XGIMI has updated one of its most refined projectors. It is the AURA 2, the short-throw projection model with laser technology that has improved its specifications to become a marvel of image and sound. We have been able to test it and these are our impressions.
Living image
The first thing that surprises us when we turn it on is the image. Its 2.300 ISO lumens This is a huge increase from the previous model's 1.800, resulting in images that are full of contrast and colour. It's amazing to see my 150-inch screen fill up completely without having to move the projector too far away, which is especially helpful for those with space and placement issues.
Anyway, To reach 150 inches you need to move it too far away This is what we might consider a short-throw projector (you would need a piece of furniture that is 60 centimeters deep, or at least to separate the device about 30 centimeters from the wall), especially if you intend to place it on a piece of furniture in the living room. The ideal projection is to achieve a 100-inch image by separating it only 18 centimeters from the wall. In this configuration, the projector fits perfectly on any piece of furniture.
Android TV of another generation (lower)
It is quite disappointing to see the version of the operating system that XGIMI has decided to implement on the Aura 2. We are talking about Android TV 11, a version that responds somewhat slowly and does not have the appropriate certifications to install Netflix from the Play Store.
That a device of 2.899 euros I invite you to download Apptoide to install the Netflix .apk (the projector comes with a leaflet explaining this) is quite out of place, and it shows that the team has fallen far behind in the software development department. And it's a shame, because XGIMI's own built-in solutions work very well, such as the automatic keystone adjustment or the surprising wall irregularity corrector, which manages to improve the visible curves in the image caused by a wrinkled projection screen or an uneven wall.
However, there are so many image settings available (many of them automatic, of course) that getting a perfect projection is a bit complicated. In my case, with a hanging projection screen, I have discovered wrinkles that I didn't see with a long-throw projector, and calibrating the image has forced me to tweak too many parameters without ever achieving the perfect image that I get with the long-throw model. The ideal, of course, is to buy the projection screen sold by the manufacturer separately, which costs around 1.400 euros.
Returning to the performance of the operating system, you only have to take a look at the other new model from the brand, the MoGo 3Pro (800 euros), which has Google TV and whose performance is much better in terms of speed when it comes to navigating through menus. There is a huge difference when it comes to installing applications and moving through the operating system sections, something that should not happen considering that the AURA 2 costs 4 times more.
cinema sound
What cannot be ignored is the sound power of the system. Its sound system with the Harman Kardon seal It delivers very powerful bass that fills the room very well, so you won't need an additional sound system, as this one sounds quite good and even supports Dolby Atmos. Just the startup melody that plays in the background while you set up the system already shows that the system sounds good.
A high-end projector to show off
Overall, the AURA 2 is an incredible projector, and its main drawbacks are solved by connecting a Chromecast with Google TV. But as you can understand, we don't see it as a solution at the level of a 2.899 euro product. Its elegant design, with a fabric finish and its lid with a folding and electronic closure show that we are looking at a very special product that will provide great cinema sessions at home, but we would have liked to find a little more care in relation to the software.