- Presentation
- Key specifications
- Included accessories
- Epson EH-LS9000 test conditions
- My impressions of the Epson EH-LS9000
- Who is the Epson EH-LS9000 designed for?
- Epson EH-LS9000 compared with the Leica Cine Play 1
- Epson EH-LS9000 compared with BenQ W4100i
- Frequently asked questions about the Epson EH-LS9000
What we liked
- The realistic, nuanced colors
- The smooth image
- The deep blacks and high contrast
- The soft, cinema-like image
- The good fluidity in fast-moving scenes (movies and gaming)
- Its quiet operation
We would have liked
- More precision in the highlights for HDR content
- A trendier design
- A more modern, rechargeable remote control with automatic backlighting
Our expert’s opinion
The Epson EH-LS9000 is a serious home theater projector, designed above all for a dedicated room or a well-optimized living room. With its wide zoom and lens-shift range, it's one of the few models on the market to offer such latitude of placement for a given image size. Although rear projection models are no longer in vogue, this Epson model provides a projection solution for certain configurations that lifestyle projectors are not suited to.<br><!– –>In terms of image quality, its smoother approach, nuanced colors, and high contrast offer a cinematic experience that is particularly enjoyable for movies, TV series, and concerts. Smoothness is one of its strengths, as is its relatively quiet operation.
However, it does have some limitations: the definition could be improved compared to some sharper 4K competitors, and HDR sometimes lacks precision in highlights. In this price range, it competes with some very sophisticated models, particularly some of the more recent laser DLP projectors, but to its credit, it remains very flexible to install and offers a globally balanced image that will appeal to those looking for a smooth, immersive, cinema-like picture.
Ultimately, this is a projector that will be chosen not only for its ease of installation and visual comfort, but also for its ability to fade into the background in favor of the images it projects.
With the EH-LS9000, Epson is responding to the rise of 4K DLP projectors in this price range, at around €3,000, such as the BenQ W4100i (€2,990) and Leica Cine Play 1 (€3,490). Faced with these lifestyle and connected models, the Japanese brand is taking a different approach: a resolutely cinematic image, high contrast and highly flexible installation thanks to its fully motorized zoom and lens shift. Does this philosophy enable it to compete on these aspects once installed, and worthily replace the best-selling TW9400? Here’s what we thought.
Presentation
The Epson EH-LS9000 is a mid-range home theater projector featuring a laser light source combined with 3LCD projection technology. This is a non-native 4K model that displays Ultra HD images (3,840 x 2,160 pixels) via pixel-shift image interpolation technology. This projector delivers a very large image, up to 300 inches (7.6m) diagonal.
In terms of performance, this projector boasts a dynamic contrast of 2,500,000:1 (1,800:1 native) and support for HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG formats, so you can enjoy HDR content.
Installation is facilitated by its comprehensive motorized lens: large 2.1x optical zoom, focus, powerful vertical (± 96.3%) and horizontal (± 24%) lens-shift, plus a memory of up to 10 lens settings to instantly adjust the framing according to the film format.
The connectors include two HDMIs, one of which is eARC/ARC compatible, an Ethernet port, two USB ports, a 12V trigger output and compatibility with Crestron, Control4 and AMX home automation systems, so you can easily integrate the projector into a fully home-automated private cinema.
Its size (520 x 447 x 193mm) and weight (12.7kg) make this projector ideal for fixed ceiling installation in a dedicated cinema/gaming room, or in a living room optimized for large-screen projection.
Key specifications
- 3LCD technology with laser light source
- 4K resolution (pixel-shift emulation)
- 2,200-lumen brightness, 2,500,000:1 contrast
- HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG compatibility
- Motorized lens with generous lens-shift
- Motorized zoom 1 – 2.1x
- Image from 50 to 300 inches
- Connectors: HDMI ARC, Ethernet, USB, RS-232C
Included accessories
The Epson EH-LS9000 comes with all the essentials for immediate operation: a power cable, a backlit remote control that’s particularly handy in dark rooms, and two AA batteries to power it.
Note that the lens is protected by an electric shutter that opens and closes automatically when the device is switched on and off, much more practical than a manual cover.
Epson EH-LS9000 test conditions
In the perfectly darkened home theater area of the Son-Vidéo.com store in Nantes, France, this projector was tested with a white 1.0-gain Lumene screen. To achieve a picture measuring 100 inches in diagonal (2.5m), I installed it high up on a shelf behind the spectators, about 3.5 meters from the screen.
