With this brilliant 4K laser projector, we see black: Valerion VisionMaster Max review
Brilliant.
With the VisionMaster Max, Valerion is offering a new 4K RGB laser projector. The flagship not only impresses in our practical test with its impressive image with deep black. The 4K projector also impresses with many other features in our Valerion VisionMaster Max review.Marcus Schwarten (translated by DeepL / Marcus Schwarten) Published 🇩🇪
Valerion VisionMaster Max test result: Brilliant!
The VisionMaster Max from Valerion impresses in the test. The laser projector delivers a brilliant picture with deep black, vivid colors and impressive brightness. In our opinion, no other "lifestyle model" can currently keep up here, also because of the countless features that are more reminiscent of full-blown home cinema projectors.
The built-in speakers deliver a surprisingly solid sound, even if they are of course no substitute for a real sound system. The VisionMaster Max works also pleasantly quiet and economical.
Not only movie fans, but also gamers can have a lot of fun with the projector. However, at just under $5,000 according to the recommended retail price, this also has a hefty, but entirely justifiable price tag. If your budget is not quite so generous, take a look at the equally successful alternatives Nebula X1 or Dangbei MP1 Max are also successful alternatives.
Pros
Cons
Price and availability
The recommended retail price for the Valerion VisionMaster Max is $4,999. The device is available directly from the manufacturer.
Valerion also offers various accessories for setting up a complete home theater. In addition to various stands and brackets, there is, for example, a 100 or 120 inch Fresnel screen with ambient light suppression, a sound system and 3D glasses.
Valerion, a brand of AWOL Vision, has presented the VisionMaster Max at the IFA 2025. The new laser projector is the flagship of the VisionMaster series, which already consists of various models. It is positioned above the VisionMaster Pro 2.
The recommended retail price of the new Max model is another $2,000 higher. Our Valerion VisionMaster Max review reveals what the new premium projector does better and whether it is worth the investment.
Data sheet Valerion VisionMaster Max
| Resolution: | 4K / UHD (3,840 x 2,160 pixels, not native) |
| Projection size | 40 to 300 inches |
| Projection ratio: | 0.9-1.5:1 (expandable to 0.9-2.0:1) |
| Light source: | RGB laser |
| Brightness: | 3,500 ISO lumens |
| Native contrast: | 5,000:1 |
| Operating system: | Google TV |
| Connectivity: | 3x HDMI 2.1 (1x eARC), 2x USB, S/PDIF, 3.5 mm audio, Gigabit LAN, Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 |
| RRP: | $4,999 |
Equipment: Impressive features in a stylish package
Even at first glance, the Valerion VisionMaster Max is a real statement. Measuring around 25 x 25 x 20 cm and weighing 7.5 kg, the device is supplied in a leatherette box and has a stylish design with a high-gloss black housing and metal slats. This transforms the projector into a design object that doesn't need to hide even in elegant interiors.
There is a small stand on the underside to help align the image. Alternatively, Valerion offers a desktop gimbal stand and a ceiling mount. A whole range of connections are concealed behind a flap at the back.
In addition to three HDMI 2.1 ports (one eARC), there are two USB ports (one 2.0, one 3.0), one digital (S/PDIF) and one 3.5 mm jack audio port as well as Gigabit LAN (instead of 100 Mbit/s on the cheaper models). Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Miracast as well as WLAN ax and Bluetooth are also available for wireless transmissions. The VisionMaster Max can also be connected with the smart home systems Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Control4.
Valerion has also given the VisionMaster Max triple laser projector a few upgrades over the VisionMaster Pro2 in terms of image technology. After all, the additional price of $2,000 has to be justified. This starts with the image brightness, which is 500 ISO lumens brighter at 3,500 ISO lumens. We will discuss the other new features and improvements in the following section.
At this point, we would first like to say a few words about the scope of delivery. In addition to the projector itself, a 2 m long power cable and a remote control are included. The remote control has an elegant metal design with a chic, nostalgic touch. Unfortunately, not all buttons are illuminated and at our test device the required two AAA batteries were missing. However, there are useful shortcut buttons for popular streaming platforms (YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+).
A button for the Google Assistant is also on board. Voice control is part of the Google TV operating system, which also offers various other benefits such as access to thousands of apps (including all popular streaming platforms) and Chromecast. It takes a few minutes to set up, but is easy to do with the help of a smartphone and the clear instructions on the screens. The familiar user interface then welcomes you with various pre-installed apps.
The VisionMaster Max support Dolby Vision, IMAX Enhanced, HDR10+, Filmmaker Mode and Active 3D - which brings us back to picture quality.
Picture: Brilliant with deep black and high contrast
The VisionMaster Max assists with the alignment and optimization of the 40 to 300 inch image. In addition to +/- 105 percent offset (lens shift), there are also autofocus and automatic horizontal/vertical keystone correction.
