Ultra short throw momentum

Ultra short throw (UST) projectors have made steady gains in popularity over the past few years. Epson is a major player in that market category, and one of its latest offerings in this regard is the Lifestudio Grand UST. 

Priced competitively at $2,700 (all prices USD), the Lifestudio Grand offers a full suite of features, a compact footprint, and the ability to integrate into a wide range of home environments. 

On paper 

As the “Lifestudio” part of its name implies, the Lifestudio Grand UST projector was developed to serve a broad consumer base. It is designed for placement just a few inches from a wall or projection screen and can project images as large as 120 inches. Epson's specifications list a projection distance of approximately .7 to 15.6 inches for a 60- to 120-inch image.

The Lifestudio Grand is a 3LCD-based projector that uses Epson’s 4K PRO-UHD technology to produce 4K images with HDR10 high dynamic range (HDR). Epson states that it can beam images with up to 3,600 lumens White Brightness (ISO Rated) and Color Brightness (IDMS Rated). It has three HDMI inputs (including one with eARC/ARC) as well as Wi-Fi and USB connectivity.

Other Lifestudio Grand features include the Google TV streaming platform with YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max, among other apps. As of this month, Google TV for the Lifestudio Grand includes Google Gemini AI assistant support.

For gamers, the Lifestudio Grand provides ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), along with support for 4K at 60Hz and 1080p at 120Hz. Rounding out the Lifestudio Grand’s feature package is a built-in 20W, 2.1-channel audio system featuring Sound by Bose technology.

What don’t you get with the Lifestudio Grand? Well, Epson’s $3,800 Lifestudio Grand Plus projector, introduced earlier this year, specs out at 4,000 lumens, supports 4K at 120Hz, and can throw an image on screens as large as 150 inches. Aside from better optics, some (typically more expensive) UST projectors come bundled with a screen. Though many will prefer the ability to use the screen of their choice.  

Setup  

Installing the Lifestudio Grand in my home did not take long. After I unpacked it, I placed it on a platform that lifted it about 10 inches off the floor and roughly two feet from a wall mounted Screen Innovations 100-inch Zero Edge Pro 16:9 fixed frame screen featuring the Texas-based company’s 1.3-gain Pure White screen material. From there, I plugged the Lifestudio Grand into a Torus Power AVR Series AC power conditioner, paired the remote with the projector, and fired things up. 

Using a combination of manual positioning and electronic adjustments in the Lifestudio Grand’s setup menu, I aligned the projected image with the Zero Edge Pro screen. I then adjusted a few settings in the menu system including black level, contrast, and image processing. Moving further into setup, I selected the Lifestudio Grand’s Cinema picture mode, connected my Dish Hopper set-top box to the HDMI 1 input, and set up my streaming accounts for various content apps within the Google TV platform.

Video experts such as Joel Silver and Jason Dustal, from the Imaging Science Foundation, and Robert Zohn, from Value Electronics, maintain that taking a few minutes to dial in the brightness and contrast levels of a video display can make a world of difference when it comes to performance. That is exactly what I did. I also turned off the setting for Dynamic Contrast, which yielded improvements to image depth and overall color vividness. Those minimal adjustments improved image quality without affecting overall image brightness, which may be important for those using the Lifestudio Grand in rooms with significant ambient light.

Since the target customer for this projector is likely interested in turnkey, big-picture entertainment, I avoided further tweaking of the Lifestudio Grand’s picture settings. I believe that Epson hit the mark in designing a product that serves such a consumer segment.   

One final point on setup. Particularly for consumers who are unfamiliar with UST projectors, dialing one in can be tricky. This is particularly true when it comes to geometrically aligning the projector with a companion screen. Among other things, possible physical space limitations in the room must be considered. Placing a UST projector like the Lifestudio Grand on top of a credenza or between AV cabinets may not work in some rooms.  

Viewing impressions

Most people who use the Lifestudio Grand would likely feed it a signal from a streaming device rather than a Blu-Ray player or set-top cable box. As such, that is what I focused on during my audition time with the projector.

Sports are my litmus test for evaluating real-world content and picture accuracy. I know what the uniforms of more than a few teams look like in real life (or as they say today, “IRL”). Unlike a dinosaur movie or some other type of content, this serves as a useful color-accuracy benchmark. Streaming NFL games with the Lifestudio Grand via an Apple TV4K media player, the uniforms of the New England Patriots were a rich blue, with accurate red and white trim. The green of Gillette Stadium’s artificial turf was also accurately presented, and I did not detect any image artifacts like judder or issues associated with upscaling.  

One series that I’ve used as a streaming reference over the years because I’m quite familiar with it is “Game of Thrones” from HBO. The series features earthy scenery and a lot of muted tones. Additionally, the costumes the actors wear, which are often ornate and made from a variety of materials, provide a good basis to evaluate the reproduction of color and detail. Again, the Lifestudio Grand performed very well, particularly at its price point. 

The Lifestudio Grand admirably maintained its contrast and overall image quality even when I turned the lights on in my room. The ability to perform well outside of a perfectly dark room is something that I assume in a very expensive projector. It’s a bonus when I find it in a reasonably priced one. As a laser-based projector, Lifestudio Grand also delivered quick turn on and shutdown sequences. 

The sound

I found that the projector’s 2.1-channel speaker system with Sound by Bose technology delivered clear sound with music from YouTube as well as clear dialogue when watching TV series and movies. Those who want surround sound or sound that is highly immersive may feel differently. Indeed, I personally would pair the Lifestudio Grand with an AV receiver or, at least, a soundbar. But is understandable why Epson offers an internal audio system. Its performance is likely good enough for many or most users.

Final Thoughts  

Well in line with what Epson is known for, the LifeStudio Grand delivers value in spades. It is a well-priced 4K projector that produces large, bright, color-accurate images. It also produces impressive sound via its built-in, 2.1-channel audio system featuring Sound by Bose technology. Excuse the pun, but to think “big picture,” the LifeStudio Grand is a great way to break into the home projector market. Indeed, it is almost a complete AV solution. Just add a screen and popcorn and you are good to go. 

Epson Lifestudio Grand Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector

Price: $2,700

Warranty: 2-year limited

Dimensions: 6.2”H x 18.4”W x 15.7”D

Weight: 16.6 pounds

Epson US

Los Alamitos, CA 

epson.com

Associated Equipment

• Sources: Apple TV 4K, Dish Network Hopper, Panasonic DP-UB820 4K Blu-ray player

• Screen: Screen Innovations 100-inch Zero Edge Pro 16:9 fixed frame