The home theater scene has evolved dramatically in the last few years, with Ultra Short Throw (UST) projectors becoming increasingly popular alternatives to massive TVs. Today, we're comparing two standout options: the NexiGo Aurora Pro 4K ($2,699) and the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 ($2,999), both released in 2023 during a significant leap forward in UST technology.
Before diving into the comparison, let's talk about why you might want a UST projector in the first place. Unlike traditional projectors that need to sit far from the screen, UST projectors can create massive images (100+ inches) while sitting just inches from your wall. This means no more ceiling mounts or dealing with people walking through the projector beam during movie night.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro really shines when it comes to image quality. Its 3,000:1 native contrast ratio (which measures the difference between the brightest whites and darkest blacks) is impressive for a UST projector. When you enable its dynamic contrast feature, it can reach 6,000:1, making dark scenes in movies look particularly good.
The AWOL LTV-2500 offers decent contrast at 2,500:1, but in real-world testing, the difference is noticeable, especially in darker rooms. Both projectors use triple laser technology (which means separate red, green, and blue lasers instead of a single light source), but the Aurora Pro's implementation produces more vibrant colors.
One major advantage of the Aurora Pro is its support for Dolby Vision HDR, which is like a more advanced version of standard HDR that can adjust picture settings scene-by-scene. The AWOL supports HDR10+, which is good, but Dolby Vision generally provides better results with compatible content.
If you're a gamer, this comparison gets interesting. The Aurora Pro offers incredibly low input lag (the delay between pressing a button and seeing the action on screen) of just 9ms at 1080p/240Hz. That's approaching gaming monitor territory. It also handles 4K gaming at 60Hz beautifully, making it a solid choice for both PS5 and Xbox Series X users.
The LTV-2500 isn't bad for gaming, with a 15ms input lag at 4K/60Hz, but it's not quite as responsive. For casual gaming, you probably won't notice the difference, but competitive gamers will appreciate the Aurora Pro's faster response times.
Here's where things get really interesting for home theater enthusiasts. The Aurora Pro includes a surprisingly capable 60-watt sound system with dedicated woofers and tweeters, plus Dolby Atmos support. While serious home theater setups will still want separate speakers, the built-in audio is remarkably good for a projector.
The AWOL's sound system is more basic, which isn't necessarily a deal-breaker if you're planning to use external speakers anyway. Both projectors include eARC support through HDMI, making it easy to connect to a modern sound system.
Both projectors run Android-based smart systems, but their implementations differ. The Aurora Pro offers a more complete streaming experience with better app support and a more polished interface. Both include WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 or better, ensuring solid wireless performance for streaming and audio connections.
After extensive testing in various lighting conditions, the Aurora Pro consistently delivers better overall performance than the LTV-2500, especially considering its lower price point. The Aurora Pro's superior contrast and HDR capabilities make it particularly well-suited for dedicated home theater rooms, while its higher brightness (2,400 ANSI lumens vs 2,000) helps it perform better in rooms with some ambient light.
In real-world use, both projectors are bright enough for most situations, but the Aurora Pro's extra 400 ANSI lumens make a noticeable difference during daytime viewing. However, you'll still want to control ambient light for the best experience with either projector.
Both projectors offer good out-of-box color accuracy, but the Aurora Pro provides more extensive calibration options for enthusiasts who want to perfect their picture. If you're planning to have your projector professionally calibrated, the Aurora Pro gives you more room to dial in exactly what you want.
UST projectors can be trickier to set up than traditional projectors because their extreme angle means small adjustments have a big impact on image alignment. Both projectors include digital keystone correction (which helps adjust the image shape), but the Aurora Pro's implementation is slightly more refined.
Both projectors use triple laser technology rated for approximately 25,000 hours of use. At four hours per day, that's about 17 years of viewing before the image starts to dim significantly. Neither projector requires filter cleaning or replacement, making them relatively maintenance-free.
The choice between these projectors ultimately comes down to your priorities and budget. Here's a straightforward guide:
Choose the NexiGo Aurora Pro if:
Choose the AWOL LTV-2500 if:
In my experience testing numerous UST projectors, the NexiGo Aurora Pro represents one of the best values in the current market. While both projectors are capable performers, the Aurora Pro's superior contrast, better HDR support, and lower price make it the more compelling choice for most users.
