When you're looking to create a true home theater experience without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector setup, ultra short throw (UST) projectors offer an elegant solution. Today, we'll compare two popular options: the Hisense PL2 ($3,299) and the VAVA Chroma ($3,499).
Before diving into the specifics, let's understand what makes 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 is achieved through sophisticated lens systems and laser light sources, making them perfect for modern homes where space is at a premium.
Both these projectors represent the latest generation of UST technology, released in 2021-2022. The biggest advancement has been in laser light sources, which offer several advantages over traditional lamp-based projectors:
The VAVA Chroma uses a triple laser system (RGB), which means it has separate red, green, and blue lasers. This approach delivers exceptional color accuracy and a wider color gamut - up to 106% of the Rec.2020 color space (that's tech-speak for "it can show more colors than your TV").
The Hisense PL2 employs X-Fusion laser technology, which uses a blue laser with a phosphor wheel to create other colors. While this might sound less advanced, it's actually a very efficient system that delivers excellent brightness (2700 ANSI lumens) and consistent performance.
In actual use, both projectors deliver stunning images, but there are notable differences:
The extra brightness of the PL2 makes a noticeable difference in rooms with ambient light. If you're planning to watch during the day or in a living room with windows, this could be a deciding factor.
The Chroma's triple laser system produces more vibrant colors, especially noticeable in HDR content. However, the PL2's color accuracy is more natural out of the box, requiring less calibration for a pleasing image.
The Hisense PL2 comes with Google TV, offering:
The VAVA Chroma uses Android TV with Alexa support, which provides:
Both projectors support 4K@60Hz gaming, but neither reaches the low input lag levels of modern gaming TVs. If you're a casual gamer, either will serve you well. Competitive gamers might want to look elsewhere.
Both projectors include built-in sound systems:
While both sound good for built-in audio, any serious home theater setup should include a dedicated sound system. Both projectors support eARC for easy integration with modern AV receivers.
For optimal performance, both projectors require an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen designed for UST projectors. These screens help maintain image contrast and color accuracy, especially in rooms with ambient light. Expect to budget an additional $500-1500 for a quality screen.
The physical setup process is similar for both units, but there are some differences:
When considering the total investment, remember to factor in:
The Hisense PL2 offers better value for most users, particularly when considering:
The VAVA Chroma justifies its premium price through:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, but they serve slightly different audiences. The Hisense PL2 is the more practical choice for most users, offering an excellent balance of performance and features at a lower price point. The VAVA Chroma appeals more to enthusiasts who demand the absolute best picture quality and are willing to pay for it.
Remember that either projector will need proper setup and a good screen to perform at its best. The investment in professional installation and a quality screen will pay dividends in long-term enjoyment of your home theater system.
| Hisense PL2 ($3,299) | VAVA Chroma ($3,499) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light or daytime viewing | |
| 2,700 ANSI lumens (excellent for most lighting conditions) | 2,500 ANSI lumens (best in controlled lighting) |
| Laser Technology - Impacts color accuracy and longevity | |
| Single laser with X-Fusion (simpler, reliable technology) | Triple RGB laser (superior color reproduction) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vivid and accurate colors appear | |
| 85% DCI-P3 (good for most content) | 106% Rec.2020 (exceptional for HDR content) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and streaming options | |
| Google TV (excellent app support, frequent updates) | Android TV with Alexa (good but less polished) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall needed | |
| 0.22:1 (7.2" distance for 100" screen) | 0.233:1 (7.6" distance for 100" screen) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 30W x 2 with Dolby Atmos (good for casual viewing) | 30W x 2 Harman Kardon (slightly better clarity) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Important for gamers | |
| 40ms (acceptable for casual gaming) | 42.2ms (slightly worse for gaming) |
| Screen Size Range - Flexibility for different rooms | |
| 80"-150" (highly flexible) | 80"-150" (equally flexible) |
| Setup Features - Affects installation ease | |
| Auto geometry correction, focus (easier setup) | Manual adjustments (may need professional setup) |
| Value Proposition - Overall bang for buck | |
| Better value for most users, especially bright rooms | Premium price for ultimate color performance |
The Hisense PL2 ($3,299) is brighter with 2,700 ANSI lumens compared to the VAVA Chroma's ($3,499) 2,500 ANSI lumens. This makes the PL2 slightly better for rooms with ambient light or daytime viewing.
The VAVA Chroma has superior color reproduction with its triple RGB laser system and 106% Rec.2020 color gamut, while the Hisense PL2 uses a single laser system covering 85% DCI-P3. For movie enthusiasts, the VAVA's better colors might be worth the premium.
Yes, both projectors require an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen specifically designed for ultra short throw projectors. These screens typically cost $500-1500 and are essential for optimal picture quality.
The Hisense PL2 has slightly better input lag at 40ms compared to the VAVA Chroma's 42.2ms. However, neither projector matches the low input lag of gaming TVs, making them better suited for casual rather than competitive gaming.
Both projectors can create a 100-inch image from approximately 7-8 inches from the wall, with the Hisense PL2 requiring slightly less distance due to its 0.22:1 throw ratio versus the VAVA's 0.233:1.
The Hisense PL2 has an advantage with its Google TV system, offering better app support and a more polished user experience compared to the VAVA Chroma's Android TV with Alexa integration.
The Hisense PL2 performs better in bright rooms due to its higher brightness, though both projectors work best in controlled lighting conditions and with proper ALR screens.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for approximately 25,000 hours of use, which equals about 17 years of viewing at 4 hours per day.
Both have similar 60W total audio output (30W x 2), but the VAVA Chroma uses Harman Kardon speakers for slightly better clarity. However, for a proper home theater setup, external speakers are recommended with either projector.
While both can be set up by users, professional installation is recommended. The Hisense PL2 is easier to set up with its auto geometry correction, while the VAVA Chroma requires more precise manual adjustment.
The Hisense PL2 at $3,299 offers better overall value with its brightness and feature set, while the VAVA Chroma at $3,499 justifies its premium price through superior color performance.
Yes, both projectors can replace a traditional TV, but the Hisense PL2 is better suited for this purpose due to its higher brightness and more user-friendly smart features. However, both require proper room setup and an ALR screen for optimal 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: avnirvana.com - crutchfield.com - projectorscreen.com - digitaltrends.com - newatlas.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - ecoustics.com - androidcentral.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorreviews.com - vava.com - projectorscreenstore.com - youtube.com - projector.com.my - ust-projector.com
