Epson LS650 Ultra Short Throw Projector Review

This Epson LS650 review comes originally from our good friend Greg at MondoProjos who at his home across the Atlantic in France takes all the measurements and spends hours upon hours reviewing every aspect of these devices. This Epson EpiqVision LS650 projector review was done on a European model so some specs may differ. Now here's Greg's thoughts on the LS650!

In the field of ultra short throw projection, it is the Chinese projectors like the Formovie Theater, that are in the lead. They have taken a head start with innovative devices (triple laser), equipped with sophisticated smartTV functions and with a convincing all-in-one experience.

We could easily compare this situation to that of the automobile market in which the established brands which dominated the global market were unable to anticipate the shift to all-electric and now find themselves trying to make up for the accumulated delay.

This is somewhat the case for Epson , whose LCD home cinema projectors have long dominated the classic focal length projection market with devices that still delight their owners. But Epson’s initial close-up projector offering, the Epson LS500 sat the furthest from the screen amongst the 4K UST projectors and lacked the picture quality of many of its peers.

This was not the only manufacturer faced with this situation. However, Epson did not admit defeat and after a convincing release of the 4K LS800, here comes the new kid, the EH-LS650. This 0.62 panel 3LCD projector with C2 Fine is illuminated by a blue laser light source with phosphor wheel.

The UST projectors of this brand represent the only alternative to DLP models and therefore the only lifeline for people sensitive to the rainbow effects of projectors with DMD chips.

So with the current context out of the way, it is time in the Epson LS650 projector review to analyze in detail and precisely what this 3LCD has to offer against the DLP horde!

Projector Details

Anchored in the EpiqVision Ultra range which already brings together the small EF-11 and EF-12 and the LS800. The LS650 is an ultra short throw projector (0.25:1 throw ratio) with a laser/phosphor light source advertised with a maximum light output of 3600 lumens.

While this model supports 4K HDR/HLG signals, it emulates UHD resolution from Full HD native resolution LCD panels. This is not native 4K, only JVC and Sony, at the time of writing this Epson LS650 review, really offer this resolution of 4096x2160 without artifice or image manipulation. Epson uses 4K enhancement technology that shifts each pixel diagonally to double the Full HD resolution of its LCD panels.

The LS650 is a complete media solution that combines a projector with a Yamaha sound system and smartTV functions driven by an interface based on Android 11 with an application store (Google store) and a media player. The smartTV functions are fully integrated and you do not need to install an additional stick like with some other projectors like the AWOL Vision LTV-3500. The main streaming channels are supported directly with the exception of Netflix.

The designers of this device also had the good idea of ??borrowing the Bluetooth synchronization of the remote control from the Chinese USTs. That may not seem like much, but this adds a great deal of comfort on a daily basis that you no longer have to aim at the infrared sensors to control a device!

The Epson LS650 exists in two colors, white and black, (it's the anthracite version that I'm testing today) and has been on the market for a few days at a price of $2,799.

A little extra important information, this projector benefits from a 60 month or 12,000 hour warranty (first limit reached).

Device tour

With its dimensions of 18.4 x 15.7 x 6.0 in (Width x Depth x Height) for a weight of 16.3 lbs, the general appearance is reminiscent of another ultra short focal length laser model from the manufacturer, the Epson LS300. To this base, the manufacturer will has added the 4K PRO UHD functionality.

This optical device is fixed with an average projection ratio for an ultra short throw focal length of 0.25:1. Below is a table that summarizes most distance to screen size ratios.

The focus is adjusted using a manual dial placed under a cover on one side of the device. I would have preferred motorized management that is controlled using the remote control because you can adjust the sharpness very precisely by keeping your eye as close as possible to the screen.

The connection includes 2 sockets: an HDMI 2.0 HDCP 2.3 and an HDMI2 (eARC/ARC), the USB-A port allows you to connect a USB device such as an external hard drive or a keyboard. For access to the ports, I had quite a problem with the complicated access to the sockets of the LS800 hidden behind a panel on the side, with the EH-LS650, it is much simpler. The ports are conventionally positioned on the part of the projector which faces the screen. I just regret that the overhang of the hull is so large, which still makes access to the connections less easy than on other models where the ports are not recessed.

You can update the projector directly at home by connecting it to the internet.

A dust filter is placed in a retractable cover located under the device.

The Yamaha audio system is in 2.1 format (Speaker × 2, Woofer × 1) with an overall power of 20W. The LS650 can also be used as an external speaker with a Bluetooth connection.

Menus

The ultra short throw being the popular choice of the times, I have mainly been testing this type of projector for several months. I am therefore well accustomed to the Android interface and its drop-down menus which control most of these devices. If the manufacturer would like some feedback, I regret the disappearance of the essential functions for image calibration. From the menu there is no adjustment for the gray scale, nor Color Management System (CMS) on 3 axes, nor Gamut selection.

