Projector Reviews Images
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The EpiqVision is the newest 4K PRO-UHD ultra-short throw projector from Epson.

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is a 4K UST (ultra-short throw) laser projector rated to deliver 3,600 ANSI lumens of brightness and 2,500,000:1 dynamic contrast, selling for $2,799 MSRP. The LS650 is an Android TV-powered smart projector with a sound system designed in partnership with the audio experts at Yamaha.

Epson is a leader in the projection industry, making some of the most innovative ultra-short throw projection solutions going back to 2010. Last year, Epson upped the competitive ante by introducing the award-winning ultra-short throw EpiqVision Ultra LS800. The LS800 was the first of a new line of ultra-short throw projectors featuring an entirely new design language.

The LS650 builds on last year's design, where Epson ditched the raised snorkel-like lens and opted for a more traditional ultra-short throw lens configuration. This revision removes almost four inches of height from the projector and allows the LS650 to be placed significantly closer to the screen than previous models, such as the LS500.

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is built to ensure the company maintains its position as a leader in home entertainment projectors.

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Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 Specs
Price$2,799 MSRP
Technology3LCD
Displayed Resolution4.1 Million Pixels
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)3600 ANSI Lumens
Light SourceBlue Laser
Contrast2,500,000:1 Dynamic Contrast
Zoom Lens RatioFixed
Lens ShiftFixed
Sound System2 x 25watt
Dimensions18.4" x 15.7" x 6.2" (WxDxH)
Weight16.3 lbs 

 

Overview

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The LS650, like its older brother, the LS800, is designed to replace a living room television. This projector targets the average consumer looking for a bigger image than they can get on a flat-panel television.

The LS650 is roughly the size of last year's Full HD (1920 x 1080) model, the LS300. But on the LS650, Epson has upgraded the projector's performance to what the company calls 4K PRO-UHD. Be aware that 4K PRO-UHD, while capable of producing an image with far better detail than Full HD's 1920 x 1080, it does not provide the 8.3 million-displayed pixels required by CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) guidelines to be certified as 4K. Epson's 4K PRO-UHD technology uses pixel shifting and the company's excellent image enhancement technology to make a 4.2 million pixel image, about half the CEA's requirement.

The reality is that once a projector gets above Full HD resolution, elements like color, brightness, and contrast play a far larger role in what we perceive as a "good picture" than displayed resolution does. The LS650 and other Epson 4K PRO-UHD projectors excel in these areas compared to many of its single-chip DLP competitors.

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Epson is one of the home projection markets technology leaders and innovators.

The LS650 is incredibly bright, providing a manufacturer-rated 3,600 ANSI lumens of brightness. Because Epson uses its proprietary 3-chip 3LCD technology, the LS650 can display an equal number of color and white lumens, something that the single-chip DLP projectors that make up most of the home projector market cannot compete with. Compared to most DLP competitors, the Epson LS650 should display an excellent picture in rooms with uncontrolled ambient light sources from windows or lamps. The LS650's high brightness with balanced white and color lumens makes this projector perfect for a typical living room's lights-on viewing requirements. Epson's 3LCD design also does not suffer from the rainbow effect still found on most DLP projectors.

 

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HDR images display more color and higher dark area detail than SDR images.

The LS650 features real-time 10-bit analog-to-digital video processing and 10-bit HDR color processing. Combining the projector's matched color and white lumens with 10-bit image processing should significantly benefit the projector's color performance with both SDR and HDR-encoded content. Ten-bit processing is designed to ensure the LS650 makes smooth tonal transitions, eliminating issues like banding, blocking, and compression artifacts so you can enjoy content exactly as it was meant to be seen.

The LS650 fully supports receiving and processing of HDR content. It is fully compatible with HDR10-encoded movies and TV shows and HLG-encoded content like that found on many popular video streaming platforms or in a range of broadcast content.

