When it comes to creating a truly immersive home theater experience, Samsung's Premiere 9 ($5,999) and Hisense's PX3-PRO ($3,499) represent two of the most compelling ultra short throw (UST) projector options available today. Let's dive into what makes these projectors special and help you decide which one best fits your needs.
Before we compare specific models, it's worth understanding what makes UST projectors unique. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors use specialized optics to create large images from just inches away from your wall. This clever design eliminates the need for ceiling mounting and prevents people from casting shadows when walking through the room.
Both projectors deliver impressive 4K resolution, but they achieve it differently. The Samsung Premiere 9 uses a triple laser system with dedicated red, green, and blue lasers, which helps it achieve exceptional color accuracy and a wider color gamut (the range of colors it can display). Meanwhile, the Hisense PX3-PRO employs a TriChroma RGB laser system that covers an impressive 110% of the BT.2020 color space - essentially meaning it can display more colors than most content even contains.
The Premiere 9 edges out the PX3-PRO in brightness, offering 3,450 lumens compared to 3,000 lumens. In practical terms, both are bright enough for most living rooms with some ambient light, but the Samsung's extra brightness gives it an advantage in challenging lighting conditions. I've found that both projectors maintain good image quality with some lights on, though you'll want to control ambient light for the best experience.
High Dynamic Range (HDR) support is crucial for modern home theater setups, and both projectors excel here. The Premiere 9 supports HDR10+ and HLG formats, while the PX3-PRO adds Dolby Vision support - currently the gold standard for HDR content. In practice, the PX3-PRO's Dolby Vision support gives it a slight edge when watching compatible content, as it can adjust brightness and contrast scene-by-scene for optimal picture quality.
This is where the Hisense PX3-PRO really shines. With HDMI 2.1 support, it can handle 4K gaming at 120Hz or 1080p at an impressive 240Hz. The low input lag makes it excellent for competitive gaming. The Premiere 9, while capable of gaming, doesn't offer the same high refresh rates or HDMI 2.1 features. For serious gamers, this could be a deciding factor.
Both projectors offer robust smart platforms, but with different approaches:
Built-in audio has traditionally been a weak point for projectors, but both models buck this trend:
While both sound better than typical projector audio, I'd still recommend a dedicated sound system for the full home theater experience. The built-in speakers work well for casual viewing or temporary setups.
UST projectors require careful placement for optimal image quality. Both models include powered focus and keystone correction to help with alignment. The Premiere 9 offers slightly more comprehensive setup tools, while the PX3-PRO's auto-keystone feature works surprisingly well for quick adjustments.
At $2,500 less, the PX3-PRO represents significant value compared to the Premiere 9. The question becomes whether the Samsung's advantages in brightness and image processing justify the premium price.
After spending time with both projectors, a few practical points stand out:
Choose the Samsung Premiere 9 if:
Choose the Hisense PX3-PRO if:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, but they target slightly different users. The Hisense PX3-PRO offers tremendous value and better gaming features, making it the more practical choice for most users. The Samsung Premiere 9 justifies its premium price with superior brightness and image processing, but the differences in everyday use may not warrant the additional cost for many buyers.
For most people, I'd recommend the PX3-PRO. It delivers 90% of the premium experience at a significantly lower price point, and its gaming capabilities make it more versatile. However, if you're building a dedicated home theater and want the absolute best image quality regardless of cost, the Premiere 9 is worth considering.
| Samsung Premiere 9 ($5,999) | Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,499) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for room versatility and HDR impact | |
| 3,450 lumens (excellent for most rooms) | 3,000 lumens (good for moderate lighting) |
| Light Source - Affects color accuracy and longevity | |
| Triple laser RGB system (20,000 hours) | TriChroma RGB laser (25,000 hours) |
| Color Gamut - Determines range of displayable colors | |
| 100% DCI-P3 (professional cinema standard) | 110% BT.2020, 99.82% DCI-P3 (exceptional range) |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range and color depth | |
| HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG |
| Gaming Features - Critical for gaming performance | |
| Basic gaming support, higher input lag | HDMI 2.1, 4K@120Hz, 1080p@240Hz |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 40W 2.2.2 channel with Dolby Atmos | 50W Harman Kardon speakers |
| Smart Platform - Affects content access and usability | |
| Tizen OS (Samsung ecosystem) | Google TV (wider app support) |
| Throw Ratio - Distance needed from wall | |
| 0.189:1 (4.5" for 100" screen) | 0.233:1 (5.5" for 100" screen) |
| Screen Size Range - Installation flexibility | |
| 100" to 130" | 80" to 150" |
| Connectivity - Device connection options | |
| 3x HDMI 2.0, eARC | 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0 (eARC) |
The Hisense PX3-PRO ($3,499) offers better value for most users with excellent gaming features and Dolby Vision support. The Samsung Premiere 9 ($5,999) provides marginally better brightness and image quality but at a significantly higher price.
The price difference is $2,500, with the PX3-PRO costing $3,499 and the Premiere 9 priced at $5,999. The Hisense delivers about 90% of the premium performance at 58% of the cost.
The Hisense PX3-PRO is significantly better for gaming, offering HDMI 2.1, 4K@120Hz support, and lower input lag. The Samsung Premiere 9 only offers basic gaming features with higher input lag.
Both projectors work in moderate ambient light, but the Premiere 9's 3,450 lumens outperforms the PX3-PRO's 3,000 lumens in brighter conditions. For best results, both benefit from some light control.
The PX3-PRO uses Google TV with wider app compatibility, while the Premiere 9 uses Samsung's Tizen OS. Google TV generally offers more flexibility, but Tizen works better within the Samsung ecosystem.
While both have good built-in speakers (40W Samsung, 50W Hisense), an external sound system is recommended for the best home theater experience.
Both are ultra-short throw projectors requiring minimal space. The Premiere 9 needs 4.5 inches for a 100-inch screen, while the PX3-PRO needs 5.5 inches.
The Samsung Premiere 9 has slightly better overall picture quality with higher brightness, while the Hisense PX3-PRO offers excellent color accuracy and Dolby Vision support. The difference is minimal for most content.
Both use laser light sources with excellent longevity - the PX3-PRO rated for 25,000 hours and the Premiere 9 for 20,000 hours, equivalent to over 10 years of typical use.
Both offer powered focus and keystone correction for easy setup. The Premiere 9 has more comprehensive adjustment tools, while the PX3-PRO features helpful auto-keystone correction.
Both excel at movie playback, but the Premiere 9 has slightly better contrast and brightness. The PX3-PRO's Dolby Vision support provides an advantage for compatible content.
While both projectors can display on a white wall, an ALR (ambient light rejecting) screen is recommended for optimal picture quality and contrast, especially in rooms with ambient light.
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 - 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
