XGIMI AURA 2 4K Ultra Short Throw Projector Review

XGIMI has been expanding its projector lineup and has introduced multiple new models within the last year and a half. These releases highlight the company’s ongoing efforts to offer a range of options for home entertainment, from portable projectors to home theater systems and even lamp projectors. The latest addition to this lineup is the AURA 2 ultra short throw projector.

Specifications

The AURA 2 brings several significant changes compared to its predecessor, including a redesigned look and upgraded technology. It features a dual light system that replaces the single laser phosphor light source used in the original model. This Dual-Light Technology, which also appears in XGIMI's Horizon Ultra, combines an RGB LED with a red laser to produce a bright and color-accurate image.

The projector offers 2300 ISO lumens, an improvement from the previous model’s 1800 lumens, and covers 99% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. It also supports various high dynamic range formats, including HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision, with IMAX Enhanced certification expected to be available in Q4 of 2024 through a future OTA update. It also supports 3D content, offering both frame packing and side-by-side playback.

The AURA 2 delivers a UHD resolution of 3840x2160 using a 0.47-inch DMD chip. With a fixed throw ratio of 0.177:1, it can project an image up to 150-inches in size. The projector can produce a 100-inch image from just 7 inches away from the wall, and for a 120-inch display, it only needs to be positioned about 10.5 inches from the wall. The Dual Light laser engine in the AURA 2 is rated for 20,000 hours of use, which is typical for most laser projectors. Regarding audio, the AURA 2 is equipped with four 15-watt Harman Kardon speakers, delivering a combined output of 60 watts. It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Audio.

The AURA 2 delivers a UHD resolution of 3840x2160 using a 0.47-inch DMD chip. With a fixed throw ratio of 0.177:1, it can project an image up to 150-inches in size. The projector can produce a 100-inch image from just 7 inches away from the wall, and for a 120-inch display, it only needs to be positioned about 10.5 inches from the wall. The Dual Light laser engine in the AURA 2 is rated for 20,000 hours of use, which is typical for most laser projectors. Regarding audio, the AURA 2 is equipped with four 15-watt Harman Kardon speakers, delivering a combined output of 60 watts. It also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS Audio.

Remote

The AURA 2 comes with a Bluetooth remote control that combines style and functionality. It has a sleek metal finish and slim profile, making it easy to handle. The buttons provide straightforward access to features like the Android OS home screen, settings, volume control, and Google Voice functionality. The remote also includes a dedicated autofocus button for adjusting the image clarity. While the lack of a backlight might be inconvenient in low-light settings, getting used to the button layout helps mitigate this.

Smart Features

The system runs on Android 11.0 and has built-in Chromecast, which runs pretty smoothly. Netflix still isn’t directly available from the Google Play Store with this version of Android, so you’ll need to use a streaming stick or another compatible device to watch Netflix.

Setup

The AURA 2 is equipped with autofocus and auto keystone functionality to make the setup process easier, but I always recommend avoiding the use of digital keystone if possible. For my testing, I used a 120-inch ALR screen in my living room.

Before returning the review unit, I experimented with setting it up directly on the wall. While it’s almost a shame not to use a screen with this projector, the AURA 2 does include a new feature called Wall Flatness Adaptation. This feature allows you to take a photo of the wall’s surface, and the software then aligns the image based on the wall's pattern. I tested this out, and it worked fairly well, although I did need to reload the webpage a couple of times. The projector also has a Wall Color Adaptation setting that automatically adjusts the image to match the color of the wall. While this feature worked as expected, it did skew the colors on my beige walls a bit.

If you’re projecting directly onto a wall though, color accuracy may not be your primary concern. There's also a unique Art Mode on this projector that allows it to display artwork when you walk by. It features a millimeter wave radar that senses body movement, automatically waking the projector and displaying the image as you approach. This feature adds a nice touch, turning the projector into a functional piece of decor even when it's not being used for viewing content.

