Xgimi Aura 2 evaluation: a incredible extremely short-throw projector with one main flaw
Xgimi Aura 2: two-minute evaluation
The Xgimi Aura 2 is a premium extremely short-throw (UST) 4K projector to return from the Chinese language model and is an replace to 2021’s Aura. Like its predecessor, the Aura 2 goals to be a whole one-box resolution for big-screen house theater thrills and, as such, is able to projecting a picture as much as 150 inches in dimension.
Xgimi is touting its new Twin Mild 2.0 expertise – which mixes laser and LED mild sources – within the Aura 2 to ship vivid, colourful, contrast-rich photos. On paper a minimum of, there’s a marked enchancment in comparison with its predecessor – the Aura 2 is able to reaching 2,300 ISO lumens of brightness in comparison with the Aura’s 1,800. Certainly, in follow, the Aura 2 is definitely vivid sufficient for normal viewing throughout the day, with a superb stage of depth and element, serving up a beautiful cinematic picture.
Naturally, when seen in a darker room, the standard of the projected picture improves and HDR content material performs notably nicely. The Xgimi Aura 2 helps Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG and, following a firmware replace since launch, IMAX Enhanced.
Attaining a well-calibrated image on a wall or white display screen is comparatively easy due to the Aura 2’s wealth of image adjustment settings, together with computerized keystone correction and focus. And, ought to you want to take the reins and make finer handbook changes, you are able to do so.
Regardless of a UST projector’s cinematic credentials, there’s at all times going to be a case for getting among the finest TVs, particularly the place value is anxious. The Xgimi Aura 2 is offered now for $2,699 / £2,459 / AU$6,399. That’s just a few hundred extra US {dollars} and UK kilos than the Aura, however over AU$2,000 extra in Australia, which is just a little puzzling. Whereas within the US and UK it makes a aggressive various to a 65- or 75-inch TV, for instance, in Australia it is a a lot more durable promote. Granted, the Aura 2 is able to projecting a picture far larger than most TVs – and TVs that do encroach on 100-inches aren’t precisely low-cost – however in case you solely have house to mission an 80-inch picture, then these in Australia could really feel they’ll be higher served by a TV.
The truth that the Xgimi Aura 2 makes use of the Android TV working system quite than Google TV additionally seems like a little bit of a missed alternative, particularly as a few of the firm’s different new projectors do use the latter. Due to its use of Android TV, it’s not the best course of to get Netflix put in – though you’ll be able to entry it by first downloading a separate app from the Google Play Retailer – and I wasn’t capable of get Disney Plus to put in natively, as an alternative resorting to connecting an Apple TV 4K to get my Pixar repair.
Talking of connectivity, the Aura 2 has a wealth of inputs for connecting exterior gadgets, though some could really feel doing so will damage the in any other case clear aesthetic. An exterior soundbar may be related too, though the built-in audio system is very good, so you might not really feel the necessity.
Regardless of a few setbacks, the Xgimi Aura 2 is a incredible machine, though not with out competitors. Not solely do firms similar to Hisense and Samsung have glorious UST projectors of their very own however, as already talked about, house theater followers in sure international locations could discover higher worth in a TV. However, if projection is the best way you wish to go, the Xgimi Aura 2 deserves an audition.
Xgimi Aura 2 evaluation: Worth & availability
- Out there since September 2024
- Listing worth: $2,699 / £2,459 / AU$6,399
The Xgimi Aura 2 was introduced and formally launched at IFA Berlin on September 6, 2024. It’s available for purchase now for $2,699 / £2,459 / AU$6,399.
Different lately launched UST projectors such because the Hisense PX3-Professional, which has the next ISO lumens brightness, prices $3,499 / £2,499 / AU$3,995 whereas the wonderful Samsung Premiere 9 prices much more at $5,999 / £4,999. Nevertheless, the Premiere 9 isn’t obtainable in Australia on the time of writing. This implies the Aura 2 is probably the most reasonably priced of the three (besides from in Australia) and, on paper a minimum of, that is considerably justified as a result of it’s the bottom specced.
