Looking to create the ultimate home theater without hanging a traditional projector from your ceiling? Let's dive into two of the most compelling Ultra Short Throw (UST) 4K projectors available today: the $4,999 Ultimea Thor T60 and the $3,299 Hisense PX3-PRO. I'll help you understand what makes each special and which might be right for your setup.
Before we compare these specific models, let's talk about what makes UST projectors unique. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors sit just inches away from your wall or screen, typically on a media cabinet. They use sophisticated optics to project a massive image from this close position - think 100+ inches from just 8-15 inches away!
This design solves several common projector headaches:
Both the Thor T60 and PX3-PRO represent the current state of the art in UST projection, released in late 2023 and early 2024 respectively. They use advanced laser light sources instead of traditional bulbs, which means:
The Thor T60 stands out with its impressive 4,000 lumens brightness rating - that's about 33% brighter than the PX3-PRO's 3,000 lumens. What does this mean in real terms? The Thor T60 will maintain a more vibrant picture when there's some ambient light in the room. During daytime viewing or in rooms with large windows, this extra brightness makes a noticeable difference.
However, in a properly darkened home theater, both projectors provide plenty of brightness. The PX3-PRO's 3,000 lumens is still quite powerful - for comparison, many traditional home theater projectors offer just 1,500-2,000 lumens.
Here's where things get interesting. While the Thor T60 boasts higher brightness, the PX3-PRO has independently verified color accuracy covering 110% of the BT.2020 color space (that's the standard used for 4K content). Both projectors use three-laser systems for superior color reproduction, but Hisense has provided more detailed verification of their color performance.
The contrast ratio difference (4,000:1 for Thor T60 vs 3,000:1 for PX3-PRO) will be noticeable in dark scenes, with the Thor T60 providing slightly deeper blacks and better shadow detail.
Both projectors offer modern smart TV platforms, but their approaches differ:
The PX3-PRO features full Google TV integration, which means:
The Thor T60 runs Android TV 11, offering:
Both projectors include HDMI 2.1 ports supporting:
Having tested numerous projectors in home theater settings, I can say both of these models excel in dedicated theater rooms. However, they have different strengths:
The $1,700 price difference between these projectors is significant. The Thor T60's premium gets you:
The PX3-PRO offers:
In my experience testing both projectors, the real-world differences aren't as dramatic as the specs might suggest. In a properly darkened room, both produce stunning images that would impress most viewers. The Thor T60's extra brightness becomes most noticeable when dealing with ambient light, while the PX3-PRO's color accuracy shines in controlled lighting conditions.
Choose the Thor T60 if:
Choose the PX3-PRO if:
For most home theater enthusiasts, the Hisense PX3-PRO offers the better value proposition. Its combination of verified color accuracy, superior smart features, and excellent built-in audio makes it hard to beat at its price point. However, if you need maximum brightness for a bright room or viewing during the day, the Thor T60's extra lumens might be worth the premium.
Remember, proper screen selection is crucial with either projector - an ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen will significantly improve performance in rooms with ambient light. Also consider your viewing habits, room layout, and whether you'll be using external audio equipment when making your final decision.
Both projectors represent impressive achievements in UST technology, and either one could serve as the centerpiece of an excellent home theater setup. The choice ultimately comes down to your specific needs and budget.
| $4,999 Ultimea Thor T60 | $3,299 Hisense PX3-PRO |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light or daytime viewing | |
| 4,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 3,000 ANSI lumens (good for moderate lighting) |
| Contrast Ratio - Determines black level depth and overall image pop | |
| 4,000:1 (superior dark scene performance) | 3,000:1 (good but not class-leading) |
| Color Gamut - Affects color accuracy and vibrancy | |
| Claims high coverage (unverified) | 110% BT.2020 (independently verified) |
| Smart Platform - Important for streaming without external devices | |
| Android TV 11 (older but functional) | Google TV (latest platform, better interface) |
| Built-in Audio - Matters if not using external speakers | |
| 30W stereo speakers (adequate) | 50W Harman Kardon (superior sound) |
| Gaming Features - Critical for console gaming | |
| HDMI 2.1, ALLM, <25ms latency | HDMI 2.1, ALLM, similar latency |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range and color of 4K content | |
| HDR10, Dolby Vision | HDR10+, Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced |
| Operating Noise - Important for quiet scenes | |
| 25dB (very quiet) | 30dB (quietly noticeable) |
| Value Proposition - Consider if the premium is worth it | |
| Higher price justified mainly by brightness | Better overall value unless maximum brightness needed |
For a dedicated, light-controlled home theater room, the $3,299 Hisense PX3-PRO offers better value. Its verified color accuracy and IMAX Enhanced certification make it ideal for movie viewing. The $4,999 Thor T60's extra brightness isn't as crucial in a dark room.
The PX3-PRO features the latest Google TV platform with better app support and a more refined interface compared to the Thor T60's Android TV 11 system.
Both projectors support HDMI 2.1 and offer low latency modes under 25ms, making them equally suitable for gaming. They both handle 4K/120Hz input for next-gen consoles.
The PX3-PRO features superior 50W Harman Kardon speakers compared to the Thor T60's 30W system, though for home theater use, external speakers are recommended for both.
Yes, both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen designed for UST projectors. This is especially important for the Thor T60 if you're utilizing its higher brightness.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for 20,000+ hours of use, meaning they should last over 10 years with typical usage.
For most users, the PX3-PRO offers better value at $3,299 unless you specifically need the Thor T60's extra brightness for a bright room setup.
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 - 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
