Epson Ensemble HD 6500UB, 6100, and new pricing
June 29th, 2009 Art FeiermanUPDATE: The Ensemble HD Review has been posted.
Greetings all,
This blog will be short (well, short for something I write)! I’ve already posted an article on the new configurations of the Ensemble HD, and the new pricing.
The long and short of it is this: The Ensemble HD continues to be the only fully integrated projector based home theater system on the market. And one designed for a quick and easy installation! As such, what are now three different models, have no direct competition. They do, however, “compete” with systems put together by folks piece by piece, making separate decisions on projector, AV receiver, 5.1 surround sound speaker systems, programmable remotes, etc.
For those not up to the challenge of getting knowledgeable about each of those products, the Ensemble HD provides a solution that’s pretty straightforward, and offers excellent performance.
One of the more brilliant aspects of the Ensemble concept is the ease of installation. With the front left/center/right speakers built into the motorized 100 inch screen casing, the rear speakers in the projector cradle, and provide wiring channels that can be quickly mounted, and painted with your ceiling or wall paint to blend in, a full installation is typically about 5 hours or less. In other words, going that route you might save a couple thousand dollars compared to a full installation of separate components where you end up opening the walls and ceiling to run the wires, and all that entails.
Here’s what’s new for 2009:
First, the entry level version – the Ensemble HD 720, remains the same product. The only notworthy difference is the drop in price from $4999 to $4699. $300 isn’t a whole lot, but, every bit helps.
Far more significant, the old Ensemble HD 1080 which featured the Home Cinema 1080 projector has been replaced by the Ensemble HD 6100. The 6100 projector is the replacement for the old 1080, and is a bit brighter, has higher contrast, slightly improved black levels and a few other minor changes. The biggest news for this transition is pricing. The old Ensemble HD 1080 cost $6999, while the new improved version drops a whopping $1000 to $5999.
Finally, for those into performance, Epson corrected what was in my opinion, a mistake, which was not to offer a version of the Ensemble HD last year featuring their ultra-high contrast 1080 UB projector. Problem solved with the introduction of the Ensemble HD 6500UB. You can now have the top of the line version (of the Home Cinema lineup) for $100 less than the old 1080 – for $6899. You get a dramatically higher performance projector for less than last years model.
For the 6100 and 6500UB, you also get another dollar saving benefit – These new Epson’s offer lamps that are rated 4000 hours in high power mode, compared to 1700 on the older ones (and the 720). In the long run, that will save many hundreds of dollars.
That’s about it!
With the lower prices, and the 6500UB projector option, I’m an even bigger fan of the Ensemble HD now. (And I do own the old 1080 version, which is my “2nd theater.” The Ensemble HD is installed in my testing room (had to move out a file cabinet, and add a small futon/sofa.)
Check out the more in-depth “mini-review” of the new Ensemble HD systems on our main site.
July 9th, 2009 at 5:52 am
Art:
Out of curiosity, did they upgrade the A/V unit to include Blu-ray?
For all others considering this unit, and honest opinion here…
I researched and visited the Ensemble System around the new year prior to making my final decision on a home theater system. It was a hard system to beat for the price is what I found out, as well as the custom theater installer I ended up going with. As mentioned by Art, the versatility and quality of the package are impressive. One thing to remember as well is you can take the Ensemble system with you when your family moves to a new location!
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Hi again Eric,
NO, the new ensemble’s still have the standard DVD player. But now that blu-ray players are easy to find for less than $250, it’s not that big a deal. And who knows, considering how important the ability to upgrade a blu-ray player is, it may well have been a wise move for Epson. I’m still using a pair of original PS3′s which are still as upgradable as any player, while most of the other early players are now obsolete, because they weren’t fully upgradeable. Fortunately, virtually all of the newer models are upgradeable. -art
The only disadvantage I and the custom installer found (he demo’d it with me at an Epson showroom) is the upgrade path left something to be desired as it is all-in-one, and the audio although impressive could be better. These were my only reasons for not choosing it; however, I have to admit, adding the 6500UB to the lineup makes as well as the new pricing makes this HIGHLY competitive!
Realistically what we found out in matching what the Ensemble gives customers as a whole — HD projection, 5.1 sound, motorized screen, all-in-one remote, speaker and system design that blends with decor, etc — is that it’s price point still falls below most any custom install by at least $1-2K as it can be assembled in 3 hours tops! Buying the thing out-of-state and installing it oneself will save tax and labor costs that will easily help to furnish one’s new home theater!
For those just getting into the market of Home Theater, this is a killer little system. One must experience it before they judge… just trust me on that one.
January 20th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
I researched and visited the Ensemble System around the new year prior to making my final decision on a home theater system. It was a hard system to beat for the price is what I found out, as well as the custom theater installer I ended up going with.