When it comes to creating a true home theater experience, Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors have revolutionized what's possible. Today, we'll compare two leading options: the XGIMI Aura 2 ($2,699) and the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 ($3,448), helping you understand which might be right for your setup.
Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors use specially designed lenses to create large images from just inches away. This clever technology means you can place them in a TV console or low table, making them perfect for modern living rooms where space is at a premium.
Think of UST projectors as the best of both worlds - they give you massive screen sizes like traditional projectors, but with the convenience of a TV-like setup. No more mounting on the ceiling or dealing with people walking through the projection beam.
The XGIMI Aura 2 launched in September 2024, bringing several innovative features to the market. Its standout advancement is the Dual Light 2.0 technology, which combines LED and laser light sources. Think of it like having both a spotlight and a flood light working together - the laser provides punch while the LED ensures color accuracy.
The Epson LS800 takes a different approach, using a tried-and-true 3LCD laser system. This technology splits white light into three colors (red, green, blue) using special mirrors, ensuring bright, colorful images. While it's a more established technology, it delivers impressive results, especially in brighter rooms.
Here's where things get interesting. The Epson LS800's 4,000 lumens (a measure of light output) significantly outshines the Aura 2's 2,300 lumens. For context, most traditional TVs output around 500-1,000 lumens.
What does this mean in real-world use? The Epson excels in bright rooms and daytime viewing. If you're planning to use your projector for Sunday football or daytime movies, the LS800 has a clear advantage. However, the Aura 2's brightness is still plenty for most evening viewing and moderately lit rooms.
While brightness is important, it's not everything. The Aura 2's Dual Light 2.0 technology achieves an impressive 99% of the DCI-P3 color space (the standard used in digital cinema). This means more accurate colors and better reproduction of what directors intended you to see.
The LS800's 3LCD system produces vibrant images with excellent contrast, but it can't quite match the Aura 2's color accuracy. However, its higher brightness means colors remain vivid even with ambient light, while the Aura 2's colors might appear washed out in bright conditions.
The XGIMI Aura 2 shines in the smart features department. It runs Android TV with built-in streaming apps, voice control, and automatic screen adaptation features. It can automatically adjust the image based on your wall color and even correct for slightly uneven surfaces - particularly helpful if you're projecting directly onto a wall.
The Epson offers Android TV as well, but its setup and adjustment features aren't quite as advanced. However, it does include gaming-specific features like reduced input lag (16.7ms), making it an excellent choice for gamers.
Both projectors include built-in speaker systems, but the Aura 2's four 15W speakers (total 60W) with Dolby Atmos support provide a more immersive experience out of the box. The Epson includes a capable Yamaha 2.1 system, but it's not quite as powerful.
For a true home theater experience, you'll likely want to connect either projector to an external sound system. Both support this through HDMI ARC, making it easy to integrate with your existing audio setup.
At $2,699, the XGIMI Aura 2 represents excellent value, especially considering its advanced features and superior color accuracy. The Epson LS800 at $3,448 costs more but justifies its price with class-leading brightness and gaming features.
Choose the XGIMI Aura 2 if:
Choose the Epson LS800 if:
Both projectors represent the cutting edge of UST technology, but they serve slightly different needs. The Aura 2's focus on color accuracy and smart features makes it ideal for dedicated home theater environments, while the LS800's brightness and gaming features make it perfect for multipurpose living rooms.
For most users seeking a premium home theater experience in a controlled environment, the XGIMI Aura 2 offers better value and more advanced features. However, if you need maximum versatility for both day and night viewing, the Epson LS800's extra brightness might be worth the additional investment.
Remember that either projector will need a proper screen for best results, though both can project onto a white wall if needed. Consider this additional cost when planning your setup, as a good ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen can significantly improve the viewing experience, especially for the less bright Aura 2.
| XGIMI Aura 2 | Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 |
|---|---|
| Price - Base investment required | |
| $2,699 (better value for features) | $3,448 (premium pricing) |
| Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and ambient light | |
| 2,300 ISO lumens (good for dim/dark rooms) | 4,000 lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Light Source Technology - Impacts color accuracy and long-term performance | |
| Dual Light 2.0 (LED + Laser hybrid, better colors) | 3LCD Laser (brighter but less color accurate) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how accurate and vibrant colors appear | |
| 99% DCI-P3 (cinema-grade accuracy) | Not specified (good but lower than Aura 2) |
| Throw Ratio - Determines how close to wall needed for 100" image | |
| 0.177:1 (needs 17.8cm for 100") | Not specified (requires slightly more distance) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for gamers | |
| Basic gaming support (higher lag) | 16.7ms input lag (excellent for gaming) |
| Audio System - Built-in sound quality | |
| 4x15W speakers with Dolby Atmos (superior) | 2x5W + 10W sub (good but not as powerful) |
| Smart Features - Ease of use and streaming | |
| Advanced Android TV, auto-adjustment features | Basic Android TV, fewer smart features |
| Lamp Life - Long term ownership cost | |
| 20,000 hours (about 10 years typical use) | 20,000 hours (equivalent lifespan) |
The XGIMI Aura 2 is ideal for dedicated theater rooms due to its superior color accuracy (99% DCI-P3) and Dolby Atmos support. Its 2,300 lumens are plenty for controlled lighting environments, and the better color reproduction makes movies look more cinematic.
The Epson LS800 with 4,000 lumens significantly outperforms the Aura 2 in bright environments. If you're planning to watch during the day or in a room with lots of ambient light, the LS800's extra brightness makes a noticeable difference.
The XGIMI Aura 2 costs $2,699, while the Epson LS800 is priced at $3,448. The $749 difference might be justified if you need the extra brightness of the Epson.
The Aura 2's quad 15W speakers (60W total) with Dolby Atmos support provide superior audio compared to the Epson's 2.1 system. However, for a true home theater experience, external speakers are recommended for both.
The XGIMI Aura 2 needs just 17.8cm for a 100-inch image with its 0.177:1 throw ratio. The Epson requires slightly more distance but is still considered ultra-short throw.
The Epson LS800 is superior for gaming with its 16.7ms input lag. The Aura 2 has higher input lag, making it less ideal for competitive gaming.
Both projectors support 4K resolution, though they use different technologies. The Aura 2 uses DLP technology while the Epson uses 3LCD pixel-shifting to achieve 4K.
Both projectors feature 20,000-hour rated light sources, equivalent to about 10 years of typical use (5-6 hours daily).
The XGIMI Aura 2 offers more advanced smart features, including auto-keystone correction, wall color adaptation, and a more refined Android TV implementation.
While both can project onto a white wall, an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen is recommended, especially for the Aura 2 due to its lower brightness. This maximizes contrast and image quality.
The Epson LS800 is better for sports viewing due to its higher brightness, which maintains image clarity during daytime viewing when many sports events occur.
Yes, both projectors can create 100"+ images while sitting close to the wall like a TV. The XGIMI Aura 2 is better for movie enthusiasts, while the Epson LS800 is more versatile for mixed-use scenarios.
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: us.xgimi.com - us.xgimi.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorreviews.com - techradar.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - us.xgimi.com - us.xgimi.com - hometheaterreview.com - techradar.com - danamic.org - projectorscreen.com - projectorcentral.com - epson.com - dreamediaav.com - dell.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - audiogeneral.com - news.epson.com - projectorcentral.com
