Samsung LSP9T Premiere 4K Projector: It’s The Perfect Facsimile of The Cinema
February 4, 2022Type: LSP9T The Premiere Smart 4K UHD, Triple Laser Projector
Display: UHD, Triple Laser
Resolution: 3840 x 2160
Screen Size: 100-130”
Dimensions: 670 x 314 x 507 mm
Set Size: 550 x 141 x 367 mm ( WxHxD)
Weight: 11.5Kg
Package weight: 15Kg
Operating System: Tizen™
Woofer: Yes
Multiroom Link: Yes
Bluetooth Audio: Yes
HDMI: Yes
Wireless LAN: Yes (WiFi 5)
Anynet+ (HDMI-CES): Yes
Connect Share: Yes
Features: Smart TV
Video Picture: UHD Processor
Price: RM32,949.00
Rating: 9/10
The world of home smart projectors isn’t as popular as smart TVs because of the practical aspect of the entire user experience. However, when it comes to mimicking a theater-going experience, the former is far more adept at the role than the latter due to a variety of factors. This is why the market is saturated with affordable options that offer a taste of said experience.
However, if you want something more realistic, then Samsung’s LSP9T Premier 4K smart projector should be your cup of tea. It’s a posh, short-throw system that has no trouble fitting in with the rest of the décor. The grey speaker mesh covers the entire fascia while the actual projector lens resides in a black bar recessed at an angle from the projector’s top panel.
It’s an elegant solution needed to meet the criteria of a short-throw projector. In case you didn’t know, compared to a traditional projector that needs to be placed at a considerable distance from the wall, a short throw one is placed a few centimeters away to display content. Depending on its position relative to the wall, the LSP9T can display content up to 130-inches across.
The front facing speakers use acoustic beam technology to evenly distribute sound across an entire room. Said audio quality trounces any projector or smart TV we’ve tested so far. It’s a projector and speaker system integrated into a compact package that is no larger than a proper sound bar setup. But then again, I expect nothing less of a product that costs RM32,949.
The Experience
Its initial setup phase is a little tedious. First, you’ll need to make sure that the display is being projected accurately and devoid of distortions. When projecting on uneven surfaces, you’ll need to adjust the corners via the display settings to compensate. Since this is a short throw projector, it will need to be placed relatively close to the wall.
A distance of 113mm from said surface will allow for a projected display size of 100-inches, at 196mm its 120-inches and at 238mm you’ll receive the maximum size of 130-inches. Extending the distance beyond this will make the picture larger but to the detriment of picture clarity and contrast. For the best results, the surface should be white or close to it.
Unlike Samsung’s newer devices, the LSP9T doesn’t have the ability to compensate for colored backgrounds. As such projecting a video on a purple or yellow wall will greatly affect overall picture quality. It’s something you need to be mindful of, when picking up such a projector.
A minor grievance I have with the LSP9T pertains to the less than intuitive UI. Wi-Fi or network settings like so many other important settings are nestled under trivial submenus. You’ll arrive at what you want after stumbling about through several other menus. Samsung should replicate the One UI layout of its smartphones – there, by using some common sense, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Granted, you’ll use the LSP9T’s interface once or twice at the beginning, then neglect it for the rest of the projector’s lifetime. But it shouldn’t be this cumbersome to connect to your router or change certain picture settings.
The projector runs on Tizen OS, Samsung’s home baked operating system that’s used across the company’s smart TV line. It has the ability to mirror your smartphone screen and allow you to enjoy said content on the big screen. Like its smart TV cousins, the LSP9T comes preloaded with the familiar streaming service apps such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
Display Quality
To achieve theater-like video quality, the LSP9T uses triple laser technology. Red, green and blue lasers work together to create the crisp and vivid content that we see. The end result is eerily similar to what you’d experience at the cinema. The contrast and saturation are properly balanced, which creates an immersive viewing experience.
For the best experience possible, ensure that the projector is directly in front and that you’re positioned to take in the entire width of the projected display. Picture quality remains relatively unchanged if you move about within close proximity of the LSP9T. Unlike a traditional TV, projectors don’t suffer from said compromised viewing angles.
Samsung says that it’s the first HDR10+ certified projector, and we have no reason to doubt this claim. When streaming one of the latest movies in 4K, you can tell that it’s a facsimile of the experience you’d get in a proper theatre. The LSP9T’s bulb, which is rated for 20,000 hours of service life, can offer 2800 lumens of brightness.
Said brightness is good enough to maintain decent picture quality in a dimly light room. As such, it doesn’t need to be pitch black to ensure the video quality isn’t washed out. However, it is advisable to keep the room as dark as possible, because allowing in too much sunlight or having too many lights on can take a toll on overall clarity.
The LSP9T offers a Filmmaker Mode. It’s a display setting that’s supposed to show content the way that the director of the respective film intended you to watch it. What it does is tweak the contrast and brightness to ensure that images look a little darker and richer in depth compared to the standard setting. It might not be to everyone’s liking, but it will probably win over avid cinema goers.
I’ve never been a fan of home projectors because of their Achilles heel: ambient lighting. Allowing a small amount of light into the room is enough to ruin the entire viewing experience. A traditional TV doesn’t have this problem. In fact, newer smart TVs have ambient lighting sensors that automatically adjust the picture settings to compensate for the lighting around it.
Though the LSP9T still suffers from this problem, it isn’t significant. This is why it’s a viable alternative to a high-end home theater setup consisting of a calibrated TV and full surround sound system. The compactness of the entire package makes it a compelling prospect for someone who has the means to bring the cinema into their home.
Acoustic Feedback
Somehow, Samsung managed to fit a decent 40W, 4.2 channel audio system into the chassis. The sound quality is impressive and on par with a standalone surround sound system from the likes of Phillips or JBL. Granted, it won’t be able to deliver a 360-degree experience, but it’s able to match the overall performance. It’s an interesting setup that takes up only a small portion of the front fascia.
The entire array has 44 holes and allows for decent clarity while delivering a healthy amount of punchy bass. It’s a powerful acoustic delivery, hitting you in waves for an immersive experience. This allows you to be a part of the action as happens on screen. It’s far better than what you’d get from any smart TV.
Practicality
Its chic design allows the LSP9T to blend in quite well with gaming consoles, decoders and other multimedia systems placed on the same cabinet. It requires a single power cable to function but does offer 3 HDMI ports, 1 ethernet port and 1 USB port. It has WiFi5 but to get the best experience possible and prevent loss in streaming video quality, we suggest using a network cable.
Even after prolonged use, the body doesn’t get very hot, so if the need arises you could turn off the projector immediately and move it to another location. But it would be best to place it on a sturdy stand or cabinet. The entire device weighs 11.5kg, as such it shouldn’t be left to rest on a flimsy table or nightstand.
Should I Buy One?
If you’re looking to recreate a theater-like experience in your living room, then this is the projector for you. It’s price tag of RM32,949 might deter many from ever owning one, but to the select few who appreciate the entire experience will see it as money well spent. The 4K video quality is crisp and vivid, backed up by similarly impressive audio quality.
The only drawback is that you’ll need a relatively dark room to ensure that you get the best experience possible. As bright as 2,800 lumens may seem, that isn’t enough to pierce through the annoying ambient lighting around you.
