Today, the market offers an abundance of Home Teather mid-focal laser 4K models with brightness from 2,500 to 3,500 lumens and costing from $ 2,000 to $ 3,000. Moreover, this year the range has expanded due to NexiGo TriVision Ultra and XGIMI Horizon S Max with a hybrid LED/laser light source. The price of $ 1,900 for the brighter XGIMI (3,100 ISO Lumens) is not much different from RGB laser – based analogs, but NexiGo costs only $ 1,600 with a brightness of 2,600 ANSI Lumens. Perhaps next year, LED/laser hybrids will start to crowd out traditional laser and LED models.
Most budget-friendly mid-focal 4K models use LEDs as a light source, the colot gamut of which is significantly inferior to the triple-laser light engine. For example, the new gaming Philips GamePix 900 4K LED costs only $ 830 with a brightness of 1,000 lumens.
The Chinese giant Hisense hardly needs an introduction. Smartphones, TVs and other consumer electronics under this brand have been occupying the top lines of many ratings for many years, and projectors are no exception. In particular, the company quite rightly claims dominance in the segment of ultra-short throw (UST) projectors.
Today, the Hisense UST projector lineup includes the Laser TV series, which come with an ALR screen, and the cheaper Cinema. However, the company is not limited to the UST segment, actively developing a lineup of traditional mid-focal projectors. This year was no exception, and Hisense expanded it with the compact M2 Pro and the bright Vidda C3 Ultra. All projectors support 4K resolution and use a triple-laser RGB light engine that covers 110% of BT.2020 color space.
Hisense M2 Pro
The M2 Pro costs $ 1,300 and produces 1,200 ANSI Lumens. It uses AI 4K Clarity technology, which includes algorithms of AI 4K Upscaler, AI Noise Reduction and AI HDR Upscaler. Among the new budget triple-laser 4K projectors, the Hisense M2 Pro competes with the portable JmGO N1S 4K, which costs ~$ 1,000 at 1,100 ISO lumens light output. But in some regions their price is almost identical and does not exceed $ 600. The Hisense is slightly larger (23cm x 19cm x 22cm vs 19 cm x 17 cm x 19 cm) and heavier (3.9 kg vs 2.0 kg).
Hisense M2 Pro vs JmGO N1S 4K
Both:
– 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) resolution with 0.47″ DMD DLP with pixel shift-based XPR (eXpanded Pixel Resolution) technology support.
A few years ago, XPR radically reduced prices for 4K DLP projectors. This technologe plays 4K content using a relatively inexpensive DMD with native 1080p resolution (~ 2 million micromirrors). In fact, the projector divides 8 million pixels of 4K-image into 4 parts of 2 million. Then, the 4 XPR module electromagnets change the lens tilt 4 times per cycle (4-phase pixel shift), shifting the four 1080p images by half a pixel diagonally relative to each other.
Of course, 2 million micromirrors produce only one a 1080p image at any given time. But due to the high frequency, the eye and brain perceive them as one higher-resolution image;
– light engine – triple-laser RGB module (Triple Color Laser vs RGB Triple Laser) based on ALPD (Advanced Laser Phosphor Display) 4.0 technology with color gamut up to 110% in BT.2020 color space;
– bluetooth;
– Full HD 3D;
– Auto Focus and Auto Keystone Correction;
– rotating gimbal stands;
– without a built-in battery.
Hisense M2 Pro vs JmGO N1S 4K
– Brightness – 1,200 CVIA Lumens vs 1,100 ISO Lumens.
This aspect requires some explanation. The conversion factor CVIA (China Video Industry Association) to ISO (ISO 21118 standard) lumens is uncertain due to different measurement methods. For reference, ISO lumens characterize a 9-zone average brightness, CVIA measures brightness across the entire screen, taking into account color temperature variations (6000K-18000K). Some sources indicate a multiplier of 2.4. But in this case, the brightness of the M2 Pro should reach almost 3,000 lumens, which is unrealistic for a portable model costing just over $ 1,000. Other sources use a ratio in the range of 1.05-1.1. Then 1,200 CVIA lumens corresponds to ~ 1,300 lumens, which seems true. However, only testing will resolve this uncertainty;
– contrast ratio (full on/off) – 1,000:1 vs 1,600:1;
– optical zoom – Hubble lens with a projection ratio of 1.0-1.3:1 vs no;
– smart OS – Android vs Google TV;
– speakers – 2x10W vs 2x 5W;
– CPU – MT9679 vs MT9629.
The MT9679 delivers better gaming and video performance, and supports faster WiFi 6 vs WiFi 5 into MT9629, which is cheaper;
– memory – 4GB+32GB vs 2GB+32GB;
– HDR support – HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision vs HDR10 and HLG formats.
M2 Pro is slightly more expensive, but brighter, additionally supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, has a more powerful processor and 2x 10W speakers. JmGO N1S 4K offers a higher contrast and Google TV.
In general, their price-quality ratio is very close. Both projectors claim a place among the bestsellers of 2025 in the segment of budget-friendly portable mid-focal laser 4K projectors.
