Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized home theater by allowing massive screens without complex ceiling mounts or long throw distances. These sophisticated projectors sit just inches from your wall, creating cinema-sized images while blending seamlessly into your living space. Let's compare two leading options: the Samsung Premiere 9 LPU9D ($5,999) and the Leica Cine 1 ($9,495).
Both projectors use triple laser technology, which means they employ separate red, green, and blue lasers instead of traditional lamps. This approach delivers superior color accuracy and longevity compared to conventional projector bulbs. The lasers can last 20,000-25,000 hours - that's over a decade of typical use without replacement.
These projectors use clever optical engineering to create large images from very close distances. Think of it like shining a flashlight at a sharp angle - they use specially designed lenses and mirrors to spread the light evenly across your screen from just inches away.
The Samsung Premiere 9 delivers impressive brightness at 3,450 lumens, making it more suitable for rooms with ambient light. It uses DLP (Digital Light Processing) technology with pixel-shifting to achieve 4K resolution. While not native 4K, the image quality is sharp and detailed enough that most viewers won't notice the difference.
The Leica Cine 1 takes a different approach, leveraging Leica's legendary lens expertise. Its Summicron lens system provides exceptional clarity and color accuracy. While slightly less bright at 3,000 lumens, the optical quality helps compensate by using light more efficiently.
In practice, the Leica produces more accurate colors out of the box, while the Samsung offers better performance in bright rooms. Both support HDR10+ for enhanced contrast and color, though the Leica adds Dolby Vision support - a notable advantage for movie enthusiasts.
Modern UST projectors include built-in sound systems to create an all-in-one entertainment solution. The Samsung features a 40W 2.2.2 channel system with upward-firing speakers for Dolby Atmos effects. The sound quality is impressive for a projector, though serious home theater enthusiasts will still want a dedicated audio system.
The Leica's 50W total audio output (2x15W + 2x10W) delivers clear dialogue and reasonable bass, also supporting Dolby Atmos. Both systems are perfectly adequate for casual viewing, but neither matches the impact of a proper surround sound setup.
Released in late 2022, the Samsung brings a comprehensive smart TV experience powered by their Tizen operating system. You get access to major streaming services, gaming features, and voice control through multiple assistants. The Gaming Hub even allows cloud gaming without a console.
The Leica, launched in 2023, offers Google TV integration for streaming and smart features. While capable, it's not quite as polished as Samsung's mature platform. However, the Leica includes HDMI 2.1 ports - potentially future-proofing it for higher bandwidth content.
Both projectors support wireless streaming through Apple AirPlay 2 and various casting options. The Samsung adds some unique features like an ambient mode for displaying art or information when not watching content.
UST projectors require careful placement for optimal image geometry. The Samsung Premiere 9 can project up to 130 inches from just 9.4 inches away, while the Leica Cine 1 manages 120 inches from about 14 inches. Both include automatic geometric correction to help achieve perfect alignment.
The Leica's premium build quality is immediately apparent, with an aluminum housing and automatic dust cover. The Samsung isn't poorly built by any means, but prioritizes practical features over luxury materials.
In controlled testing, both projectors deliver excellent contrast for UST models. The Samsung's higher brightness gives it an edge in rooms with ambient light, but the Leica's superior optics help it achieve deeper blacks in dark room viewing.
The Leica demonstrates exceptional out-of-box color accuracy, requiring minimal calibration for reference-quality images. The Samsung also performs well but may benefit from professional calibration for optimal results.
Neither projector is ideal for competitive gaming, with input lag above 50ms. The Samsung's Gaming Hub adds value for casual gamers, but serious players should consider other options.
Both handle motion well thanks to their DLP foundations. Sports and action scenes display smoothly without significant artifacts.
At $5,999, the Samsung offers an impressive feature set and performance level that will satisfy most users. The additional brightness and larger maximum screen size add practical value for many situations.
The Leica's $9,495 price tag requires serious consideration. The superior optics and build quality are apparent, but the $3,500 premium could alternatively fund an excellent audio system or room treatments.
Choose the Samsung if:
Choose the Leica if:
Both projectors represent the current state of the art in UST technology, but they target slightly different users. The Samsung Premiere 9 offers better value and more features for most users, while the Leica Cine 1 delivers premium performance for discerning videophiles.