Xgimi Aura 2 evaluation: Specs
| Display screen sizes supported: | 80-150 inches |
| Brightness (specified) | 2300 ISO Lumens |
| HDR assist: | Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG, IMAX Enhanced |
| Optical expertise: | Twin Mild 2.0 |
| Good TV platform: | Android TV |
| Connections: | 2x HDMI, 1x HDMI eARC, optical digital audio out, 3.5mm audio out, 3x USB-A, Ethernet |
| Dimensions: | 20 x 10.6 x 5.7 inches (51 x 27 x 14.4cm) |
| Weight: | 19.8 kilos (9kg) |
Xgimi Aura 2 evaluation: Design and options
- Twin Mild 2.0 laser mild system
- Motorized prime cowl to guard towards mud
- Android TV OS not one of the best
The Xgimi Aura 2 isn’t as projector-y trying as a few of its opponents. Quite the opposite, it’s very a lot a lifestyle-oriented product designed to mix in with your house décor and never entice an excessive amount of consideration to itself. As such, it’s coated on all seen sides by a Moonlight Sand-colored cloth and has been given a remedy that claims to guard it towards water, mud and oil (I didn’t have the arrogance to check this out). In actuality, it truly is a beautiful unit and will feasibly both go unnoticed in your room or on the very least be mistaken for a big Bluetooth speaker.
On the highest you’ll discover a motorized cowl that slides open when the projector is powered on to disclose the laser mild supply. Not solely is it a fairly cool celebration trick, but it surely helps preserve the lasers and mirrors as free from mud and different particles as attainable by hiding them away throughout downtime. There’s additionally an infrared detector that switches the laser off when it detects somebody in its line of sight so that you don’t harm your eyes, and sure, it actually works.
Alongside the again (the aspect dealing with the wall) there are three HDMI inputs (two for connecting exterior gadgets and one which helps eARC if you wish to join an exterior soundbar or speaker system), three USB-A inputs and an ethernet port for a wired web connection. Different outputs embody a 3.5mm headphone jack and an optical audio port, plus Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 are additionally supported.
The Xgimi Aura 2 makes use of the corporate’s personal Twin Mild 2.0 expertise. This, says Xgimi, is a “broad spectrum and slender spectrum hybrid mild supply expertise” which “addresses points associated to conventional tri-color lasers similar to speckles and coloration fringe, making certain extra snug viewing.” It’s additionally due to this mild expertise that the Aura 2 is ready to use a 0.177:1 ultra-short throw ratio – which means you’ll be able to obtain a 100-inch picture from a distance of simply 17.8cm. Do word that this 17.8cm distance is between the projection floor and the closest aspect of the projector. You’ll nonetheless must issue within the Aura 2’s 27cm depth when putting it on a bench or leisure unit. Xgimi says for a 150-inch picture, you’ll want a distance of 38.9cm.
As soon as in place, it’s a comparatively pain-free course of to get a correctly aligned image on a wall or projector display screen. The Aura 2 has built-in auto keystone adjustment, which kicks into motion at any time when the projector itself is bodily moved, or it might simply be run from throughout the settings menu. I’ve to confess that my first strive of utilizing this function truly resulted in a very jarring picture that wasn’t aligned in any respect. I ran the setting once more and it mounted it… largely. I nonetheless had to make use of the handbook picture correction settings to shortly (and simply) align the 4 corners of the picture throughout the confines of the viewing house on my wall.
The Aura 2 makes use of Android TV for its working system, which is an odd selection contemplating this platform is all however lifeless on good TVs and the projector model of the OS do not essentially get you entry to all of the streaming apps instantly from the Google Play Retailer.
Xgimi acknowledges that Netflix doesn’t assist projector techniques operating Android TV by means of a leaflet included within the field, which inspires you to obtain a separate app known as Desktop Launcher. Doing so leads to Netflix having the ability to be used, together with different apps similar to Apple TV (which can also’t be discovered within the pre-installed Google Play Retailer).
Disney Plus was a notable omission completely and in Australia the place I’m primarily based, 4K content material on Stan wasn’t supported. I’ve a 4K subscription to the Australian streaming service which works with out a hitch on my TV, however on the Aura 2 all content material was obtainable in HD high quality solely. The one workaround was to attach an Apple TV 4K to realize entry to all my streaming apps, which was barely disappointing.
