2020 color space (the standard used for 4K content), while the VAVA Chroma covers 106% of Rec.2020. In practical terms, both deliver stunning colors, but the AWOL Vision has a slight advantage in color accuracy and range.
HDR support is another differentiator. The AWOL Vision supports Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG formats, while the VAVA Chroma handles HDR10. Dolby Vision support means the AWOL can adjust its picture settings scene-by-scene based on metadata in the content, resulting in more precise image quality.
Gaming on UST projectors has improved dramatically, and the AWOL Vision particularly shines here. It offers:
The VAVA Chroma's gaming specifications aren't as clearly documented, but it generally performs adequately for casual gaming. For serious gamers, the AWOL Vision's lower input lag and higher refresh rate options make it the clear choice.
Both projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image alignment. They work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens, which are specially designed for UST projectors. These screens help maintain image contrast and reject ambient light from above, though they add $500-1,500 to the total cost.
The AWOL Vision includes more comprehensive alignment tools and motorized focus, making initial setup slightly easier. Both units should be placed on a sturdy, level surface - even small movements can affect image alignment.
The AWOL Vision runs on Android 9.0 and includes Control4 integration for smart home systems. It comes bundled with a Fire TV Stick 4K Max for streaming services. The VAVA Chroma includes its own Android TV implementation and supports Alexa voice control.
Both projectors offer multiple HDMI inputs, but the AWOL Vision includes eARC support for better audio integration with modern sound systems.
While both projectors include built-in speakers, they're best thought of as backup options. The AWOL Vision features a 36W stereo system with Dolby Atmos support, while the VAVA Chroma includes Harman Kardon speakers. For a proper home theater setup, you'll want to pair either projector with a dedicated sound system.
At $5,999, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro represents a premium investment. The VAVA Chroma at $3,499 offers significant savings while maintaining strong performance in key areas.
Consider these factors when evaluating value:
Both projectors represent impressive achievements in UST technology. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro stands out as the more capable performer, particularly in bright rooms and for gaming. The VAVA Chroma offers excellent value, delivering strong performance at a more accessible price point.
For most users, the decision will come down to viewing environment and budget. In a dedicated home theater room with controlled lighting, the VAVA Chroma's performance difference might be minimal. However, for mixed-use spaces or when seeking the absolute best performance, the AWOL Vision's additional capabilities justify its premium price.
Remember to factor in the cost of a quality ALR screen and audio system when planning your total budget. Either projector, when properly set up, can deliver a stunning home theater experience that rivals or exceeds what's possible with traditional TVs.
| AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,999) | VAVA Chroma ($3,499) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and HDR impact | |
| 3,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 2,500 ANSI lumens (best in controlled lighting) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vibrant and accurate colors appear | |
| 107% BT.2020 (industry-leading) | 106% Rec.2020 (excellent) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for competitive gaming | |
| 8ms@1080p/120Hz, 15ms@4K/60Hz (great for gaming) | Unspecified (suitable for casual gaming) |
| HDR Support - Affects dynamic range and picture quality | |
| HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG (comprehensive) | HDR10 (basic but functional) |
| Smart Features - Convenience for streaming and control | |
| Android 9.0 + Fire TV Stick 4K Max, Control4 integration | Android TV, Alexa voice control |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 36W stereo with Dolby Atmos (good for casual use) | Harman Kardon speakers (solid performance) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall needed | |
| 0.25:1 (100" from 7.2" away) | 0.233:1 (100" from 7.2" away) |
| Price-Performance Value - Overall worth considering features | |
| Premium price, best-in-class performance | Better value, strong performer for most uses |
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is significantly brighter at 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the VAVA Chroma's 2,500 ANSI lumens. This makes the AWOL Vision better suited for rooms with ambient light or daytime viewing.
The VAVA Chroma at $3,499 offers better value for most users, while the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro at $5,999 provides premium features for those willing to spend more.
Yes, both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen designed for ultra short throw projectors. This is essential for optimal picture quality and contrast.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is superior for gaming with 8ms input lag at 1080p/120Hz and 15ms at 4K/60Hz. The VAVA Chroma is suitable for casual gaming but doesn't specify its gaming performance metrics.
Yes, both projectors can effectively replace a TV, offering 100"+ screen sizes. The AWOL Vision works better in bright rooms, while the VAVA Chroma is ideal for dimmer environments.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers superior HDR support with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG, while the VAVA Chroma only supports basic HDR10.
While professional installation isn't required, both projectors need careful setup and alignment. They're designed for DIY installation but require patience and attention to detail.
Both have good built-in audio, with the AWOL Vision offering 36W stereo with Dolby Atmos and the VAVA Chroma featuring Harman Kardon speakers. However, for a proper home theater, external speakers are recommended.
Both projectors are rated for approximately 25,000 hours of laser life, which equals about 8 years of viewing at 8 hours per day.
Yes, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro comes with a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, while the VAVA Chroma has built-in Android TV. Both can access major streaming services.
Both projectors can create images from 80" to 150" diagonal, making them suitable for most home theater applications. The optimal size for most rooms is 100-120".
Both handle motion well, but the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro has an advantage with higher brightness for daytime sports viewing. The VAVA Chroma performs well in controlled lighting conditions.
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: projectorjunkies.com - digitaltrends.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com - awolvision.de - projectorreviews.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - projectorjunkies.com - androidcentral.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorreviews.com - vava.com - projectorscreenstore.com - youtube.com - projector.com.my - ust-projector.com