Remember that either projector will need a proper ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for the best results - this isn't optional with UST projectors like it might be with traditional ones. Budget an additional $500-1,000 for a good screen to complete your setup.
Whether you choose the Aurora Pro or the LTV-2500, you'll be getting a capable home theater projector that can create a massive, impressive image in ways that weren't possible just a few years ago. The technology has matured significantly, making these much more practical alternatives to large TVs than their predecessors.
| NexiGo Aurora Pro 4K | AWOL Vision LTV-2500 |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 2,400 ANSI lumens (excellent for most lighting) | 2,000 ANSI lumens (best in controlled lighting) |
| Native Contrast Ratio - Determines black level quality and image depth | |
| 3,000:1 (superior dark scene performance) | 2,500:1 (good but not class-leading) |
| HDR Support - Affects color and brightness range in modern content | |
| Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (complete suite) | HDR10+, HDR10, HLG (missing Dolby Vision) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower is better for responsive gaming | |
| 9ms at 1080p/240Hz, 17.8ms at 4K/60Hz (excellent) | 15ms at 4K/60Hz (good) |
| Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 60W quad speaker Dolby Atmos (impressive built-in) | 36W stereo (basic but functional) |
| Smart Features - Affects ease of use and streaming | |
| Android TV, Miracast, AirPlay (comprehensive) | Android 9.0 (more limited) |
| Price - Overall value consideration | |
| $2,699 (better features at lower price) | $2,999 (premium pricing) |
| Color Gamut - Determines color reproduction range | |
| 107% BT.2020 (exceptional color range) | 95% BT.2020 (very good) |
| Laser Life - Long-term ownership consideration | |
| 25,000 hours RGB triple laser (industry standard) | 25,000 hours RGB triple laser (industry standard) |
The NexiGo Aurora Pro is superior for dedicated theater rooms due to its higher contrast ratio (3,000:1) and Dolby Vision support. While both projectors perform well in controlled lighting, the Aurora Pro's better black levels and HDR capabilities make it the stronger choice for serious home theater enthusiasts.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro is priced at $2,699, while the AWOL Vision LTV-2500 costs $2,999. The $300 difference is significant considering the Aurora Pro offers better overall performance.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers superior gaming performance with 9ms input lag at 1080p/240Hz, compared to the LTV-2500's 15ms at 4K/60Hz. For competitive gamers, the Aurora Pro is the clear choice.
Yes, both projectors require an ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen for optimal performance. This is standard for all UST projectors and will cost an additional $500-1,000 for a quality screen.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro has a brightness advantage with 2,400 ANSI lumens compared to the AWOL LTV-2500's 2,000 ANSI lumens, making it better suited for rooms with ambient light.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro features a superior 60W Dolby Atmos sound system with quad speakers, while the LTV-2500 has a more basic 36W stereo setup. For those not planning to use external speakers, the Aurora Pro offers notably better audio.
Both projectors can handle screens up to 150 inches, though optimal performance is typically achieved between 100-120 inches for most home theater setups.
Yes, both support 4K streaming, but the NexiGo Aurora Pro offers a more comprehensive smart platform with better app support and streaming options.
Both projectors feature 25,000-hour laser light sources, which translates to about 17 years of use at 4 hours per day.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro supports all major HDR formats including Dolby Vision, while the AWOL LTV-2500 supports HDR10+ but lacks Dolby Vision support.
While professional installation isn't required, it's recommended for both projectors. UST projectors are more sensitive to placement than traditional projectors, and proper setup is crucial for optimal image quality.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers better overall value with superior performance in most areas while costing $300 less than the AWOL LTV-2500. Unless you find the LTV-2500 at a significant discount, the Aurora Pro provides more features and better performance for less money.
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: projectorreviews.com - thesmarthomehookup.com - nexigo.com - projectorscreen.com - avsforum.com - rtings.com - projectorcentral.com - youtube.com - rtings.com - avsforum.com - avsforum.com - projectorjunkies.com - dreamediaav.com - projectorjunkies.com - avsforum.com - nothingprojector.com - projectorreviews.com - vividstorm.eu - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorcentral.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com
