Anker’s potent mobile home theater is sheer pandemonium

Since the video and karaoke functions of the projector are identical to the Nebula X1, I won’t reiterate them here. Instead, my focus will be on why you might opt for the X1 Pro: its sound quality.

Upon examining the X1 Pro, you may ponder the location of all the speakers. The subwoofer is naturally located within, and the two front speakers automatically open up with a mechanical whoosh at the press of a button. The two rear speakers pop out from the back of the device with a decisive push.

The X1 Pro functions in three audio settings: with all speakers stored for 2.1 sound (the rear speakers are turned off), with the front speakers extended for 5.1.2 surround, and with all four positioned around the room for complete 7.1.4 separation. For the last mode, Anker supplies animated instructions to assist in setting up the audio configuration.

The four satellite speakers operate completely wirelessly with a battery life exceeding eight hours in my experience. They recharge via pogo pins when returned to the projector, or through USB-C. For optimal audio experience, the X1 Pro boasts a 4-mic array to automatically enhance sound in the environment, allowing you to position the sweet spot in your preferred viewing area. I found Anker’s Flexwave spatial audio calibration technology to perform exceptionally well in my open-concept living area, but the sweet spot may only accommodate two people comfortably.

When detached, the four front and rear speakers synchronize audio using a proprietary 5.8GHz Wi-Fi connection, rather than Bluetooth, ensuring superior, low-latency, lossless sound. The speakers of the X1 Pro operated flawlessly during my trials. They autonomously established a connection to the projector upon powering it on, avoiding the disruptions experienced with the X1’s singular speaker set. Subsequently, the speakers would enter sleep mode when the X1 Pro was turned off to conserve battery life.

That being said, I did encounter some strange Wi-Fi connectivity problems with Google TV. During my two weeks of testing, it failed to re-establish connection to my Wi-Fi network about five times, despite my mobile phone and laptop working without issue. Restarting always rectified the situation, but it was quite irritating when it interrupted a movie.

The bass from the X1 Pro’s 160W subwoofer is impressive for a portable projector. At times, it can even be overpowering. Each front surround speaker contains four 20W speakers specializing in upward, center, front, and surround audio channels. Meanwhile, the smaller rear speakers are equipped with two 20W speakers for the upward and rear surround channels. The front and rear satellites come with retractable legs and a tripod mount for optimal placement.

In 7.1.4 movie mode, when all four speakers are detached and placed in each corner of the room, and set to Flexwave, the audio rivaled that of my personal 5.1 Sonos setup featuring a soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear speakers.

I particularly enjoyed the sensation of hearing helicopters overhead while viewing a Dolby Atmos edition of Top Gun: Maverick. Everything I tested with the X1 Pro looked and sounded remarkable, with accurate positioning, including The Dark Knight, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Blade Runner 2049. Dialog pierced through the soundscape in the front center channel, bullets zipped overhead, and dystopian machinery lurked through the dim areas around me. At just 30 percent volume, my walls were already vibrating, indicating that the X1 Pro should excel during outdoor movie screenings once spring arrives.

As I frequently listen to music, I’m thrilled that the X1 Pro can effortlessly transition into a nearly silent Bluetooth speaker, devoid of the persistent fan noise typical of most projectors. When all external speakers are docked for 2.1 audio mode, the X1 Pro can rival those hefty JBL party speakers, but without the unnecessary light displays.

Listening to Miles Davis on the X1 Pro produced an outstanding experience, with brilliant, clear horns shimmering against the bassline. To enjoy tracks like Ye’s “Black Skinhead” or Alice in Chains’ “Nutshell”, I found it necessary to lower the bass in Spotify’s equalizer. However, Bob Dylan’s voice in “Masters of War” seemed to lose some warmth compared to my Sonos setup. I comfortably cranked the X1 Pro to a loud 50 percent while still relishing the music, but at 70 percent volume, everything began to sound muddled.

Overall, the audio quality of the Nebula X1 Pro significantly surpasses that of the Nebula X1. However, branding the X1 Pro as “portable” may be an exaggeration.

The retractable handle and wheels do aid the mobility of the 435 × 343 × 761mm (17.13 × 13.50 × 29.96 inches) X1 Pro, to a degree, but one will still require assistance to lift the 32.8kg (72.31-pound) party machine up stairs or into a vehicle.

I would also hesitate to transport such delicate optics and electronics over uneven ground. Indeed, the fine print suggests using it on smooth surfaces like concrete and wood, and advises against dragging the projector across grass, large gravel, cobblestones, or through water exceeding 50mm in depth. A $400 electric wagon could be a practical solution for carting your $4,999 projector around.

There’s also a caveat regarding the unit’s IP43 rating for water and dust resistance. This rating only holds when the lens cap is secured and the speakers are stored and retracted, conditions that are unlikely if the X1 Pro happens to be left outside after a movie screening. The projector does include a slipcover for those demonstrating more responsibility.

As a gadget enthusiast, I’m genuinely excited about the Nebula X1 Pro. It is truly one-of-a-kind in the marketplace and I commend Anker for its boldness in creating it. However, if I were choosing, I would recommend the Nebula X1 with its optional speaker kit for those seeking a portable 4K projector; it’s sufficiently loud for outdoor use and saves you about $1,000. But if bass is your passion, the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro will surely meet your needs.

Photography by Thomas Ricker / The Verge