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| Gamut Test: The R1900 produces deep blacks (L5.1 maximum density) and has an extremely large color gamut (multicolored shape), with some colors outside the Adobe RGB color space (blue shape). |
More important, the color gamut on the R1900 is larger than on any printer we've tested, earning an Excellent rating. Based on our analysis using ColorThink Pro 3.0 test software, the R1900 produced a gamut volume of 708,000 color units on Epson's Premium Glossy photo paper, compared with the R1800's 675,000 and the Canon Pro9000's 638,000 color units (using Photo Paper Pro Glossy). In practical terms, this means that the R1900 can reproduce more of the colors captured by today's flatbed scanners and DSLRs, especially from RAW images converted to 16-bit TIFF files and saved in Wide Gamut or ProPhoto RGB color space.
Not surprisingly, considering the new orange ink, the R1900 does a better job than the R1800 in printing medium-to-dark reds and oranges. The Canon Pro9000 can produce a more-saturated bright yellow and dark purple, but, in nearly all other color areas and especially in darker shades, the R1900 has the advantage.
Like the R1800, the R1900 uses only six colors at a time to make a print, since the loaded photo- and matte-black inks automatically alternate based on the paper surface. Also, we don't count the enhanced Gloss Optimizer as a color since it's really a clear overcoat. It helps to darken deep blacks and improve color saturation even on glossy photo papers, and it adds a layer of protection and a glossy appearance to all types of plain and matte papers.
The company also added Radiance Technology (co-developed by RIT) to the printer driver. It's based on mathematical models that control the placement of ink dots for maximum color accuracy and saturation. Epson says it reduces grain and improves color transitions; we noticed how prints made at much-lower-resolution settings than we usually recommend (e.g., 8x10 inches at 120 ppi instead of 200 ppi) looked far better than expected.
The Radiance algorithms might also be the reason behind the improvement in black-and-white prints made from color images. The R1800 showed lots of color casts with these, but the R1900 did a great job -- nearly as good as the R2400, which has a more sophisticated black-and-white driver.
As for its design, the R1900 looks more like a smaller Stylus Pro 3800 than an upgraded R1800, with prominent panel controls on top instead of buttons on the side. A really nice touch? Two Hi-Speed USB connectors in the rear so that two computers can be attached at a time.
Now, if only we could figure out how to cut the cost of ink in half (at $13, street, per cartridge, it adds up), this printer would never fade from our sight -- just like the beautiful enlargements it produces.
Test Results
• Image quality: Excellent
• Print durability: Excellent
• Print speed: Very Fast
• Color accuracy: Excellent (4.35 Delta E)
• Color gamut: Excellent (708,000 color units)
• Resolution: Excellent (up to 5760x1440 dpi)
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