Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus Projector Review: Bright Colors and Gemini Support

The Epson Lifestudio Grand Plus (LS970) is a $3,800 short-throw projector that offers a 150-inch image and 4,000 lumens of brightness, a significant upgrade over last year's model. It supports Google Gemini voice control, allowing users to search for content and adjust settings via voice commands. The setup process is cumbersome, requiring precise placement and manual keystoning adjustments, unlike competitors like the Leica Cine Play 1 and Soundcore Nebula P1. The projector works best with a professional screen. Picture quality is bright and vibrant, but the Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 and Leica Cine Play 1 offer superior color accuracy and contrast. The Grand Plus includes three HDMI ports (one with eARC), a built-in 20-watt soundbar with Dolby Atmos, and a remote with dedicated streaming buttons. Gaming at 120 Hz and 4K resolution delivers smooth, immersive visuals. Despite quirks like keystoning issues and a finicky setup, the Grand Plus is a capable home cinema projector with the standout feature of Gemini integration.