Performance

The AURA 2 projector offers seven different image modes for both SDR and HDR content: Standard, TV, Movie, Sport, Brilliant, Custom, and High Power. Each mode caters to different viewing preferences, and the Custom mode allows for fine-tuning the image settings to your liking. For Dolby Vision content, there are additional settings, including Dolby Vision Bright, Dolby Vision Dark, and a Custom option. While I was in the settings, I experimented with Dynamic Contrast, Color Optimization, and Local Contrast. Each of these adjustments noticeably improved the image quality even on the lowest or “weak” setting.

The projector automatically detects HDR signals and switches to HDR mode without any visible indication. It's worth noting that the same settings applied to SDR content are carried over to HDR. Among the modes, Movie mode provided the most accurate image out of the box. After calibration, the white balance was very good with minor accuracy errors, and the color temperature was pretty well-balanced.

The projector particularly excels in brightly lit scenes. When watching HDR content, I measured 1,328 ANSI lumens in Movie mode, and in the brightest High Power mode, it reached 2413 ANSI lumens. Color saturation was really good, as seen in the Thor and Hulk fight scene from "Thor: Ragnarok," where the colors were vivid and the details, like the threads on Thor's cape and the red markings on his suit, were clearly visible. The AURA 2 also offers good contrast, resulting in a punchy image.

In darker scenes or dark areas within bright scenes, some shadow detail was lost. For instance, in the scene from "Kong: Skull Island" where Packard confronts Kong, I noticed slightly elevated black levels. While deep black levels are essential for achieving the best picture quality, the AURA 2 still managed to maintain impressive image quality despite this. The slightly elevated black levels didn't detract from the overall viewing experience, even in movies with letterbox bars. The projector's strength lies in its ability to deliver a bright and vibrant image without appearing too dark or muted.

With the projector's support for Dolby Vision, I was able to compare it directly with the HDR10 version. The difference was noticeable, especially in movies mastered at 4000. Going back to the Kong scene I mentioned above, the flames had significantly more detail in the Dolby Vision version, whereas the detail wasn’t quite as pronounced in the HDR10 version.

Although the AURA 2 isn't a native 4K projector, it handles upscaling well, delivering crisp and clear images across different content. From a distance of 10.5 feet on a 120-inch screen, I had no issues with lower-resolution content, even when watching broadcast streams of preseason football.

Audio

The projector's built-in sound is quite good, easily beating that of a budget soundbar, and better than any TV speakers I've heard. Dialogue is clear and well-centered, while sound effects are accurately positioned to match the on-screen action. The details in movie mixes come through clearly, with smooth treble that doesn’t sound harsh. Although the bass isn’t overpowering, it adds enough depth to keep music and movies sounding full and rich. For a more immersive audio experience, I would still recommend pairing the projector with a dedicated speaker system.

Gaming

Connecting a PS5 to this projector took the gaming experience to a completely new level. The projector had no trouble supporting HDR at 4K resolution. With Game Mode activated, it uses a set of preset settings designed for gaming. Playing EA Sports' "Madden 25" showed that the projector can handle bright and clear visuals, making the gameplay enjoyable. In Game Mode, I measured an input lag of 19.3ms, which is just slightly below what the company states.

Conclusion

The XGIMI AURA 2 ultra short throw projector offers a well-rounded package for those looking to improve their home entertainment setup. With its improved brightness, dual light system, and support for both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, it provides a great viewing experience across a range of content.

At $2,699, the AURA 2 positions itself as a competitive option in the ultra-short throw market. Its combination of features, design, and performance make it a noteworthy choice for those seeking functionality and aesthetics in a projector.

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FAQ

What kind of light source do most ultra short throw projectors use?

Most ultra short throw projectors use laser or LED light sources due to their brightness, longevity, and lower maintenance needs.

What is the effect of keystone correction on image quality?

While keystone correction can fix image alignment, it can also reduce image sharpness and introduce distortion, so it’s best to use physical adjustments when possible.

What is the impact of ambient light on an ultra-short throw projector’s performance?

Ambient light can wash out the image, so it's recommended to use an Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen to improve contrast and color accuracy in bright rooms.