The home theater projector market has evolved dramatically in recent years, with Ultra Short Throw (UST) laser projectors becoming increasingly popular. Today, we're comparing two leading options: the Samsung Premiere 9 ($5,999) and the Ultimea Thor T60 ($4,999). Both represent the latest in UST technology, offering massive screens from just inches away from your wall.
UST projectors have transformed home theater setups by eliminating the need for ceiling mounts or long throw distances. Using specialized optics and laser light sources, these projectors can create huge images from just a few inches away from your wall or screen. This technology has matured significantly since its introduction, with both picture quality and reliability improving substantially.
The Samsung Premiere 9 was released in August 2024, representing Samsung's latest flagship projector technology. The Thor T60 emerged in late 2023 as a strong competitor from newcomer Ultimea, bringing impressive specs at a lower price point.
The Thor T60 leads in raw brightness with 4,000 ANSI lumens compared to the Premiere 9's 3,450 lumens. ANSI lumens (a standardized brightness measurement) directly affect how visible your image will be in rooms with ambient light. This difference is noticeable - the Thor T60 maintains better picture quality with some lights on, while the Premiere 9 performs best in controlled lighting.
Contrast ratio (the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks) significantly impacts image quality. The Thor T60's 4,000:1 native contrast ratio is impressive for its price point. Samsung claims a 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for the Premiere 9, though real-world performance typically falls between these numbers. In dark room viewing, both projectors deliver excellent black levels, but the Premiere 9 shows slightly better shadow detail.
Both projectors use triple laser technology, which provides superior color accuracy compared to traditional lamp-based systems. The Thor T60 boasts 120% coverage of the BT.2020 color space (the standard for ultra-high-definition television), while Samsung hasn't published specific coverage numbers. In practical use, both deliver vibrant, accurate colors that pop off the screen.
The Premiere 9 integrates Samsung's mature Tizen operating system, offering a polished smart TV experience with all major streaming apps. Voice control works through multiple assistants, and the interface feels snappy and responsive.
The Thor T60 runs Android TV 11, providing access to the Google Play Store and native Chromecast support. While slightly less refined than Tizen, it offers more flexibility for installing additional apps and services.
Modern UST projectors have made significant strides in gaming performance. The Thor T60 impresses with input lag under 25ms (the time between pressing a button and seeing the result on screen) and includes Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) which automatically optimizes settings for gaming.
The Premiere 9 features Samsung's Game Hub and specialized gaming modes, though specific input lag numbers haven't been published. Both support 4K gaming at 60Hz through HDMI 2.1 ports, making them suitable for current-gen consoles.
Sound quality marks a significant difference between these projectors. The Premiere 9 features a sophisticated 40W 2.2.2 channel system with Dolby Atmos support, delivering room-filling sound with clear dialogue and decent bass response. The speaker configuration includes upward-firing drivers for height effects, creating a more immersive experience.
The Thor T60's 30W stereo speakers are competent but basic in comparison. While they're fine for casual viewing, serious home theater enthusiasts will want to pair it with a separate audio system.
Both projectors require careful placement for optimal image alignment. They feature similar throw ratios (0.19:1 for Premiere 9, 0.21:1 for Thor T60), meaning they need to sit roughly 4-5 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image.
The Premiere 9 includes more sophisticated automatic alignment tools, making initial setup easier. Both benefit significantly from being paired with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which helps maintain image quality when there's ambient light.
The Thor T60 offers compelling value at $4,999, delivering excellent picture quality and brightness. Its performance-per-dollar ratio is impressive, especially if you're planning to use a separate audio system.
The Premiere 9 justifies its $5,999 price tag through superior audio, better smart features, and Samsung's proven support infrastructure. It's a more complete entertainment package out of the box.
Your choice should depend on your specific needs and setup:
Choose the Premiere 9 if:
Choose the Thor T60 if:
Both projectors represent impressive achievements in UST technology. The Thor T60 excels in raw projection performance and value, while the Premiere 9 offers a more refined, complete package with superior audio and smart features.