That stated, the UX will look acquainted to anybody who’s beforehand used it or Google TV. A row of put in app icons is flanked above and beneath by advisable content material and content material you’re at present in the midst of watching. In use it was largely lag-free, with solely the occasional stutter when attempting to maneuver shortly by rows or between menus.
The Xgimi Aura 2 comes with a distant management that’s surprisingly weighty, however which serves to supply a premium feeling. There aren’t many buttons, however I feel this in flip makes it simple to grasp and use. There are buttons for quantity management, the house display screen, settings, Google Assistant and a devoted button for fast autofocusing. I did discover myself urgent the Google Assistant button after I meant to pick out the settings, however I think about this may grow to be a non-issue with extra use.
The distant isn’t backlit, which is a peculiar omission contemplating the projector is extra probably for use in low-light settings, and it’s powered by two AAA batteries. I might’ve most popular it if it have been rechargeable through USB-C.
- Design & options rating: 3.5/5
Xgimi Aura 2 evaluation: Image and sound high quality
- Vibrant, colourful photos
- Customized settings attainable with numerous HDR content material
- Constructed-in sound system is spectacular
On account of house limitations within the room the place I examined the Aura 2, I used to be solely capable of mission a picture roughly 80 inches in dimension onto a wall versus a devoted projection display screen. Regardless of this, the Xgimi Aura 2 delivered a delightfully colourful, crisp picture even throughout the daytime. Its brightness determine of 2300 ISO lumens won’t match a few of its closest opponents, such because the Hisense PX3-Professional or Samsung Premiere 9, however even in a room with daylight filtering in, the picture produced by the Aura 2 was simple to observe.
A Dolby Imaginative and prescient stream of Toy Story 4 on Disney Plus through an Apple TV 4K machine exhibited glorious coloration copy, with the Aura 2’s 99% protection of the DCI-P3 coloration gamut which means greens, pinks, yellows and reds have been all delivered with vibrancy. Getting one of the best image settings on your private choice, although, isn’t the best factor on this planet.
When the Aura 2 detects Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material it routinely switches to a default image mode which doesn’t give a lot in the best way of customization. You possibly can swap between Dolby Imaginative and prescient Vibrant and Darkish modes, with the previous boosting the brightness just a little, and you’ll be able to set your personal customized settings for issues similar to brightness and distinction, however there isn’t something within the type of Filmmaker Mode, for instance. Swap to non-Dolby Imaginative and prescient content material, nevertheless, and you’ll be able to cycle by a extra acquainted set of image presets, together with Film, which I used at any time when it was obtainable.
Darker scenes in Toy Story 4, similar to when Woody unintentionally will get thrown out of the touring RV at night time revealed the Xgimi Aura 2 might deal with refined shadow particulars surprisingly nicely. Because the famed cowboy is strolling alongside the highway at night time, the rocky detailing of the tarmac highway is definitely seen, whereas grass and timber in dimmer lighting to the left are picked out as nicely.
Whereas nearly all of content material projected by the Aura 2 consists of the black bars above and beneath the central picture – which might look just a little too stretched out at occasions – as a result of it’s IMAX Enhanced, any content material seen on this format fills your complete projection floor. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on Disney Plus is an efficient instance, and one of many opening scenes that includes Ta Lo and Xu Wenwu in a lush inexperienced forest was one other deal with for the eyes. The fast-moving battle choreography was dealt with expertly and colours have been clear and pure.
What was maybe most shocking to me throughout my testing of the Xgimi Aura 2 was its audio efficiency. Xgimi has opted for a four-speaker Harman Kardon system with a mixed output of 60 watts. With the projector and audio system sitting beneath the display screen, it might have been all too simple for the sound output to really feel low, however in precise reality voices clearly come from additional above, leading to a extra immersive expertise than I used to be anticipating.
It may assist Dolby Atmos, though I skilled extra of a half-dome of sound versus a full enveloping impact, which is to be anticipated to some extent resulting from there not being any bodily rear audio system. However the Aura 2 can throw sound out broad with correct object placement throughout the soundfield. Bass efficiency was additionally surprisingly good, with the Aura 2 projector able to going actual low. Just a little additional on in Shang Chi, when the titular hero is preventing on a bus, is a fascinating watch, with the backing soundtrack, punches, kicks and smashes all being fired out with real impression.