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 also has smart TV capabilities through the total Android TV 11 operating system integration. With the LS650 Android TV operating system, users can access popular streaming channels like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, HBO, YouTube, and more. They can also enjoy the convenience of live TV streaming and content searches with the built-in Google Assistant. Unfortunately, the LS650 still does not offer access to the Netflix premium streaming service, so an external streaming media device like an Apple TV or FireStick is still needed.

Regarding audio, Epson has continued its partnership with Yamaha Audio to provide built-in Yamaha 2.1 virtual surround sound. Designed exclusively for Epson, this sound system delivers immersive audio with minimal distortion, thanks to a newly designed sleek metal grill that covers the projector's speakers.

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The LS650's ultra-short throw design allows it to be placed close to the wall, making it suitable for use in almost any space with room to project an image. The LS650 will work just as well in a bedroom as in a dedicated home theater space. Setting up and adjusting the display size is a breeze thanks to the Epson Setting Assistant app, which ensures a hassle-free experience.

Epson has continued prioritizing connectivity in its projectors, upgrading the LS650 connectivity options. This year, the LS650's HDMI #2 input has been upgraded from ARC to eARC. eARC offers all the benefits of ARC and much higher bandwidth than its predecessor, ARC. With eARC, high bit rate versions of formats like DTS:X and DOLBY ATMOS found on Blu-ray discs, 4K Blu-rays, and some streaming services are supported. eARC eliminates the need to activate HDMI CEC+, improving the communication process (the handshake) between supported devices. For more information about ARC and eARC, please click the links for detailed explanations with a full list of benefits.

Gamers should be thrilled that Epson has continued to support high frame rate gaming and low input lag on the LS650. Even though the dedicated HDMI #3 gaming input found on the LS800 is not on the LS650, users are offered an input lag of less than 20 ms when gaming with compatible hardware. An input lag of less than 20 ms means that the LS650 is an excellent projector for gaming, supporting 1080p gaming at up to 120 Hz. With speeds like this, users should not notice any delay from when a button is pushed on a controller to the corresponding action onscreen.

Not everything is perfect with the Epson LS650. Despite the projector's excellent overall onscreen detail at an average viewing distance, I still prefer access to 8.3 million pixels of certified 4K resolution.

The LS650 does an excellent job with its out-of-the-box preset color settings but cannot be finely calibrated due to the lack of a robust color management system. And, like the LS800, the LS650 offers no support for any 3D capability.

The Epson LS650 should provide an amazing experience to the average consumer looking for a bigger picture than is currently available on a flat-panel display. In addition, the LS650 is straightforward to set up and use. The LS650 is designed to provide consumers with a bright, colorful image that looks good when the lights are on and fantastic when the lights are off.

Whether you're watching live sports, streaming your favorite series, gaming on the latest consoles, or indulging in a blockbuster movie night, the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 Smart Streaming Laser Projector promises to deliver a truly awe-inspiring entertainment experience.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • $2,799 MSRP
  • Modern low-profile design
  • 4K PRO-UHD resolution
  • 3-Chip 3LCD technology
  • 10-bit HDR color (up to 1.07 billion colors)
  • 3,600 lumens of color & white brightness
  • Over 2,500,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio
  • Built-in 2.1 virtual surround system designed by Yamaha exclusively for Epson
  • Light source life: 20,000 hours
  • Maximum color gamut REC.709
  • Picture sizes up to 120" at a 16:9 aspect ratio
  • 2x HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.3) ports
  • HDMI #2 upgraded to support eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel)
  • Features 20 ms input lag – ideal for gaming
  • Fully integrated Android TV 11 Operating System
  • Easy setup app for iOS & Android
  • 2-year limited warranty
  • Available in black or white

HARDWARE

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is the second generation of EpiqVision Ultra projectors built on the company's new low-profile chassis. The projector is available in both black and white versions. This design uses an internal ultra-wide angle lens, which changes the entire projector's design aesthetic and allows the projector to sit incredibly close to the screen. The LS650 provides a flowing, curved design that is attractive and blends well with various living spaces.

