When it comes to creating a premium home theater experience, ultra-short throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized what's possible in home entertainment. Today, we're comparing two impressive options: the luxury-focused Leica Cine 1 ($8,995) and the value-oriented Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,498).
Ultra-short throw projectors use specialized optics to project massive images from just inches away from your wall or screen. Unlike traditional projectors that need significant room depth, UST projectors sit close to your wall like a piece of furniture, making them perfect for modern living spaces.
Both of these projectors use triple laser technology, which means they employ separate red, green, and blue lasers to create images. This approach offers superior color accuracy and longevity compared to traditional lamp-based projectors or single-laser systems. The laser light sources are rated for approximately 25,000 hours of use – that's about 20 years of watching 3 hours daily.
The Leica Cine 1 was unveiled at CES 2023, marking Leica's first entry into the home theater projector market. The Hisense PX3-PRO launched in late 2023 as part of Hisense's latest laser TV lineup. Both represent current-generation technology with HDMI 2.1 support and advanced HDR processing.
Both projectors use Texas Instruments' latest 0.47-inch DLP chip with XPR (eXpanded Pixel Resolution) technology. This system rapidly shifts pixels four ways to create a 4K image from a native 1080p chip. While this might sound like a compromise, the switching happens so quickly that it's imperceptible to the human eye, resulting in images that appear as sharp as native 4K.
The Hisense edges out the Leica in raw brightness, offering 3,000 ANSI lumens versus the Leica's 2,500. However, brightness isn't everything - the Leica's superior optics often result in better perceived contrast and clarity. The Hisense does offer better native contrast at 3,000:1 compared to the Leica's 1,000:1, though both use dynamic laser dimming to enhance apparent contrast.
Both projectors cover over 100% of the BT.2020 color space, which is impressive considering many traditional TVs struggle to reach 75%. The Leica's color tuning tends toward accuracy, while the Hisense offers slightly more vivid, punchy colors out of the box. Both support HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, ensuring excellent performance with the latest streaming content.
The Leica's Summicron lens system is a standout feature, providing exceptional edge-to-edge clarity and minimal distortion. This becomes particularly noticeable with text and detailed scenes. The Hisense's optics are still quite good but can show slight softness in the corners of the image.
Both projectors need careful placement - there's no lens shift available, so positioning is critical. You'll want to ensure your installation surface is perfectly level and stable. The Leica's slightly longer throw ratio means it needs to sit about 2 inches further from the wall than the Hisense for the same size image.
Both projectors run Google TV, providing access to major streaming services and smart home integration. They each offer three HDMI ports, with two supporting HDMI 2.1 features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) for gaming.
The interface responsiveness is similar on both units, though the Leica's more powerful processor handles HDR tone mapping slightly better in complex scenes.
Audio quality is one area where the price difference becomes apparent. The Leica's integrated Dolby Atmos system provides remarkably good sound for a projector, with clear dialogue and decent bass response. The Hisense's 50-watt Harman Kardon speakers are competent but lack the same depth and clarity.
For serious home theater use, you'll likely want external speakers with either projector, but the Leica could suffice on its own for casual viewing.
In practical use, both projectors excel at different things. The Leica shows its strength with premium content - 4K Blu-rays and high-bitrate streams look absolutely stunning, with perfect edge detail and natural colors. The Hisense impresses more with bright, vibrant content and handles ambient light slightly better thanks to its higher brightness.
Gaming performance is nearly identical, with both projectors offering low input lag in game mode (around 30ms). The Hisense includes some gaming-specific picture modes that some users might appreciate.
The Leica Cine 1 commands a significant premium over the Hisense PX3-PRO. Is it worth the difference? For most users, probably not. The Hisense delivers 90% of the Leica's performance at about one-third the price. However, the Leica's superior optics, build quality, and audio system make it a compelling choice for enthusiasts who demand the absolute best.
Consider the Leica Cine 1 if:
Choose the Hisense PX3-PRO if:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, with the primary difference being whether the Leica's premium features justify its significantly higher price tag. For most users, the Hisense PX3-PRO offers tremendous value while delivering nearly equivalent performance in most areas that matter.