The Aura 2 does have an eARC output for connecting an exterior sound system, however I don’t assume many individuals will really feel the necessity to take action except they need a extra genuine Dolby Atmos expertise.
- Image & sound high quality rating: 4.5/5
Xgimi Aura 2 evaluation: Worth
- Competitively priced within the US and UK
- Costly in comparison with different fashions in Australia
- Reasonably priced big-screen TVs could possibly be a greater possibility
The Xgimi Aura 2 may be thought-about good worth, however solely relying on the place you reside. Within the US and UK, it prices lower than a well-specced big-screen TV similar to an 83-inch LG C4 OLED. In Australia, nevertheless, it does nonetheless value extra for an 83-inch LG C4, however solely by a couple of hundred {dollars}. Given the TV has a extra feature-packed working system, delivers true blacks and has an image high quality that’s much less inclined to vivid rooms, it makes it a extra compelling possibility purely from a price standpoint.
However, if it is a projector you’re in search of, the Xgimi Aura 2 undoubtedly deserves an audition. It’s an amazing projector that delivers a colourful, clear picture. It’s let down by its working system, however in case you don’t thoughts plugging an exterior media streamer into one in every of its HDMI inputs, then this turns into much less of a difficulty.
Ought to I purchase the Xgimi Aura 2?
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Notes | Ranking |
| Design & options | A stunning, compact bundle with nice connectivity, however let down by a poor OS. | 3.5/5 |
| Image & sound high quality | Glorious coloration copy and vivid sufficient to counter daytime lighting. A real cinema-like expertise. | 4.5/5 |
| Worth | Nice worth in some international locations, not so nice worth in others. Take into account a TV if you need big-screen thrills. | 4/5 |
Purchase it if…
Do not buy it if…
Additionally contemplate
| Header Cell – Column 0 | Xgimi Aura 2 | Hisense PX3-Professional | Samsung The Premiere 9 | Epson LS800 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worth: | $2,699 / £2,459 / AU$6,399 | $3,499 / £2,499 / AU$4,499 | $5,999 / £5,999 | $3,499 / £3,199 / AU$5,699 |
| Display screen sizes supported: | 80 to 150 inches | 80 to 150 inches | 100 to 130 inches | As much as 150 inches |
| Brightness (specified): | 2,300 ISO lumens | 3,000 lumens | 3,450 ISO lumens | 4,000 lumes |
| HDR assist: | HDR10, HLG, Dolby Imaginative and prescient | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG, Dolby Imaginative and prescient | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG | HDR10, HLG |
| Optical expertise: | Twin Mild 2.0 | 3-laser DLP | 3-laser DLP | 3LCD, laser mild supply |
| Good TV: | Android TV | Google TV | Tizen | Android TV |
| Connections: | 2x HDMI, 1x HDMI eARC, optical digital audio out, 3.5mm audio out, 3x USB-A, Ethernet | 2x HDMI 2.1, 1x HDMI 2.0 (1 with eARC), optical, 3.5mm | x HDMI 2.0 (1 with eARC) , USB-A (powered), optical audio out, RS-232C, Ethernet | 3x HDMI 2.0 (1 with ARC) |
How I examined the Xgimi Aura 2
- Examined at house in numerous real-world dwelling situations
- Projected the picture onto a white wall versus a devoted display screen
- Watched a wide range of content material in SDR and HDR format
I examined the Xgimi Aura 2 at house over a interval of a few month so I might expertise it throughout numerous daytime dwelling situations. This meant a number of mild sources, be it pure daylight or overhead lightbulbs, got here into my testing room, at which level I rated the image to see how nicely it carried out.
The projector was examined towards a white wall during my evaluation, which additionally allowed me to check out its wall coloration adaptation and wall flatness modes. Each carried out nicely and I might see noticeable variations earlier than and after calibration.
I used a wide range of content material, together with 4K HDR and commonplace full HD content material from a wide range of streaming companies.
My testing evaluates the projector’s efficiency towards different evaluations my colleagues at TechRadar have carried out. I’ve been writing about and reviewing shows for 5 years.
Learn extra about how we take a look at
[First published November 2024]
