Anker has come up with another clever new portable projector design that aims to fix the audio issues faced by such devices. As cool as it is to be able to bring a projector almost anywhere you go and set it down to enjoy big screen pictures, the audio experience doesn’t always amount to much.
That’s because the speakers tend to be built inside the actual projector, and so they cannot be placed at the most optimal position to create an immersive soundscape.
Anker’s Nebula P1 gets around that by featuring a pair of detachable 10-watt speakers, which connect to the main projector over Bluetooth, meaning there’s no ugly cables in sight. So you just pop out the speakers, place them where you want, and you’re good to go.
The two speakers both have their own integrated batteries and can keep going for around 20 hours, Anker claims, although the actual projector needs to be plugged into the mains. However, you can overcome this limitation as well with the optional purchase of Anker’s SOLIX power station, which is like a massive power pack that can be taken anywhere, providing around 3.5 hours of juice, the company said.
Superior sound is the standout feature of the Anker Nebula P1, with the rest of the specifications falling firmly within the range we’d expect of more powerful portable projectors. In terms of the image, it throws up a 1,080p full HD resolution picture at up to a maximum of 180-inches, which is pretty immense, though the image brightness is only rated at 650 ANSI lumens, which suggests it will perform much better at night time than in well lit daytime living rooms.
The unit comes with a built-in, dual-arm gimbal that swings around at up to 130-degrees, ensuring flexible placement. There’s an integrated image stabiliser, and autofocus and auto-keystone correction help with setting things up. The projector has an IP33 rating, which means it can withstand some exposure to moisture, but probably not a downpour.
The speakers are IP54 water-resistant, which makes them a bit more durable, able to tolerate dust and heavy water splashes, although we should point out that this rating doesn’t mean they’re water tight, and you should probably still be cautious if it’s too wet and windy outdoors.
The other thing to know is that the Nebula P1 runs the Google TV operating system, with streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video all available. For additional content, there are HDMI 2.1 ports, USB-A and USB-C ports, which mean it’s possible to connect external media players, consoles and the like.
Anker does have another projector that features pop-out speakers in the shape of the mighty Anker Nebula X1 Pro, but that device is significantly more expensive because it’s an absolute beast. In fact, the X1 Pro is so hefty it looks more like a pressure washer, with a pair of detachable 80-watt soundbar speakers, plus two 5.25-inch wireless subwoofers to enable a discotheque-like experience with super-bright 3,500 ANSI lumens images.
It sounds great, but it also costs a staggering $3,698 (around £3,685) on Kickstarter, whereas the Nebula P1 is much more affordable with a price of just $799 (£598) for the projector only, or $1,049 (around £785) for the projector plus Anker SOLIX C300 DC Power Station bundle. Oh, you’ll also get a free 100-inch home projector screen thrown in, courtesy of Anker.
It’s on sale now in the U.S., with availability in the U.K. and Europe set to follow in the coming weeks.