The projection ratio is 0.9-1.5:1, but can be extended by 0.9-2.0:1 using an interchangeable lens (available separately). This provides more flexibility when setting up the projector, which is based on a 0.47-inch DMD chip from Texas Instruments (i.e. no native 4K, but only via E-Shift as usual). This means that there is significantly more leeway when it comes to the distance to the screen. This is one of the various improvements of the Max model.
The Valerion VisionMaster Max delivers a brilliant image straight from the factory. The high image brightness of up to 3,500 ISO lumens means it can even be used in daylight. The laser projector can be used in the afternoon for the football, Formula 1 and the like, as long as the sun is not shining directly on the screen. Thanks to the intermediate image calculation, playback is also pleasantly smooth, which also benefits a possible gaming experience.
The image is even more impressive in a darkened room. With its NoirScene system, EBL algorithm (Enhanced Black Level) and black-coated blades of the 6-stage IRIS, the Valerion VisionMaster Max delivers a rich and deep black in the test that many projectors cannot match. There is little to no visible transition to the unlit canvas when the edge of the image is black.
The home cinema experience also benefits from the 5,000:1 high native contrast ratio (viewing contrast 50,000:1). This brings out details better in dark areas of the picture, especially with HDR content. Bright, natural colors round off the brilliant picture. With anti-RBE and speckle reduction technology, rainbow effects, to which some users react strongly, are a thing of the past, according to the manufacturer. We can largely confirm this in our practical test, although this comes at the expense of noise development.
If desired, the playback can be further optimized by numerous setting options according to your own wishes and the circumstances. The cogwheel button on the remote control or the Google TV interface opens the settings menu, in which the picture and sound can be adjusted, among other things. There are a particularly wide range of options for picture optimization.
In addition to the usual picture modes (dynamic, standard, sport, energy-saving mode, cinema, filmmaker mode), the laser brightness (in 10 levels), contrast, gamma, brightness enhancement and HDR enhancer can be individually set or switched on and off. In addition, Black Level, Improved Black Level and Detailed Black ensure further optimization of dark image areas. There are also various options for color reproduction and picture clarity.
Sound: Surprisingly solid sound and various connections
Valerion installs two 12 W speakers in the VisionMaster Max. They offer a surprisingly solid sound for spontaneous demonstrations, which is, for example, significantly better than the much cheaper Dangbei MP1 Max. Speech and dialog are reproduced clearly and intelligibly.
The projector can also create a certain acoustic atmosphere (with DTS Virtual:X if desired). You can even hear some bass. Various presets (standard, cinema, sports, music, speech, night mode, intelligent sound) are available in the menu for this purpose, which can be used to adjust the sound to a certain extent, in addition to individual equalizer solutions and "automatic acoustic tuning". The projector's onboard sound remains stable even as the volume increases.
However, anyone buying a projector for $5,000 is likely to want more and opt for an external sound solution. Together with the VisionMaster Max at the IFA 2025 presented the ThunderBeat 5.1.2 Wireless Surround Sound System. The wireless speaker set with a compact soundbar, two front and two rear speakers and a subwoofer supports Dolby Atmos, among other things. Alternatively, you can of course also use a (possibly already existing) sound system from another manufacturer.
The VisionMaster Max offers a range of connections for connecting external audio solutions. In addition to eARC on the third HDMI port, S/PDIF is another digital audio interface. A 3.5 mm jack connection for headphones, for example, rounds off the connection armada if these are not to be or cannot be connected wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.2.
Energy and volume: Economical and quiet
Despite its impressive features and excellent picture, the Valerion VisionMaster Max is pleasantly economical in the test. Even at high brightness, we only measured energy consumption of a good 130 Wh per hour, which is in no way comparable to previous projector generations. This means that the laser projector only has a moderate impact on the electricity bill, even when used frequently, and can theoretically also be operated with a compact power station. However, the VisionMaster Max is primarily designed for stationary use in home cinemas and the like.
Another positive aspect we noticed in our practical test was that the projector flagship of the VisionMaster series is quite quiet in operation. Of course, this also depends on the settings. From a distance of 1 m, we measured around 32 dB with the preset settings.
So although it is definitely audible, we didn't even notice it while watching a movie unless we consciously paid attention to it. Despite the quiet and monotonous cooling system, the case remains pleasantly cool even during prolonged operation thanks to its 14 metal fins. However, the same cannot be said of the compact power supply unit.
Transparency
The selection of devices to be reviewed is made by our editorial team. The test sample was given to the author by the manufacturer free of charge for the purposes of review. There was no third-party influence on this review, nor did the manufacturer receive a copy of this review before publication. There was no obligation to publish this review. As an independent media company, Notebookcheck is not subjected to the authority of manufacturers, retailers or publishers.
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