Choosing Between Premium Ultra Short Throw Projectors: A Detailed Comparison

When it comes to creating a high-end home theater experience without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector setup, ultra short throw (UST) laser projectors have become the go-to solution. Today, we're comparing two leading options: the Samsung Premiere 9 ($5,999) and the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999), both representing the cutting edge of home theater technology.

Understanding UST Projectors and Their Evolution

Ultra short throw projectors revolutionized home theater by allowing massive screen sizes from just inches away from the wall. Unlike traditional projectors that need significant distance, USTs use advanced lens designs to create large images from incredibly close positions. This technology has improved dramatically over the past few years, with both brightness and color accuracy reaching new heights.

Both these projectors were released in late 2022, arriving as part of a new generation of UST projectors that finally rival OLED TVs in image quality while offering much larger screen sizes at lower costs. The key technological advancement they share is their triple-laser light source, which provides significantly better color accuracy and brightness than older single-laser or lamp-based projectors.

Image Quality Deep Dive

Brightness and Ambient Light Performance

The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro holds a slight edge in raw brightness, with 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the Samsung Premiere 9's 3,450 ISO lumens. While these numbers seem close, real-world testing shows the AWOL maintains better brightness uniformity across the screen and handles ambient light more effectively.

What this means in practice: You can watch the AWOL in a moderately lit room without significant image degradation, while the Samsung performs best in more controlled lighting conditions. This difference becomes particularly noticeable when watching HDR content, where brightness plays a crucial role in delivering impactful highlights.

Color Performance and Accuracy

Both projectors use triple-laser technology, but implement it differently:

• The Samsung Premiere 9 focuses on accuracy, with excellent out-of-box color calibration and a dedicated filmmaker mode that closely matches industry standards.
• The AWOL takes a more ambitious approach, covering 107% of the BT.2020 color space (the widest color standard currently in use), resulting in more vibrant, punchy colors.

For movie purists, Samsung's approach might be preferable, as it more accurately represents the creator's intent. However, for those who prefer a more impactful image, AWOL's wider color gamut creates more dramatic visuals, especially in nature documentaries and animated content.

HDR Processing and Dark Scene Performance

This is where the differences become most apparent. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro supports Dolby Vision, currently the most advanced HDR format, while the Samsung is limited to HDR10+ and standard HDR10. Dolby Vision's dynamic metadata allows for scene-by-scene optimization, resulting in better contrast and more detailed dark scenes.

In practical terms, when watching darker content like "The Batman" or "Dune," the AWOL maintains better shadow detail while still preserving bright highlights. The Samsung can struggle with darker scenes, sometimes showing elevated black levels that make dark scenes appear slightly washed out.

Gaming and Motion Performance

For gamers, the Samsung Premiere 9 is the clear winner. It offers lower input lag and better gaming features, including an auto low-latency mode that automatically switches to game mode when it detects a console. The Samsung's gaming dashboard also provides useful information like frame rate and HDR status.

The AWOL isn't bad for gaming, but its higher input lag (around 30ms) makes it less suitable for competitive gaming. However, it does offer excellent motion handling for movies, with sophisticated motion processing that reduces judder without creating the artificial-looking "soap opera effect."

Smart Features and Usability

Samsung leverages its TV expertise here, offering their full Tizen smart platform with access to major streaming services and voice control through multiple assistants. The interface is polished and responsive, feeling more like a premium TV than a projector.

The AWOL takes a different approach, bundling an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for smart features. While this works well, it's not as seamlessly integrated as Samsung's solution. However, it does mean you can easily upgrade your streaming device in the future.

Setup and Installation

Both projectors require careful placement for optimal image alignment, but Samsung's setup process is more refined, with helpful on-screen guides and automatic keystone correction. The AWOL's setup is more basic but still achievable for most users.

Consider mounting options carefully - both projectors need a sturdy, level surface and proper ventilation. They also benefit significantly from a proper ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which can add $500-1,500 to your total cost.

How to Decide

Choose the Samsung Premiere 9 if:

• Gaming performance is a priority
• You want the most polished smart TV experience
• You're working with a slightly tighter budget
• You prefer accurate, creator-intended colors
• You'll be using it in a more controlled lighting environment

Choose the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro if:

• Maximum brightness and color impact are priorities
• You watch lots of HDR content and want Dolby Vision support
• You need better performance in bright rooms
• Dark scene performance is crucial
• Budget allows for the premium features

Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, but they serve slightly different users. The Samsung is the better all-rounder, especially if you mix gaming and movie watching. The AWOL is the superior pure home theater performer, particularly for those who can appreciate (and are willing to pay for) its advanced HDR capabilities and color performance.

Remember that either projector will benefit significantly from proper room setup and an ALR screen. These aren't just TVs you can plug in anywhere - they're sophisticated home theater devices that reward careful installation and setup with truly spectacular images at sizes that would cost many times more with traditional TVs.

Samsung Premiere 9 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector Deals and Prices

AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro Ultra Short Throw Projector Deals and Prices