When it comes to creating the ultimate movie-watching experience at home, there are no other options that rival the impact of a high-quality home theater projector. Unlike standard TVs, projectors offer a significantly larger screen size, making movies, sports, and even gaming feel more immersive. 4K Home cinema projectors deliver exceptional picture quality, offering deep contrast, vibrant colors and high resolution that can transform any room into a personal cinema.
Of course, with so many options to choose from it can be difficult shopping for a projector, knowing which one is going to give you the best experience. That's why our projection experts have put together this series of projector vs projector showdowns. This way you can compare projectors and decide which is right for your needs and desires.
Today we're pitting two models from the same family, the Epson QB1000 vs the Epson LS12000, in a matchup of top 4K home cinema projectors.
Epson LS12000
The Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 was released in early 2022 (alongside the Home Cinema LS11000). This projector were introduced laser light technology to their portfolio of high-end home cinema solutions with advanced 4K PRO-UHD technology. The LS12000, priced at $4,999, is targeted at enthusiasts seeking the best possible home theater experience without breaking the bank on an ultra-premium JVC or Sony cinema projector.
What makes the LS12000 special is its combination of a laser light source, advanced pixel-shifting technology. It offers a high level of brightness at 2,700 lumens and supports HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG for enhanced color and contrast. These features, alongside the high 120Hz refresh rate and low lag time make this laser home theater projector ideal for both movies and gaming.
You can read more about this home cinema display in our Epson LS12000 projector review.
Epson QB1000
The Epson QB1000, released in September 2024, aims to set a new standard in home cinema projection. With this new model, Epson took everything great about the LS12000 and then cranked up the dials. The QB1000 is designed for premium home theater enthusiasts, offering a full 4K HDR experience with advanced 3LCD laser technology. With a price tag of $7,999, the QB1000 is engineered to deliver exceptional picture quality, making it a top choice for those seeking a professional quality cinema experience at home.
What makes the QB1000 extra special is its combination of 3,300 lumens of brightness and a dynamic contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1, ensuring vivid and clear images even in rooms with ambient light. One of the major improvements was a return of Epson's UltraBlack technology for inky blacks. With such an incredible picture the Epson QB1000 is clearly in the running for best projector for 2024 (and likely 2025.)
Epson LS12000 Vs. Epson QB1000
Seeing as how the QB1000 is the newer upgraded model this isn't a truly fair fight. But how do these two home cinema projectors stack up each other? Will the QB1000 be worth the higher price tag? And most importantly which projector should you get for your home cinema?
Our projection expert now bring you a comparison of these two fantastic 4K laser projectors for home theaters and find out who wins.
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Epson LS12000 |
Epson QB1000 |
Our Thoughts: |
Brightness |
2700 |
3300 |
The LS12000 is bright for a home theater projector. The extra 600 lumens on the QB1000 make it bright enough for lights on viewings. |
Throw Ratio |
1.35:1 - 2.84:1 |
1.35:1 - 2.84:1 |
Both have the same wide throw ratio range. |
Projector Lens Shift |
Horizontal +/-96.30% & Vertical +/-47.10% |
Horizontal +/-96.30% & Vertical +/-47.10% |
The generous lens shift is the same on both both making for easier setup. |
Chipset |
4 way pixel-shifting 0.74” 3LCD |
4 way pixel-shifting 0.74” 3LCD |
Both use the same 3LCD technology to product the image you see on screen. |
Light Source |
Single Laser w/ fixed yellow phosphor |
Single Laser w/ fixed yellow phosphor |
Both projectors utilize a single blue laser and yellow phosphor. |
Color |
83.7% DCI-P3 |
88.9% DCI-P3 |
These projectors cover an very wide color gamut, with the QB1000 getting a significant lift. |
Contrast Ratio |
1,2500,000:1 |
5,000,000:1 |
The contrast on the QB1000 is 4X better thanks to the increased brightness and darker black levels. |
Input Lag |
20 ms |
20 ms |
Both have extremely low lag time making them true gaming projectors. |
Price |
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As you'd expect, the Epson LS12000 is available at a lower price point compared to the new and improved model. |
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Shop Now |
Shop Now |
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Epson LS12000
The Pros
- Super bright laser light source
- Very vibrant colors
- Great black levels and contrast
- Supports HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG
- Can produce an image up to 300 inches
- Lots of installation options for easier setup
- Low input lag under 20ms for gaming
- Picture looks great out of the box so you don't need much calibration
- 120 FPS 4K gaming
The Cons
- No 3D support
- Not native 4K
- No dynamic tone mapping.
- Doesn't come with any built in streaming apps
Epson QB1000
The Pros
- Super bright 3300 lumen laser light source
- Incredible contrast lets you see all the details
- Fantastically dark black levels thanks to UltraBlack technology
- Wider color gamut
- Dynamic tone mapping
- Supports HDR10+, HDR10 and HLG
- Low input lag under 20ms for gaming
- Can produce an image size up to 300 inches
- Picture looks great out of the box so you don't need much calibration
- Lots of installation flexibility for easier setup
- Available in either white or black
The Cons
- Higher price tag
- Doesn't come with any built in streaming apps
- No 3D
support
- Not native 4K
So Which Projector Should You Buy, The Epson LS12000 Or The Epson QB1000?
