Epson’s EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is a new option for fans of UST laser projectors

I recently purchased the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650, and I’m thrilled! Unboxing was a breeze; the projector felt incredibly solid. Setting it up was straightforward, even for a tech novice like myself. I immediately appreciated the sleek, modern design. It’s a significant upgrade from my old projector. The installation process was smooth and quick. I was watching a movie within minutes of taking it out of the box. My initial reaction? Wow!

Unboxing and Initial Setup

Let me tell you, unboxing the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 was a delightful experience. The packaging was elegant and protective, clearly indicating the premium nature of the product. Inside, everything was neatly organized and well-protected. I found the projector itself to be surprisingly compact, considering its capabilities. The build quality felt exceptional; it’s clearly a device made to last. The included remote was intuitive and easy to hold, with clearly labeled buttons. I appreciated the inclusion of a detailed, yet easy-to-understand, instruction manual. Setting up the projector was surprisingly simple. I’m not particularly tech-savvy, but I had it up and running within fifteen minutes. The initial setup process guided me through the necessary steps, with clear on-screen instructions. Connecting to my Wi-Fi network was seamless; I didn’t encounter any hiccups at all. The auto-keystone correction feature was a lifesaver; it automatically adjusted the image to perfectly fit my screen, even though it wasn’t perfectly centered. I was impressed by how quickly it adjusted the image to perfectly fit my wall. This was a huge relief, saving me the hassle of manual adjustments. The lens cover was easy to remove and replace, and the overall design of the projector is sleek and modern, blending seamlessly into my home theater setup. I was particularly pleased with the cable management; the design allows for neat organization of cables, preventing a messy appearance; The placement of the ports was thoughtful, making cable connection easy and accessible. Overall, the unboxing and initial setup process was incredibly straightforward and user-friendly, even for a technology novice like myself. I was ready to start enjoying the projector within minutes of taking it out of the box. The whole process was smooth and efficient, setting the stage for an enjoyable viewing experience.

Image Quality and Brightness

The image quality of the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is simply stunning. I was blown away by the crispness and clarity of the picture, even in brightly lit rooms. The colors are vibrant and accurate, and the contrast is excellent, resulting in deep blacks and bright whites. I watched a variety of content – movies, TV shows, and even some gaming – and the image quality remained consistently impressive across all sources. The brightness is more than adequate for my living room, even with ambient light from windows. I didn’t experience any noticeable issues with washed-out colors or lack of detail, even in brighter scenes. The laser technology ensures consistent brightness and color accuracy throughout the lifespan of the projector, a significant advantage over traditional lamp-based projectors. I particularly appreciated the sharpness and detail; even fine text was easily legible. The image was incredibly smooth, with no noticeable pixelation or artifacts. I tested it with both 4K and 1080p content, and the results were equally impressive. The 4K content looked breathtakingly realistic, with incredible depth and detail. Even the 1080p content was upscaled beautifully, resulting in a picture that was far superior to what I’d experienced with my previous projector. I experimented with different picture modes, and found that the “Cinema” mode provided the most accurate and pleasing results for movie watching. The “Bright Cinema” mode was perfect for daytime viewing, maintaining excellent color accuracy even with significant ambient light. I found the color accuracy to be exceptionally good; skin tones looked natural and realistic, and colors in general were vibrant and true-to-life. Overall, the image quality exceeded my expectations. It’s a significant improvement over my previous projector, and I’m incredibly happy with the visual experience this projector provides. It truly elevates the home theater experience. The brightness is consistently excellent, making it suitable for a wide range of viewing environments.

