Choosing Between Premium Ultra Short Throw Projectors: A Detailed Comparison

When you're ready to upgrade your home theater setup, Samsung's Premiere 9 ($5,999) and XGIMI's Aura 2 ($2,699) represent two compelling but different approaches to ultra short throw (UST) projection. Let's dive into what makes these projectors special and who each one is best for.

Understanding Ultra Short Throw Technology

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 specially designed lenses and mirrors to create large images from just inches away from your wall. This solves the common problem of people walking through the projection beam and makes installation much simpler in most rooms.

Key Technology and Performance

Image Quality and Brightness

The Premiere 9 launched in early 2023 with Samsung's latest triple laser technology, producing an impressive 3450 ISO lumens. This brightness level makes it particularly effective in rooms with ambient light - think afternoon movies or sports watching. The triple laser system provides incredibly accurate colors, covering over 100% of the BT.2020 color space (the current gold standard for digital video).

The newer Aura 2, released in late 2024, takes a different approach. Its Dual Light 2.0 technology combines LED and laser sources to produce 2300 ISO lumens. While not as bright as the Premiere 9, it introduces an interesting advantage: reduced laser speckle (that slight sparkly effect some viewers notice with laser projectors). The hybrid approach also tends to produce more natural-looking skin tones in my testing.

Picture Processing and HDR

Both projectors handle 4K content beautifully, but there are notable differences in their HDR processing:

• The Premiere 9 uses Samsung's Quantum Processor 4K, which I've found particularly effective at upscaling lower resolution content. It supports HDR10+ and HLG formats.
• The Aura 2 includes Dolby Vision support (coming via update in Q4 2024) and IMAX Enhanced certification, potentially offering better HDR performance with compatible content.

Smart Features and Connectivity

This is where we see some of the biggest practical differences:

The Premiere 9 runs Samsung's Tizen OS, which provides a smooth, TV-like experience with access to all major streaming services. The interface is snappy, and you won't need extra streaming devices unless you want them.

The Aura 2 uses Android TV 11, which has two notable drawbacks: it lacks native Netflix support (requiring workarounds), and the interface can occasionally feel less polished. However, it offers excellent flexibility for sideloading apps and customization if you're technically inclined.

Real-World Performance

Daytime Viewing

In bright rooms, the Premiere 9's higher brightness makes a noticeable difference. During afternoon viewing sessions, it maintains punchy colors and decent contrast, while the Aura 2 benefits more from some light control. However, both projectors include ambient light rejection features that help maintain image quality:

• Premiere 9: Adaptive picture mode automatically adjusts brightness and contrast
• Aura 2: Intelligent Screen Adaptation 5.0 optimizes the image based on room conditions

Movie Night Performance

In darker rooms, both projectors shine (pun intended). The Premiere 9's higher brightness becomes less critical, and the Aura 2's excellent contrast and color accuracy become more apparent. Both can produce beautiful 100+ inch images that rival high-end TVs for movie watching.

Gaming Experience

For gamers, both projectors support 4K/60Hz input, but neither reaches the high refresh rates of dedicated gaming displays. The Premiere 9 offers slightly lower input lag (around 53ms) compared to the Aura 2 (approximately 60ms). While fine for casual gaming, competitive players might want to look elsewhere.

Audio Performance

Built-in audio has become increasingly important for UST projectors, and both models deliver impressive sound:

• Premiere 9: 40W 2.2.2 channel system with Dolby Atmos support
• Aura 2: 60W Harman Kardon speakers with Dolby Audio

In practice, the Aura 2's speaker system produces slightly fuller sound, particularly in the low end. However, both are more than capable of filling a medium-sized room without an external sound system - though home theater enthusiasts will still want to pair either with a proper surround sound setup.

Installation and Setup

Both projectors offer automatic keystone correction and focus adjustment, but the Aura 2's newer technology provides slightly more sophisticated room adaptation features. Its wall color compensation and automatic geometry correction are particularly impressive for users who might not have a perfect projection surface.

Value Consideration

The price difference between these projectors can't be ignored - the Premiere 9 costs more than twice as much as the Aura 2. The question becomes: is the premium worth it?

For most users, the answer depends on three main factors:

1. Ambient light in your viewing space
2. How important integrated streaming is to you
3. Your budget flexibility

How to Decide

Choose the Premiere 9 if:

• You'll frequently watch in bright rooms
• You want the absolute best color accuracy
• Integrated streaming apps are important to you
• Budget isn't your primary concern

Choose the Aura 2 if:

• You have a more controlled lighting environment
• You're comfortable using an external streaming device
• You want excellent performance while maximizing value
• You're sensitive to laser speckle

Final Thoughts

Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, but they serve slightly different users. The Premiere 9 is the more polished, higher-performing option with better bright-room performance and a more complete smart TV experience. The Aura 2 offers tremendous value with nearly comparable performance in many situations, especially in controlled lighting.

For my money, the Aura 2 represents the better value for most users, particularly those with some light control in their viewing space. However, if you're building a premium home theater and want the absolute best performance regardless of cost, the Premiere 9's superior brightness and color accuracy make it the clear choice.

Remember that both options represent significant improvements over previous generations of UST projectors, with better smart features, improved brightness, and more sophisticated room adaptation capabilities. Whichever you choose, you'll be getting a capable centerpiece for your home entertainment setup.

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

XGIMI Aura 2 Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector Deals and Prices