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 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 ease.
The Nebula X1 Pro’s laser projector delivers a bright image with a 2,000-lumen output, capable of projecting up to 150 inches of diagonal screen size. It supports 4K resolution and HDR10, ensuring vibrant colors and deep blacks. The Dolby Atmos 7.1 sound system is equally impressive, providing a rich and immersive audio experience. The speakers are arranged to create a 3D sound field, making it feel like you’re inside the movie or game.
Setup is a breeze. The projector automatically detects the screen and adjusts its focus and alignment. You can connect up to three HDMI sources simultaneously, allowing you to watch movies, play games, or stream content. The built-in Android TV 11 system gives you access to popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, and Disney+.
The Nebula X1 Pro also features a built-in microphone and supports voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa. You can control the projector and speakers with your voice or use the intuitive remote control.
While the Nebula X1 Pro is a fantastic device, its weight and price are significant drawbacks. At 72 pounds, it’s not easy to move, and the $5,000 price tag is steep. However, for those who love hosting extravagant movie nights or outdoor screenings, the Nebula X1 Pro is a must-have.
In conclusion, the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro is a remarkable all-in-one projector and speaker system. Its ultra-bright laser projector, powerful Dolby Atmos 7.1 sound, and sleek design make it the king of party projectors. Despite its hefty price and weight, if you’re willing to invest in the ultimate movie-watching experience, the Nebula X1 Pro delivers unmatched quality and convenience.