CHASSIS

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The LS650 has an attractive combination of plastic housing with the addition of the projector's new metal speaker grill that runs across the front of the chassis. According to Epson, the new grill is not just a pretty face but is designed to provide better sound transmission from the speakers behind it than the LS300 and previous models.

Epson has reduced the LS650's width by almost ten inches compared to the LS800. This new projector measures 18.4" wide x 15.7" deep x 6.2" tall. The LS650 weighs 16.3 lbs, about ten pounds less than the larger LS800.

The LS650 design is simple, almost utilitarian. On the front of the unit, there is just a status LED light. The speakers are behind a new metallic perforated grill covering the front of the projector.

A Power button is on the right side when looking from the front. On the side, a removable cover hides the projector's manual focus control lever. Lastly, a recessed sliding tray along the bottom edge houses the projector's removable air filter. An air exhaust vent and the built-in Kensington lock mount are on the projector's left side.

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All of the LS650's inputs and connections are located on the rear of the unit, facing the screen. There are two HDMI inputs, which allow playback of 4K HDR content. The HDMI #2 input supports eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) to send uncompressed multi-channel audio from the projector to a compatible sound system.

The LS650 can also control connected devices, such as an A/V receiver via CEC, allowing a single remote to control each connected device, eliminating the risk of losing or mixing up remotes. There are three USB Type-A connections. Two USB ports are for data; the third is to supply power to an external device if needed. Next is an optical audio S/PDIF (Sony/Philips Digital Interface) connection and a USB Mini service port.

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There is no built-in 12-volt trigger for controlling an external screen. Fortunately, the LS650 supports discrete IR commands for both Power and Input selection, so the projector can still be easily integrated into a home control system like Control4 or others that can issue discrete IR commands. Many third-party solutions also trigger electronic screen controls without needing the 12-volt trigger to be built into the projector.

The LS650 remote control offers the standard RF frequencies found on most Android-based devices and Infrared (IR) functionality for many remote buttons. The remote is larger than the stock Android device remote. Epson increased the spacing of the buttons and, in many cases, increased button size.

As I mentioned in the introduction, the fully integrated Android TV OS is fantastic for users. The remote provides users with a one-button voice search with the Google Assistant built-in. The button that looks like a gear is the Shortcut Settings button, which takes you directly to the Basic Settings menu.

The remote has dedicated buttons for Android TV OS settings and a dedicated button for Projector settings where users can adjust the IMAGE mode and SOUND settings, screen setup, and more. The remote has a typical Android TV navigation wheel, but Epson has chosen to increase its size by about 50%. There are buttons for the Flexible Picture menu, Mute, YouTube Music, and many more. Check out the image I've included.

There is no control panel on the chassis, just the Power button on the right side.

LENS ASSEMBLY

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The LS650 utilizes a new proprietary, multi-element, precision glass structured lens. This lens provides a stunning viewing experience. I paired this projector with Epson's SilverFlex Ultra 120" Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen.

The lens is an f1.6 with a focal length of 3.7 mm, creating a high-resolution, clear 4K image with edge-to-edge uniformity.

Epson's new UST lens design allows the LS650 to sit just 6.3 inches (using the closest projector edge) from a 100-inch diagonal screen. This distance is further from the screen than the top-of-the-line projector in the Epiqvision Ultra UST line, the LS800, but only by a few inches.

This lens's image is sharp and clear, with excellent focus uniformity.

MENUS

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  • Epson-LS650_Menu - Projector Reviews Images
  • Epson-LS650_Menu - Projector Reviews Images

So many projectors labeled "smart" are often packed with an external media dongle like a Roku, FireStick, or Apple TV. These projectors are often hybrid-style menus with two separate and distinct menu systems for the operation and control of different features on the projector.

Epson continues fully integrating Android TV OS into the EpiqVision Ultra line of projectors with the LS650. This integration of Android TV is significant for Epson and an excellent feature for consumers.

