Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro review: The king of party projectors
Every now and then, I test a gadget so wild that I can’t believe a company actually made it. Soundcore’s $5,000 Nebula X1 Pro projector is the embodiment of that: an ultra bright projector and a 400-watt Dolby Atmos 7.1 speaker system combined in a massive enclosure. With a fast and flexible setup, it lets you screen movies or watch sports nearly anywhere. It’s not just a projector crammed into a big speaker system, though. Everything is elegantly integrated and setup is nearly automatic, thanks to the clever design and motorization. The weight and price are the biggest strikes against it, but if you can afford it, and love hosting movie nights, the Nebula X1 Pro is one of the coolest devices you can buy. Design Made by Anker sub-brand Soundcore, the Nebula X1 Pro has a professional-looking enclosure housing a Nebula X1 laser projector and five speakers — a subwoofer, two front satellites and two rear satellites. With all that crammed in, the projector is big and heavy at 30 inches high and 72 pounds. Fortunately, it has a pair of wheels on the back and a telescoping handle so it’s easy to roll from room to room or dolly outside. Good luck carrying it up a set of stairs or unloading it from a vehicle by yourself, though. Steve Dent for Engadget Soundcore made the Nebula X1 Pro as outdoor-friendly as possible, with IP43 and IP54 ratings on the body and speakers, respectively, to withstand short periods of
Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro Review: The King of Party Projectors
Every now and then, I test a gadget so wild that I can’t believe a company actually made it. Soundcore’s $5,000 Nebula X1 Pro projector is the embodiment of that: an ultra-bright projector and a 400-watt Dolby Atmos 7.1 speaker system combined in a massive enclosure. With a fast and flexible setup, it lets you screen movies or watch sports nearly anywhere. It’s not just a projector crammed into a big speaker system, though. Everything is elegantly integrated and setup is nearly automatic, thanks to the clever design and motorization. The weight and price are the biggest strikes against it, but if you can afford it, and love hosting movie nights, the Nebula X1 Pro is one of the coolest devices you can buy.
Made by Anker’s sub-brand Soundcore, the Nebula X1 Pro has a professional-looking enclosure housing a Nebula X1 laser projector and five speakers—a subwoofer, two front satellites, and two rear satellites. With all that crammed in, the projector is big and heavy at 30 inches high and 72 pounds. Fortunately, it has a pair of wheels on the back and a telescoping handle, so it’s easy to roll from room to room or dolly outside. Good luck carrying it up a set of stairs or unloading it from a vehicle by yourself, though.
Soundcore made the Nebula X1 Pro as outdoor-friendly as possible, with IP43 and IP54 ratings on the body and speakers, respectively, to withstand short periods of rain. If you want to use it away from home, the company sells optional kits with a 200-inch inflatable screen or an Anker Solix C1000 battery that can power it for several hours.
The four wireless satellite speakers have seven horizontal and four overhead channels, and the two-speaker subwoofer is inside the main enclosure. The rear speakers pop out of a spring-loaded storage dock with a light press, same for the telescoping speaker legs. The front satellite speaker docking system is even more sleek. To release them, you press a button on top, and they fold out of the enclosure with a smooth motion.
The Nebula X1 Pro’s laser projector is capable of displaying a 150-inch image at 1080p resolution, with a claimed brightness of 2,000 lumens. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, ensuring that movies and shows look as good as possible on any surface. The projector can be adjusted to focus and tilt, thanks to motorized lenses, allowing you to project onto walls, ceilings, or even floors.
The audio system is equally impressive. The 400-watt Dolby Atmos 7.1 setup delivers a rich, immersive sound experience, with the subwoofer providing deep, powerful bass. The speakers are arranged in a way that creates a 3D audio effect, making it feel like you’re inside the movie or game. The system also supports HDMI ARC, allowing you to connect it to a TV or other device for a seamless setup.
The Nebula X1 Pro runs on Android TV, which means you can stream content from popular services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+ directly onto the projector. There’s also a built-in Google Assistant, making it easy to search for content or control the device using voice commands.
One of the standout features of the Nebula X1 Pro is its setup process. The projector automatically detects the screen and adjusts its focus and position, making it easy to get started. The speakers can be connected wirelessly, or you can use the included HDMI cables for a wired connection. The enclosure also has ports for USB, HDMI, and Ethernet, allowing you to connect a variety of devices.
The weight and size of the Nebula X1 Pro are its biggest drawbacks. While the wheels and handle make it easy to move around, it’s still a cumbersome piece of equipment to carry. The price tag of $5,000 is also steep, making it a luxury item for those who want the ultimate party projector.
In conclusion, the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro is a remarkable device that combines a powerful projector with a high-quality speaker system. Its sleek design, easy setup, and impressive audio and video capabilities make it the king of party projectors. If you’re looking for a way to host movie nights like never before, the Nebula X1 Pro is definitely worth considering, despite its hefty price and weight.
