why I won’t buy any more TV

Should we still present XGIMI? Founded in 2013, the Chinese company has made a name for itself in the image industry, which is dominated by a few strong brands like Samsung, LG and Sony.

To find a place for itself, XGIMI relied on the projectors, a product dubbed by cinema fans but shunned by the general public… Until now. According to the forecasts of Verified Market Reportsthis market will experience strong growth (multiplied by 3 or 4 by 2030).

To capture a large part of the $6.92 billion generated in 2030, XGIMI has therefore developed a very efficient R&D center. Its projectors receive a slew of awards every year. The Aura 2, the subject of this test, is one of them. For example, it received the award for best short throw projector from the EISA (Expert Imaging and Sound Association).

Obviously, I wanted to test this device, which is as innovative as it is elegant. And I was not disappointed.

Buy the XGIMI Aura 2

Compact and elegant

Let us be clear: I use the term “compact” here, meaning “for this type of device”. The Aura 2 still has impressive dimensions for an average TV stand. With its 51 cm long, 14.4 cm high and 27 cm deep, I advise you to choose a low but long piece of furniture that can be placed on legs or fixed against a wall. In the latter case, make sure that the fixings are very solid, because the Aura 2 still weighs 9 kg. It may seem heavy and cumbersome, but this model remains one of the most compact in its category.

However, it contains a bunch of elements necessary for its proper functioning: a motorized opening on the upper side revealing some of the projection technologies, an integrated 60 W audio system from Harman/Kardon, generous connectivity (AC, two HDMI 2.0, an HDMI e-ARC, three USB ports, an Ethernet port) as well as compatibility with most of the current premium standards (even IMAX).

Like other short throw projectors, The Aura 2 doesn’t need a complete makeover of your living room. We put it on the piece of furniture near the wall and turn it on. After a short configuration of Android TV (just a few minutes) and automatic adjustment so that it sticks perfectly to the projection surface (in my case a white wall with velvet paint), everything works. All that remains is to connect TV boxes (if necessary since it already integrates Android TV), consoles and other goodies.

The Aura 2 stands out from its competitors by its elegance quite rare on this type of product. XGIMI indeed considers that design is just as important as the rest for this type of device, often offered in black or white plastic (even if there are better).

The company opts here for a beige color that is as classy as it is discreet, allowing it to blend in with any furniture. It also uses noble materials: aluminum for the chassis and a mesh fabric covering for the most beautiful effect. A real success.

A cinema at home, even in broad daylight

The Aura 2 is capable of broadcasting content of a diagonal between 90 and 150 inches in 4K UHD (modulated) with a brightness of up to 2 300 lumens (technology Dual Light). Concretely, we can view content in broad daylight without suffering from the harmful effects of daylight, well known to those used to projectors. Real everyday comfort.

For cinema sessions at home, I still recommend immersing yourself in the dark in order to enjoy the quality of the images broadcast by the Aura 2. It is simply impressive, even if I recommend warming up the colorimetry , a little cold by default.

Obviously, the experience will depend on the medium used. Watching 4K Blu-ray is a spectacular spectacle, especially in IMAX format. Because yes, the Aura 2 is IMAX certified. I watched, among other things, Blade Runner 2049 et Avatar 2: The Way of Water on 4K Blu-ray. I was blown away.

On streaming platforms, everything depends on the service chosen and the internet connection. Disney+ remains the most qualitative with broadcasting in 4K Dolby Atmos.

To optimize the experience, XGIMI offers several image options : standard, television, movie, sport, glossy, custom and high power. This last mode allows you to exploit the projector to its maximum.

However, it has three limitations: the room temperature must not exceed 25 degrees (to avoid overheating), the fans become seriously noisy and prolonged use of this option affects the lifespan of the device. For my part, I only activated it for cinema sessions with Blu-ray in order to benefit from the best possible experience.

Finally, a word about the projection surface. The ideal is of course to equip yourself with an ALR screen (screen that rejects ambient light), if you still have a piece of kidney left after purchasing the Aura 2. Otherwise, a projection screen makes already very good business. A white wall (if possible not shiny) already allows you to enjoy a comfortable experience. It is on this support that I carried out my test.

Sound from Harman/Kardon

The Aura 2 integrates two pairs of 15W speakers from Harman/Kardon i.e. a total power of 60W. It supports Dolby Atmos, DTS and Harman/Kardon mode, an optimization from the audio specialist.

Does this configuration allow you to do without an additional audio system? The answer is yes. The sound delivered by the Aura 2 is powerful and balanced. A big fan of films and series, I watched hours and hours of content without ever feeling the need to equip myself with additional equipment.

However, I must admit that at high volume, the bass is a little behind. I therefore recommend to the most demanding to add a subwoofer to the package. On the other hand, the spatialization of the sound is good enough not to invest in additional equipment. Unless, once again, you are one of the purists wishing to perfectly reproduce the atmosphere of a cinema. In this case, purchasing a home theater system is highly recommended.

For my part, I have never felt the need even though in my eyes the audio is just as important as the image.

And for gaming?

Projectors don’t have a reputation for making friends with game consoles. I still connected my Nintendo Switch and my Xbox Series X to the Aura 2, just to see (and to give you a really complete test ). I had already tried the experiment with another XGIMI machine, with convincing results for a casual gamer not playing online.

My conclusions are the same with the Aura 2. The image quality is impressive enough to play any game solo. On Xbox Series But this especially applies to solo games where you take your time (for example, I played Assassin’s Creed Mirage et Jedi Survivor). Also suitable for FIFA, NBA 2K and other sports games other than motoring.

For FPS, especially the most nervous ones like Call of Duty Warzonethe latency of 20 ms (we generally recommend 11 ms minimum for this type of game) and the absence of 4K and 2K 120 Hz make the games more annoying than anything else.

On the other hand, as with watching films and series, being able to play without being cloistered in the dark provides real comfort.

Buy the XGIMI Aura 2

Our opinion on the XGIMI Aura 2

Any good fan of films and series will inevitably fall in love with the Aura 2. The latest short throw video projector from XGIMI is a technological gem. Capable of broadcasting content in 4K HDR Dolby Atmos with exceptional image quality (day and night), it also stands out for its Harman/Kardon sound quality.

Beyond the image and sound, the Aura is a refined object, which fits perfectly into the living room. It also has a smooth navigation interface as well as an equally elegant and practical aluminum remote control.

On the gaming side, if the solo game proves comfortable, I would have liked some optimizations to also benefit from nervous games requiring more fluidity. An HDMI 2.1 port wouldn’t have been too much either. For 3,000 euros, we have the right to be demanding.

Despite these very small flaws, the Aura 2 remains a benchmark in the industry, a technological demonstration that I will send back to XGIMI with great regret. And that made me want to replace my TV… But that’s another story.

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