For anyone who has previously used an Android-powered phone, tablet, or smart media device, the LS650's operation and menu navigation will look very familiar. The LS650 menu system is easy to navigate and well-organized. The Home button, which looks like a house, gives users access to Google's extensive library of Android TV apps, providing access to many popular streaming platforms, games, and dedicated features such as the Google Assistant and Chromecast built-in.

PERFORMANCE

What is 4K PRO-UHD? Epson 4K PRO-UHD is not just a resolution specification; it encompasses all the key factors impacting image performance, including color and white lumens, contrast, HDR10, and other advanced image processing and the capability of receiving, processing, and projecting 4K content. As a result, images are very clear, detailed, and lifelike.

As with  the previous EpiqVision Ultra review, I used Epson's matching SilverFlex screen to project a 100-inch 16:9 image.

Source material can have much to do with individual experience, but I had no issues with the projector's overall image detail when displayed on this size screen. The image even holds up decently when projected at 120 inches, the maximum that Epson recommends for the LS650.

Take a good look at the screenshots in the color section below. In particular, the detail in Tom Cruise's face, the material of Spiderman's costume, and the beautiful colors in the stills from Passengers.

COLOR REPRODUCTION

Regarding color reproduction, Epson has dialed in the projector's four preset picture modes to display a pleasant picture for various content types and environments. During my initial testing, I found the out-of-the-box color of the projector's CINEMA and NATURAL modes to be the most appealing to my eye, with the NATURAL mode testing as the most accurate.

The Epson LS650 is one of the best factory-tuned Laser TV-style projectors at its price point. If pressed to pick a preferred mode on the LS650, I recommend the projector CINEMA mode as the best overall on most of the content I watched.

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DYNAMIC: This projector's brightest mode is best for a bright space. It maintains good color even though the projector outputs light at its most luminous levels. This mode is excellent for areas with high ambient lighting.

VIVID: This mode is best for venues that benefit from dynamic colors, making smaller items such as text pop.

CINEMA: This mode is best for movies and other entertainment-style content projected in a dark venue.

NATURAL: This is the most color-accurate mode on this projector and the closest to a calibrated image of all four out-of-the-box picture modes.

The LS800 produces a nice, sharp image with both Full HD and 4K content with brightness to spare, making this projector perfect for spaces with amounts of ambient light that would wash out the images from many lower-rated projectors. The LS650 is also a great projector for lights-on viewing.

The LS650 does a remarkable job reproducing a wide range of skin tones. To test the color performance of the LS650, we use Portrait Displays Calman color calibration software. The Epson LS650 is not a projector that will allow users to perform detailed calibration changes as the projector does not have a CMS (Color Management System). We ran the projector through our standard color calibration testing, and the results matched my initial impressions that the projector was calibrated decently from the factory.

Even though there are no detailed RGB and Gamma adjustments, the projector could be brought closer to a dialed-in image by simple adjustments to the DYNAMIC GAMMA slider.

Like its big brother, the Epiqvision LS800, this projector delivered one of the most accurate images I've seen from a laser TV. While I am not thrilled with the lack of detailed picture adjustments, most of this projector's target customers will likely be more than happy with its picture quality and out-of-the-box factory performance.

BRIGHTNESS

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  • Espon_LS650_Brightness - Projector Reviews Images

Epson lists the brightness of the EpiqVision LS650 as 3,600 ANSI lumens, which is far more than is needed to display an excellent picture even in a room with moderate light from windows or lamps at night.

The LS650's brightest picture preset is DYNAMIC. So, how close did the EpiqVision LS650 come to its published brightness rating of 3,600 ANSI lumens? I took 3-4 readings about 15-20% out from the center of the lens. That approximates ANSI lumens well unless a projector's brightness rolls off excessively at the edges, which this projector does not.

When tested, I measured about 3,623 ANSI Lumens, 23 ANSI lumens more than the manufacturer's brightness rating. The chart below shows my measurements for each projector's out-of-the-box picture mode.

The screen material I was utilizing had a gain of 0.6. While the screen does reduce the image’s overall brightness, this combination looked great in complete darkness and under ambient lighting. In addition, this screen material improved black levels in both situations. The projector delivered enough brightness to make SDR and HDR content look good in my space.

For those who require more on-screen brightness to combat higher ambient light and black levels are not as critical, you can opt for a higher gain ambient light rejecting screen.

EpiqVision Ultra LS650 Brightness By Picture Mode
DYNAMIC (SDR)3623 ANSI Lumens
VIVID (SDR)2201 ANSI Lumens
CINEMA (SDR)2081 ANSI Lumens
NATURAL (SDR)2339 ANSI Lumens
DYNAMIC (HDR)1326 ANSI Lumens
VIVID (HDR)671 ANSI Lumens
CINEMA (HDR)849 ANSI Lumens
NATURAL (HDR)775 ANSI Lumens

I paired the LS650 with the Epson SilverFlex Ultra ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen. This screen is designed to be used with Epson EpiqVision UST (Ultra-Short Throw) projectors. The SilverFlex ALR Screen is engineered to absorb up to 90% of the ambient light that strikes the screen. This screen offers ultra-wide viewing angles up to 180 degrees.

The SilverFlex screen material has a gain of 0.6. When paired with the LS650, it looked great in complete darkness, and while it does lose some color and contrast with the lights on, it performed well enough that this potent combination of products could easily be used as a replacement for the living room television.

The Epson SilverFlex screen material improved black levels in both dark and lights-on viewing situations with good image uniformity and no visible hot spots on the screen.

HDR (HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE)

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The Epson EpiqVision LS650 supports HDR10 and HLG HDR (High Dynamic Range) formats. These two formats include metadata about the content's color grading and brightness levels. The LS650 does offer DYNAMIC TONE MAPPING, allowing the projector to automatically adjust to the optimum HDR level according to the scene, so even the most challenging HDR content looked excellent, providing an optimizing HDR viewing experience.

Video games, UHD Blu-ray discs, and several popular streaming services, including Netflix, Apple TV, HBOMax, and Disney+, support HDR10 and HLG, including services like Amazon Prime Video.

The Epson EpiqVision LS650 produced an excellent HDR picture regardless of the HDR format. The unit delivered accurate colors and good onscreen brightness while maintaining bright highlight detail.

BLACK LEVEL AND SHADOW DETAIL

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  • Espon_LS650_Blacks - Projector Reviews Images

Black levels on the LS650 are excellent, with details in the dark areas of the projected image still evident. Also notable was the lack of a blue or green hue so often found on projectors displaying darker images.

When I let some light into my room, the contrast quality was visibly reduced but in no way unwatchable, thanks to a combination of this excellent Epson projector and the Epson SilverFlex screen. The LS650 also comes with an ambient light sensor that automatically optimizes the picture brightness according to the amount of environmental light. This sensor creates more contrast and a better sense of depth in the image.

Regardless of the content I threw at this projector, I was impressed with the LS650's black-level performance.

SOUND QUALITY

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Epson is continuing its partnership with Yamaha to create the LS650's 20-watt sound system, which sounds excellent. Unfortunately, I don't have the LS800 to do a side-by-side comparison, so I can't say if it's better or worse. I am enjoying the performance of the LS650 sound system very much. To be clear, I was very impressed with the LS800's onboard sound system.

The paper specifications of the LS650 and LS800 are identical, but the LS650 chassis is significantly smaller than the LS800. Its bass performance is tight, with far less distortion at the low end and an overall bright sound.

The LS650 has a built-in, 20-watt 2.1 virtual surround system with two full-range 5-watt speakers and one 10-watt subwoofer. The system uses Yamaha DSP technology, resulting in one of the best ultra-short throw projector sound systems available today. The projector features TV, sports, movies, and music custom presets. Also, users can connect smartphones via Bluetooth to use the projector as a standalone speaker.

