When it comes to creating a large-screen home theater experience without a traditional ceiling-mounted projector, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have become increasingly popular. Today, we'll compare two leading options: the brand new Samsung Premiere 9 ($5,999) and the established Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 ($2,499).
UST projectors sit just inches from your wall, using specialized lens designs to create massive images from very close distances. Unlike traditional projectors that need 10+ feet of room depth, these units can create a 100-inch picture from less than 6 inches away. This makes them perfect for rooms where a standard projector setup isn't practical.
The Samsung Premiere 9, released in August 2024, represents the latest in UST technology with its triple laser system. Each primary color (red, green, and blue) gets its own laser source, allowing for incredibly precise color reproduction without requiring a color wheel. This means you'll never see the "rainbow effect" that can bother some viewers with single-chip DLP projectors.
The Epson LS650 takes a different approach, using a single blue laser with a yellow phosphor wheel to create white light, which then passes through Epson's proven 3LCD technology. This system uses three separate LCD panels - one each for red, green, and blue - to create the final image. While technically less advanced than Samsung's triple laser, it's a reliable and cost-effective solution that still delivers excellent results.
Samsung achieves true 4K resolution (3840x2160) through its latest Quantum 4K processor. The Epson uses pixel-shifting technology, which rapidly moves a lower-resolution chip to simulate 4K. In practice, from normal viewing distances, most viewers would struggle to see the difference - though videophiles might notice the Samsung's superior detail in very fine patterns.
The Premiere 9's triple laser system can reproduce 154% of the DCI-P3 color space - the standard used for digital cinema. This means it can display more colors than most content even contains, ensuring you're seeing everything the creator intended. Its 3,450 lumens provide plenty of brightness for most rooms.
The LS650 matches this brightness with 3,600 lumens and offers excellent color accuracy thanks to its 3LCD system. However, it can't quite match the Samsung's extreme color range. For most content viewing, this won't matter, but it might be noticeable with the latest HDR movies.
Both projectors support HDR10 content, but the Samsung adds HDR10+ support, which allows for dynamic adjustment of brightness levels scene-by-scene. This creates more impactful HDR experiences, especially in darker scenes where subtle details matter.
In typical living room conditions with some ambient light, both projectors perform admirably. The Epson actually has a slight edge in brighter rooms due to its consistent brightness across all colors. The Samsung pulls ahead in dedicated home theater settings where its superior contrast and color capabilities become more apparent.
Gaming performance is another area where these projectors differ significantly. The Samsung includes a dedicated Game Mode with lower input lag (around 20ms) and supports modern gaming features. The Epson, while perfectly capable for casual gaming, doesn't offer these specialized gaming optimizations.
The Samsung Premiere 9 comes with Samsung's Tizen operating system, the same platform used in their smart TVs. It's polished, responsive, and supports all major streaming services. The built-in Dolby Atmos audio system (40W 2.2.2 channel) provides surprisingly good sound that might eliminate the need for a separate audio system in casual viewing environments.
The Epson LS650 uses Android TV, which offers similar streaming capabilities but can occasionally feel less refined. Its Yamaha-tuned audio system delivers good sound for regular TV watching, though serious movie enthusiasts will want to pair it with a dedicated sound system.
Both projectors are relatively easy to set up, though precise positioning is crucial for UST projectors. The Samsung offers slightly more flexibility with its 0.19:1 throw ratio, meaning it can sit slightly closer to the wall for a given screen size. Both manufacturers provide smartphone apps to help with alignment, but expect to spend some time getting everything perfectly positioned.
At $5,999, the Samsung Premiere 9 represents a significant investment. However, when compared to premium 100-inch+ TVs that can cost $10,000 or more, it starts to look more reasonable. For dedicated home theater enthusiasts who want the absolute best picture quality, it's worth considering.
The Epson LS650, at $2,499, offers tremendous value. While it doesn't quite match the Samsung's peak performance, it delivers 80-90% of the image quality at less than half the price. For many users, especially those without a dedicated theater room, this makes it the more practical choice.
