
XGIMI - Horizon 20 Max
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Based on 1 year's data from Jan 28, 2026 How it works
Ignore those deluded Valerion fans. Tbf if you only consume non subtitle dark content then maybe Valerion ebl will be the better choice for you. Assuming you're not sensitive to rbe, under $3k the best is dangbei s7 ultra max, then it's a tossed up between xgimi horizon 20 max and nebula x1. For ust, nexigo ap mk2 is better than valerion and has no rbe / speckle issue too.
Imo bigger is always better so get 150" but Valerion max at its best setting is only 1300 lumens, not really bright enough. 135" will be 83 nits and 150" 67 nits. At those size just get the cheaper Valerion pro2 imo or get something even brighter like xgimi 20 max (3000 lumens)
Main difference - Xgimi: - has both vertical and horizontal shift - ~20% brighter even with Valerion iris fully open. - significantly cheaper at retail price - vrr for gaming Valerion: - has iris that trades brightness for contrast - better dynamic contrast dimming (ebl) but it only works if you don't consume content with subtitles - has rbe reduction feature that has high pitch noise though. - Valerion at retail price is absurd but it's ebl is nice if you don't consume content with subtitles and the rbe reduction feature is useful. Xgimi is a lot brighter, cheaper and has more features but the contrast is not as good due to lack of iris. Imo it depends on the price gap that you can get either one, and if you value contrast or brightness more. Also, check your sensitivity to rbe as this tri laser have issues with that and Valerion rbe reduction may not be enough for you if you're very sensitive to rbe.
For projector the black level is subjected to your room. So reflection from the room floor, ceiling, walls will bleed the black and raise it. Hence, ppl recommend alr screen for non ideal room (need to sample first as it has own sets of issues). Once you get the projector, you can try to see how bright content like animation don't change much between dark room and room with ambient light but then when you watch dark scenes it will look way better without the light bleeding the black. On/off your room light for bright and dark content, bright one will still look good in comparison to dark content. The valerion max with iris closed down will have the better black, up to 2x better contrast. However, this is subjected to your room. In a dark cave dedicated theater I would say pick the Valerion max but for regular room use, get the brighter and cheaper xgimi. However, if you still prefer native contrast then in the end it's Valerion due to iris.
Day use with lights on? Get ust + alr. Or if you insist on long throw then xgimi horizon 20 max as it's 50% brighter than valerion pro2. You should demo tri lasers first to check your sensitivity to rbe.
Good thing about such content is their bright colors so even with some ambient lights it will do fine, at least for those 1500 lumens and higher ones. If you plan to only watch in the dark then you can afford to lose some brightness. You need to know your throw ratio and the screen size you want for brightness level. 4m gap, imo can go to 150" but projectors can get expensive for that size lumens. Imo get ust and alr screen if you can. PQ will never be as good as tv, hence best is to get the biggest tv you can afford. Projector is only an option due to large tv being expensive or can't fit the door. Xgimi horizon 20 for less than $1.2k is a good basic starter. Or get those cheap projector and use a cheap grey alr cloth like this: https://youtu.be/po60aU4Iifw
I just set-up the Horizon20Max yesterday paired to a 130" NothingProjector ALR Screen. I am EXTREMELY happy with the purchase. I got the unit for $2400.00 no taxes/fees charged on that. I don't notice any "laser speckle" or RBE at all. The only con I will say is areas with a ton of white / very bright light, can be a bit harsh. However, you can dial down the contrast some to mitigate that. 4K discs look absolutely unreal on it e.g. Top Gun Maverick, MI Fallout IMAX scenes, Pacific Rim for HDR Demo.
