Epson LifeStudio Grand review: TechRadar says improvements not enough to catch rivals
Epson's new LifeStudio Grand UST projector adds Google TV and an extra HDMI port, but TechRadar finds it still trails competitors in audio, color, and design.
The review said the projector's high brightness of 3,600 lumens is its main strength, and it avoids the rainbow effect typical of DLP projectors. However, the image is still soft, colors are not as vibrant as RGB laser systems, and motion artifacts are almost unavoidable. The built-in speakers were described as underwhelming despite Epson's switch from Yamaha to Bose for sound tuning, and the projector's motion interpolation also needs a lot of work.
On the positive side, Epson added a third HDMI port to the LifeStudio Grand, the Google TV operating system runs quickly, and Wi-Fi 6E is included. Gaming features such as ALLM and a 1080p/120Hz mode were also added. But TechRadar noted these are more about making up for the predecessor's fumbles than keeping pace with competitors like the Hisense PX3 Pro, which offers a 1080p/240Hz mode.
The review also pointed out that the LifeStudio Grand has a large depth of 15.7 inches and a throw ratio of 0.25:1, making it stick out on a media console and complicating placement. It compared unfavorably with the Hisense L9Q at 12.5 inches deep and the PX3-Pro at just 11.7 inches. The design was described as plain, with a white plastic body and an "unfortunate" Epson logo, though the silver adjustable legs were seen as a practical touch.
TechRadar concluded that if buyers are not bothered by the DLP rainbow effect and can draw curtains when needed, they can get a better projector for the money elsewhere. The LifeStudio Grand's main appeal is its high brightness, but the overall package does not keep pace with the competition.