Vankyo Vista T4 UST Triple Laser Projector Review: A Premium Option with Powerful Audio
By LINGJING ZHANG
Jun 04, 2025
7
Vankyo's Vista T4 UST Triple Laser Projector ($3,499.99) marks several milestones for the company, including its first ultra short throw (UST) projector, its first laser projector, and its first triple-laser light source model. It also represents a significant departure from the company's usual entry-level offerings, which typically retail between $200 and $300. As Vankyo's first foray into the premium market, the T4 delivers impressive audio performance thanks to its 60-watt speaker system. However, it falls short in some areas of picture quality, preventing it from challenging the top UST projectors currently available.
Design: A Blend of Innovation and Power
The Vista T4 is built around a 1080p DLP chip, leveraging TI's XPR fast-switch pixel shifting technology to deliver a 4K-like resolution of 3,840 by 2,160 pixels. Similar to its competitors, such as the PX2-PRO, the T4 uses a triple-laser engine with red, green, and blue lasers to produce a wide color gamut. Vankyo claims the T4 can reach 120% of the BT.2020 color gamut, which is a significant advantage for vibrant and accurate color reproduction.
Setting up the T4 is relatively straightforward, thanks to its powered focus feature, which allows you to adjust the focus using the remote control. This makes it easier to fine-tune the image from a distance. However, the projector's substantial weight of 37.5 pounds and dimensions of 8.3 by 26.2 by 18.6 inches (HWD) make it more cumbersome to handle compared to other UST models. The bulkiness is largely due to its integrated 60-watt speaker system.
The bundled streaming dongle is a Fire TV Stick, though Vankyo plans to switch to a Roku Streaming Stick for future shipments. Setting up the dongle requires connecting it to one of the T4's three HDMI ports and powering it via the USB-A port. However, I encountered an issue where the USB port was not recognized, forcing me to use the Fire Stick's AC adapter instead. This minor inconvenience, along with the lack of integration between the projector and the dongle, makes the streaming setup feel somewhat disjointed.
Audio: A Standout Feature
The Vista T4's 60-watt stereo sound system, featuring Dolby Audio support, two 15-watt tweeters, and two 15-watt woofers, delivers impressive audio performance. In my tests, the sound was loud enough to fill a large family room and of high enough quality that an external sound system might not be necessary. However, if you prefer an external system, you can connect it using the 3.5mm stereo analog port, S/PDIF digital output, or the HDMI port with ARC support. Unfortunately, the T4 does not offer a Bluetooth speaker mode.
Performance: Mixed Results
The Vista T4's menu options include six predefined color modes and one customizable mode. While the predefined modes offer various settings, I found the customizable mode to be the most effective for adjusting color accuracy. By tweaking the Chroma setting, I was able to eliminate oversaturation in SDR content. For HDR content, the predefined Standard mode provided better color accuracy.
The T4 also features frame interpolation, which can smooth motion but may make movies look unnatural. I turned this feature off for both SDR and HDR viewing. The projector supports HDR10, HLG HDR, and HDR10+, but in my tests, HDR performance did not meet expectations, with shadow detail being better in SDR content.
On the positive side, the T4 supports 3D using DLP Link glasses, which worked well in my tests without any noticeable crosstalk or motion artifacts. Additionally, while DLP projectors can show rainbow artifacts in dark rooms, I did not observe this issue in ambient light conditions.
Brightness and Viewing Conditions
Vankyo recommends using the Vista T4 in a dark room, but its brightness of 2,100 ANSI lumens should be sufficient for a 150-inch screen in low to moderate ambient light. In my tests, the T4 provided adequate brightness for a 100-inch screen in both dark and moderately lit environments.
Verdict: A Solid Option with Room for Improvement
The Vista T4's standout feature is its robust audio system, which could make it a compelling choice if you prioritize sound quality. However, its picture quality issues, particularly with HDR content, may lead you to consider other options. If you are interested in 3D support and built-in sound, the T4 is worth a look. Otherwise, you might want to explore other top UST projectors like the Hisense PX2-PRO, Hisense L9H, or Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800, which offer better color accuracy and shadow detail.
