Anker’s X1 Pro shouldn’t exist, however I’m so glad it does

The Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro is just too bizarre to exist. It takes the superb 4K projector and karaoke microphones from Anker’s Nebula X1 and stuffs them inside a robust five-speaker Google TV occasion on wheels. It’s so absurd that it looks like a gadget fever dream – and I’m right here for it.

At the center of this technique is identical liquid-cooled, triple-laser, auto-image-correction-everything projector I reviewed final summer time. It’s unbelievably quiet for a 3500 ANSI lumen projector that lays declare to the title of being the brightest and most vivid all-in-one transportable projector available on the market. Now it’s additionally the loudest, with 400W of audio added to the brand new Nebula X1 Pro.

Inside the X1 Pro is an enormous thumpy subwoofer able to wall-shaking bass. It additionally hosts 4 battery-powered audio system that mechanically unfold or come out to provide a complete of seven horizontal channels and one other 4 overhead for wi-fi 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos immersion.

Other than its dimension and a few intermittent connectivity points, the one grievance I’ve is that the Nebula X1 Pro is usually too loud. That’s not one thing I assumed I’d ever say a couple of transportable all-in-one projector.

If you’ve obtained $4,999 / €4,999.98 / £4,499 to burn, Anker’s Nebula X1 Pro is one hell of a match.

Since the video and karaoke capabilities of the projector are the identical because the Nebula X1 I gained’t be rehashing them right here. Instead, I’ll give attention to why you would possibly select the X1 Pro: sound.

Looking on the X1 Pro, you would possibly marvel the place all of the audio system are. The subwoofer is inner, in fact, and the 2 entrance audio system mechanically unfold like wings with a robotic whoosh on the contact of a button. The two rear audio system spring free from the again of the unit with a agency push.

The X1 Pro operates in three sound modes: with all of the audio system docked for two.1 audio (the rear audio system are inactive), with the entrance audio system unfolded for five.1.2 encompass, and with all 4 distributed across the room for full 7.1.4 separation. For the latter, Anker gives animated steering to assist assemble its audio puzzle.

The 4 satellites are fully wi-fi with a battery lifetime of over eight hours in my testing. They cost by way of pogo pins when returned to the projector, or by way of USB-C. To guarantee optimum sound, the X1 Pro includes a 4-mic array to mechanically optimize audio within the room, letting you drag the candy spot into your most well-liked viewing space. I discovered Anker’s Flexwave spatial audio calibration tech to work very nicely in my open plan front room, however the candy spot is simply about two-persons large.

When indifferent, the 4 entrance and rear audio system sync audio over a proprietary 5.8GHz Wi-Fi sign, not Bluetooth, for superior, low-latency, lossless audio. The X1 Pro’s audio system carried out flawlessly in my testing. They mechanically related to the projector when it turned on with none of the bizarre pops or dropouts I noticed with the X1’s lone speaker pair. The audio system then went to sleep when the X1 Pro turned off to assist save battery.

I did, nevertheless, expertise some inexplicable Wi-Fi connectivity points with Google TV. About 5 instances over two weeks of testing it simply refused to reconnect to my residence community, despite the fact that my cellphone and laptop computer labored effective. A reboot all the time solved the issue, however it was very annoying when it disrupted a movie.

The bass produced by the X1 Pro’s 160W subwoofer is outstanding for a conveyable projector. If something, it might probably, at instances, be overwhelming. Each entrance encompass homes 4 20W audio system devoted to upward, heart, entrance, and encompass channels. The smaller rears every include two 20W audio system for the upward and rear encompass channels. The entrance and rear satellites have folding legs and a tripod mount to assist with placement.

In 7.1.4 mode film mode, with all 4 audio system indifferent, positioned within the 4 corners of the room, and uh, Flexwaved, the sound rivaled my very own 5.1 Sonos system constructed round a soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear satellites.

I particularly loved listening to helicopters overhead when watching a Dolby Atmos model of Top Gun: Maverick. Everything I threw on the X1 Pro appeared and sounded nice and appeared positionally appropriate, together with The Dark Knight, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Blade Runner 2049. Dialog reduce a gap via the soundscape within the entrance heart channel, bullets whizzed overhead, and dystopian machines crept via the darkish areas round me. At 30 p.c quantity, my partitions have been already shaking, so the X1 Pro ought to be nice for outside film nights come spring.

I hearken to music extra often than I watch movies, so I like that the X1 Pro may be shortly switched into an almost silent Bluetooth speaker, with out the fixed fan noise produced by most projectors. With all of the exterior audio system docked for two.1 audio mode, the X1 Pro can compete with these large JBL occasion audio system, solely with out the superfluous mild present.

Listening to Miles Davis on the X1 Pro sounded distinctive, with vivid clear horns glowing towards the baseline. I needed to cut back the bass in Spotify’s equalizer to take pleasure in tracks like Ye’s “Black Skinhead” and even “Nutshell” from Alice in Chains. Bob Dylan’s voice in “Masters of War” misplaced some heat, nevertheless, in comparison with my Sonos system. I might simply crank the X1 Pro to a really loud 50 p.c and nonetheless benefit from the music, however issues obtained muddied past 70 p.c quantity.

In normal, the sound from the Nebula X1 Pro is an unlimited enchancment over the Nebula X1. But calling the X1 Pro “portable” is a stretch.

The telescoping deal with and wheels do make the 435 × 343 × 761mm (17.13 × 13.50 × 29.96 inches) X1 Pro cell, inside motive, since you’ll nonetheless need assist to hoist the 32.8kg (72.31-pound) occasion field up stairs or right into a automotive.

And I wouldn’t really feel proper rolling all these delicate optics and electronics over tough terrain. In reality, the effective print recommends utilizing it on exhausting surfaces like concrete and wooden, and to “avoid dragging the projector across grass, large gravel, cobblestone, or through water deeper than 50mm.” A $400 electrical wagon to haul your $4,999 projector round isn’t a horrible concept.

There’s additionally an asterisk on the unit’s IP43 resistance to water and dirt. It solely applies when the lens cap is closed and the audio system are returned and retracted, all of that are unlikely if the X1 Pro is unintentionally left outdoors after a film evening. The projector does include a slip-on cowl for these demonstrating extra accountability.

Look, as a gadget nerd, I’m tremendous enthusiastic concerning the Nebula X1 Pro. There’s nothing else prefer it available on the market and I respect Anker’s audacity to construct it. But for my cash, in the event you want a conveyable 4K projector, then the Nebula X1 with non-compulsory speaker equipment is loads loud even outdoor, and it’ll prevent about $1,000. But in the event you gotta have that bass, then the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro gained’t disappoint.

Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge