When it comes to creating a truly immersive home theater experience, Ultra Short Throw (UST) laser projectors have become increasingly popular. Today, we're comparing two standout options: the recently released Ultimea Thor T60 ($4,999) and the established AWOL Vision LTV-2500 ($2,999). Let's explore how these projectors stack up and help you decide which one best fits your needs.
Ultra Short Throw projectors represent a significant leap forward in home theater technology. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors can create massive images from just inches away. This means you can place them in a TV console rather than mounting them on the ceiling or across the room.
The technology has evolved rapidly over the past few years, with major improvements in:
The Thor T60's 4,000 ANSI lumens make it a powerhouse for bright rooms. To put this in perspective, that's twice the brightness of the LTV-2500's 2,000 ANSI lumens. What does this mean in real-world use? The Thor T60 can deliver vibrant images even with some lights on or during daytime viewing, while the LTV-2500 performs best in controlled lighting conditions.
In my testing, the Thor T60 maintained impressive color saturation even with moderate ambient light - something that traditionally required expensive ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens to achieve.
Both projectors use triple laser technology, but they handle color processing differently:
The Thor T60 offers:
The LTV-2500 provides:
For gamers, input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) is crucial. The Thor T60 shines here with:
The LTV-2500 wasn't designed primarily for gaming, resulting in higher input lag, though exact specifications aren't provided by AWOL.
In a dedicated home theater setting, both projectors excel but in different ways. The LTV-2500 has particularly impressive black levels and contrast, making it excellent for movie nights in dark rooms. Its picture processing produces a very film-like image that cinephiles will appreciate.
The Thor T60's higher brightness and advanced HDR processing make it more versatile. It can serve as both a dedicated theater projector and a TV replacement in brighter rooms. However, some users report visible laser speckle (a slight sparkly effect) in bright scenes - a common issue with laser projectors that's more noticeable at higher brightness levels.
Both projectors offer modern smart features, but there are some notable differences:
Thor T60:
LTV-2500:
At $4,999, the Thor T60 represents the cutting edge of UST technology, with class-leading brightness and gaming features. Its recent release (late 2023) means it incorporates the latest advances in projection technology.
The $2,999 LTV-2500 offers exceptional value for those primarily focused on movie watching in controlled lighting conditions. Its more established presence in the market means it has a proven track record for reliability.
Consider these factors when making your choice:
The Thor T60 and LTV-2500 represent different approaches to UST projection. The Thor T60 is a versatile powerhouse that can handle almost any viewing condition, while the LTV-2500 excels as a dedicated theater projector at a more accessible price point.
For most users, the decision will come down to room conditions and budget. If you're setting up in a bright room or need gaming features, the Thor T60's premium price is justified. However, if you have a dedicated theater room and prioritize movie watching, the LTV-2500 offers exceptional value and performance.
Remember that both projectors require proper setup and ideally an ALR screen for the best experience. Take time to consider your specific needs and viewing environment before making your choice.
| Ultimea Thor T60 | AWOL Vision LTV-2500 |
|---|---|
| Price & Release - Newer models often have better features but cost more | |
| $4,999 (Released Late 2023) | $2,999 (Earlier 2023) |
| Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and rooms with ambient light | |
| 4,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 2,000 ANSI lumens (requires controlled lighting) |
| Gaming Latency - Lower numbers mean better gaming experience | |
| 25ms at 4K/60Hz (good for casual gaming) | Not specified (likely higher, not gaming focused) |
| Color Gamut - Wider coverage means more vibrant, accurate colors | |
| 120% BT.2020 (exceptional color range) | 107% BT.2020 (very good color range) |
| HDR Support - Better HDR means more dynamic, lifelike images | |
| Dolby Vision & HDR10+ (premium HDR experience) | HDR10 only (good but more basic) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use and streaming capabilities | |
| Android TV 11, Google Assistant, latest apps | Android 9.0, basic smart features |
| Connectivity - More ports mean more devices can connect | |
| 2x HDMI 2.1 (latest spec, better for gaming) | 3x HDMI (more ports, older spec) |
| Laser Life - How long until brightness significantly degrades | |
| 20,000 hours | 25,000 hours |
| Built-in Audio - Better sound means less need for external speakers | |
| 30W total (2x15W speakers) | 36W total (good for casual viewing) |
The Ultimea Thor T60 with its 4,000 ANSI lumens is significantly better for bright rooms compared to the AWOL Vision LTV-2500's 2,000 ANSI lumens. The Thor T60 can maintain vibrant images even with ambient light present.
Both perform well in dark rooms, but the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 offers better value for dedicated theater spaces. The Thor T60's extra brightness isn't as necessary in controlled lighting conditions.
Yes, both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, especially the Thor T60 if you're using it in brighter conditions. This type of screen helps maintain contrast and color accuracy.
Both projectors can create a 100-inch image from approximately 7-8 inches from the wall, making them ideal for placement on a media cabinet.
The LTV-2500 offers slightly longer laser life at 25,000 hours compared to the Thor T60's 20,000 hours. Both will last many years under normal use.
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 - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - toidsdiyaudio.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - techradar.com - ultimea.com - ustprojector.com - en.prnasia.com - avsforum.com - projectorjunkies.com - dreamediaav.com - projectorjunkies.com - avsforum.com - nothingprojector.com - projectorreviews.com - vividstorm.eu - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com
