Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus Review: Rich Colors, Gemini Support

Ultrashort-throw (UST) projects. offer more flexibility than traditional (long-term waste) models. No one can walk forward and block the display, because the device does not require distance and can be close to the screen and not at the back of the room. This also allows all your peripherals, audio interface, and game console to be connected next to the screen.

At $3,800, the Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus (LS970) short-throw projector is priced higher than the Epson Lifestudio Grand released last year. The Grand Plus notes are also a leap forward in terms of quality: a picture of 150 inches instead of 120 inches, and a brightness of 4,000 instead of 3,600.

With a few exceptions, it’s a solid home theater projector, but Epson also makes a better, longer-lasting Pro Cinema LS9000, which costs just $200 and is easy to replace. Also, the Leica Cine Play 1, another long-throw projector, produces vivid colors. In the end, it comes down to choosing between the short throw and the long throw, and the Grand Plus faces challenges, including keystones and throwing issues. On the plus side, the Grand Plus produces a better picture and supports Google Gemini, which is killer.

Fixing It All

I can’t say the words: Setup is confusing. The Grand Plus is big, heavy, and awkward where you place it — usually about a foot from a wall or screen. I had to experiment with the installation until it was perfect, and even then, the image installation was difficult and time-consuming. In comparison, the Leica Cine Play 1 and Soundcore Nebula P1 auto-keystoneing software instantly adjusts the image without manual keying – turn it on, and you’re done. The Grand Plus’ app looks outdated, and I also don’t like how easy it was to hit the power button on the side and turn it off.

Photo: John Brandon