The Sony VPL-VW325ES is an upgrade of their previous VPL-VW295ES, and it shares a lot of strengths with this previous model. Like its predecessor, the VPL-VW325ES uses advanced technology like an SXRD imager and Reality Creation engine, adding even further image enhances that provide a truly cinema-quality viewing experience. How much of an upgrade is the VW325ES—and is it a good fit for your home? We’ll answer those questions in this Sony VPL-VW325ES review, explaining its functions, strengths, and limitations so you can decide whether it’s the best value for you (>>> Check the current price on Amazon or Bhphotovideo.com).
Sony VW325ES Review of Main Specs:
| Sony VW325ES | |
|---|---|
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| Resolution | 4096x2160 |
| Brightness (Lumens) | 1,500 ANSI |
| Contrast Ratio | 9,000:1 |
| Input Lag | 36ms |
| Throw Distance | 12.5' - 30.5' |
| Screen size | 60" - 300" |
| Speakers | No |
| Price | BHPhotoVideo.com |
Installation Flexibility
The Sony VPL-VW325ES is built with dedicated home theater spaces in mind, and this is where it’s at its best. It puts out about 1,500 lumens, which is ideal for a light-controlled space. Unfortunately, that means it doesn’t perform as well in well-lit rooms. A couple of lamps won’t wash out the picture, but if your viewing area has a lot of windows you’ll need to take steps to control the light level.
The same goes for other aspects of installing the Sony VPL-VW325ES. It has a good range of image adjustment features like powered zoom and 4-way lens shift that help you get the projector mounted and aligned with the screen. The throw distance is on the long side, however, so you’ll need a fairly large space—roughly 13 feet of distance for a 100” image.
Picture Quality
There’s a reason people love Sony projectors in high-end home theaters. The picture quality produced by the Sony VPL-VW325ES is impressive in its clarity, color, and realism. It uses an SXRD light source with an aspherical lens to produce a resolution even sharper than most true 4K projectors, and the picture stays sharp even when it’s in motion thanks to the Motionflow technology.
The Sony VPL-VW325ES uses the company’s X1 processor, and this is the main improvement over previous models. It also uses a dynamic HDR enhancer to optimize the contrast on a scene by scene basis, with Advanced Reality Creation that upscales full HD content and sharpens signals already in 4K. Basically, you’ll see your content the way it was intended—and sometimes even better.
Pros
- X1 processor with 3 SXRD imagers
- Aspherical lens enhances contrast and clarity
- 4K upscaling with Reality Creation
- Smooth on-screen response for gaming and sports
- Compatible with IMAX Enhanced
- Relatively easy to install and align the picture
Cons
- Long throw distance
- Lamp isn’t bright enough for well-lit spaces
Another strength of the Sony VPL-VW325ES for home theaters is that it can play a wide range of content types. It’s compatible with IMAX Enhanced content and has full 3D support, letting you play 3D content directly from Blu-ray players and other devices.
Gaming Performance
The Gaming Mode on the VPL-VW325ES drops the input lag as low as 27ms. That’s low enough the majority of players won’t notice any lag while they’re playing, even if you’re playing fast-paced online games. It also supports 4K gaming from the latest generation consoles, giving you the same depth and detail for games that you’ll get for movies, so you can really get immersed in the experience.
The Verdict: Sony VPL-VW325ES Review
The X1 processor and SXRD light source on the Sony VW325ES combine to produce one of the sharpest, most realistic pictures you’ll get from a home theater projector. Its gaming performance is also improved over previous models, with a low enough lag to use for online and reflex-based games.
There’s no question the performance of the VPL-VW325ES is high. The question really comes down to whether it will work well in your viewing space. Figure out how much space you have to work with and how much light there will be in the room while you’re watching. If you’re buying a projector for a dedicated home theater, the Sony VPL-VW325ES is a very strong contender (>>> Check on Amazon or Bhphotovideo.com).