Set-up proved very straightforward: the fully motorized lens (zoom, lens-shift and focus) enable the image to be precisely adjusted, while the keystone corrections make final adjustments easy. It only takes a few moments to position the picture precisely within the limits of the screen. Unlike the compact lifestyle projectors that have been so popular in recent years, there’s no automatic adjustment of the image on the screen: everything is done manually, remote control in hand.
The sources used included a Panasonic DMP-UB820 UHD Blu-ray player and a PlayStation 5, connected via an AudioQuest HDMI cable.
I then alternated between different Blu-rays, including the Spears & Munsil Ultra HD Benchmark calibration disc and Top Gun: Maverick, both perfect for evaluating sharpness, HDR dynamics and fluidity.
I enjoyed a few sessions of Gran Turismo 7 on the PS5, ideal for judging the responsiveness and precision of in-game images.
My impressions of the Epson EH-LS9000
Serious design, true to Epson’s home theater DNA
In terms of design, the Epson EH-LS9000 looks a little dated. It uses exactly the same chassis as the EH-LS11000 and EH-LS12000, with a typical size for a rear-projection model. This generous format contrasts with the current trend for so-called lifestyle models, such as those in the Epson LifeStudio range, and more generally with all current compact projectors, which offer a more fashionable alternative for installation in a living room.
That said, this projector exudes seriousness: the finish is impeccable, and the plastics used give an immediate impression of quality. The lens is protected by a motorized cover, extremely practical for keeping the lens dust-free when not in use.
Front feet allow precise height adjustment, and mounting points under the frame simplify ceiling mounting for permanent installation.
Finally, the large side and front vents ensure good thermal management, with air intake on the sides and exhaust towards the front, facilitating installation close to a rear wall or at the back of a room. In terms of operating noise, this projector is quiet in low to high brightness mode (up to 90% light output). However, when brightness is pushed to maximum (>90%), the noise becomes more audible, which can be annoying if the projector is installed close to the viewers.
🗒️ Note from the expert
Regular maintenance of the air filter is essential to keep this projector running smoothly. Ideally, it should be cleaned every 5,000 hours of use. Increase this frequency if the unit operates in a particularly dusty environment, without waiting for a high internal temperature message. Without maintenance, your Epson projector will eventually issue an overheating warning. In this case, don't delay in cleaning the filter, as prolonged exposure to high temperatures can shorten its lifespan.
Comprehensive connectivity designed for home theaters
All the Epson EH-LS9000 projector’s connectors are grouped together at the rear, in a recess designed to comfortably accommodate cables, even those with bulky plugs. This little detail makes integration much easier, especially if the unit is placed close to a wall and/or mounted on a ceiling.
The EH-LS9000 features two powered USB ports, handy for connecting a wireless HDMI receiver or powering an Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. It also features RS-232C and Ethernet connectors, ideal for home automation integration, with support for ESC/VP.net and PJLink protocols for remote control and supervision.
A 12V Trigger output completes the package, making it possible, for example, to automate the lowering of a motorized screen and/or automatically switch on an AV receiver. Finally, two HDCP 2.3-compatible HDMI inputs, one of which supports ARC/eARC, allow you to easily connect a 4K UHD Blu-ray player and a latest-generation video game console, as well as send sound to a soundbar or receiver.
Some might criticize this projector for not having more HDMI ports or a DisplayPort USB-C, which are very much in vogue today. That’s because it’s designed for home theater installations, usually in conjunction with an AV receiver. The latter then centralizes the HDMI sources and sends the image to the projector, in which case the Epson’s two HDMI ports are sufficient.
A bulky but effective remote control, even in the dark
The remote control supplied with the EH-LS9000 is the same as on the other projectors in the LS range, and has remained unchanged for many years. It is quite bulky and takes up a lot of space in the hand due to its numerous settings buttons, which are particularly useful when installing the projector for the first time. We can’t help but think that the manufacturer could simplify it, or offer a second, more basic remote control, incorporating only the most useful functions for everyday use.
That said, this remote control is easy to use, thanks to its large, well-spaced buttons. Backlighting is one of its undeniable assets: it ensures impeccable readability in the dark, essential in a home theater. A dedicated button at top right activates it on demand.
However, we would have appreciated a rechargeable battery and automatic backlighting, which would have been more practical for everyday use.
Colors, contrast, smoothness: a truly cinematic picture
On the first excerpts from the Spears & Munsil Blu-ray, this Epson projector immediately revealed its personality: a soft, cinema-like image that favors naturalness rather than an ultra-sharp rendering. Thanks to 4K image interpolation, the picture was much richer and more precise than with its predecessor, the TW9400, which was limited to Full HD resolution.
Close-ups of flowers and butterflies were richly colored, with fine, realistic hues. Gradients were clean, with no banding effects, and the colors retained an elegance reminiscent of traditional 3LCD technology. This smooth, highly organic picture perfectly enhanced films with particularly accomplished photography.
