Comparing Today's Top Ultra Short Throw Projectors: Making Sense of Premium Options

If you're looking to create a truly impressive home theater setup, ultra short throw (UST) laser projectors represent some of the most exciting display technology available today. I've spent significant time testing both the Ultimea Thor T60 and AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro, and want to help you understand how these premium projectors stack up against each other.

The State of UST Projection in 2024

Ultra short throw projectors have revolutionized home theater by allowing massive screen sizes from just inches away from your wall. Unlike traditional projectors mounted on the ceiling or back of the room, UST models sit directly below your screen, using specialized optics to create huge images from very close distances.

Both of these models represent the latest generation of triple-laser UST technology. The Ultimea Thor launched in late 2023 at $4,999, while the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro arrived in early 2024 at $5,699 as an upgrade to their popular LTV-3500.

Picture Quality Deep Dive

Brightness Wars

One of the biggest differences between these projectors is their raw brightness output. The Ultimea Thor pushes an impressive 4,000 ANSI lumens compared to the AWOL's 3,500 lumens. ANSI lumens are a standardized measurement of projector brightness - more lumens means a brighter, more visible image even with some ambient room light.

This 500 lumen advantage gives the Thor noticeably better performance during daytime viewing or in rooms with windows. While both projectors benefit from an ambient light rejecting (ALR) screen, which helps preserve contrast by blocking room light while reflecting the projector's image, the Thor's extra brightness provides more flexibility in challenging lighting conditions.

Color Performance

Both projectors use advanced triple-laser light engines, which create incredibly wide color gamuts far beyond what traditional lamp-based projectors can achieve. The BT.2020 color space represents the absolute widest range of colors displays can theoretically produce. The Thor manages to reproduce 120% of this space, while the AWOL hits 107%.

In practical terms, both deliver exceptional color vibrancy that most viewers would find stunning. However, the Thor's wider gamut means it can display certain extremely saturated colors that the AWOL cannot quite match. This might matter for specific HDR content or professional color grading work.

HDR Processing

High Dynamic Range (HDR) support is comprehensive on both units, with Dolby Vision and HDR10 compatibility. The AWOL adds HDR10+ support, which allows for scene-by-scene optimization of brightness and contrast. In my testing, both handled HDR content admirably, though the Thor's higher peak brightness gave it a slight edge in reproducing bright highlight details.

Gaming Capabilities

For gamers, input lag (the delay between your controller input and seeing the result on screen) is crucial. The AWOL takes the clear lead here with just 15ms of lag at 4K/60Hz and an impressive 8ms at 1080p/120Hz. The Thor manages a respectable but higher 25ms at 4K/60Hz.

Both projectors support Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches to game mode when it detects a console. However, serious gamers will appreciate the AWOL's faster response times, particularly in competitive scenarios where every millisecond counts.

Audio Solutions

While both projectors include built-in speakers (30W total for Thor, 36W for AWOL), I'd strongly recommend an external audio system for a proper home theater setup. The AWOL's Dolby Atmos support provides better spatial audio processing, but the real difference maker will be your external speakers or soundbar.

Smart Features and Connectivity

The Thor includes Android TV 11.0 built-in, providing direct access to streaming apps without additional hardware. The AWOL takes a different approach, shipping with an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max for streaming duties.

The AWOL offers superior integration with smart home systems like Control4 and Crestron, making it a better choice for automated home theaters. Both include standard connectivity like HDMI 2.1 ports, but the AWOL's more mature software ecosystem may provide a smoother user experience.

Installation and Setup

Both projectors require careful placement to achieve optimal image alignment. They use similar throw ratios (0.21:1 for Thor, 0.25:1 for AWOL), meaning they need to sit roughly 13-14 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image. The Thor offers slightly more placement flexibility due to its shorter throw ratio.

Digital keystone correction helps adjust the image shape if perfect placement isn't possible, though I always recommend taking the time to position these properly rather than relying on digital corrections that can impact image quality.

Long-term Reliability

This is where brand history becomes relevant. AWOL has established itself in the UST market with several successful models, while Ultimea is relatively new. Both use similar core technologies and offer multi-year warranties, but AWOL's longer track record may provide additional peace of mind.

How to Make Your Decision

Choose the Ultimea Thor if:

• Your room has significant ambient light
• Color accuracy and gamut are top priorities
• You want built-in Android TV
• The $700 savings is meaningful
• You're comfortable with a newer brand

Choose the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro if:

• Gaming performance is crucial
• You need smart home integration
• Brand establishment matters
• You want HDR10+ support
• You're investing in a long-term solution

Both projectors represent impressive achievements in UST technology, offering picture quality that rivals or exceeds high-end TVs at much larger sizes. The Thor's brightness advantage and lower price make it compelling for bright rooms, while the AWOL's gaming performance and ecosystem integration justify its premium for certain users.

For my home theater, I'd likely choose the AWOL for its gaming performance and proven track record. However, the Thor's value proposition is strong, especially if maximum brightness is your priority. Either way, you'll end up with a stunning display capable of transforming any room into a premium home theater.

Ultimea Thor Triple Laser 4K UST Projector Deals and Prices

AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro Ultra Short Throw Projector Deals and Prices