Ultra short throw projectors are a relatively new style of projector designed for well lit rooms to be a big screen television replacement. That's part of why they're also known as laser TVs. These UST projectors sit directly underneath the movie screen instead of the other side of the room like a regular throw projector.
There are a number of different factors that go into determining which ultra short throw projector is best, such as brightness, color gamut and throw distance. But with dozens of options to choose from, which UST should you buy? Which one is right for you? We'll answer these question as part of our ultra short throw projector shootout series where we compare two laser TVs against each other. Our projection experts watched hours upon hours of content and assembled a side by side comparison of the various laser TV projectors. For today's shootout, let's find out which is better the Epson LS800 vs. the LG HU715Q.
The LG HU715Q is the single laser younger sibling of the LG HU915QE and LG HU915QB. LG wanted to expand their offerings with a lower priced UST, and they accomplished that with the LG HU715Q CineBeam ultra short throw projector. With 2500 lumens, this single laser unit offers the fantastic 4K image of its predecessors but at a much lower price. We cover this UST in our LG HU715Q review.
The goal of Epson was to make an ultra short throw projector bright enough for just about any room that still provides viewers an incredible and vibrant 4K image. With the Epson LS800, they fully accomplished their mission. If you want a bright UST, the Epson LS800 is the best in the business with 4,000 lumens of brightness. Check out our review of the Epson LS800.
So the question that we will seek to answer today: which is the better ultra short throw projector, the Epson LS800 or the LG HU715Q?
Check out our head to head comparison of these two fantastic ultra short throw projectors to find out.
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Epson LS800 |
LG HU715Q |
Our Thoughts: |
Brightness |
4000 |
2500 |
The Epson LS800 is undoubtedly the brightest UST and easily beats the still bright LG projector. |
Throw Ratio |
0.17:1 |
0.25:1 |
The Epson LS800 sits closer than every other ultra short throw. |
Chipset |
3LCD |
.47" DLP |
LS800 uses the 3LCD chipset which provides a brighter output and avoids the rainbow effect. The LG UST projector uses the a DLP chip which offers a sharper image. |
Light Source |
Single Blue Laser |
Single Blue Laser |
Both projectors use a single blue laser and color filters to create the image. |
Color |
77% DCI-P3 |
86% DCI-P3 |
The LG HU715Q has a wider color gamut than the still impressive Epson LS800. |
Contrast Ratio |
2966:1 |
1700:1 |
The contrast on the Epson is significantly better than the LG. |
Image Size |
80 to 150 inches |
80 to 120 inches |
The LS800 allows you to produce an incredibly large 150 inch screen size giving you more installation options. |
ALR Projector Screen |
Available Bundled With 100", 120" Screen, or on its own |
Projector screen sold separately |
Epson's 4K UST can come bundled with an ambient light rejection projector screen. You need to buy it separately with the LG UST. |
Input Lag |
16.7 ms |
53.9 ms |
The Epson LS800 is arguably the best UST gaming projector and is significantly better when it comes to input lag. |
Audio |
(x2)20W Yamaha Speakers |
20W+20W Stereo |
Both have powerful built-in soundbars, but the edge goes to the Epson for sound quality. |
Price |
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The LG HU715Q comes in at a lower price point. The LS800 is still a great value especially when bundled with a projector screen. |
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Epson LS800
The Pros
- Brightest UST projector on the market
- Incredible contrast
- Great value for the price
- Sits closer to the screen than any other laser TV
- Best UST projector for video gaming
- Able to make an image size up to 150 inches
- Can be purchased bundled with 100 or 120 inch ALR screen
- No rainbow effect
- Very good built-in speakers
- Available in either black or white casing
- Has 3 HDMI ports
The Cons
- Color gamut capability is less than other similarly priced projectors
- No Grayscale, Gamma or Color Management (CMS) Adjustments as there are on other Epson projectors
- Less sharp of an image
- No Dynamic Tone Mapping, Dolby Vision or HDR10+ Dynamic HDR formats.
- Large chassis, with legs set far apart meaning you need a wider TV stand
- No 3D support
- Is only ARC compatible and doesn't have eARC
LG HU715Q
The Pros
- Realistic and vibrant looking colors
- Very Sharp Image
- Gives you lots of picture and sound setting options
- Supports HGIG for HDR gaming
- Includes built-in Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime and more
The Cons
- Only comes in white
- Remote is overly complex
- Only comes with a 1 year limited warranty
- Doesn't support 3D
So Which UST Is Better, The LG HU715Q Or The Epson LS800?
Without a doubt both of these 4K ultra short throw projectors are fantastic options. It doesn't matter way you go, you'll be perfectly happy with either of these laser TV. But ultimately we had to make a decision. So in the head to head showdown between the LG HU715Q and Epson LS800 the winner is the………
Epson LS800
Why You Should Buy The Epson LS800
Epson's UST gives you a number of great reasons why you'd want to choose the LS800 over the LG HU715Q. It's significantly brighter, sits much closer to the screen, and can make an image up to 150 inches in size. These make it the perfect living room projector which is how most people plan to use their laser TV.
The incredible contrast and wide color gamut help the LS800 offer an incredibly vibrant and detailed 4K image that can easily take your breath away every time you power it on.
If you're a gamer, buying the Epson LS800 is a no brainer given its incredibly low lag time.
You also want to pick the LS800 if you are bothered by the rainbow effect.
Another advantage of the Epson EpiqVision LS800 is that it can be bundled with either a 100 inch or 120 inch ambient light rejecting screen for an extra value. As a bonus the LS800 is available in both a black and a white chassis.
Why You Should Buy The LG HU715Q
Just because the LG HU715Q didn't beat the Epson LS800 in this ultra short throw projector shootout, doesn't mean it's not the right choice for you. Even though it lost, it still produces an incredible image on your screen.
If you prioritize vibrant colors then the LG HU715Q should be your choice because it has a much wider color gamut. The DLP chipset also helps give this projector a significantly sharper image than the Epson laser TV.
If your top priority is budget, then the lower priced LG HU715Q gets the advantage.
Which Ultra Short Throw Do You Think Is Better?
Which ultra short throw projector do you think is better the Epson LS800 or the LG HU715Q? Which one would you buy? Which do you want to see head to head in our next laser TV shootout? Let us know in the comments below!
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If you have any questions on these projectors or anything else projection related don’t hesitate to hit us up at ProjectorScreen.com. Thanks for reading and keep on projecting!