Quote:
Originally Posted by
brusteraider
Since you've had both the HT3550 and the HT5550 how do they compare ? Is the HT5550 a significantly better picture warranting the extra money.
The difference and reasons may not be for everyone since we are talking about $1k between the two. There is truth to the law of diminishing returns. Some of us can understand this too coming from a HT2050 to the HT3550 which many here including myself have done.
The HT5550 takes what the HT3550 has and refines it.
I had to move the HT5550 one foot back to accommodate the same 120" screen.
Sharper (tighter focus) focus ring easier to dial in and not as stiff
Brighter in regards to contrast ratio which to me makes it more dynamic from dark to light.
Fan is much quieter
horizontal and more vertical lens shift
No internal speaker
100% DI-P3 which is amazing with WCG on and is watchable. I didn't like the HT3550 WCG which is the number one reason i returned it. There was a turquoise/cyan hue to the image with the filter. Also brilliant color added a greenish tint. This does not happen on the HT5550. People here have reported good results but my unit didn't exhibit that. To add a bit more the unit I had had poor focusing in the top left corner, CA was poor in the corners, I had to adjust the keystone every time I turned it on, the half and half issue which I believe has been resolved. The iris issue but now has been resolved. I had the HT3550 in March when the firmware talk was new. All of those annoyances I am not having with the HT5550. It just works.
3d is a better image. Not sure if the depths/popouts were significantly improved. Didn't spend too much time with 3d yet but what I have watched has been enjoyable.
Dynamic iris makes the blacks darker than the HT3550 this was before the firmware upgrade for it and can't compare now. The one negative is I'm getting a rattling sound with the iris on. The HT5550 is due for a firmware upgrade as well but still waiting.
The HT5550 is harder to find to purchase which the HT3550 already was a challenge. I do think the HT5550 produced a better image than the Epson 5050UB. I won't go into detail on that topic but think I'm just a DLP fan. We can take that over to the HT5550 thread.
My situation is mostly 4k UHD playback with blus mixed in and then some 3d content. I don't game or watch everyday tv on it.
I was lucky to meet up with Scottyroo who had the HT3550, HT5550 and the Epson 5050UB all at the same time which provided perspective.
The HT3550 is a great option at its price point and what it offers. I don't want to discredit that at all. There are some added benefits with spending more and that's your decision.
I do enjoy the more activity over here than the HT5550 thread....