For a dedicated home theater room, the Leica's superior optics and color accuracy make it a compelling choice if budget allows. For more flexible living spaces, the Samsung's brightness and comprehensive feature set may prove more practical.
Remember that either projector will benefit from a proper ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen and careful room setup. These investments can have as much impact on final image quality as the choice between projectors.
| Samsung Premiere 9 LPU9D ($5,999) | Leica Cine 1 ($9,495) |
|---|---|
| Resolution - Determines image sharpness and detail | |
| 4K UHD (3840x2160) with pixel shifting | 4K UHD (3840x2160) with pixel shifting |
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 3,450 lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 3,000 lumens (good for moderate lighting) |
| Screen Size - Maximum viewing dimensions | |
| 100"-130" (more flexible range) | 100"-120" (slightly more limited) |
| Throw Distance - Space needed from wall | |
| 4.4" for 100", 9.4" for 130" (more compact) | 14.3" for 120" (requires more space) |
| Light Source Life - Long-term maintenance consideration | |
| 20,000 hours | 25,000 hours (better longevity) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound capabilities | |
| 40W 2.2.2 channel with Dolby Atmos | 50W total (2x15W + 2x10W) with Dolby Atmos |
| Gaming Features - Responsiveness for gaming | |
| 53ms input lag, Gaming Hub support | 60ms input lag, basic gaming support |
| HDR Support - Enhanced contrast and color | |
| HDR10, HDR10+ | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision (better format support) |
| Smart Features - Built-in streaming and control | |
| Tizen OS, Gaming Hub, Multiple voice assistants | Google TV, Basic smart features |
| Connectivity - Device connection options | |
| HDMI 2.0 x 3 (one eARC) | HDMI 2.1 x 2 (more future-proof) |
| Color Coverage - Color accuracy and vibrancy | |
| 106% BT.2020, 154% DCI-P3 | 100% BT.2020 (excellent color accuracy) |
| Special Features - Unique capabilities | |
| Ambient Mode, SmartThings integration | Leica Summicron lens, automatic dust cover |
| Build Quality - Construction and durability | |
| Standard premium construction | Premium aluminum housing, superior optics |
The Samsung Premiere 9 ($5,999) performs better in bright rooms with its 3,450 lumens compared to the Leica Cine 1's ($9,495) 3,000 lumens. Both work well with ambient light, but the Samsung has a clear advantage.
The Leica Cine 1 offers superior picture quality with better color accuracy and its premium Summicron lens. However, the Samsung Premiere 9 still delivers excellent image quality that will satisfy most viewers.
There's a $3,500 difference - the Samsung Premiere 9 costs $5,999 while the Leica Cine 1 is priced at $9,495.
Neither is ideal for competitive gaming, but the Samsung Premiere 9 has slightly better input lag (53ms vs 60ms) and includes Gaming Hub features for cloud gaming.
The Samsung Premiere 9 projects up to 130 inches, while the Leica Cine 1 maxes out at 120 inches.
Yes, both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for optimal picture quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
Both have good built-in audio with Dolby Atmos support. The Samsung Premiere 9 has a 40W 2.2.2 channel system, while the Leica Cine 1 offers 50W total output.
The Leica Cine 1 lasers last 25,000 hours, while the Samsung Premiere 9 offers 20,000 hours - both providing many years of typical use.
The Samsung Premiere 9 offers a more comprehensive smart TV experience with its Tizen OS, while the Leica Cine 1 uses Google TV with fewer integrated features.
The Samsung needs 9.4 inches for a 130-inch image, while the Leica requires 14.3 inches for a 120-inch image.
The Leica Cine 1 supports HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision, while the Samsung Premiere 9 supports HDR10 and HDR10+ only.
Both projectors include automatic geometric correction and are relatively easy to set up, though precise positioning is important for optimal image quality.
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: sound-advice.online - valueelectronics.com - bhphotovideo.com - instylehifi.com.au - trustedreviews.com - target.com - pcrichard.com - projectorscreen.com - videoandaudiocenter.com - target.com - avsforum.com - projectorscreen.com - trustedreviews.com - leicacamerausa.com - hometheaterreview.com - projectorreviews.com - richersounds.com - whathifi.com - crutchfield.com - projectorcentral.com - cdn11.bigcommerce.com - leicarumors.com - leica-camera.com
