When it comes to creating a high-end home theater experience, Ultra-Short Throw (UST) laser projectors have revolutionized what's possible. Today, we'll compare two fascinating options: the Ultimea Thor T60 ($4,999) and the Leica Cine 1 ($9,495), helping you understand which might be right for your setup.
Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors use sophisticated optics to create large images from just inches away. This technology has made projectors practical for many homes where long throw distances weren't possible before.
Both these projectors use laser light sources instead of traditional bulbs, offering several advantages:
The Thor T60, released in early 2023, represents the latest generation of UST technology. It leverages Texas Instruments' newest 0.47-inch DLP chip, which uses rapid pixel-shifting to create a 4K image. This newer technology has dramatically improved brightness and color accuracy compared to earlier UST projectors.
The Leica Cine 1, introduced in late 2022, takes a different approach. While using similar core technology, Leica focuses on premium optics and image processing. Their Summicron lens system, featuring four aspherical elements, delivers exceptional clarity that's particularly noticeable at the edges of the image.
The Thor T60's 4,000 ANSI lumens make it one of the brightest UST projectors available. For context, that's bright enough to deliver a vivid image even with some lights on - crucial for multipurpose rooms or daytime viewing. ANSI lumens are a standardized measurement of brightness, more reliable than regular lumens claims.
The Leica offers 3,000 ANSI lumens, which is still plenty bright for most situations but may struggle more with ambient light. However, Leica's approach prioritizes contrast and color accuracy over raw brightness.
Both projectors deliver excellent image quality, but in different ways:
The Thor T60 excels at:
The Leica Cine 1 stands out for:
The Thor T60 runs Android TV 11, offering built-in streaming and voice control. It includes:
The Leica takes a more minimalist approach but still offers modern connectivity:
In actual use, both projectors impress but suit different scenarios. The Thor T60 proves more versatile, handling everything from bright-room sports viewing to dark-room movies with aplomb. Its higher brightness makes it more practical as a TV replacement in a living room.
The Leica, while less bright, delivers more refined image quality that home theater enthusiasts will appreciate. In a dedicated theater room, its superior optics and natural color reproduction create a more cinematic experience.
Both projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image alignment. They need to sit:
The Thor T60 offers more adjustment flexibility with its digital keystone correction, while the Leica emphasizes precise physical placement.
At nearly half the price of the Leica, the Thor T60 delivers exceptional value. It matches or exceeds the Leica in several technical specifications and offers more features. However, the Leica Cine 1 justifies its premium price through superior optics, build quality, and refined image processing.
Choose the Thor T60 if you:
Choose the Leica Cine 1 if you:
Both projectors represent excellent choices in the UST category, but they target different users. The Thor T60 offers tremendous value and versatility, making it the better choice for most users. The Leica Cine 1 delivers premium performance for discerning home theater enthusiasts who prioritize image quality above all else.
Remember that either projector will benefit significantly from a proper ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen, which can add $500-2,000 to your total cost but dramatically improves image quality, especially in rooms with ambient light.
For most users, the Thor T60 represents the sweet spot of performance and value. However, if budget allows and you're creating a dedicated home theater space, the Leica Cine 1's premium performance might be worth the investment.
| Ultimea Thor T60 ($4,999) | Leica Cine 1 ($9,495) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light viewing and HDR impact | |
| 4,000 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 3,000 ANSI lumens (best in controlled lighting) |
| Native Contrast - Determines black level quality and image depth | |
| 4,000:1 (excellent for UST projector) | 1,000:1 (compensated by superior processing) |
| Color Gamut - Affects color vibrancy and accuracy | |
| 120% BT.2020 (exceptionally wide) | 100% BT.2020 (focuses on accuracy over range) |
| Lens Quality - Impacts edge clarity and color fringing | |
| Standard UST lens (good but some CA at edges) | Summicron lens (exceptional clarity, minimal CA) |
| Gaming Latency - Critical for responsive gaming | |
| <25ms (excellent for gaming) | Not specified (likely >40ms) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use and streaming | |
| Android TV 11, full app store | Basic smart features, focused on simplicity |
| Throw Ratio - Determines installation flexibility | |
| 0.21:1 (15" from wall for 120") | 0.25:1 (14.3" from wall for 120") |
| Build Quality - Impacts longevity and aesthetic | |
| Good quality plastic construction | Premium materials, superior build |
| Value Proposition - Overall price/performance ratio | |
| Excellent value, leading specifications | Premium pricing, superior optics focus |
The Ultimea Thor T60 ($4,999) offers superior brightness at 4,000 ANSI lumens compared to the Leica Cine 1's ($9,495) 3,000 ANSI lumens, making it better suited for rooms with ambient light.
The Thor T60 provides exceptional value at $4,999 with comparable or better specs in most areas, while the Leica Cine 1 commands a premium price for superior optics and build quality.
The Thor T60 is significantly better for gaming with its <25ms input lag and HDMI 2.1 support, while the Leica Cine 1 doesn't specifically target gaming performance.
The Leica Cine 1 excels in dedicated theater rooms with its superior lens quality and natural color reproduction, while the Thor T60 offers better HDR performance due to higher brightness.
Yes, both projectors perform best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, which is essential for optimal contrast and black levels in any lighting condition.
Both projectors require similar placement, with the Thor T60 needing about 15 inches and the Leica Cine 1 requiring 14.3 inches for a 120-inch image.
The Thor T60 offers more comprehensive smart features with Android TV 11, while the Leica Cine 1 provides basic smart functionality focused on simplicity.
The Leica Cine 1 offers superior edge clarity and color accuracy, while the Thor T60 provides better contrast and HDR performance.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for 20,000+ hours of use, equivalent to over 10 years of typical viewing.
Yes, both support 4K streaming, but the Thor T60 offers a more comprehensive streaming platform with its Android TV system.
The Thor T60 is better for sports viewing due to its higher brightness and motion handling, especially in rooms with ambient light.
Both excel at movie playback, with the Leica Cine 1 offering more cinema-like image quality in dark rooms, while the Thor T60 provides better HDR impact.
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 - projectorcentral.com - projectorreviews.com - leicacamerausa.com - projectorreviews.com - whathifi.com - leicacamerausa.com - bhphotovideo.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreen.com - crutchfield.com - leicarumors.com - projectorscreen.com
