Epson’s LS800: Betting the (Living) Room on a 150-Inch Laser TV

Hardware · Purchased December 17, 2023 · $3,574.65 via Amazon

Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800
Photo: Epson

The Setup

I’ve wanted an ultra-short-throw setup for years, and the LS800 finally talked me into it. It’s a laser projector that sits inches from the wall and throws up to a 150" 4K image using 3-chip 3LCD tech with 4,000 lumens of brightness. It also runs Android TV out of the box and has a built-in 2.1-channel Yamaha sound system, so in theory it replaces the TV, the streaming box, and the soundbar all at once.

The Review

The image is genuinely bright — this is the first UST projector I’ve owned that actually holds up with some ambient light in the room, which was my biggest worry going in. The built-in Yamaha speakers are also better than I expected, though I still ended up running it through my existing sound system for movie nights. The 1080p/120Hz gaming mode with low input lag is a nice touch I wasn’t expecting to use as much as I do.

What I Liked

  • Genuinely bright image that works in a semi-lit room, not just a cave
  • Built-in Android TV means one less box under the cabinet
  • Yamaha speakers are surprisingly capable on their own
  • Dedicated low-latency gaming mode

What I Didn’t

  • Black levels/contrast still can’t touch OLED
  • The cabinet is large and picky about placement
  • Android TV occasionally feels sluggish

The Verdict

Rating: 4/5

Where to Buy

Destiny 2’s Season of the Wish Silver Bundle, Stocking Up Before The Final Shape

DLC · Purchased November 29, 2023 · $18.99 via PSN

Destiny 2: Season of the Wish Silver Bundle
Photo: Bungie / Steam

The Setup

A Silver currency bundle tied to Season of the Wish, Destiny 2’s final season before The Final Shape, which wrapped up multi-year Witness storyline threads and reprised the Vault of Glass-era Ahamkara wish-dragon lore. The bundle pairs Silver with seasonal cosmetic extras.

The Review

This season ties into some genuinely significant, years-long lore payoffs, and banking Silver ahead of the usual Eververse sales made sense given I was already planning to play through it. It’s the same drawback as every Silver bundle though — no gameplay content of its own, and this particular season felt like a lighter, transitional one ahead of the bigger finale.

What I Liked

  • Ties into narratively significant, years-long payoffs
  • Good way to bank Silver ahead of sales

What I Didn’t

  • No direct gameplay content, just currency plus cosmetics
  • Season itself felt lighter and transitional

The Verdict

Rating: 3/5

Where to Buy