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Home entertainment never seems to stop evolving, and the XGIMI Aura UST Projector stands out as a formidable contender amongst home projectors. Listed at $2499 MSRP, this laser projector offers a unique set of features to redefine the cinematic experience within the confines of your living space at a competitive price.
In this comprehensive review, I had hands-on experience delving into the key aspects of the XGIMI Aura UST projector. I tested its display technology, audio performance, and connectivity. I also took note of the projector's longevity as it correlates to the overall quality and ensures that you are getting what you are paying for.
The XGMI Aura UST was packaged in a suitcase-style box. Nicely tucked in a foam sheath between the styrofoam casing. The projector came with a remote that I found to be of high quality. It has a nice sleek simple design, has a metallic front plate that appears to be made of steel, and has a solid weight when held.
Although the control is not backlit I still found it to be easy to navigate while using it. After unboxing I found it relatively simple to set up.
Let’s start with the design and the build quality. The XGIMI Aura UST Projector boasts a sleek, modern design that seamlessly integrates into any home setting. It was pleasing to note that the manufacturer took the time on the overall design making this projector quite alluring especially with its image quality, all of your friends would easily find themselves wanting one of their own.
Weighing 11kg, it strikes a balance between portability and sturdiness. The XGIMI Aura UST Projector is integrated with a Harman Kardon sound system. The sound bar is elusive yet powerful. With two 15-watt woofers and two 15-watt tweeters.
Now looking at the back of the projector I found it offers impressive versatile connectivity. The XGMI Aura offers three HDMI 2.0 ports, one being ARC. There are two USB 2.0 ports, one ethernet port, a headphone jack, as well as optical audio output. Also, there is an additional USB port right underneath the power button.
There are two cooling fans on the side of the projector. I measured the fans' noise level at less than 32 decibels concluding that these fans are extremely quiet. The use of premium materials for the XGIMI Aura enhances its durability and contributes to an aesthetically pleasing appearance, earning high marks in the Wife Acceptance Factor (WAF).
Moving on to its connectivity, the XGIMI Aura UST Projector comes fully integrated with Android TV 10, providing seamless access to a wide range of streaming services and apps. Its multiple connectivity and Wi-Fi support ensure hassle-free connectivity with various devices. Another thing to note about the remote control is that it features remote Bluetooth voice activation with Google Assistant and voice search further enhances the user experience, offering convenient and intuitive navigation. Meanwhile, potential buyers should be aware of potential compatibility issues with certain streaming apps (Netflix).
The XGIMI Aura UST Projector takes center stage with its ultra-short-throw lens, capable of projecting a 150-inch diagonal image from just inches away. With its 4K UHD resolution, achieved through XPR pixel shifting, it delivers impressive sharp pictures and detailed images that captivate viewers. The 2,400-ANSI-lumen laser-phosphor light source ensures vibrant colors and clarity even in well-lit environments, setting a high standard for performance.
HDR10 and HLG support, coupled with full HD 3D capabilities, further elevated my viewing experience, offering a wide range of content options. The projector's ability to maintain image quality in various lighting conditions made it a versatile choice for different viewing environments. The XGIMI Aura delivers incredibly sharp imagery however it does lack color calibration options that may impact image quality potential.
A standout feature I found of the XGIMI Aura UST Projector is its integrated Harman Kardon sound system, consisting of two 15-watt woofers and tweeters. This created a rich and immersive audio experience that complements its stunning visuals. The high-quality sound output adds depth and realism to movies, TV shows, and gaming sessions, ensuring an all-encompassing entertainment experience.
The audio performance is an important component of the overall cinematic experience, and XGIMI did not fall short. If you don’t possess an auxiliary sound setup for your home theater, rest assured that the audio truly delivers in this department.
When it comes to reliability, the XGIMI Aura UST Projector promises long-term performance with a rated lifespan of 25,000 hours for its laser-phosphor light source. Its low maintenance requirements and practical considerations make this projector an attractive investment for users seeking a durable and long-lasting home entertainment solution.
I did a brief overview of the AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro in comparison to the XGIMI Aura UST Projector as it is a top contender with its price point, features, and design. Although these two projectors are quite similar, I found some differences that set them apart.
Conversely, listed at $2,999 MSRP, the AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro steps into the ring with a 4K UHD resolution and support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, promising crisp visuals with enhanced color and contrast. Both the projectors utilize laser light sources for a longer life span however, the lifespan of the AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro was rated up to 20,000 hours which fell short of the XGIMI Aura which was rated with a lifespan of 25,000. Seeing that the MSRP of the AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro is $500 more than the XGIMI Aura, this alone brings us to one question, why pay more for a projector with a shorter life span?
I then took a look at the design of the AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro. The overall design of the projector was odd-looking and reminded me of an at-home printer. Though it has some nice lines to the design, it didn’t give me the aesthetic appeal the XGIMI Aura had and lacked in quality of its construction. The remote control was entirely made of plastic and didn’t offer any kind of Bluetooth voice command as the XGIMI Aura had. However, the remote control was backlit and fairly straightforward to use.
When looking at the back of the projector I found it underwhelming to see that it didn’t have as many options for connectivity as the XGIMI Aura offered. It only had two HDMI outputs, one of them being HDMI ARC, one LAN connection, one USB port, one AV input, and a S/PDIF port.
When comparing the projection capability I found it didn’t possess the true sharpness that I had found with the XGIMI Aura. The AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro exhibited a laser speckle artifact. This phenomenon can sometimes be visible as tiny specks on the projected image, particularly in certain viewing conditions. While it didn't significantly impact the overall viewing experience for most, it was noticeable.
While viewing a film I observed the differences In terms of black levels. The AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro performs well, but elevated black levels compared to the XGIMI Aura were noticeable. This resulted in slightly less depth and detail in some darker scenes while watching a film.
The AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro does bring its audio prowess with built-in stereo speakers producing a total power output of 36 watts, complemented by Dolby Atmos support for a three-dimensional soundstage however it does lack depth, versatile richness, and dimension. Unlike the XGIMI which includes subwoofers, the AWOL VISION LTV-3000 had decent sound, it would need an external sound system to make up the richness of sound that the XGIMI Aura performs on its own.
The AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro does feature the Android 9.0 operating system and includes the Fire TV Stick 4K Max for convenient streaming. The operating system seemed limited and wasn’t very impressive in comparison to the XGIMI Aura platform. All in all, the XGIMI Aura possessed better quality, design, and performance across the board.
The XGIMI Aura UST Projector presents a compelling choice with its ultra-short-throw capability, smart TV functionality, and premium sound system. It excels in delivering a true 4K UHD display with vivid colors, making it suitable for a variety of viewing environments. When compared to the AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro, I have found it falls a bit short, and with the MSRP being $500 more than the XGIMI Aura I find the choice between what projector to choose is as clear as day.
The XGIMI Aura UST Projector and AWOL VISION LTV-3000 Pro cater to different preferences and needs within the realm of home entertainment. The XGIMI model excels in ultra-short-throw capability, smart TV functionality, and premium sound, making it a versatile feature-packed home entertainment solution. The AWOL VISION LTV-3000 projector made for a prime contender when in comparison, with its 4K UHD resolution, impressive brightness, and additional benefits, it doesn’t quite measure up to the design and performance the XGIMI Aura UST Projector has to offer.
Potential buyers should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each projector, considering factors such as viewing preferences, room setup, and budget constraints. Whether it's the captivating visuals and immersive audio of the XGIMI Aura or AWOL VISION, both projectors present strong cases for transforming your living space into a cinematic haven.
