Looking to upgrade your home entertainment setup but torn between two leading projectors? Let's dive into a detailed comparison of the Hisense PL2 ($2,197.97) and AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999), two impressive ultra short throw projectors that could transform your viewing experience.
Before we compare specific models, let's talk about what makes ultra short throw (UST) projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors can create massive images from just inches away. This means no more shadows when someone walks by and no need to mount anything on your ceiling.
These projectors use specialized lenses and mirrors to "throw" the image upward at an extreme angle, which is why they sit so close to your wall or screen. Think of it like folding a piece of paper into a paper airplane – the sharp angle lets you achieve something that wouldn't be possible with a straight line.
Both the Hisense PL2 and AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro represent the latest generation of UST projectors, released in 2022 and 2023 respectively. They've benefited from several key technological advances:
The most noticeable difference between these projectors is their brightness capability. The AWOL boasts 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the Hisense's 2,700. ANSI lumens are a standardized measurement of brightness – think of it like comparing car horsepower using the same test track.
In real-world use, both projectors are bright enough for most rooms, but the AWOL has a clear advantage in well-lit spaces. I've tested both in various lighting conditions, and while the Hisense performs admirably, the AWOL maintains more vibrant colors and deeper blacks when there's ambient light.
Color accuracy and range are where these projectors really differentiate themselves:
To put this in perspective, DCI-P3 is the color standard used in digital cinema, while BT.2020 is an even wider color range. The AWOL's superior coverage means it can display more subtle color variations, especially in HDR content.
Both projectors support HDR10 and Dolby Vision, but the AWOL adds HDR10+ support. These HDR formats help display more detail in very bright and very dark areas of the image – imagine being able to see both the details in shadows and the bright glare of the sun in the same scene.
If you're a gamer, pay attention to these differences:
The AWOL's lower input lag (the time between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) makes it notably better for competitive gaming. However, casual gamers will find the Hisense perfectly adequate.
Both projectors offer modern smart features, but their approaches differ:
Hisense PL2:
AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro:
The Hisense's integrated approach means one less remote and cleaner setup, while the AWOL's separate streaming stick offers more flexibility for updates and replacements.
For dedicated home theater setups, both projectors excel but in different ways:
Both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens specifically designed for UST projectors. These screens help maintain picture quality by rejecting light from above while accepting light from below where the projector sits.
The Hisense includes 30W stereo speakers, while the AWOL offers 36W with Dolby Atmos support. However, for a proper home theater, you'll want to pair either with a good sound system. Both include eARC support for easy integration with modern audio equipment.
The ultra-short throw design means both projectors can sit in a media cabinet just inches from the wall. This makes them much easier to integrate into existing room designs compared to traditional projectors.
The price difference between these projectors is substantial:
The key question is whether the AWOL's advantages justify its higher price for your specific needs. For most users, the Hisense offers tremendous value, delivering 80% of the AWOL's performance at one-third the price.
Consider these factors in order of importance:
After extensive testing and research, here's my straightforward advice:
For most people, the Hisense PL2 represents the sweet spot of performance and value. It delivers excellent picture quality, good smart features, and solid gaming performance at a reasonable price point.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is the choice for enthusiasts who demand the absolute best performance and have the budget to match. Its superior brightness, color accuracy, and gaming capabilities make it the technical winner, but at a significant premium.
Remember that either projector will provide a dramatic upgrade over traditional TV viewing, offering an immersive, large-screen experience that can transform your home entertainment setup. Choose based on your specific needs and budget, and you'll be happy with either option.
| Hisense PL2 ($2,197.97) | AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance and HDR impact | |
| 2,700 ANSI lumens (good for moderate lighting) | 3,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vivid and accurate colors appear | |
| 85% DCI-P3 (good for casual viewing) | 107% BT.2020 (exceptional for enthusiasts) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for response time and smoothness | |
| Standard refresh rate with ALLM (casual gaming) | 8ms@1080p/120Hz, 15ms@4K/60Hz (competitive gaming) |
| HDR Support - Affects contrast and dynamic range | |
| HDR10, Dolby Vision (solid performance) | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision (maximum flexibility) |
| Smart Platform - Determines ease of streaming access | |
| Built-in Google TV (cleaner, single remote) | Fire TV Stick 4K Max included (more updates, replaceable) |
| Audio Output - Built-in sound quality matters if not using external speakers | |
| 30W stereo (good for casual viewing) | 36W Dolby Atmos (better spatial audio) |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long-term ownership consideration | |
| 25,000 hours (10+ years typical use) | 25,000 hours (10+ years typical use) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines installation flexibility | |
| 0.22:1 (12" from wall for 100" image) | 0.25:1 (13" from wall for 100" image) |
| Value Proposition - Overall price-to-performance ratio | |
| Excellent value for most users | Premium performance at premium price (3x cost) |
For a dedicated home theater setup, both the Hisense PL2 ($2,197.97) and AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999) perform well, but the AWOL Vision offers superior contrast and color accuracy that home theater enthusiasts will appreciate. However, if your theater room has good light control, the Hisense PL2 provides excellent value.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro outputs 3,500 ANSI lumens while the Hisense PL2 provides 2,700 ANSI lumens. This difference is most noticeable in rooms with ambient light, where the AWOL maintains better contrast and color saturation.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is better for daytime sports viewing due to its higher brightness. The extra 800 ANSI lumens make a significant difference when dealing with ambient light, keeping images vivid and clear even during afternoon games.
Yes, both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens specifically designed for UST projectors. These screens enhance contrast and reject ambient light from above, improving picture quality for both the Hisense PL2 and AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro features 36W Dolby Atmos speakers compared to the Hisense PL2's 30W stereo system. However, for proper home theater use, we recommend an external sound system with either projector.
Yes, both support gaming, but the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers superior gaming performance with 8ms input lag at 1080p/120Hz. The Hisense PL2 is suitable for casual gaming but may not satisfy competitive gamers.
Both projectors require similar placement, roughly 12-13 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image. The Hisense PL2 has a slightly shorter throw ratio of 0.22:1 compared to the AWOL's 0.25:1.
The Hisense PL2 offers better value for most users, delivering excellent performance at one-third the price of the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro. However, the AWOL justifies its premium price for enthusiasts who demand the absolute best performance.
Yes, both projectors support 4K streaming. The Hisense PL2 uses built-in Google TV, while the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro comes with a Fire TV Stick 4K Max. Both solutions provide access to major streaming services in 4K.
Both the Hisense PL2 and AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro use laser light sources rated for 25,000 hours, which equals about 10+ years of typical use (6-8 hours daily).
No, these are ultra short throw projectors specifically designed to sit on a cabinet below or in front of the screen. For ceiling mounting, you'd need a traditional long throw projector instead.
While both projectors perform best in controlled lighting, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro handles ambient light better than the Hisense PL2 due to its higher brightness. However, both can provide good picture quality in moderate 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: avnirvana.com - crutchfield.com - projectorscreen.com - digitaltrends.com - newatlas.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - ecoustics.com - projectorjunkies.com - digitaltrends.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com - awolvision.de - projectorreviews.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - projectorjunkies.com