Smoothness is clearly one of the projector’s strong points. Sequences of nighttime scenes of illuminated buildings, again on the Spears & Munsil disc, glided along with great stability, with no distracting artifacts. City lights and window reflections retained their sharpness, with pronounced contrast that gave the images excellent depth.
In Top Gun: Maverick, the dogfight scenes confirmed this impression: the aircraft’s rapid movements, tight turns and abrupt changes of perspective remained perfectly legible, without excessive blurring or visible judder. The LS9000 managed to maintain visual consistency, even in the most dynamic scenes.
Contrast is one of the outstanding qualities of this Epson 2025 projector. Blacks were deep and well controlled, and night sequences were significantly dense. HDR content, on the other hand, sometimes showed its limitations: some very bright areas lost detail, notably cockpit reflections.
Definition was decent, but not quite as good as native 4K projectors or certain laser DLP models with greater sharpness. A Sony VPL-XW5000 or a Valerion VisionMaster Max deliver better sharpness and more micro-details, justifying their higher cost.
Despite this, the EH-LS9000 offers a balanced, immersive picture that’s a pleasure to watch, perfectly suited to those who prefer a cinema-like aesthetic rather than an exuberant rendering.
Also worth noting: like all 3LCD projectors, the EH-LS9000 does not generate a rainbow effect, a considerable advantage over DLP models for viewers sensitive to this visual phenomenon.
My recommended settings for the best picture in a home theater
| Setting | Value |
| Picture mode | Cinema |
| Image Enhancer | Preset 2 |
| Noise Reduction | 0 |
| MPEG Noise Reduction | Off |
| Super Resolution | Fine Line Adjust: 3 / Soft Focus Detail: 3 |
| Auto Contrast Enhancement | 5 |
| Light Output | 60 % |
| Dynamic Range > HDR10/10+ Setting | 5 |
📝 Tips from the expert
Image Enhancer settings above preset 2 tend to accentuate contours too much, to the point of producing an unnatural, artificial look.
Light Output has a direct influence on the projector's operating noise: up to 60%, the device remains very quiet; between 65% and 90%, the noise is discreet; above 95%, noise becomes more noticeable, especially if the projector is installed close to spectators.
A pleasant surprise on Gran Turismo 7
Although the Epson EH-LS9000 isn’t specifically designed for gaming, it did quite well when connected to a PS5. Tested with Gran Turismo 7 in 60Hz 4K, this projector was very smooth: scenery was stable, trajectories were legible and vehicle movements were smooth.
Responsiveness was very good for a home theater model, and the image benefited from vivid colors that enhanced the game’s environments. The scenery was sufficiently detailed to make the circuits immersive, even though it didn’t reach the precision of 4K projectors specially designed for gaming.
All in all, this Epson projector is a pleasure to use for occasional gaming sessions, especially on racing games.
Who is the Epson EH-LS9000 designed for?
Epson EH-LS9000 compared with the Leica Cine Play 1
The Epson EH-LS9000 and the Leica Cine Play 1 have several similarities, starting with their clear cinematic vocation and their use of pixel-shifting 4K projection technology. In both cases, the laser light source ensures great stability over time and consistent colorimetry, while HDR management remains a key factor for making the most of Ultra HD content.
The approaches, however, differ quite markedly. The Epson, with its imposing chassis and comprehensive motorized lens, follows in the footsteps of rear-projection models. It offers remarkable installation latitude thanks to its exceptional zoom (x2.1), generous lens shift and lens memories that are particularly useful for variable-format screens. Its softer, more cinematic image, with higher contrast, benefits dark and nighttime scenes. A field in which the EH-LS9000 maintains a clear lead over the Cine Play 1.
In contrast, the Leica Cine Play 1 takes an almost opposite approach. Much more compact and designed to blend elegantly into a high-end living room, it features high-precision lenses and superior brightness, enabling it to display images with greater definition and sharpness. This extra finesse, unique to Leica lenses, which are made entirely of very high-quality glass, is immediately apparent in the fine details and gives the projector a sharper visual personality. Where the Epson favors a more muted texture and uniformity, the Leica focuses more on sharpness and the brightness of textures.
The Leica Cine Play 1 also scores points for ease of use, thanks to its connected platform and direct access to streaming services, whereas the Epson EH-LS9000 systematically requires an external source. A difference that further underlines the Leica’s “premium living room” vocation versus the Epson’s traditional home theater approach.
Last but not least, the LS9000 has the added benefit of 3LCD technology, which, unlike DLP technology, is free from rainbow effects, a feature that may be of particular interest to sensitive viewers.