Choose the Samsung Premiere 9 if:
Choose the Epson LS650 if:
Both projectors excel at their intended purposes. The Samsung Premiere 9 represents the current state of the art in UST projection, while the Epson LS650 offers exceptional value for those who want a big-screen experience without breaking the bank. Consider your room conditions, intended use, and budget when making your choice.
Remember that proper screen selection is crucial for either projector - a good ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen will significantly improve performance, especially in rooms with ambient light. Factor this additional cost (typically $500-1,500) into your budget planning.
| Samsung Premiere 9 | Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 |
|---|---|
| Price - Key factor in value assessment | |
| $5,999 (Premium tier) | $2,499 (Mid-range value) |
| Display Technology - Impacts color accuracy and longevity | |
| Triple RGB laser system with DLP | Single laser + phosphor with 3LCD |
| Resolution - Determines image sharpness and detail | |
| True 4K (3840x2160) | 4K PRO-UHD (pixel-shifted 1080p) |
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 3,450 ISO lumens | 3,600 ANSI lumens |
| Color Coverage - Affects vibrancy and accuracy | |
| 154% DCI-P3 | Not specified (estimated 95% DCI-P3) |
| HDR Support - Impacts contrast and dynamic range | |
| HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG |
| Sound System - Determines need for external speakers | |
| 40W 2.2.2 channel Dolby Atmos | 20W 2.1 channel Yamaha-tuned |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and streaming | |
| Tizen OS (highly refined) | Android TV (good but occasional lag) |
| Gaming Features - Important for console gamers | |
| Game Mode, low input lag (~20ms) | Basic support (higher input lag) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines installation flexibility | |
| 0.19:1 (4.5" from wall for 100") | 0.27:1 (6.3" from wall for 100") |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long-term reliability | |
| 20,000 hours | 20,000 hours |
| Maximum Screen Size - Room size consideration | |
| 130 inches | 120 inches |
| Contrast Ratio - Affects black levels and depth | |
| 2,000,000:1 dynamic | 2,500,000:1 dynamic |
The Samsung Premiere 9 offers superior image quality and features but costs more at $5,999. The Epson LS650 at $2,499 provides excellent value with very good performance. For most users, the Epson's value proposition makes it the better choice unless you specifically need the Samsung's premium features.
The Samsung Premiere 9 costs $5,999, while the Epson LS650 is priced at $2,499, making it $3,500 less expensive.
The Epson LS650 is slightly brighter with 3,600 lumens compared to the Samsung Premiere 9's 3,450 lumens, though the difference is barely noticeable in real-world use.
The Samsung Premiere 9 has better overall picture quality with true 4K resolution and superior color reproduction. The Epson LS650 still provides excellent picture quality but uses pixel-shifting technology for 4K.
Yes, both projectors are bright enough for rooms with ambient light, though they perform best with proper light control and ALR (ambient light rejecting) screens.
While both projectors can project onto a white wall, an ALR (ambient light rejecting) screen is strongly recommended for optimal performance, especially in rooms with ambient light.
The Samsung Premiere 9 is significantly better for gaming with lower input lag and dedicated gaming features. The Epson LS650 is adequate for casual gaming but not optimized for it.
Yes, both have smart TV platforms built-in. The Samsung uses Tizen OS while the Epson uses Android TV. Both support major streaming services like Netflix and Disney+.
For a 100-inch image, the Samsung needs about 4.5 inches while the Epson needs about 6.3 inches from the wall. Both are very space-efficient compared to traditional projectors.
The Samsung Premiere 9 has superior built-in audio with a 40W 2.2.2 Dolby Atmos system. The Epson LS650 has good but more basic 20W Yamaha-tuned audio.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for 20,000 hours of use, which equals about 10 years of use at 5.5 hours per day.
Both projectors require careful positioning for optimal image alignment. The Samsung has slightly more flexible placement options and better setup assistance through its smartphone app.
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: avsforum.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - news.samsung.com - samsung.com - soundandvision.com - samsung.com - sound-advice.online - trustedreviews.com - techradar.com - youtube.com - projectorscreen.com - news.epson.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorreviews.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - news.epson.com - audiogeneral.com
