So I had the chance to take and compare pic's from both units, and it pretty much-confirmed everything I said earlier.
This is my 2nd projector, or I should say 3rd since I also owned LSP7 before LSP9 for less than a week. I also owned every Samsung high-end model full array tv since 2013, so you could say I'm loyal to the Samsung brand and stick with their phones, washers, refrigerators, etc. Never owned anything from the Hisense brand. This is the first time, and what a wonderful experience it is.
I always wanted a PJ, but never wanted to mess with long-throw pj's, long cables, and mounting stuff to the ceiling, so UST projector's made much more sense to me. And I really wanted a bigger screen size as I game a lot. So I said to myself let's try it out!!
Visually this thing is just amazing! Right of the bet, I was amazed at how bright it got! LSP9 is rated at 2800 vs L5F's 2700 lumens. I mean this thing is just so bright that makes even my 8k Samsung QLED look dim in comparison. I think it's mostly because of the screen size, and shouldn't be possible on paper, as 1 Nit is the approximate equivalent of 3.426 ANSI Lumen. But the short throw projector isn't just limited to short time burst and 10% of the screen size, as all screen space gets bright equally and at the same time, creating such a blinding picture I have to turn down the brightness to 7-8 out of maximum 20 on L5F. To me, it sure looks like LSP9 doesn't get to that promised land, where L5F probably is closer to 3500 IF Sammy is indeed rated @ 2800 Lumens. One thing that is sure it's that my unit doesn't get that bright.
There is no sharpness issue, even on my 120" screen. I thought I was gonna have to open up the unit and mess with the focus, but this thing could probably go up to 125-130" before the image would get too soft. Also worth mentioning there is absolutely no RBE or laser speckle. I haven't noticed any dark cornering or losing sharpness. Color is way better on LSP9, but let's be honest for the amount of money it costs it better be. Colors are more vivid and rich compared to the L5F, but not that much more where you would say that unit is worth 3x the price amount. I'm gonna attach a few pics here, please excuse the light leakage on the wall, and centering issues as these are just quick and dirty comparison screens.
LSP9
L5F
Both units are in default Dynamic/Vivid settings mode. And you can tell that Samsung has higher contrast and better color. But L5F gets much brighter, but at the same time is blowing out a lot of the fine details, which could be fixed by turning down the brightness. But then it wouldn't be fair to LSP9. Also, what in the world are all these manufactures thinking by releasing their units in white color? Look at the amount of reflection LSP9 reflects back onto the wall, and the screen itself where L5F's darker color doesn't. I'm gonna attach a few more for you all...all pics were taken with Note 20 Ultra, as I was too lazy and tired to look for the DSLR.
LSP9
L5F
LSP9
L5F
LSP9
L5F
Also worth saying is that LSP9 handles gradient levels better vs L5F.
The sound is pretty darn good and much better than LSP9's. It sounds much crisper and richer, which even had me surprised. It for sure sounds much, much better than any tv set I ever owned. I'm using a 7.1 surround sound, so I won't be using it for that, but very nice that Hisense made this thing packing a good punch.
The startup of both machines takes about the same time I'd say 14-16 seconds. Sammy is a little bit louder at an operating noise level, but not by much. Both are pretty quiet, to be honest. Unless Sammy's color space is set to normal then the thing gets woken up pretty good, and the fan's noise kicks it up a few notches. Gaming wise Hisense is much more responsive compared to Samsung, and to me, that means a lot.
The user interface on Hisense is also much nicer, and more simplified. Android gets the work done fast enough, and although it is slow once the unit first turns on, it is much more responsive than the Tizen on Sammy. I do feel though that both units could've used more Ram, which could prevent them from an occasional stutter. Samsung is definitely the worst out of the two, as sometimes I would get stuck in the menus waiting for the thing to become responsive again!
Screen alignment is definitely easier on the LSP9, vs L5F. maybe because on Sammy's unit you only have two legs, where on Hisense there are 4 to adjust.
All in all, I'm pretty positive Samsung is going back, as the vast price increase does not warrant so much more extra money. If it were maybe a grand more I'd keep it. But almost 3x more, no way! Worth saying is when I lowered the brightness down to 9-10 the black levels got pretty darn good on L5F and comparable to LSP9, while still pretty bright. I have also dialed in the colors and white balance up a tiny bit, where they both look almost identical. Once I did that it's a no-brainer for me to keep the less expensive unit. I'm gonna tinker with it a little bit more for the next few days. But, this is just an Insane offering from Hisense, and the fact that they bundle a screen with their unit is just pure insanity. Really surprised there aren't more owners in here, as they really made a very affordable and good quality product.
Goodbye Sammy, and hello Hisense! Wow, never thought I would say that!!