XGIMI Horizon 20 Max 4K Portable Lifestyle Triple Laser Projector - 57 – ProjectorScreen.com https://share.google/ryB2Rw3XtKv3OyOmU 2399 here
None of those projectors have native 4k resolution The cheapest projector which is a very good option that is native 4k is the Sony VPL-HW 5000ES. I would not recommend it right now due to panel degradation and manual controls at that expensive price point. For a $3,000 price point, don't buy projectors like the Hisense or short throws that have no lens shift. Keystone is BAD IF and only IF your ceilings are at a good height where this projector won't hang too low, then go for the XGIMI Horizon 20 MAX. Also if you plan to place it on a table/not mount it this is a good option. If you don't want that, the number 1 projector I am recommending due to the deal right now is the Epson LS11000. I can't justify why the LS12000 (Slightly upgraded model), is so expensive. Nevertheless, the LS11000 is a great projector with lots of flexibility and at a decently decreased price point NEVER utter the words Optoma lol The newer version of the HT4550i is the W4100i. I like Benq for Home theater, but the fan noise is quite high. I would NOT spend $3000 on the W4100i, instead a GREAT option would be to buy the $1,300 refurb HT4550i from Ebay. This is the best bang-for-your-buck option and is amazing Again, projector lens shift is SO useful, so the only Valerion I would consider would be the MAX 99.99999999% of home theater projectors can project 120 inches +, that is not a good question. The other percent is a cardboard toy. Even the cheapest projectors can probably do 150 if all lights are off I don't like ultra short throw, my opinion is that you will regret if you buy it. Many things need to be perfect for it to work out well. $1,300 refurb HT4550i from Ebay would be the best option as it has 3d support and is very affordable so you can put budget elsewhere If your space permits, then you could go for the XGIMI, but I wouldn't because for half the price I can get a projector that's as good or better refurbished. Consider the Benq W2720i also but I wouldn't go with it
The max is good, don't like the pro 2. I've seen both the Pro 2 and the LS12000, and both on default settings, the LS12000 destroys the pro 2. I like the Hookup, but I don't like the screens he uses, because it doesn't show the true sharpness and black level. I would choose the LS11000 over the 12000 AND the Max. The LS11000, Horizon 20 max, and refurb HT4550i are all projectors I would choose over any of these. Maybe just me, but I would buy all these over the max.
I don't quite get what you're asking If you want to put the projector on a tripod or a table get a lifestyle projector The Xgimi Horizon 20 Max is amazing The 4550i won't work well on a tripod For table, both will work I don't recommend Epson refurbished-too overpriced
I was heavily considering the x1 pro in the house we just moved into. We didn't want to have a TV dominate a wall anywhere so decided to go with a projector. For a long time I was planning on the x1 as brightness was a major factor for me - it was going to be in use in our living room which can get a lot of ambient light. Right before I was ready to pull the trigger the Xgimi horizon 20 series was announced and the higher lumens caught my eye. I went with the horizon 20 max and have been thrilled. I don't use my projector in a "home theater" but do move it from room to room at times and it's honestly a breeze and highly recommend it. We're looking at installing projector screens in one or two rooms where we'll use it the most to
I had a 5050 and returned it. Great projector amazing picture. I was looking for something brighter and it just lacked a bit for what I was looking for. I have the xgimi horizon 20 max now and love it. There are definitely some software issues that hopefully we will be sorted out with updates. Picture is amazing on the xgimi too. I do have an issue with abnormal temperature when using boost picture mode. But its so green that I will never use it anyway. Here's a picture of the xgimi https://preview.redd.it/lxqswf8du42g1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=30cce6a50cf3c0260cbc420f41684c76be544945
I think you're confusing things. At regular viewing settings the 20 max reaches around 3000 lumens. Only when you turn on the brightnes enhancer setting the fans start to ramp up and the image starts to look significantly green shifted, that's also when projectors reach their advertised brightness claims. If you can't hear your projector at all, you're not in the brightnes enhanced mode.
That doesn't line up what i found online when measured with calibrated tools. The max does slightly above 3.000 in a color-accurate mode (well, as color accurate as the max gets).
EBL produces typical adverse effects: visible pumping, color drift (particularly in reds) and overall image instability. For accurate cinema reproduction, it's best to avoid this mode and concentrate on other available adjustments. If that is not important to you ("accurate cinema reproduction" is just measurements, not how you enjoy what you see), then by all mean go for the Valerion as they are the best in the market. Without EBL, both the XGimi H20 Max and Pro are better out the box in D65 film mode. Ditto for the Nebula X1. All those projectors are really good nonetheless.