Remember that proper installation and screen selection are crucial with any UST projector. Both of these models will perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which can add $500-1,500 to your total cost but dramatically improves image quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
| Leica Cine 1 120" ($8,995) | Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,498) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2,500 ANSI lumens | 3,000 ANSI lumens |
| Native Contrast Ratio - Determines black level depth | |
| 1,000:1 native (2,000,000:1 dynamic) | 3,000:1 native |
| Color Gamut - Affects color vibrancy and accuracy | |
| 100% BT.2020 | 110% BT.2020 |
| Lens System - Impacts image clarity and uniformity | |
| Leica Summicron lens (superior edge clarity) | Standard UST lens (good center clarity) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 50W Dolby Atmos (2x15W + 2x10W) | 50W Harman Kardon speakers |
| Throw Ratio - Distance needed from wall | |
| 0.25:1 (14.3" for 120" image) | 0.233:1 (13.8" for 120" image) |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long-term durability | |
| 25,000 hours RGB laser | 25,000 hours RGB laser |
| HDR Support - Enhanced contrast for compatible content | |
| HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced |
| Smart Platform - Streaming and control | |
| Google TV with Apple AirPlay 2 | Google TV with Chromecast |
| Gaming Features - Important for console gaming | |
| HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM (~30ms lag) | HDMI 2.1, VRR, ALLM (~30ms lag) |
| Build Quality - Design and durability | |
| Premium aluminum construction, motorized dust cover | Standard plastic construction |
| Weight - Installation considerations | |
| 33.3 lbs (15.1 kg) | 19.8 lbs (9.0 kg) |
| Power Consumption - Operating costs | |
| 300W typical | 350W typical |
| Operating Noise - Audible fan sound | |
| 32 dB | 30 dB |
The Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,498) offers significantly better value, delivering about 90% of the performance of the Leica Cine 1 ($8,995) at one-third the price. The Leica's premium is mainly for superior optics and build quality.
The main difference is that the Leica Cine 1 offers premium optics and build quality with its Summicron lens system, while the Hisense PX3-PRO provides similar core performance at a more accessible price point.
The Hisense PX3-PRO is slightly brighter with 3,000 ANSI lumens compared to the Leica Cine 1's 2,500 ANSI lumens, making it better suited for rooms with ambient light.
Yes, both projectors perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen. This is essential for optimal image quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
Both projectors offer similar gaming performance with HDMI 2.1 features and approximately 30ms input lag. The Hisense PX3-PRO includes additional gaming-specific picture modes.
Both the Leica Cine 1 and Hisense PX3-PRO use triple laser light sources rated for 25,000 hours, equivalent to over 20 years of typical use.
While both have built-in speakers, the Leica Cine 1 has superior Dolby Atmos audio that could suffice for casual viewing. For best home theater experience, external speakers are recommended for both projectors.
Both projectors require similar setup precision. Neither has lens shift, so careful placement is crucial. The Hisense PX3-PRO is lighter (19.8 lbs vs 33.3 lbs) making it easier to position.
Yes, both projectors run Google TV and support all major streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.
The Leica Cine 1 has superior edge-to-edge clarity and more natural colors, while the Hisense PX3-PRO offers higher contrast and brightness. Both provide excellent 4K picture quality.
Both can work in moderate ambient light, but the Hisense PX3-PRO performs slightly better in bright conditions due to its higher brightness. An ALR screen is recommended for both.
Both handle motion well and are suitable for sports viewing. The Hisense PX3-PRO's higher brightness might give it an edge for daytime sports viewing, while the Leica Cine 1's superior optics provide better clarity for night viewing.
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: whathifi.com - leicacamerausa.com - leicacamerausa.com - trustedreviews.com - valueelectronics.com - projectorcentral.com - leicastoresf.com - crutchfield.com - projectorreviews.com - crutchfield.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorscreen.com - shop.hisense-usa.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - youtube.com - projectorreviews.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - en.heimkinowelten.de - dreamediaav.com