We wish picking a winner in these showdowns was as easy as it is for shootouts like this one. The Epson Ls12000 vs the brand new QB1000 was never really a fair fight. That said, both of these 4K laser projectors output absolutely incredible images that you'll be perfectly happy with. But one of these two projectors will make you extra happy and take your breath away each time you fire it up. You can probably guess which one that is.
So between the Epson QB1000 and Epson LS12000, the winner is………
Epson QB1000
Why Buy The Epson QB1000?
The Epson QB1000 is a top-tier choice for home cinema enthusiasts due to its exceptional picture quality and advanced features. With 3,300 lumens of brightness and a dynamic contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1, it ensures vivid and clear visuals even in rooms with some ambient light.
Brightness is one the biggest improvements on the QB1000. The extra 600 lumens of brightness make a big difference with lights on viewings. This is in line with the trend by manufactures to not just tailor their models to darkened home theaters in the basement, but rather to bring projection into the light of living rooms with higher levels of ambient light. At 3300 lumens you're easily able to watch TV and movies with the lights on, especially when you pair it with an ALR projector screen that rejects the ambient light in the room.
The other major upgrade on the QB1000 is the 5,000,000:1 contrast ratio. The LS12000 has great contrast. The contrast on the QB1000 is 4x better! It's this tremendous jump in contrast that makes the QB1000 worth the extra expense.
A higher contrast ratio means that the projector can display deeper blacks and brighter whites, resulting in more vibrant and detailed images. This is especially important in home theater settings, where high contrast ratios enhance the viewing experience by making scenes appear more lifelike and immersive. In practical terms, a high contrast ratio helps to ensure that fine details in dark scenes are visible and not lost in shadows, while bright scenes remain clear and vivid.
On the QB1000, the UltraBlack technology uses a compensation filter that adjusts the polarization of light enabling the projector to eliminate stray light, significantly enhancing black levels and picture contrast.
Why Buy The Epson LS12000?
Just because the Epson QB1000 is an overall better home theater projector, it doesn't mean the Epson LS12000 isn't a great projector. If you're building a home cinema on a budget, saving on the projector is a great strategy. For those where budget is a major consideration, the LS12000 offers excellent value for its features.
In dedicated home theater set ups, the extra lumens on the QB1000 does lose some of its value because the LS12000 is quite bright enough for darkened movie rooms.
If you are looking for a high-quality home cinema projector that offers excellent performance and features at a more affordable price, the LS12000 is still a great choice. If you want the best projector, or you want to watch content with the lights on, then you'll want the Epson QB1000.
What Do You Think?
Which home projector do you think is best? Which projectors should we compare head to head next? We'd love to read your thoughts in the comment section below.
If you have any questions on these 4K projectors or anything else home theater related, don’t hesitate to hit us up at ProjectorScreen.com. Thanks for reading and as always, keep on projecting!
Projector Resolution: | 4K |
Brand: | EPSON |
Product Status: | In Stock |
Lumens: | 3300 |
Projector Type: | Standard Throw |
Light Source: | Laser |
Contrast Ratio: | 5,000,000:1 |
Chipset: | LCD |
Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 [HD] |
Throw Ratio: | 1.35:1 - 2.84:1 (D:W) |
Native Resolution: | 3840x2160 |
Lens Shift: | Horizontal & Vertical |
3D Support: | No |
Warranty: | 3 Years |
Standard Lens Focus: | Motorized |
Wi-Fi: | No |
ARC/eARC: | eARC |
Projector Resolution: | 4K |
Brand: | EPSON |
Product Status: | Contact Us to Place Order |
Lumens: | 3300 |
Projector Type: | Standard Throw |
Light Source: | Laser |
Contrast Ratio: | 5,000,000:1 |
Chipset: | LCD |
Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 [HD] |
Throw Ratio: | 1.35:1 - 2.84:1 (D:W) |
Native Resolution: | 3840x2160 |
Lens Shift: | Horizontal & Vertical |
3D Support: | No |
Warranty: | 3 Years |
Standard Lens Focus: | Motorized |
Wi-Fi: | No |
ARC/eARC: | eARC |
Projector Resolution: | 4K |
Brand: | EPSON |
Product Status: | Contact Us to Place Order |
Lumens: | 2700 |
Projector Type: | Standard Throw |
Light Source: | Laser |
Contrast Ratio: | 2,500,000:1 |
Chipset: | LCD |
Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 [HD] |
Throw Ratio: | 1.35:1 - 2.84:1 (D:W) |
Native Resolution: | 3840x2160 |
Lens Shift: | Horizontal & Vertical |
Input Lag: | 4K/60Hz:19.4ms | 1080p/120Hz: 28.7ms |
3D Support: | No |
Warranty: | 3 Years |
Standard Lens Focus: | Motorized |
Wi-Fi: | No |
ARC/eARC: | eARC |
Projector Resolution: | 4K |
Brand: | EPSON |
Product Status: | In Stock |
Lumens: | 2700 |
Projector Type: | Standard Throw |
Light Source: | Laser |
Contrast Ratio: | 2,500,000:1 |
Chipset: | LCD |
Aspect Ratio: | 16:9 [HD] |
Throw Ratio: | 1.35:1 - 2.84:1 (D:W) |
Native Resolution: | 3840x2160 |
Lens Shift: | Horizontal & Vertical |
Input Lag: | 4K/60Hz:19.4ms | 1080p/120Hz: 28.7ms |
3D Support: | No |
Warranty: | 3 Years |
Standard Lens Focus: | Motorized |
Wi-Fi: | No |
ARC/eARC: | eARC |
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