Epson

Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector

Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector

Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.

TL;DR: No RBE, great 4K/120Hz gaming; needs careful calibration.

Overall

#2 in

Home Projectors

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score79% positive
64
11
6

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: Apr 14, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Iconapplesheeple
12 months ago

LS12000 fits the bill. That’s what I have, no regrets! Just make sure you get an appropriate sized screen.

Reddit Iconaskingforafakefriend
11 months ago

I think you can get an ls12000 for closer to 4k if you message dealers. I think some discount off MSRP is common. I just bought one from a private seller off AVS forum for $2,800 and couldn't be happier. It's much closer to a TV than my other projector in image quality but it's still not going to match a TV for e.g., solid HDR. I would much prefer this projector and 120-in screen to even a 77-in OLED unless I'm sitting extremely close.  Also, if you are willing to invest a little bit more and make some trade-offs, you could get an AVR screen which makes poor light control less of an issue (but there are some compromises).

Reddit IconAV_Integrated
10 months ago

NZ500 first, Sony second, Epson LS12000 third. Then the BenQ models which will struggle with black levels. I'd likely get a Valerion over the JVC models at that price point. No question, I would always go for a JVC in a good theater.

3 months ago

Your model looks similar to the old 8350 in the USA which was a well regarded model. The most direct replacement is the Epson 5050. Unfortunately, that uses a lamp instead of a laser for the light source, which is well out of date at this point. Sticking with LCD, these are the models which are laser light sources and are decent replacements for what you have... [https://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm?g=2&br=1500&br=4000&ar=16%3A9<g=101&mfg=Epson&oop=1#list](https://www.projectorcentral.com/projectors.cfm?g=2&br=1500&br=4000&ar=16%3A9<g=101&mfg=Epson&oop=1#list) The LS series (LS9000, 11000, 12000) are the most direct replacements to what you've been using. The fact they list 3840x2160 as a resolution is kind of meaningless as they are really 1080p models, and will accept 1080p just fine. They use pixel shifting to 'increase' the resolution, but work great with 1080p. At this point, getting the same lens quality of any projector which is similar to the TW5000, it will absolutely support 4K resolution as well. Not sure how you respond to DLP projectors. Like Valerion or XGimi, but the Valerion models and XGimi Horizon 20 models are a decent consideration as well at this time. I'd probably get a Horizon 20 Max if I were buying today. Be aware that your throw distance is likely going to require the projector to be mounted in a new location unless you go with one of the LS series models from Epson. You can double check this on the Projector Central website. Measure your screen size (diagonal) and your throw distance (screen to lens) and that is what you need to achieve in the lens of whatever you buy, which may be outside the range of what other models can deliver. [https://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-Pro\_Cinema\_LS9000-projection-calculator-pro.htm](https://www.projectorcentral.com/Epson-Pro_Cinema_LS9000-projection-calculator-pro.htm)

3 months ago

Really, the Epson LS series is a solid way to go. Their QB series is a step up from there. The LS12000 is really well regarded. These Epson models are still using 1080p chips inside of them, so I'm not sure, but I believe you can turn off the upscaling altogether, and just run it native 1080p.

Reddit Iconbetodeth
9 months ago

You wanna go new tech? Go tri-laser or laser phosphor. Hisense c2 ultra or Valerion vision pro 2 or Epson Laser phosphor LS12000. You won't regret it especially for gaming. Recently I finish Clair Obscur Expedition 33 on my Hisense c2 and was absolutly cinema.

Reddit IconCatymandoo
11 months ago

I own an LS12000 but to be honest for the price of the upgrade now I’d go for another JVC (previously had one) I got the LS12k for an absolute steal but otherwise it’s JVC for my money. I have the Epson dialled in to my liking and it has some great feature but…

12 months ago

Well, that’s essentially what I have currently due to renting and space constraints. (I previously had a far bigger space) I’m happy with my LS12000 and small screen. Not ideal, but it works for me. An appropriate seating distance can still be immersive. Again not ideal but if (when) we move a bigger screen is easy.

10 months ago

I bought a second hand but new (0hrs) LS12000 for just under £3000. Have a good search or look at Epson’s own refurbished units. Alternatively, look at JVC if you happy to go elsewhere. Usually plenty of marketplace units about (like AVSforum.) If you’re full light controlled I don’t think the lumens will be a problem at all. Better contrast on JVC will compensate.

5 months ago

LS 12000 - I have one. In fact I also have Wharfedales (4.4 with a 5 for centre) like it look you have. Great combination.

9 months ago

Good to see your enjoying the PJ. 👌🏻 I too have an LS12000 (after a JVC). The one issue I had to resolve was the cyan push on HDRand LLDV converted contents An HD FURY VRRoom sorted that. Together with using movies settings and using SDR mode. The best thing I did was getting a Ugoos AM6b+ with CoreELEC. Using the V10 engine to down convert Dolby vision FEL files. This really shows off the Epson capabilities. Worth considering …..

Reddit Iconcbeck23
9 months ago

Epson Ls12000 for the win

Reddit Iconchancesarent
10 months ago

I own one too, and while it is pixel shifted 4k, the picture is absolutely bright and beautiful and worth every penny I spent on it.

9 months ago

A refurb is $4200, so not too far off the mark and it's well worth it.

9 months ago

If you can afford an extra couple hundred bucks you could pick up an Epson LS12000 refurb.

Reddit IconChrisOz
11 months ago

I have an LS12000 and am happy with it but the JVCs are supposed to be better particularly contrast and tone mapping for HDR. The cheaper JVCs laser weren’t available when I bought mine and the price difference was a bit too high at the time. The only thing is I wouldn’t go bulb if that is your option for the JVC in your price range.

11 months ago

Also lenses shift is very useful if you don’t have full control of where you can place your projector.

Reddit Iconclassicvader
9 months ago

To be fair, the Epson is known for this green shift. Sure, it can be corrected with calibration and by lowering the brightness, but at the max luminance, it is always present. Still, from a purchaser's perspective, needing to make those adjustments is a downside when you're looking at it from the average user's perspective. Also, the whole reason he made a second video was to satisfy LS12000 owners who were disappointed by the first comparison. This isn't a case of valerion owners convincing him to sabotage the LS12000, he used the settings he was told to be LS12000 owners both times. I’m not saying the Valerion is better than the LS12000 or the other way around. The point was to show how both perform out of the box without calibration, which is how most people will actually use them. The Hook Up could have explained that a little more clearly, but that doesn’t make the comparison invalid.

Reddit Iconconsult-a-thesaurus
10 months ago

You really need to get the brands on the audio system components, there are plenty of terrible speakers people will try to sell you. Back to your question though. Ways to take $10K out of the system: \* Go with a LS12000 for $5k - amazing projector \* Go with a Silver Ticket screen for \~$1k - great screen, doubt you'd notice a difference from the one they're trying to sell you \* Get rid of the "Powerquest 2" and go with a regular surge protector \* Drop the protection plan