In situations where an external sound system is not feasible, you will be more than pleased with the audio performance of this projector's Yamaha sound system.

SUMMARY

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The Epson EpiqVision LS650 is one of several 2023 EpiqVision Ultra projectors to carry on the new design that Epson introduced in 2022 with the LS300 and the LS800. Physically, the LS650 is very similar to the LS300, but this projector is not identical in design or performance.

The LS650 provides users with increased displayed resolution, contrast, and audio performance because of the projector's new metal speaker grill design compared to the LS300.

 

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The LS650 is a 3,600 ANSI lumens projector designed for the broader market of consumers who don't care about being able to adjust every element of the projector's video performance to a high degree. The LS650 is meant to be easy to set up and look good out of the box in various environments, including those where total control of ambient light sources is impossible. 3,600 lumens of equal white and color brightness, and the Epson 3-chip 3LCD system make the LS650 a great lights-on viewing projector. The LS650's brightness and color capabilities make it more than capable of replacing the living room television.

The LS650 exceeds the LS300's Full HD resolution using Epson's 4K PRO-UHD pixel-shifting technology and 4K enhancement to deliver amazing lifelike images. Epson’s 4K PRO-UHD technology exceeds Full HD resolution by shifting each pixel diagonally by 0.5 pixels. This shift doubles the projector's resolution by pixel shifting so fast it is difficult for the human eye to see.

According to the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association), a 4K image comprises 8.3 million displayed pixels; however, Epson's 4K PRO-UHD technology results in 4.1 million pixels being displayed. From a pixel density point of view, Epson's 4K PRO-UHD is not an actual 4K (8.3 million pixels) image.

I'm not saying pixel detail is identical to a 4K XPR image. I am saying that overall image quality made of color, brightness, and contrast is why the LS650 can meet and sometimes even exceed the picture quality of some 4K DLP pixel-shifting projectors with a higher pixel density.

Depending on the content, there are times that the LS650's image details can be astounding since contrast plays such a huge part in how humans perceive detail. Epson’s 3LCD's ability to display equal color and white lumens and higher native contrast can contribute more to overall picture quality than more pixels displayed on the screen.

Real-time 10-bit analog-to-digital video processing delivers smooth tonal transitions while helping to eliminate banding, blocking, and other compression artifacts.

When paired with a good ambient light-rejecting screen in a typical living room, the Epson EpiqVision LS650 is one of its best, out-of-the-box ultra-short throw projectors.

COMPETITION

OPTOMA CINEMA-X D2+ (SMART) - $2,699 MSRP

The Optoma CinemaX D2+ offers 4K displayed resolution via a single chip Texas Instruments DLP imager. This new Optoma projector is designed to deliver sharp, lifelike images and rich colors, allowing viewers to sit close to the screen and enjoy a more immersive experience.

The new CinemaX D2+ series supports HDR10 and HLG and can display a 100-inch image while sitting less than 12 inches away from a screen.

The CinemaX D2 series has a rated brightness of 3,000 lumens, with an impressive 1,800,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for high-quality lights-on or lights-off viewing. While these numbers are excellent for the typical ultra-short throw projector, the Epson EpiqVision LS650 provides users with 3,600 ANSI lumens of brightness and dynamic contrast of 2,500,000:1.

The new CinemaX D2 series projectors can reproduce 97% DCI-P3 color gamut and include Optoma's Color Management System and ISF picture modes, allowing viewers to save calibrated DAY and NIGHT mode settings for the optimum viewing experience. While the Epson out-of-the-box color presets are excellently tuned, they still do not replace the value of an onboard CMS, which Epson does not provide.

If you are looking for a projector that supports 3D, then the Optoma CinemaX D2+ supports it. The Epson LS650 does not support 3D.

The Optoma CinemaX D2+ is available in the United States for an estimated street price of $2,699.

These projectors offer users excellent performance and useful features for under $2,800.

