When it comes to creating a home theater experience that rivals the local cinema, AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro and XGIMI Aura 2 are two of the most talked-about options in 2024. Both represent the latest in ultra short throw (UST) technology - projectors that can sit just inches from your wall while creating massive, stunning images. But with a $2,600 price difference between them, which one deserves your investment?
Traditional projectors needed significant room depth for installation, often ending up ceiling-mounted or requiring careful coffee table placement. Ultra short throw projectors changed the game - they sit right below your screen or viewing surface, typically 4-15 inches away, while still delivering massive images up to 150 inches diagonal.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro launched in late 2022 and quickly gained attention for its impressive 3,500 ANSI lumens brightness - a measurement that tells us how much light the projector can output. The XGIMI Aura 2, released in mid-2023, took a different approach with its innovative Dual Light 2.0 technology that combines LED and laser light sources for improved color accuracy and viewing comfort.
The AWOL's 3,500 ANSI lumens make it a champion for rooms with ambient light or daytime viewing. To put this in perspective, most home theater projectors operate between 1,500-2,500 lumens. The extra brightness means you won't need to completely darken your room to enjoy a vivid picture.
The Aura 2's 2,300 ISO lumens are still respectable, but you'll notice the difference in brighter rooms. However, XGIMI's Dual Light 2.0 technology offers some unique benefits - the combination of LED and laser light sources reduces the "laser speckle" effect (that slight sparkly texture some laser projectors exhibit) and can be easier on the eyes during extended viewing.
Both projectors support HDR (High Dynamic Range) content, which provides more detail in both bright and dark scenes. The AWOL really shines here with its tri-laser system covering 107% of the BT.2020 color space - essentially meaning it can display more colors than most content even contains. It's particularly noticeable with nature documentaries and vibrant movies.
The Aura 2 takes a more balanced approach. While its color gamut isn't quite as wide, many users report its images look more natural and comfortable for extended viewing sessions. This comes down to personal preference - do you want the most dramatic, vibrant image possible, or something closer to how content creators intended their work to be seen?
If you're a gamer, this might be the deciding factor. The AWOL offers two excellent gaming modes:
Input lag is the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen - anything under 20ms is considered excellent for gaming. The AWOL's flexibility here means you can choose between maximum visual quality or better responsiveness depending on your game.
The Aura 2 doesn't specifically advertise gaming features or input lag measurements. While it's certainly capable of gaming, it's not optimized for it like the AWOL is. This makes the choice pretty clear if gaming is a priority for you.
The Aura 2 shines when it comes to setup convenience. Its automatic keystone correction and focus features mean you can place the projector, turn it on, and it will adjust itself for an optimal picture. It even includes wall color compensation to adjust the image based on your projection surface.
The AWOL requires more manual setup but offers finer control over the image. This might take more time initially, but it allows for perfect adjustment if you're particular about your picture quality. In my experience, spending 30 minutes on proper setup pays dividends in long-term viewing satisfaction.
Both projectors include smart TV features, though you might want to use an external streaming device for the best experience. The AWOL comes bundled with a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, while the Aura 2 runs Android TV directly.
For audio, the Aura 2 impresses with its 60-watt Harman Kardon speaker system. The AWOL's 36-watt system is good, but not quite as robust. However, for a proper home theater setup, you'll likely want to pair either projector with a dedicated sound system.
At $5,299, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro represents a premium investment in home theater technology. Its brightness, color performance, and gaming capabilities justify the price for those who will use these features.
The $2,699 XGIMI Aura 2 offers tremendous value, especially if you don't need maximum brightness or gaming performance. Its automatic features and comfortable viewing experience make it an excellent choice for everyday use.
Consider these key factors:
After spending time with both projectors, I've found the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is the clear choice for dedicated home theater enthusiasts who want the absolute best performance and don't mind paying for it. Its brightness and gaming capabilities are particularly impressive.
