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Benq TH685p vs Benq HT2050a: Comparison
Hey everyone, Jim's here. Today, I'm comparing two popular BenQ home theater projectors: the gaming-focused TH685P and the more cinema-oriented HT2050A. Both deliver 1080p resolution and short throw ratios for immersive big screen thrills. But they also have some key differences in brightness, input lag, and color accuracy that make each one uniquely suited for certain applications and preferences.
I've spent quality time with both models, evaluating picture quality, gaming performance, ease of setup, and overall value. In this focused head-to-head, I'll share my hands-on experience and highlight the factors that should guide your decision between these two excellent projectors. Let's get into it!
BenQ TH685P vs HT2050A: Quick Overview
I respect your time and aim to provide only the essential information, skipping the fluff.
Here's a brief summary for those short on time: The TH685P is a brightness monster, pumping out 3,500 ANSI lumens versus the HT2050A's 2,200. It also boasts a bit lower input lag of 16ms and a special Game Sound mode. But the HT2050A fights back with better out-of-box color accuracy, a wider 1.3x zoom, and vertical lens shift for easier installation.
My take - pick the TH685P if fast-paced gaming is your top priority and you need max lumens for daytime play. It's also a great choice for brighter living room setups. Go with the HT2050A if you're primarily watching movies in a light-controlled room and want the most accurate cinematic color, black levels, and subtle installation tools. Let's dig deeper.
Table of Contents
- BenQ TH685P vs HT2050A: Full Comparison
- HT2050A vsTH685P: Design
- BenQ TH685P or HT2050A: User Reviews
- BenQ TH685P and HT2050A Alternatives
- Which is Better for You, BenQ TH685P or HT2050A?
BenQ TH685P vs HT2050A: Full Comparison
| Specs | BenQ TH685P | BenQ HT2050A |
| Image |
|
|
| Resolution | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) | 1920 x 1080 (1080p) |
| Brightness (ANSI lumens) | 3,500 | 2,200 |
| Contrast | 10,000:1 full on/off | 15,000:1 dynamic |
| Display Technology | DLP x1 | DLP x1 |
| Color Processing | 10-bit | 10-bit |
| Color Gamut | REC.709 | >96% REC.709 |
| Input Lag | 33ms (4K/60Hz), 16ms (1080p/60Hz), 8.3ms (1080p/120Hz) | 16.67ms (1080p/60Hz) |
| Light Source | Metal halide lamp | 240W metal halide lamp |
| Light Source Life (Normal/Eco) | 4,000 / 15,000 hours | 3,500 / 7,000 hours |
| Throw Ratio | 1.13 - 1.46:1 | 1.15 - 1.50:1 |
| Zoom / Lens Shift | 1.3x manual zoom, no lens shift | 1.3x manual zoom, vertical ±10% lens shift |
| Image Size | 30" - 300" | 40" - 300" |
| Internal Speakers | 5W mono | 10W CinemaMaster Audio+ 2 |
| Audible Noise | 35 dB / 29 dB (Eco) | 29 dB / 27 dB (Eco) |
| Dimensions (HxWxD) | 4.3" x 12.2" x 9.0" | 4.7" x 14.9" x 10.9" |
| Weight | 6.2 lbs | 7.27 lbs |
| Connectivity | 2x HDMI (1x HDCP 2.2), audio in/out, USB, RS-232C | 2x HDMI, VGA, component, composite, 2x USB, RS-232C, 12V trigger |
| Release Year | 2022 | 2018 |
The BenQ TH685P and HT2050A are both single-chip DLP projectors with 10-bit color, delivering clear, vibrant 1080p images. The TH685P shines with its exceptional brightness of 3,500 ANSI lumens, making it great for well-lit environments like bright living rooms or outdoor movie nights. On the other hand, the HT2050A offers superior color accuracy and contrast, covering over 96% of the REC.709 color space for more lifelike hues and deeper blacks in darker settings.
Neither projector supports true 4K resolution, but they can downscale 4K inputs to 1080p. The HT2050A's better contrast and color might provide a slight edge in displaying 4K content. For HDR content, both use tone mapping, but they lack the native contrast or wide color gamut for true HDR justice. I recommend sticking to SDR content for the best results. Ultimately, the TH685P is the pick for bright environments, while the HT2050A excels in color accuracy and contrast for darker rooms.
For gaming, the TH685P has the advantage with lower input lag and faster refresh rates. It's particularly impressive at 120Hz, offering near-instant response times ideal for competitive gaming. The HT2050A is still great for casual gaming but can't match the TH685P's performance in this area. Both projectors have dedicated Game modes, but the TH685P's higher native brightness makes its mode more impactful.
In terms of placement flexibility, the HT2050A offers more options with its vertical lens shift, allowing for easier setup in various room configurations without image quality compromise. While both projectors are relatively short throw, the HT2050A is also quieter, making it less intrusive during movie or game sessions.
Overall, the HT2050A provides more versatility for room setups, but the TH685P is a strong choice for gaming with its focus on speed and brightness.
HT2050A vsTH685P: Design
The BenQ TH685P and HT2050A share a similar chunky white plastic design language but the HT2050A is a bit larger in all dimensions.
BenQ TH685P Design:
BenQ HT2050A Design:
The TH685P measures 4.3" (H) x 12.2" (W) x 9.0" (D) and weighs 6.2 pounds, making it quite compact and portable for its performance class. The HT2050A, on the other hand, comes in at 4.7" x 14.9" x 10.9" and 7.27 pounds. Neither is a true "pocket" projector but the TH685P is definitely easier to pack up and move between rooms or to a friend's house. Both feature a centrally-mounted lens with manual focus and zoom rings.