Hisense Vidda C3 Ultra vs C3 Pro vs C2 Ultra
Hisense Vidda C3 is an improved version of last year’s popular Hisense C2. Similar to it, the new series will include the flagship C3 Ultra, C3 Pro, the basic C3 and the budget-friendly C3S.
Hisense Vidda C3 Ultra vs Hisense Vidda C3 Pro:
– launch price – 11,999 yuan (~$ 1,675) vs 9,499 yuan (~$ 1,325).
However, as part of the JD.com 618 promotion, the price of the C3 Pro was reduced to $ 950. For reference, the annual summer 618 sale on JD.com is a summer shopping festival held to celebrate the company’s founding anniversary;
– brightness – 3,200 CVIA lumens vs 2,800 CVIA lumens.
Vidda C3 Ultra vs C2 Ultra
– price – launch price in China 11,999 yuan (~$ 1,675) vs $ 2,500;
– light source – MCL 39 laser vs MCL 38 laser;
– brightness – 3,200 CVIA lumens vs 3,000 CVIA lumens;
– contrast – 14,000:1 (dynamic) vs 2,000:1 (native);
– colour gamut (both) – 110% BT.2020, ΔE < 0.9 professional colour accuracy;
– Image Quality Certification – Dolby Vision, IMAX, HDR10+ vs IMAX, HDR10+.
– chip & memory – ultra-flagship MT9681 & (8+128GB) vs MT9679 & (4+128GB);
– audio system – Harman JBL 2.1 + separate pan-tilt 20W subwoofer, supporting Hi-Res lossless audio vs Harman JBL 2.0 + 20W subwoofer;
– WiFi – WiFi 7 + Gigabit network port vs WiFi 6.
C3 Ultra is the first projector with Tencent START Cloud Gaming’s 3-star certification, which corresponds to several milliseconds input lag.
At $ 2,500, last year’s Hisense C2 Ultra is clearly not competitive against the C3 UItra/Pro and requires a significant price adjustment.
MCL 39 laser module
Both projectors use the new cinema-grade MCL 39 laser light source. Compared to the MCL 38 in last year’s C2 line, it provides a significant increase in contrast, which affects the detail in dark scenes and the number of reproduced shades.
C2 Ultra’s specs contain 2,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and 2,000:1 native contrast.
The dynamic contrast is due to the change in laser brightness, which is adjusted depending on the scene content. Unfortunately, it does not take into account the ambient light, works with a delay and is not very informative. Native contrast is more objective. In fact, it characterizes the reproduction capabilities and is calculated as the ratio of max bright to max dark. Modern DLP and 3LCD models provide native contrast in the range of 500:1 – 2,000:1. The native contrast of LCoS projectors is tens of thousands, but their price starts from $ 6,000 and also reaches tens of thousands.
In recent years, companies have been actively using AI algorithms to improve contrast. In particular, Valerion VisionMaster Pro 2 provides 10,000:1 – 15,000:1 with EBL technology. The company calls it ‘Viewing Contrast’.
Strictly speaking, it can be positioned as dynamic contrast, but by analogy with TVs, it’s very similar to local dimming technology.
According to the company, the contrast of the new MCL 39 reaches 14,000:1. Perhaps the developers have radically solved the problem of native contrast in DLP projectors. But common sense suggests the use of AI to increase contrast.
In any case, a model with 3,200 CVIA lumens brightness, 14,000:1 contrast and a price of up to $ 2,000 offers one of the best price/quality ratios in this class.
Conclusion
High popularity always brings stiff competition, and mid-focal 4K laser projectors are no exception. For example, the C3’s specs and price are close to several new models, including:
– Optoma UHZ55 – $ 1,600, 3,000 ANSI lumens, Laser Phosphor;
– Dangbei DBOX02 Mars Pro 2 – $ 1,300, 2,450 ISO lumens, Laser Phosphor.
But the color gamut of up to 100% in DCI -P3 of their Laser Phosphor light engine is significantly inferior to the 110% for the wider BT.2020 of triple-laser RGB module in C3. For reference, color gamut affects the range of colors that can be displayed.
NexiGo TriVision Ultra priced at ~$ 1,500 with a hybrid laser/LED light engine can be positioned as the main competitor to the C3 Pro/Ultra. Its brightness reaches 2,600 ANSI lumens. Like the C3, it supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual, covers up to 110% BT.2020, offers Grab & Go smart screen adaptation, auto focus and auto keystone correction, 4.2 ms ~ 8 ms input lag for 4K@120Hz. Of course, the declared dynamic contrast up to 14,000:1 of the new MCL 38 laser module promises higher image quality with the C3. The native contrast of the NexiGo TriVision is 1,500:1 (full on/off), which is typical for modern DLP models. But comparing dynamic contrast with native contrast is incorrect. Therefore, only a ‘side-by-side’ comparison can reveal the winner. In any case, the inexpensive triple-laser Hisense M2 Pro and C3 have taken a worthy place among the new mid-focal Home Theater 4K laser projectors.
This video introduces the new Hisense M2 Pro 4K laser projector.