The XGIMI Aura 2 represents exceptional value and might actually be the better choice for many users. Unless you need the AWOL's specific advantages in brightness or gaming, the Aura 2's more comfortable viewing experience and automatic features make it a compelling option at a significantly lower price point.
Remember, either projector will deliver a fantastic big-screen experience that will transform your home entertainment. The best choice depends on your specific needs, room environment, and budget priorities.
| AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($5,299) | XGIMI Aura 2 ($2,699) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for daytime viewing and ambient light performance | |
| 3,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) | 2,300 ISO lumens (best in controlled lighting) |
| Light Source Technology - Affects color accuracy, maintenance, and lifespan | |
| Triple laser (wider color gamut, 25,000 hours) | Dual Light 2.0 (LED + laser, more comfortable viewing, 20,000 hours) |
| Gaming Performance - Important for responsiveness in gaming | |
| 15ms@4K/60Hz, 8ms@1080p/120Hz (excellent for gaming) | Standard latency, no gaming features (casual gaming only) |
| Color Gamut - Determines how vibrant and accurate colors appear | |
| 107% BT.2020 (exceptional color range) | 90% DCI-P3 (good for most content) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use and content access | |
| Android 9.0 + included Fire TV Stick 4K Max | Built-in Android TV (more integrated but limited apps) |
| Audio System - Determines if external speakers needed | |
| 36W dual speakers (good for medium rooms) | 60W Harman Kardon (excellent built-in audio) |
| Setup Complexity - Important for initial installation and adjustments | |
| Manual setup with fine control (better precision) | Automatic setup features (easier but less precise) |
| HDR Support - Affects contrast and color in HDR content | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HLG (full premium support) | HDR10 (standard HDR support) |
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is significantly better for bright rooms with its 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the XGIMI Aura 2's 2,300 ISO lumens. If you have large windows or plan daytime viewing, the AWOL is worth the extra investment.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro costs $5,299, while the XGIMI Aura 2 is priced at $2,699. The $2,600 difference primarily reflects the AWOL's higher brightness and gaming capabilities.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is clearly superior for gaming, offering 15ms input lag at 4K/60Hz and 8ms at 1080p/120Hz. The XGIMI Aura 2 doesn't specifically target gaming performance.
Both projectors work best with an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for optimal performance, especially in rooms with ambient light. However, both can project onto a white wall, with the AWOL performing better in this scenario due to its higher brightness.
Both projectors are ultra-short-throw designs requiring similar placement - typically 4-15 inches from the wall for a 100-inch image. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro and XGIMI Aura 2 both work well in space-constrained rooms.
The XGIMI Aura 2 features superior built-in audio with its 60W Harman Kardon speaker system, compared to the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro's 36W system. However, for a true home theater experience, external speakers are recommended for both.
The AWOL offers 25,000 hours of laser life, while the XGIMI provides 20,000 hours. At 4 hours daily use, both will last over 13 years before requiring replacement.
Yes, both can serve as TV replacements. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro performs better in bright conditions, while the XGIMI Aura 2 offers better value for controlled lighting environments.
The XGIMI Aura 2 offers more automated setup features, including auto-focus and keystone correction. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro requires more manual adjustment but provides finer control over image quality.
Both support 4K streaming, but handle it differently. The AWOL comes with a Fire TV Stick 4K Max, while the XGIMI has built-in Android TV. Both solutions work well for streaming services.
For dedicated home theater use, the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro offers superior HDR performance and brightness. However, the XGIMI Aura 2 provides excellent movie-watching experience at a lower price point.
Both projectors can display images up to 150 inches diagonally, though optimal performance is typically achieved between 100-120 inches for both the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro and XGIMI Aura 2.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: projectorjunkies.com - digitaltrends.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com - awolvision.de - projectorreviews.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - projectorjunkies.com - us.xgimi.com - us.xgimi.com - projectorscreen.com - projectorreviews.com - techradar.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - us.xgimi.com - us.xgimi.com - hometheaterreview.com