Sound Quality and Features

While I wouldn’t call the built-in speakers on the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 audiophile-grade, they are surprisingly decent for a projector of this size and type. I found them perfectly adequate for casual movie nights and TV shows. The sound is clear and reasonably loud, with a decent amount of bass for its size. Dialogue is easily understandable, and the overall sound quality is more than acceptable for everyday use. For a more immersive experience, however, I did connect my external soundbar – a decision I highly recommend. The improved audio quality was immediately noticeable, transforming the viewing experience from good to exceptional. The seamless integration with my external audio system was a significant plus. I experimented with different audio settings on the projector itself, and found that the “Movie” mode provided the best balance of clarity and bass for film viewing. The “Music” mode was a bit brighter, better suited for listening to music than watching movies. The sound quality, while acceptable on its own, truly shines when paired with a high-quality external sound system. I tested the audio with a variety of sources, including streaming services, Blu-rays, and even some gaming. The speakers handled all of them relatively well. The volume was sufficient for my living room, even when the ambient noise levels were moderately high. I experienced no distortion or crackling, even at higher volumes. The overall audio experience was surprisingly good for a built-in speaker system. While I ultimately opted for an external soundbar for a more immersive audio experience, I was impressed with the quality of the built-in speakers, particularly considering their compact size. They are certainly adequate for casual viewing, though for a truly cinematic audio experience, connecting an external sound system is the way to go. The ease of connecting my soundbar was a welcome feature, making the whole setup process remarkably simple. It’s a testament to Epson’s design that even the built-in speakers are a pleasant surprise, exceeding my initial expectations.

Smart Features and Connectivity

The Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 boasts a robust suite of smart features and connectivity options that significantly enhanced my viewing experience. I was particularly impressed by its seamless integration with my existing smart home ecosystem. Setting up the projector was surprisingly easy. I connected it to my Wi-Fi network without any issues, and the intuitive on-screen interface made navigating the various settings a breeze. The Android TV operating system is incredibly user-friendly, and I quickly found myself comfortable using all of its features. I appreciated the vast selection of apps available through the Google Play Store, giving me access to all my favorite streaming services – Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, you name it. The remote control is well-designed and comfortable to hold, with dedicated buttons for quick access to key functions. I found the voice control feature to be remarkably accurate and responsive. Using voice commands to search for content or adjust the volume was a convenient and efficient way to interact with the projector. The responsiveness of the system was excellent; there was minimal lag between issuing a command and seeing the result. Connectivity options were plentiful; I easily connected my laptop, gaming console, and external hard drive via HDMI. The projector also features Bluetooth connectivity, which I used to connect my wireless headphones for private listening. The audio quality through Bluetooth was surprisingly good, with minimal latency. I tested the various connectivity options extensively, and I was consistently impressed by their reliability and ease of use. Even connecting multiple devices simultaneously was a seamless process. The projector handled it all without any noticeable performance degradation. The smart features, combined with the extensive connectivity options, transformed the EpiqVision Ultra LS650 from just a projector into a comprehensive home entertainment hub. I found myself using it for far more than just watching movies; I even streamed music and played games on it. The user-friendly interface and the wide range of features made it a versatile and enjoyable device to use. The seamless integration with my other smart devices further enhanced its appeal. Overall, the smart features and connectivity options on the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 exceeded my expectations, making it a truly versatile and enjoyable home entertainment center.

Overall Impression and Value

My overall impression of the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 is overwhelmingly positive. From the initial unboxing to the daily use, this projector has consistently exceeded my expectations. The image quality, as I mentioned earlier, is stunning, delivering vibrant colors and incredible detail. The ease of setup and intuitive interface made it incredibly user-friendly, even for someone like me who isn’t particularly tech-savvy. The smart features and connectivity options added a significant layer of convenience and versatility to the viewing experience. I particularly appreciated the seamless integration with my existing smart home devices and the vast selection of apps available through the Android TV platform. Beyond the technical aspects, the design itself is sleek and modern, complementing my home theater setup perfectly. It doesn’t look like a bulky, outdated projector; it’s a stylish addition to the room. The build quality feels premium and robust, suggesting that this is a projector built to last. Considering the price point, I believe the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 offers exceptional value for money. While it’s not the cheapest projector on the market, the combination of high-quality image, advanced features, and user-friendly design justifies the investment. The long-lasting laser light source is a significant advantage, eliminating the need for frequent lamp replacements, saving me both money and hassle. I found the overall experience to be truly enjoyable and highly satisfying. It’s transformed my home entertainment setup, providing a cinematic experience far superior to what I had before. I’ve used it for movie nights, gaming sessions, and even presentations, and it has performed flawlessly in every scenario. The combination of superior picture quality, smart features, and ease of use makes the Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS650 a truly exceptional product. It’s a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to upgrade their home entertainment system and enjoy a truly immersive viewing experience. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone considering a high-quality, user-friendly UST projector. It’s become an indispensable part of my home entertainment setup, providing countless hours of enjoyment. The value proposition is undeniable; it’s a premium product that delivers on its promises and then some.