{"id":490249,"date":"2026-02-21T16:22:18","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T16:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/490249\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T16:22:18","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T16:22:18","slug":"ankers-x1-pro-shouldnt-exist-but-im-so-glad-it-does","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/490249\/","title":{"rendered":"Anker\u2019s X1 Pro shouldn\u2019t exist, but I\u2019m so glad it does"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro<\/a> is too weird to exist. It takes the excellent 4K projector and karaoke microphones from Anker\u2019s Nebula X1<\/a> and stuffs them inside a powerful five-speaker Google TV party on wheels. It\u2019s so absurd that it feels like a gadget fever dream \u2013 and I\u2019m here for it.<\/p>\n

At the heart of this system is the same liquid-cooled, triple-laser, auto-image-correction-everything projector I reviewed last summer<\/a>. It\u2019s unbelievably quiet for a 3500 ANSI lumen projector that lays claim to the title of being the brightest and most vivid all-in-one portable projector on the market. Now it\u2019s also the loudest, with 400W of audio added to the new Nebula X1 Pro.<\/p>\n

Inside the X1 Pro is a big thumpy subwoofer capable of wall-shaking bass. It also hosts four battery-powered speakers that automatically unfold or pop out to produce a total of seven horizontal channels and another four overhead for wireless 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos immersion.<\/p>\n

Other than its size and some intermittent connectivity issues, the only complaint I have is that the Nebula X1 Pro is sometimes too loud. That\u2019s not something I thought I\u2019d ever say about a portable all-in-one projector.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got $4,999 \/ \u20ac4,999.98 \/ \u00a34,499 to burn, Anker\u2019s Nebula X1 Pro is one hell of a match.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

$4999<\/p>\n

The GoodComplete home theater on wheelsBright, vivid pictureWireless Dolby Atmos surroundSo much bassDoubles as a Bluetooth speakerThe BadExpensive\u201cPortable\u201dDropped Wi-Fi connections<\/p>\n

Since the video and karaoke capabilities of the projector are the same as the Nebula X1 I won\u2019t be rehashing them here. Instead, I\u2019ll focus on why you might choose the X1 Pro: sound.<\/p>\n

Looking at the X1 Pro, you might wonder where all the speakers are. The subwoofer is internal, of course, and the two front speakers automatically unfold like wings with a robotic whoosh at the touch of a button. The two rear speakers spring free from the back of the unit with a firm push.<\/p>\n

\"Transforming<\/a><\/p>\n

Transforming into 5.1.2 mode is a neat and useful party trick.<\/p>\n

The X1 Pro operates in three sound modes: with all the speakers docked for 2.1 audio (the rear speakers are inactive), with the front speakers unfolded for 5.1.2 surround, and with all four distributed around the room for full 7.1.4 separation. For the latter, Anker provides animated guidance to help assemble its audio puzzle.<\/p>\n

The four satellites are completely wireless with a battery life of over eight hours in my testing. They charge via pogo pins when returned to the projector, or via USB-C. To ensure optimal sound, the X1 Pro features a 4-mic array to automatically optimize audio in the room, letting you drag the sweet spot into your preferred viewing area. I found Anker\u2019s Flexwave spatial audio calibration tech to work very well in my open plan living room, but the sweet spot is only about two-persons wide.<\/p>\n

When detached, the four front and rear speakers sync audio over a proprietary 5.8GHz Wi-Fi signal, not Bluetooth, for superior, low-latency, lossless audio. The X1 Pro\u2019s speakers performed flawlessly in my testing. They automatically connected to the projector when it turned on without any of the weird pops or dropouts I saw with the X1\u2019s lone speaker pair. The speakers then went to sleep when the X1 Pro turned off to help save battery.<\/p>\n

I did, however, experience some inexplicable Wi-Fi connectivity issues with Google TV. About five times over two weeks of testing it just refused to reconnect to my home network, even though my phone and laptop worked fine. A reboot always solved the problem, but it was very annoying when it disrupted a film.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The X1 Pro in 7.1.4 mode with all four speakers distributed around the room.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The motorized front speakers unfurl automatically for 5.1.2 sound, and detach for improved audio separation.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The rear speakers are spring loaded.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The mics are tucked away in a lit compartment up top.<\/p>\n