For dedicated home theater use in a light-controlled room, the Thor T60's price advantage makes it hard to ignore. However, for a living room setting where the projector will serve as your primary entertainment system, the Premiere 9's additional features and polish might be worth the premium.
Remember that either projector will benefit significantly from proper room setup and an ALR screen. The investment in these supporting elements can have as much impact on your viewing experience as the choice between these excellent projectors.
| Samsung Premiere 9 | Ultimea Thor T60 |
|---|---|
| Price - Key consideration for value | |
| $5,999 | $4,999 |
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 3,450 ISO lumens (good for moderate lighting) | 4,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Contrast Ratio - Impacts image depth and black levels | |
| 2,000,000:1 dynamic (better shadow detail) | 4,000:1 native (solid real-world performance) |
| Light Source - Affects color accuracy and lifespan | |
| Triple RGB laser (20,000 hours) | Triple RGB laser (20,000 hours) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 40W 2.2.2 channel Dolby Atmos (excellent built-in audio) | 30W stereo speakers (basic audio, may need upgrade) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of use and app access | |
| Tizen OS (polished, all major apps) | Android TV 11 (more flexible, Google Play access) |
| Gaming Features - Important for console gamers | |
| Game Hub, specialized modes (input lag unspecified) | <25ms input lag, ALLM support |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range of content | |
| HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10, Dolby Vision |
| Throw Ratio - Affects installation flexibility | |
| 0.19:1 (4.5" from wall for 100") | 0.21:1 (5" from wall for 100") |
| Screen Size Range - Installation flexibility | |
| 100" - 130" | 80" - 150" |
| Connectivity - Important for device compatibility | |
| 3x HDMI 2.1 (1x eARC), Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.2 | 2x HDMI 2.1 (1x eARC), Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0 |
| Brand Support - Affects long-term reliability | |
| Established manufacturer, proven support | Newer company, support network developing |
| Additional Features - Extra value considerations | |
| Q-Symphony audio sync, SmartThings integration | 3D support, MEMC motion processing |
The Ultimea Thor T60 is brighter with 4,000 ANSI lumens compared to the Samsung Premiere 9's 3,450 lumens, making it better for rooms with ambient light.
The Samsung Premiere 9 costs $5,999, while the Thor T60 is priced at $4,999, representing a $1,000 difference.
The Samsung Premiere 9 features superior audio with a 40W 2.2.2 channel Dolby Atmos system, while the Thor T60 has basic 30W stereo speakers.
Both projectors need similar placement - about 4-5 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image, with the Premiere 9 slightly closer at 4.5 inches versus 5 inches for the Thor.
The Thor T60 specifies input lag under 25ms with ALLM support, while the Premiere 9 offers gaming features but doesn't specify input lag numbers.
Yes, both the Samsung Premiere 9 and Thor T60 support true 4K resolution (3840x2160) using pixel-shifting technology.
The Samsung Premiere 9 uses the more polished Tizen OS, while the Thor T60 runs Android TV 11 - both support major streaming apps but offer different interfaces.
Both projectors feature triple laser light sources rated for 20,000 hours of use, which equals about 10 years of typical viewing.
The Thor T60 performs better in bright rooms due to its higher 4,000 ANSI lumens brightness compared to the Premiere 9's 3,450 lumens.
The Thor T60 supports screens up to 150 inches, while the Samsung Premiere 9 maxes out at 130 inches.
While both projectors can project onto white walls, an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen is recommended for optimal picture quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
Samsung has an established track record and support network for the Premiere 9, while Ultimea is newer to the market with the Thor T60, making Samsung the more proven choice for long-term support.
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 - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - toidsdiyaudio.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - techradar.com - ultimea.com - ustprojector.com - en.prnasia.com - avsforum.com
