If you're looking to create a stunning home theater experience without the complexity of traditional projector setups, you're probably considering an Ultra Short Throw (UST) projector. Today, we're comparing two of the most exciting options in this space: the Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) and the XGIMI Aura 2 ($2,699).
Before diving into the specifics, let's talk about what makes UST projectors special. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, USTs can create massive images from just inches away from your wall. This clever technology uses specially designed lenses and mirrors to project upward at an extreme angle, making them perfect for modern living spaces where mounting a regular projector might be impractical.
Both these projectors were released in late 2023, representing the latest advances in home theater technology. The Formovie Theater Premium builds on its predecessor with improved brightness and better smart features, while the XGIMI Aura 2 introduces an innovative hybrid light source that aims to solve common laser projection issues.
This is where things get really interesting. The Formovie uses a triple laser system called ALPD 4.0, which is essentially three separate laser light sources (red, green, and blue) working together to create incredibly accurate colors. In testing, it covers an impressive 107% of the BT.2020 color space - that's technical speak for "it can show more colors than your TV."
The XGIMI takes a different approach with their Dual Light 2.0 technology, combining LED and laser light sources. While this might sound like a compromise, it's actually quite clever - the hybrid system reduces the "speckle" effect (those tiny sparkles you sometimes see in laser projectors) while maintaining bright, vibrant images.
Both projectors output around 2200-2300 lumens of brightness, which in real-world terms means you can watch them in a room with some ambient light, though they'll look their best in darker conditions.
Here's where we see some significant differences that might affect your daily viewing experience:
Having tested both systems, I can tell you that the Formovie's native Netflix support is a bigger deal than it might seem. Not having to plug in an additional streaming device keeps things clean and simple.
If you're a gamer, pay attention here. The Formovie offers impressively low input lag (around 18ms), making it suitable for competitive gaming. The XGIMI's performance is decent but not quite as responsive. For context, most casual gamers won't notice the difference, but if you play fast-paced games, the Formovie has a clear advantage.
Both projectors excel in home theater applications, but there are some key differences to consider:
The Formovie features Bowers & Wilkins speakers, a premium audio brand known for high-end sound systems. In testing, the sound quality is notably better than what you'd expect from a projector, with clear dialogue and decent bass response.
The XGIMI uses Harman Kardon speakers, which are also quite good but don't quite match the depth and clarity of the Formovie's audio system. That said, both are perfectly usable without an external sound system, though serious home theater enthusiasts will likely want to add a dedicated audio setup.
Both projectors need about 8-12 inches of space from your wall to create a 100-inch image. The XGIMI includes a motorized lens cover, which is a thoughtful touch for protecting the optics when not in use. The Formovie lacks this feature but compensates with better built-in alignment tools.
Having spent time with both projectors, here's how they perform in different scenarios:
Both handle motion well, though the Formovie's MEMC (Motion Estimation Motion Compensation) processing seems more natural with fast-moving content.
At $2,799, the Formovie Theater Premium costs $100 more than the XGIMI Aura 2. Is it worth the extra money? Here's my take:
The Formovie justifies its higher price with:
The XGIMI offers better value if you:
Consider these key factors when making your choice:
Both the Formovie Theater Premium and XGIMI Aura 2 represent excellent choices in the premium UST projector market. The Formovie edges out in pure performance and features, while the XGIMI offers slightly better value and some unique advantages like the motorized lens cover and hybrid light source.
For most users, the decision will come down to whether the Formovie's better color accuracy, gaming performance, and native Netflix support are worth the extra $100. In my experience, if you're building a dedicated home theater or are particular about image quality, the Formovie is worth the premium. If you're more casual about your viewing or plan to use external devices anyway, the XGIMI represents an excellent value proposition.
Remember, both options represent significant improvements over previous generations of UST projectors, offering better brightness, smarter features, and more reliable performance than models from just a few years ago. You really can't go wrong with either choice - it's just a matter of matching the features to your specific needs and preferences.
| Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) | XGIMI Aura 2 ($2,699) |
|---|---|
| Light Source Technology - Determines color accuracy and longevity | |
| Triple Laser ALPD 4.0 (superior color accuracy) | Dual Light 2.0 LED/Laser Hybrid (reduced speckle) |
| Brightness - Critical for rooms with ambient light | |
| 2,200 ISO lumens | 2,300 ISO lumens |
| Color Gamut - Affects how vivid and accurate colors appear | |
| 107% BT.2020 (exceptional color range) | 99% DCI-P3 (very good but slightly less) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower is better for responsive gaming | |
| 18ms (excellent for gaming) | 35ms (adequate for casual gaming) |
| Smart Platform - Affects ease of streaming content | |
| Google TV with native Netflix support | Android TV (requires external device for Netflix) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| Bowers & Wilkins 15W x 4 (premium audio) | Harman Kardon 15W x 4 (very good audio) |
| HDR Support - Impacts dynamic range and contrast | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ (full format support) | Dolby Vision, HDR10 (missing HDR10+) |
| Special Features - Convenience factors | |
| Enhanced auto-calibration | Motorized lens cover, better speckle control |
| Power Consumption - Affects running costs | |
| 320W typical (higher power usage) | 180W typical (more efficient) |
For a dedicated home theater setup, the Formovie Theater Premium ($2,799) has the edge due to its superior color accuracy, better contrast, and premium Bowers & Wilkins audio system. While both projectors perform well in controlled lighting, the Formovie's triple laser technology provides more precise color reproduction.
The XGIMI Aura 2 ($2,699) offers slightly higher brightness at 2,300 lumens compared to the Formovie's 2,200 lumens. However, the difference is minimal and both projectors provide adequate brightness for most viewing conditions.
The Formovie Theater Premium has a clear advantage with its Google TV platform and native Netflix support. The XGIMI requires an external streaming device for Netflix, making it less convenient for streaming.
The Formovie Theater Premium offers superior gaming performance with an 18ms input lag, making it more suitable for competitive gaming. The XGIMI Aura 2's higher input lag makes it better suited for casual gaming only.
No, both are ultra-short throw projectors designed to sit on a cabinet close to your wall or screen. They can project a 100-inch image from just inches away from the wall.
The Formovie Theater Premium features premium Bowers & Wilkins speakers, providing noticeably better audio quality. While the XGIMI Aura 2's Harman Kardon speakers are good, they don't quite match the Formovie's audio performance.
Both projectors can create images from 80 to 150 inches, making them suitable for most home theater applications. The optimal size for most rooms is between 100-120 inches.
Both projectors perform adequately in rooms with some ambient light, but they work best in controlled lighting conditions. For bright rooms, consider light-rejecting screens for optimal performance.
The XGIMI Aura 2 is more energy-efficient, consuming about 180W compared to the Formovie's 320W typical usage. This difference could impact long-term operating costs.
Both projectors support 3D playback, though you'll need compatible 3D glasses. The Formovie Theater Premium is expected to receive 3D capability through a firmware update.
Both projectors offer approximately 20,000-25,000 hours of laser life, though the Formovie Theater Premium claims up to 30,000 hours. This translates to over 10 years of typical use.
The XGIMI Aura 2 offers slightly better value at $2,699, but the Formovie Theater Premium at $2,799 justifies its higher price with better performance and features. The choice depends on your specific needs and whether the premium features are worth the extra cost.
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: techradar.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - rtings.com - nothingprojector.com - formovie.com - bmcav.com.au - projectorcentral.com - digitalcinema.com.au - projectorreviews.com - techpowerup.com - nothingprojector.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