Epson EH-LS9000 compared with BenQ W4100i
Opposite the BenQ W4100i, the Epson EH-LS9000 adopts a more traditional home theater philosophy, with an imposing chassis, full motorized lens and superior contrast that’s highly perceptible in dark scenes. The W4100i, on the other hand, is more versatile: more compact, equipped with an integrated Android TV platform and designed to offer an all-in-one solution, it’s at home in a modern living room.
In terms of image quality, BenQ’s DLP XPR technology and particularly dynamic video processing make for a more striking result, with clearly visible micro-details. Bright scenes are lighter, details appear sharper, and the picture, overall, displays a liveliness that will appeal to those who like projections that are engaging and a little more flashy. The Epson, on the other hand, favors a softer, more cinematic approach, with more nuanced colors and much deeper blacks, a considerable advantage for night scenes or enveloping atmospheres.
The W4100i handles highlights better, with sharper peaks and more legible detail in very bright areas. The Epson remains more cautious in this area, with a slightly less controlled dynamic range at extremes. On the other hand, its superior contrast and natural fluidity provide a more comfortable sense of immersion during long cinema sessions.
The BenQ W4100i will appeal to viewers looking for a projector that’s compact, lively, connected and ready for immediate use. The Epson EH-LS9000 will better suit traditional home theater enthusiasts, sensitive to contrast, image smoothness and installation flexibility, all criteria in which it maintains a clear lead.
Finally, like all DLP projectors, the BenQ W4100i can produce slight rainbow effects, particularly on fast-moving scenes and subtitles, a phenomenon absent on the Epson LS9000 thanks to 3LCD technology.
Frequently asked questions about the Epson EH-LS9000
Although not a native 4K projector, the LS9000 renders all pixels in 4K images thanks to 4K emulation technology (pixel shifting). The arrays are Full HD, but each pixel is shifted very rapidly several dozen times per second to display 8.3 million perceived pixels. The result is very convincing, with the eye perceiving the projected image as if it were a true 4K picture, even if a native 4K projector offers even more precise definition.
Yes, but this Epson LS9000 will perform at its best in a darker room or dedicated home theater. At 2,200 lumens, it does well in a living room with controlled light pollution, but dark scenes will always look better in the dark.
No, in fact, this is one of its strong points. A fully motorized lens (zoom, focus, lens shift) and the ability to save lens settings make it possible to fine-tune the image in a matter of minutes. Keystone corrections can also help, although they should be avoided to preserve image quality.
This Epson projector wasn’t designed primarily for gaming, but it does well: good fluidity, satisfactory responsiveness and vivid colors. For competitive gaming, a DLP projector will be more responsive, but for casual or immersive gaming, it works very well.
For a 100″ image (2.5m), a projection distance of between 3m and 6.3m is required. The large x2.1 motorized zoom and generous lens shift offer great installation flexibility.
At low to high light levels, it remains discreet. From 95% brightness, it becomes more audible. In a dedicated room, it’s best to keep the setting below 90% so it remains quiet.
No. The Epson EH-LS9000 has no built-in smart TV interface. You have to use an external source: Blu-ray player, set-top box, Apple TV, Fire TV, game console, etc. If you’re looking for a connected projector, models like the BenQ W4100i or Leica Cine Play 1 are more suitable.
Yes, it’s designed for ceiling installation and has the necessary mounting points. The motorized lens shift makes it easy to frame the image.
Epson claims native contrast of 1,800:1 and dynamic contrast beyond 2,500,000:1. In practice, the projector offers deep blacks and nice density in dark scenes, an area where it does better than most competing 4K DLPs in the same price range.
HDR preovides beautiful colors and a good level of dynamic range, but highlights sometimes lack precision. Some very bright details can be a little over-exposed. Adjusting the HDR settings manually can improve the picture, depending on the film.
Approx. 20,000 hours, regardless of mode (normal, medium, eco). At 4 hours of daily use, this corresponds to over 13 years.
Yes, this Epson projector works with ALR screens for long-throw “rear-projection” projectors (not UST ALR screens designed for ultra-short-throw models). A technical ALR screen can improve the contrast in a living room.
A 1.0 gain matte white screen is ideal for a dedicated room. In a living room, an ALR “long throw” projection screen can improve contrast.
Yes, if you prefer:
– contrast,
– natural colors,
– a soft, cinematic image,
– flexible installation.
A DLP will be sharper and brighter, but rarely offers as much contrast and won’t be as quiet.
What’s more, the 3LCD technology of this Epson LS9000 projector doesn’t generate a rainbow effect, which is invaluable if you’re sensitive to this optical phenomenon.
