Samsung’s new Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 ultra-short throw projectors start at $3,000
Samsung has launched the Premiere 7 and Premiere 9 ultra-short throw projectors that were first announced at CES. These relatively small boxes can project enormous images onto virtually any wall from just a few inches away. They’re designed to be as unobtrusive as possible and don’t look like a traditional home theater projector, with curved edges and fabric accents.
While UST projectors are generally much more expensive than non-UST projectors with similar specs, their ability to sit on a TV stand or low cabinet and project an image the size of a wall is unmatched. The Premieres run Samsung’s Tizen OS, which offers a similar experience to Samsung TVs like the S95D OLED, including pre-installed Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more. Both Premieres feature 4K resolution and HDR10 Plus compatibility, though no projector can really take advantage of HDRThe lenses on both models allow for images up to 130 inches diagonal.
The built-in speakers provide a sound bar isn’t required, though the lack of a full-size subwoofer means there won’t be much low-frequency rumble. A microphone allows for voice control, and also means you can use both Premieres as hubs for other SmartThings devices. When you’re not watching movies or TV, a Custom Ambient mode lets you view photos or “interactive widgets,” presumably including things like the weather or news.
The Premiere 9 will retail for $6,000, while the Premiere 7 will cost half that amount, at $3,000. The main differences between the two are their relative brightness and the fact that the Premiere 9 has a triple-laser design. Here are the details.
Samsung Premiere 9 specifications
The Premiere 9 with ultra short throw, which casts short.
The Premiere 9 is lit with a triple-laser design, which Samsung claims improves color accuracy and light output. We found this to be generally the case with other projectors we’ve reviewed which recently also got a laser light source. It promises 3,450 ISO lumens, an 18% improvement over its predecessor.
That’s pretty bright, although most UST projectors can throw a lot of light onto a wall. A brighter image allows a projector to fill a larger screen and work better in a room with a lot of ambient light.
In terms of sound, the 9 has a “2.2. 2” design, meaning there are two small subwoofers, two upward-firing speakers, and two main speakers. This lineup has 40 watts of power, which should be enough for most small and medium-sized rooms.
The light comes from the center of the notch at the top.
Samsung Premiere 7 specifications
The Premiere 7 is rated at 2,500 ISO lumens, an 8.7% increase over its predecessor. It has a 2.2 channel sound system that is powered by 30 watts.
Do you even need an ultra short throw projector?
UST projectors are exceptionally expensive compared to traditional projectorsoften two or three times more expensive than even “regular” short-throw projectors, which have their own premium over non-short-throw projectors. While bright, UST performance generally does not compare well with projectors of the same price, including high-end LCD modelsSome models are comparable in price to some high-performance LCOS projectors from Sony and JVC that offer significantly better image quality.
The UST promise of a large image with minimal settings is also not entirely true. To get even a decent image, you really need to install a special screen. Just shining the image on a painted wall can result in color shifts that cannot be completely removed by adjusting the image settings. Worse still, any texture on the wall will be visible in the image.
The Premiere 9 has 2 main drivers, two height drivers and two small “subwoofers” for a 2.2.2 setup, driven by 40 watts.
If you only have room for a unit that sits a few inches from the wall, UST is undoubtedly the best choice. However, a regular or non-UST short-throw projector on a coffee table or a shelf or stand behind a couch can provide a better image for a fraction of the price of a UST.
Traditional TVs are also becoming more affordable in sizes that are encroaching on projector territory. Samsung’s own 98-inch TVs, for example, start around $3,000.
In addition to his work in audio and display technology, Geoff hosts photo tours to cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000 mile road trips and more.
Also check out Budget Travel For Dummieshis travel book and his bestselling science fiction novel about city-sized submarines. You can follow him on Instagram And YouTube.