WEMAX Nova - $2,699 MSRP

The WEMAX Nova is a 2,100 ISO Lumen (2,089 ANSI Lumen *Projector Reviews measured) UST projector that uses a blue laser + phosphor ALPD light source. While both the Epson and the WEMAX use blue lasers, that is where the similarities end, as the light source in the WEMAX is made by Appotronics, while Epson makes its own.

The Epson is significantly brighter than the WEMAX. Unlike the DLP source WEMAX uses, Epson’s 3-Chip 3LCD system provides considerably more lumens and an equal amount of color and white lumens, which DLP systems like the WEMAX can't do.

The WEMAX Nova utilizes a 0.47-inch Texas Instruments Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) with an ALPD laser light source to provide a 4K UHD number of onscreen pixels. Epson uses its 4K PRO-UHD, which displays about half the pixels on the screen. Still, the projector's excellent color, white brightness, and high native contrast should make the difference hard to see to the average consumer.

WEMAX states that the Nova covers up to 100% of the Rec.709 color gamut range. Covering a broad spectrum of colors is distinct from color accuracy, which refers to the projector's capability to faithfully replicate the exact color envisioned by the director during the mastering process of the video content. Epson also does a fantastic job with out-of-the-box color and should have an advantage due to its 3LCD system.

Both companies have decided not to offer an advanced CMS (Color Management System), choosing to provide customers with factory-calibrated preset picture modes that are well-balanced for use in various environments. To fine-tune the image, the WEMAX and the Epson allow users to modify settings such as Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Sharpness, Hue, Color Temperature, and Digital Noise Reduction.

If you have a light-controlled space, the difference in brightness, although still significant, should be less of an issue than using the NOVA in spaces with uncontrolled ambient light or lights-on viewing. The Epson’s almost 3,600 color and white lumens are an easy choice for lights-on viewing.

Both systems offer high-quality built-in sound systems developed in partnership with two premium audio companies. WEMAX partnered with Definitive Technology, and Epson partnered with Yamaha.

PROS

  • 3,600 color and white ANSI lumens for excellent lights on viewing.
  • A $2,799 MSRP makes this a very competitive high brightness UST projector.
  • Displays excellent edge-to-edge focus.
  • The projector's Yamaha 20-watt 2.1 sound system provides both boom and great sound imaging.
  • A laser light source lasts up to 20,000 hours at full light output.
  • Projects up to a 120-inch (16:9 aspect ratio) image and supports 16:10 and 4:3.
  • The best black-level performance I've seen in a projector of its class.
  • Virtually maintenance-free operation.
  • Google Chromecast for wireless casting from compatible phones, tablets and other casting devices.
  • Google Assistant is built-in and accessible from the press of a single remote button.

CONS

  • No 3D support.
  • No professional calibration settings.
  • No Dolby Vision support.

EPSON EPIQVISION ULTRA LS650 - SPECIFICATIONS

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Full Specifications
Projector ModelLS650
Price$2,799
Imager Type3LCD
Displayed Resolution4.1 Million Pixels (4K PRO-UHD)
Native Resolution1920 x 1080 pixels
Brightness (Manufacturer Claim)3600 ANSI lumens
Light Source TypeBlue Laser
Light Source Life25,000 hours (ECO)
Contrast Ratio2,500.000.1 Dynamic
Zoom Lens RatioFixed
Power Zoom/FocusNo
Lens ShiftNo
Interchangeable LensNo
Ultra-Short ThrowYes
Native Aspect Ratio16x9
HDTV/4K Yes
DVI or HDMIYes
3DNo
Blu-Ray 3DNo
Speakers2 x 25 watts
Noise Level (-dB)32 dB 
Low Lag GamingYes
Smart FunctionalityYes
BusinessNo
ClassroomNo
PortableNo
Special Features HDR10, Android TV
NetworkingLAN
Dimensions (HxWxD)18.4" wide x 15.7" deep x 6.2" tall
Weight16.3 lbs
Warranty2 years

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