The HT2050A adds horizontal and vertical lens shift dials, while the TH685P has a sliding lens cover to protect against dust when not in use. Connectivity is solid on both, with the TH685P sporting dual HDMI (one with HDCP 2.2 support), 3.5mm audio in/out, USB, and RS-232C. The HT2050A offers a similar set of two HDMI ports plus legacy VGA, component, and composite video inputs. It also has dual USB ports, a 12V trigger for motorized screens, and an RS-232C port for integration with home automation systems. The included remote controls are well-designed, with the TH685P featuring a compact white design with orange backlighting and direct input access.
The HT2050A has a slightly more premium look with its two-tone white and gray finish, while the TH685P is a bit more basic with its all-white plastic shell. But both should blend in nicely with most home theater decor.
BenQ TH685P or HT2050A: User Reviews
To give you a more complete picture, let's see what actual owners have to say about their experiences with the BenQ TH685P and HT2050A projectors:
BenQ TH685P Reviews:
Praises: "The brightness on this projector is insane. I have it in my living room with a fair amount of ambient light and the picture still pops off the screen. Perfect for daytime viewing."
"I'm blown away by the gaming performance, especially at 120Hz. I'm getting input lag that feels just as responsive as my desktop monitor. It's a huge screen gaming beast."
***
Drawbacks:"The colors out of the box are decent but not as accurate as I'd like. It takes some tweaking to get closer to reference, and even then it's not perfect. But for gaming it's fine."
"The included speaker is pretty weak and makes the projector buzz at high volumes. Plan on using external audio for any critical listening."
BenQ HT2050A Reviews:
Praises:"This projector produces a stunningly accurate and vibrant image in a light-controlled room. Skin tones look natural, colors are rich but not oversaturated, and the contrast is excellent for SDR content."
"The short throw lens and vertical shift are incredibly helpful for getting the projector positioned just right. I have it on a shelf in my small living room and dialing in the geometry was a breeze."
***
Drawbacks:"The black levels are good for the price but don't expect inky OLED-like performance. You can still see some light spillage in fade to black scenes in a fully dark room."
"It would be nice to have more zoom range for even greater placement flexibility but 1.3x is still workable for most setups. Just measure your throw distance carefully."
On the whole, owners of both projectors are very satisfied with their purchases, frequently praising the impressive brightness, sharp 1080p picture, and short throw convenience. TH685P buyers especially love the projector's extreme lumens for lights-on viewing and fast gaming response. Some wish for more accurate out-of-box color but feel it's acceptable for the price and primary use case.
HT2050A users rave about the natural, vivid image and installation-friendly lens shift and zoom. A few note the black levels can't match higher-end models but are still pleased with the contrast and overall picture. The minor negatives are far outweighed by the positives in most reviews.
BenQ TH685P and HT2050A Alternatives
If you're not completely sold on either the BenQ TH685P or HT2050A, here are a couple other highly-rated projectors in a similar price and performance class:
- Optoma HD39HDR: A bright 1080p projector with 4,000 lumens, a 6-segment color wheel, 120Hz refresh rate, and 8.4ms input lag at a competitive price;
- Epson Home Cinema 2200: A 3LCD 1080p projector with 2,700 lumens, Android TV streaming, 16ms input lag, and frame interpolation for sports and motion.
The Optoma HD39HDR is a strong contender if you like the TH685P's gaming chops but want even higher brightness and a bit wider color gamut. It doesn't offer quite the same installation flexibility but it's a light cannon that performs very well in ambient light. On the other end, the Epson 2200 is a compelling alternative to the HT2050A for movie watching and streaming. Its 3LCD design promises similar color accuracy, contrast, and flexibility, while adding smart Android TV apps and a touch more brightness and gaming speed. It's definitely worth a look for mixed-use setups.
Which is Better for You, BenQ TH685P or HT2050A?
Choosing between the BenQ TH685P vs BenQ HT2050A ultimately comes down to your primary use case and viewing environment. Both are excellent 1080p projectors that deliver sharp, vibrant images, low input lag, and short throw convenience for cinema and gaming. But their key differences make each one uniquely suited for specific applications and preferences.
For dedicated gamers and bright room viewing, I find the BenQ TH685P to be the clear winner. Its massive 3,500 lumen output and sub-10ms input lag at 120Hz provide a fast, fluid, and immersive experience even with the lights on. The exclusive Game Sound mode and short throw lens are just icing on the cake. If you primarily play competitive shooters, fighters, or racing sims and want the biggest possible screen, the TH685P is tough to beat.
On the flip side, if you mainly watch movies in a light-controlled room and value the most accurate out-of-box color and contrast, I'd recommend the BenQ HT2050A. Its wider REC.709 coverage, dynamic iris, and CinemaMaster Audio produce a beautiful, balanced, and immersive picture for SDR content. The vertical lens shift and 1.3x zoom also make it more adaptable to different setups and screen sizes. Home theater enthusiasts will appreciate its cinema-focused chops.
But if you have a specific focus - be it fast-paced gaming, daytime sports, or light-controlled movie nights - one projector will likely fit your needs better than the other. In my experience, the BenQ TH685P is the champ for gaming and well-lit spaces, while the HT2050A is the smart choice for accurate cinematic color and contrast. Whichever route you go, you'll be getting an outstanding big screen projector for the price.
I hope this in-depth comparison has helped you decide which BenQ model best fits your unique viewing habits, space, and budget. Happy projecting!
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Jim's our tech geek with a mission since February 2023. From movies to video projectors, he knows his stuff and aims to make tech work for you. When he's not geeking out, he's there to guide you through making savvy decisions.