It's all the more distressing since all these functions exist on most of the brand's classic focal length projectors and they are particularly effective. Under these conditions, I was not able to calibrate this device as I am used to.

This approach is perhaps carried out to simplify the use of the device but we must not forget that a good part of the blog's readers are attached to colorimetric fidelity and precision.

I will therefore content myself with the analysis of the 4 image modes which are listed as follows: “dynamic, vivid, cinema, natural”. Instead of the gray scale, we have a series of predefined color temperatures that range from 1 to 14, with 1 being the warmest temperature and 14 being the coolest. Gamma is also available in scale, as is the choice of EOTF level for HDR/HLG sources.

The light power is controlled by the remote control with a level bar without any incrementation so we go by our nose, our ear and the external probe to know what level we are at. It is nevertheless necessary to underline the presence of this option which allows you to obtain a very precise level (after measurements) of the light power by adapting it to the size of your screen. Two levels of dynamic contrast are offered: “normal and fast”.

It is not a DLP so it will be less subject to judder but the video processing includes an image interpolation mode with 3 intervention levels "low, medium and high" and a super resolution mode to improve sharpness.

For Gaming, rapid panel processing will offer a lower level of input lag than that offered by “fine” operation. Last thing, the LS650 is not 3D compatible.

Technical Evaluation

For this part of the projector review, I carried out my measurements with a Klein K10A profiled colorimeter throughout my tests using a Jeti 1501 Hi Res reference spectrophotometer with an optical resolution of 2 nm (mandatory for the narrow spectrum of laser projectors). The test patterns are projected onto a white screen (so as not to cheat with a ultra short throw projector screen) using a Murideo 6G pattern generator in a dedicated home theater room. The software used is Calman in its professional version.

Colorimetry

I must first express my incomprehension about the choices of the designers of this product to limit the calibration options while the manufacturer has always equipped its home cinema models with gray scale management and CMS on the 3 dimensions of Gamut. Given the current state of the options available, I am not able to finely calibrate this device.
I therefore limited my analysis to the study of the available image modes and their respective Gamut. With its single laser/phosphor, the LS650 does not fully cover the widest color spaces. In HDR mode, it reaches 78.2% of DCI-P3 and in SDR, it is even below the rec.709 references (87.9%).

The good news is that in SDR, right out of the box if you select the “natural” mode, you will find yourself with a particularly well adjusted colorimetry with deltaE differences less than 3 on the gray scale, the color checker and saturations. This is particularly interesting for the user who is looking for colors that are true to the director's intent right out of the box. Bravo to Epson for this point! Here are my measurements above for this mode:

HDR management

If the LS650 does not manage HDR10+ or ??Dolby Vision dynamic metadata (on this part the competition is ahead), it has the good taste to offer an option for automatic adaptation of the EOTF Gamma to the source signal. This is a first for a projector at this price and above all, it is very effective. Analysis of the treatment applied shows that the projector adheres almost perfectly to the EOTF and luminance curves.

I tested the processing of 1000 nits/2000/3000 nits and 4000 nits encodings, the projector applies the correct level of correction up to 3000 nits. Beyond that, the DTM of the LS650 cries out for mercy but that doesn't matter because masters at this level are rare.

The only regret in HDR management is not having access to a 2-point adjustment of the gray scale, but I have already mentioned this above.

Contrast and brightness

The brightness is excellent, especially if we reduce it to controlled electricity consumption. The manufacturer announces a maximum of 3600 lumens, I for my part noted a peak at 3367 lumens.

With fair colors it will remain 2077/1791/1281 lumens (depending on the laser power mode selected). In the lowest level (1281 lumens), this power will allow it to maintain a luminance of 26 fL with an image base in 16:9 format of 2m85 in HDR and 3m63 in SDR.

The native contrast level is not exceptional (909:1) with a black level of 0.229 cd/m2. The good news is that dynamic contrast is fully operational and has a noticeable visual impact without pumping. The sequential contrast measurement (FOFO) thus amounts to 4537:1. I would have preferred a better native contrast so as not to lose dynamics (in fact, this option will adjust the luminous flux in real time to lower it in dark scenes but if the black level is lowered, the same applies for the brightness level). So in any case, dynamic contrast is just a stopgap. When you have the choice, it is better to favor the native contrast.

Image precision

Don't expect a miracle on this point, the need to align the 3 panels and an emulated 4K resolution do not allow the LS650 to challenge DLP projectors on their preferred terrain: precision and sharpness. I note, however, that the traces of misalignment remain very slight and that no setting intervention in the menus was necessary. You can adjust pixels horizontally and vertically in increments of 0.125 pixels within a range of ±3 pixels.

To compensate for this small detail, the manufacturer relies on its in-house video processing called “super resolution” which should artificially restore sharpness. It's quite effective as you can see in the photo montage below.

