The AV company XGIMI likes to do things a little differently and a 100-inch projector display that lifts up out of a soundbar is certainly different.
Revealed at CES 2025, the aptly-named XGIMI Ascend is designed to be combined with the company’s Aura 2 ultra-short throw projector, which we reviewed in November this year.
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The images will be projected on to the Ascend’s large, ambient light-rejecting display that can be lifted out when in use and vanishes back into the speakers when you don’t need it.
It’s a space saving solution for those seeking a more minimalist living area without a large television dominating the room. While the screen can be lifted to full height, it can also be partially raised with users able to project ambient scenes like a crackling fireplace.
The soundbar is powered by integrated Harmon Karmon speakers offering “rich, high-fidelity sound.” This set-up will also save you space, XGIMI says, because it’ll negate the need for having external speakers dotted about the room.
“This space-saving projection setup turns any area into a movie theatre without the need for heavy hardware or permanent wall fittings. Even in areas with ambient light, the ALR screen improves picture brightness and clarity, making it ideal for a variety of living situations,” the company says.
XGIMI isn’t giving away the price and release date yet, but it’s an unlikely to be a cheap date, especially when its expressly designed to be paired with the Aura 2 ultra short throw projector that already costs £2,459.
The Aura 2 projector can cast a 100-inch 4K image from just 0.7-inches away, which compares favourably to the throw ratio of its rivals. It offers HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support, with IMAX Enhanced support now integrated too. It also runs on Android TV meaning most of your favourite streaming apps and games are a button push away.
Our reviewer gave it a four-star score in November 2024, concluding: “The XGIMI Aura 2 has a lot of competition, and there are now many UST projectors to choose from. It is a good quality projector that handles the latest video formats, including Dolby Vision, creating natural-looking, detailed images.”
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