The bass produced by the X1 Pro\u2019s 160W subwoofer is remarkable for a portable projector. If anything, it can, at times, be overwhelming. Each front surround houses four 20W speakers dedicated to upward, center, front, and surround channels. The smaller rears each contain two 20W speakers for the upward and rear surround channels. The front and rear satellites have folding legs and a tripod mount to help with placement.<\/p>\n

In 7.1.4 mode movie mode, with all four speakers detached, placed in the four corners of the room, and uh, Flexwaved, the sound rivaled my own 5.1 Sonos system built around a soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear satellites.<\/p>\n

I especially enjoyed hearing helicopters overhead when watching a Dolby Atmos version of Top Gun: Maverick. Everything I threw at the X1 Pro looked and sounded great and seemed positionally correct, including The Dark Knight, All Quiet on the Western Front, and Blade Runner 2049. Dialog cut a hole through the soundscape in the front center channel, bullets whizzed overhead, and dystopian machines crept through the dark spaces around me. At 30 percent volume, my walls were already shaking, so the X1 Pro should be great for outdoor movie nights come spring.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

3500 ANSI lumens is very bright for a portable projector, but the image still looks best in a dark room.<\/p>\n

I listen to music more frequently than I watch videos, so I like that the X1 Pro can be quickly switched into a nearly silent Bluetooth speaker, without the constant fan noise produced by most projectors. With all the external speakers docked for 2.1 audio mode, the X1 Pro can compete with those giant JBL party speakers<\/a>, only without the superfluous light show.<\/p>\n

\"Portable<\/a><\/p>\n

Portable until you have to lift it.<\/p>\n

Listening to Miles Davis on the X1 Pro sounded exceptional, with bright clean horns sparkling against the baseline. I had to reduce the bass in Spotify\u2019s equalizer to enjoy tracks like Ye\u2019s \u201cBlack Skinhead\u201d or even \u201cNutshell\u201d from Alice in Chains. Bob Dylan\u2019s voice in \u201cMasters of War\u201d lost some warmth, however, compared to my Sonos system. I could easily crank the X1 Pro to a very loud 50 percent and still enjoy the music, but things got muddied beyond 70 percent volume.<\/p>\n

In general, the sound from the Nebula X1 Pro is a vast improvement over the Nebula X1. But calling the X1 Pro \u201cportable\u201d is a stretch.<\/p>\n

The telescoping handle and wheels do make the 435 \u00d7 343 \u00d7 761mm (17.13 \u00d7 13.50 \u00d7 29.96 inches) X1 Pro mobile, within reason, because you\u2019ll still want help to hoist the 32.8kg (72.31-pound) party box up stairs or into a car.<\/p>\n

And I wouldn\u2019t feel right rolling all those delicate optics and electronics over rough terrain. In fact, the fine print recommends using it on hard surfaces like concrete and wood, and to \u201cavoid dragging the projector across grass, large gravel, cobblestone, or through water deeper than 50mm.\u201d A $400 electric wagon<\/a> to haul your $4,999 projector around isn\u2019t a terrible idea.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s also an asterisk on the unit\u2019s IP43 resistance to water and dust. It only applies when the lens cap is closed and the speakers are returned and retracted, all of which are unlikely if the X1 Pro is accidentally left outside after a movie night. The projector does come with a slip-on cover for those demonstrating more responsibility.<\/p>\n

1\/17The Nebula X1 Pro from Anker\u2019s Soundcore brand.<\/p>\n

Look, as a gadget nerd, I\u2019m super enthusiastic about the Nebula X1 Pro. There\u2019s nothing else like it on the market and I appreciate Anker\u2019s audacity to build it. But for my money, if you need a portable 4K projector, then the Nebula X1 with optional speaker kit is plenty loud even outdoors, and it\u2019ll save you about $1,000. But if you gotta have that bass, then the Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro<\/a> won\u2019t disappoint.<\/p>\n

Photography by Thomas Ricker \/ The Verge<\/p>\n

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