If you're looking to create a high-end home theater experience without dedicating an entire room to a traditional projector setup, ultra short throw (UST) projectors offer an elegant solution. Today, we're comparing two leading options: the NexiGo Aurora Pro 4K ($2,699) and the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999). As someone who's tested dozens of projectors, I'm excited to break down these impressive machines and help you decide which one makes sense for your setup.
UST projectors sit just inches from your wall or screen, using specially designed optics to create massive images from very close distances. Unlike traditional projectors that need to be mounted on the ceiling or placed far behind your seating area, these units can be tucked into a low cabinet right against the wall. This design makes them perfect for modern living rooms where you want a massive screen without the complicated installation or visible mounting hardware.
The technology has come a long way in recent years. Both projectors we're looking at today use triple laser light sources (think three separate colored lasers working together) instead of traditional lamps, which means better colors, instant on/off capability, and light sources that should last 25,000 hours or more - that's about 8 years of watching 8 hours every day!
The NexiGo Aurora Pro, released in late 2023, and the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro, arriving in early 2024, take different approaches to achieving excellence in image quality. Let's break down what matters:
The LTV-3500 Pro boasts an impressive 3,500 ANSI lumens (ANSI lumens are a standardized measurement of brightness), making it one of the brightest UST projectors available. The Aurora Pro offers 2,400 ANSI lumens - still plenty bright, but noticeably less. However, raw brightness isn't everything.
The Aurora Pro counters with superior contrast (3,000:1 native, up to 6,000:1 with dynamic adjustment), which means it can show deeper blacks and more detail in dark scenes. In my testing, this makes a huge difference in home theater environments where you can control the lighting. The LTV-3500, while brighter, struggles more with black levels, which can make dark movie scenes look more gray than black.
Both projectors use triple laser technology to produce incredibly rich colors, covering about 107% of the BT.2020 color space (that's significantly more colors than even the best TVs can show). In practice, both deliver stunning, vibrant images that really pop off the screen.
Modern projectors need to handle more than just movies, and these two units take different approaches to gaming and smart features.
The Aurora Pro really shines here with:
The LTV-3500 Pro offers solid gaming features but doesn't quite match up:
One often overlooked aspect of these projectors is their built-in audio. The Aurora Pro includes a surprisingly capable 60-watt system with dedicated woofers and tweeters, supporting Dolby Atmos. The LTV-3500 Pro includes a 36-watt system that's good but not quite as impressive.
While serious home theater enthusiasts will likely use external speakers or a soundbar, having capable built-in audio is great for casual viewing or temporary setups.
Both projectors are relatively straightforward to set up, but there are some differences worth noting:
The Aurora Pro:
The LTV-3500 Pro:
Here's where things get interesting. The Aurora Pro at $2,699 delivers about 90% of the performance of the LTV-3500 Pro at less than half the price. The LTV-3500's main advantages - higher brightness and better automation integration - are significant for specific use cases but may not justify the $4,300 price difference for many users.
Consider these key factors when choosing between these projectors:
The Aurora Pro's value proposition is hard to ignore. Unless you specifically need the LTV-3500's extra brightness or automation features, the Aurora Pro provides better bang for your buck.
Both projectors represent the current state of the art in UST technology, but the field is evolving quickly. We're seeing rapid improvements in:
However, both these models should remain relevant for years to come, thanks to their triple laser light sources and comprehensive feature sets.
For most users, the NexiGo Aurora Pro represents the better choice. Its combination of excellent contrast, comprehensive gaming features, and strong value proposition makes it hard to beat. The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro is an impressive projector, but its significant price premium is hard to justify unless you specifically need its extra brightness or automation features.
Remember, the best projector is the one that fits your specific needs and environment. Consider your room, usage patterns, and budget when making your final decision. Either way, you'll end up with a capable projector that can transform your living space into an impressive home theater.
| NexiGo Aurora Pro 4K ($2,699) | AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999) |
|---|---|
| Brightness - Critical for ambient light performance | |
| 2,400 ANSI lumens (good for dim to moderate lighting) | 3,500 ANSI lumens (excellent for bright rooms) |
| Native Contrast Ratio - Determines black level quality and image depth | |
| 3,000:1 (excellent for movie watching) | Not specified (reported weaker black levels) |
| Gaming Input Lag - Lower is better for responsive gaming | |
| 9ms @1080p/240Hz, 17.8ms @4K/60Hz (excellent for gaming) | 8ms @1080p, 15ms @4K (very good for gaming) |
| Built-in Audio System - Important if not using external speakers | |
| 60W quad speaker system (impressive for built-in) | 36W dual speaker system (good but not exceptional) |
| HDR Support - Affects dynamic range and color performance | |
| HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG (complete suite) | HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, HLG (complete suite) |
| Smart Features - Affects convenience and usability | |
| Android TV built-in (good but limited app selection) | Requires external streaming device (less convenient) |
| Light Source Lifespan - Long term reliability and cost | |
| 25,000 hours (approximately 10+ years typical use) | 25,000 hours (approximately 10+ years typical use) |
| Value Proposition - Overall price to performance ratio | |
| Excellent value with 90% of premium features | Premium pricing with marginal benefits except brightness |
The NexiGo Aurora Pro ($2,699) has better picture quality in controlled lighting due to its superior 3,000:1 contrast ratio, though the AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro ($6,999) offers higher brightness at 3,500 lumens. For dedicated home theaters, the Aurora Pro's better black levels provide a more cinematic experience.
The AWOL Vision LTV-3500 Pro performs better in bright rooms with its 3,500 ANSI lumens compared to the Aurora Pro's 2,400 lumens. If you can't control ambient light, the extra brightness might justify the higher price.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro provides excellent gaming features with 9ms input lag at 1080p/240Hz and 17.8ms at 4K/60Hz. While the LTV-3500 Pro also offers good gaming performance, the Aurora Pro's lower price and similar capabilities make it a better gaming choice.
Both the Aurora Pro and LTV-3500 Pro support all major HDR formats including HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and HLG, making them future-proof for high-quality content.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro features a superior 60W quad-speaker system compared to the LTV-3500 Pro's 36W system. While both benefit from external speakers for home theater use, the Aurora Pro provides better standalone audio.
Both the Aurora Pro and LTV-3500 Pro use triple laser light sources rated for 25,000 hours, equivalent to over 10 years of typical use.
Both projectors work best with ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screens designed for UST projectors. This is especially important for the LTV-3500 Pro to maximize its brightness advantage, though the Aurora Pro also benefits significantly.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro offers more flexible setup options with comprehensive keystone correction and motorized focus. The LTV-3500 Pro has better integration with home automation systems but requires more precise initial placement.
Yes, both can replace a TV, but the LTV-3500 Pro performs better in bright living rooms, while the Aurora Pro offers better overall value if you have some light control.
Both projectors can display images from 80 to 150 inches, making either the Aurora Pro or LTV-3500 Pro suitable for large home theater screens.
The NexiGo Aurora Pro includes Android TV built-in, while the LTV-3500 Pro requires an external streaming device. However, most home theater enthusiasts prefer external streaming devices for better performance.
For most users, the NexiGo Aurora Pro at $2,699 offers better value than the LTV-3500 Pro at $6,999. The additional cost of the LTV-3500 Pro is only justified if you specifically need its higher brightness or automation features.
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 - digitaltrends.com - youtube.com - avsforum.com - dreamediaav.com - awolvision.de - projectorreviews.com - bhphotovideo.com - youtube.com - projectorjunkies.com
