Gigantic laser projector with impressive sound system: Anker Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro review

The Nebula X1 Pro impresses not only with its monstrous appearance, but also with its features. In addition to a image quality that is absolutely worth seeing, it also delivers impressive sound for a "mobile" solution, packaged in a generously dimensioned housing. The fact that it doesn't even have a battery is a shame for a device that is (also) intended for outdoor use.

The question remains as to who the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro is suitable or intended for. After all, it is not only large, heavy and unwieldy, so not really for the living room at home, but also expensive. The XXL projector's finest hour comes when it is used outdoors, preferably at dusk and in the evening. If you want to enjoy the FIFA World Cup with friends outdoors in summer, for example, or are looking for a laser projector with considerable brightness for events and the like, you will find what you are looking for here.

However, your wallet should be able to keep up with your ambitions and wishes. At almost $5,000 according to the MSRP, the Nebula X1 Pro is anything but a bargain. Anker is known for its regular offers. Nevertheless, the surcharge for the Pro version (which is identical in terms of image technology) compared to the classic Nebula X1 is significant. The integrated sound system must therefore be desired above all to make these additional costs worthwhile.

The recommended retail price for the Nebula X1 Pro is $4,999.99. It is available, among other places, directly from the manufacturer.

Soundcore from Anker has launched the Nebula X1 on steroids. The triple laser projector, which impressed us in our practical test, has now been released as the Nebula X1 Pro in an XXL version.

While the image technology is identical, the new Pro version comes with its own 7.1.4-channel sound system. In this Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro test, we find out how good this sounds in practice and what else the monster projector with a fighting weight of over 30 kg has to offer.

In principle, Anker has developed the Nebula X1 into an XXL housing. The imaging unit is identical to the small model. The already familiar triple laser optical system with 4K resolution (not native) and a remarkable brightness of 3,500 ANSI lumens is therefore installed. Thanks to a projection ratio of 0.9-1.5:1, the Nebula X1 Pro can also be flexibly positioned at different distances from the projection surface and automatically aligns itself to screens up to 200 inches in size with optical zoom and a variety of other helpers including a motorized micro-gimbal.

The other technical specifications of the projector are also identical. However, a lot has been done around it, especially in the sound system with 7.1.4 channels and Dolby Atmos. More details can be found below in the sound section of this test report.

The picture and sound are housed in a dark gray plastic case that is around 76 cm high, 43 cm deep and 34 cm wide. This weighs in at a hefty 32.8 kg and is therefore more reminiscent of an XXL power station than a projector. Thanks to large wheels, two handles and a telescopic handle, the monster projector is nevertheless reasonably easy to move. For example, it can be taken into the garden to set up an outdoor movie theater in no time at all.

In addition to a control unit with buttons for the most important functions, there is a flap on the top. This not only conceals the remote control already familiar from the X1. It also "hides" two microphones for karaoke and the like as well as a USB-C cable for charging them (and the speakers if required). A cover is also included in the scope of delivery. Power is supplied via a 2 m long power cable, which is hidden behind a flap at the bottom and can simply be pulled out and locked in place when required.

Even if it is rather unusual for a projector test, we don't want to go into too much detail about the picture quality of the Nebula X1 Pro from Anker Soundcore at this point. The reason is simple: The X1 Pro is identical to the Nebula X1 we have already tested in terms of technical features and key figures, as is the case with the built-in projector. For more impressions, we therefore refer you at this point to its test report for more impressions and only summarize the most important results and findings here.

The Nebula X1 had already impressed us with its great picture. The Nebula X1 Pro is in no way inferior. Although the device appears even more gigantic, the picture quality is at the same (high) level. Like its little brother, it offers a high image brightness of 3,500 ANSI lumens and a native contrast of 5,000:1. The numerous options for automatically adjusting and optimizing the image are also extremely practical here, including optical zoom, motorized gimbal with 25 degrees, autofocus and keystone correction.

As with the small model, the same applies to the large X1 Pro: the laser projector delivers an attractive image in darkened rooms. The result is also perfectly acceptable indoors in daylight, e.g. for watching soccer on a Saturday afternoon.

The Nebula X1 Pro was not yet able to prove its outdoor suitability during our practical test. The time of year simply didn't allow for it. We hope that we will have another opportunity to add a few outdoor impressions to our test report in the summer. Hopefully, the announced outdoor screens with up to 200 inches for inflation, which the manufacturer presented together with the projector on Kickstarter, will then also be available.

However, based on our findings with the Nebula X1, it is already clear that the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro is not equipped for use in direct sunlight, but this also applies to almost all other projectors. Here too, its finest hour comes at dusk or in the evening. More information on this can be found in our Nebula X1 test.

We want to focus more on the sound in this Nebula X1 Pro test. After all, this is the big difference to the X1. It can be wirelessly upgraded to 4.1.2 surround sound with the optional satellite speaker set. This already provided solid sound in the test, but more in the direction of a stereo setup. The playback also lacked bass.

Anker Soundcore has addressed these "problems" with the new X1 Pro and packed a 7.1.4 spatial sound system with Dolby Atmos into the XXL projector. This means there are a total of 7 horizontal channels, subwoofers and four speakers for overhead height effects.

At the touch of a button, two speakers move out of the side and back in again in the same way. When in use, they can remain attached to the projector like "two protruding ears". Alternatively, they can also be removed from the plug connection and then positioned freely in the surroundings as front speakers, which definitely leads to better results.

There are two further removable speakers at the rear. These are the rear speakers. They provide the sound from the rear or the side and therefore a real surround experience. In addition to the horizontal channels, each of the four removable speakers also has an upward-firing driver on board. They are charged in the device (when connected to a power source) or externally via USB-C. In the practical test, the integrated batteries lasted through several movies without any problems.

The projector itself houses two 5.25 inch subwoofers. These take up a large part of the huge housing and provide a much richer bass than the Nebula X1. Thanks to FlexWave technology and the integrated microphones, the system calibrates itself to the room conditions and can also be aligned to a specific sitting position. The speakers are also connected via Wi-Fi, which enables lossless transmission with minimal latency.

This results in an impressive sound experience for a mobile projector when watching movies - even at higher volumes thanks to a total of 400 W. However, it can also be used for music. Of course, the system cannot compete with a full-blown surround sound system in a fully equipped home theater. But for a mobile solution, the audio performance is really impressive, including rich bass. Here, the Nebula X1 Pro is a real upgrade over the X1.

We would have liked to see an integrated battery for the Nebula X1 to make the projector even easier to use on the move. With the Nebula X1 Pro, there is now significantly more space in the huge housing on wheels - but still not for its own power supply. The XXL projector is still dependent on an external power supply, whether in the form of a socket or a power station.