Motion handling and fluidity

Unlike sharpness, fluidity is to the advantage of LCD projectors which reproduce 24p signals without conversion to 60hz and therefore without poor 3:2 pulldown. Be careful, however, that the reproduction of 1080p24 sources, even when done correctly (which is the case with this Epson ), does not in any way mean that the image will be perfectly fluid. It will look just like what you see in the movies.

The 3 levels of image interpolation are effective from the lowest level, it is in fact this option that I used the most during my various viewings of film and series extracts.

Input lag

There is no specific “game” image mode, an option is simply present which allows the LCD panels to work more quickly and reduce input lag. Under these conditions, I measured a delay level limited to 27 ms on UHD signals at 60 Hz.

Laser speckle

I'm not going to spend too much time on this part because this Epson UST doesn't show any trace of laser speckle.

Overscan, gray border and rainbow effect

The nice thing about an LCD projector is that you can say goodbye to all those unwanted artifacts of DLP projectors like the perception of rainbow effects (luckily I'm not sensitive to them) and the disastrous gray frame DMD 0.47 chips. None of this is the case with the Epson EH-LS650. It is also the only UST laser model at this price that can guarantee an experience free of rainbow effects.

The overscan is disabled as with the vast majority of projectors, I always wonder about the point of this part with models which all have it disabled by default.

Quality of the integrated sound system

Formovie chose Bowers and Wilkins and Denon to provide sound for its projectors, Epson partnered with Yamaha. This choice is relevant and the audio system integrated into this new UST allows you to do without an external amplifier. Bass, precision and amplitude, all these qualities apply wonderfully to the Yamaha solution and here we are in what is best at the moment.

Operating noise

In the absence of precise benchmarks on the % of light power which varies the sound intensity of the LS650 's cooling system , we will content ourselves with these figures. The highest operating level is 38.6 dB, this is noticeable and for me disturbing. I also think that most users will lower the power to the level of 35.9 dB which is much more bearable and above all which, with the power reserve, remains very bright.

Power consumption

Maximum power consumption is 234.1W compared to 162.2W after lowering to the quietest sound operating level. This is reasonable, especially when we compare these figures to the more than 300W consumed by the triple laser DLPs.

Subjective opinion

The Epson LS650 is one of the few alternatives to DLP projectors in the field of ultra short throw home projection. I must say that after having tested triple lasers equipped with DMD chips, I find the image of the LS650 much more relaxing. It allows you to follow sessions without ever suffering from visual fatigue. Don't get me wrong, I love the precision offered by the DLP competitors, but with the 3LCD models we are in another world. The image is closer to the silver rendering of an analog cinema projection.

The brightness of the LS650 is pleasant and being able to benefit from a very balanced color mode right out of the box will save you from fiddling with the remote control during the film to try to find the right setting.

The fidelity of the reproduction of skin tones is there and it is one of the elements that our eye first notices.

The other fundamental element for our eye is contrast and in this part, the LS650 remains behind the UST ALPD projectors. To demonstrate this, a passage from the Final Voyage of the Demeter is composed of a nocturnal scene on the deck of the boat in which Dracula is visible from behind by the man on watch. Even if we lower the laser level and activate dynamic contrast, the black density is much better on DLPs like the Formovie Theater or the Vava chroma clone, the Nexigo Aurora Pro. The reproduction of details is very good but there is a lack of depth in the dark.

For image precision, Epson's PRO UHD processing is not able to match the level of precision achieved by micro-mirror projectors. This is a technological limitation that Epson partly attempts to compensate for. by the super resolution device which is rather convincing.

Although I regret the absence of HDR10+ and/or Dolby Vision support, it must still be recognized that the presence of an effective DTM makes life easier for the end user and that high dynamic sources benefit from the high brightness of the projector. However, the LS650 lacks the wide color space found on triple laser competitors. On this point, the difference in the rendering and the power of the colors is notable.

Conclusion

The LS650 is a balanced model that has no real weaknesses or faults. The progress on the integration of smartTV functions is notable. I also note for the user the possibility of benefiting from an SDR image almost calibrated right out of the box while benefiting from a good reserve of lumens.

I must also highlight the excellence (and the word is not overused) of the Yamaha integrated sound system. Finally bass, amplitude and precision combined. On this part the new Epson competes with the Bower and Wilkins system installed in the Formovie Theater.

Even if the contrast can be improved thanks to the dynamic management of the laser power, the UST ALPD single or triple laser DLPs remain well ahead but they can generate speckle or rainbow effects for sensitive people. These visual defects do not exist on the Epson LS650.

Finally, I would like to repeat it, the UST 3LCDs are the only current alternatives to all the DLP references on the market.

Finally, I hesitated for a long time about the level of recognition to attribute to this model but if its qualities are numerous and undeniable, I regret the lack of compatibility with at least one of the dynamic metadata sources (HDR10+ or ??Dolby Vision) and more annoying for the calibrator that I am, the inability to gain colorimetric precision due to lack of ad hoc options. It is therefore an Award limited to money which will highlight the qualities of the LS650, of which you will find a long summary below.