Xigimi Horizon 20 Pro or Max, the ceiling mount make it look slick, it has lens shift allows vertical and horizontal adjustment. Good integrated sound and bluetooth audio works well.
I finally made the jump to the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max from the Horizon S Max, and the upgrade is spectacular. Beyond the huge increase in clarity and brightness, the 20 Max feels like a true flagship projector. The image is breathtaking, and key additions like optical zoom and lens shift immediately elevate this model, making it a powerful and flexible core for my bedroom theater. The gaming experience was excellent, with noticeable speed and no perceived input lag for casual play. The install, just like the previous model, was easy, even with the upgrade from Android TV to Google TV. I setup my unit on a table and the projector's auto setup features meant I didn't need to spend a lot of time dialing in the alignment. I was impressed to see optical zoom and lens shift featured on this model; definitely a plus for those rooms that need some minor adjustments without having to physically move the unit. The first movie I watched was The Dark Knight Rises, and the sound quality (from the built in speakers), color and contrast performance exceeded my expectations. Afterwards I watched more movies and other video content and found the brightness range to really work in my favor especially when I wanted to use the projector with a few lights on. The fan noise is also surprisingly low, even with the projector running at higher brightness levels, which was great for my bedroom. I’d definitely recommend this projector to others looking for a compact unit for their dedicated room and for use both indoors and outdoors around the home. See below for my personal equipment. Equipment details: • Projector: XGIMI Horizon 20 Max • Screen: 120” Elite Screens Manual Pull Down Screen M120UWH2 For Audio: • AVR: Marantz SR5007 • Fronts: JBL 3310 (Pair) • Center: Klipsch RC-42II • Rears: Klipsch Quintet III BK-2 • Sub: Klipsch R100SW 10” If you’re picking one of these up what movies are you watching? I’d love to see some recommendations.
I went with the XGIMI Horizon 20 Max.
I have had some time with the engineering sample and now the retail unit of this model and here is the high level overview of this model. Testing Xgimi Horizon 20 Max and the marketing does not lie, the brightness of this calibrated is pushing 3500+ lumens, native contrast between 1200-1672:1 and dynamic pushes 20000:1. The built in HDR tone mapping is very good on this model and for 3d and gaming there is not an equal in the North American market yet! The included lens shift and all the other image manipulation settings work so well and the gimbal gives so much flexibility on casual family events but still allows for more traditional mounting options also! The laser speckle is improved over previous RGB lasers but still screen dependent. If you are mainly into 3d or gaming this projector delivers so much value! I have taken it for a few weekend outings and the included carrying case is very much appreciated. This allows you to create easy impromptu setups and the built in speakers are great when needing to deliver impressive sound without all the extra baggage. The backlit remote is very nice and has a nice weight and the Bluetooth just works. Wifi performance is very good also. Noise level is very low even in laser 10 at non max brightness or boost settings, This is my new go to projector for lifestyle related events replacing the previous Horizon Ultra. Now that I have summarized the Pro's, here are the current con's; -DBLE can cause some shifting to blue (Being investigated and confident they can fix this) -No DBLE on lower laser settings than 10 (Assuming it can be fixed but could cause color shifting) -Some color shifting seen when using DBLE even on laser 10 (Being looked into) -No DBLE on DV currently (Being investigated and confident they can fix this) -Possible concern on ceiling mount airflow as it inflows from back and outflow is from bottom, which is directly into the gimbal stand bottom (I think I would prefer a side to side airflow) -Menu system does not include summaries on all settings (Reported and being looked into) -I currently see a Built in Disney+ motion issue that so far has not been resolved with MEMC settings, I do not have this issue if I use external device for Disney+ and I do not have this issue with other projector models that use Google TV as their OS (aka Valerion Pro 2). (Reported and seeing other retail users report, this is being looked into) -Not really a con as it was never included, but an iris would really help the native contrast as seen on other competitors, but at this price category I am guessing they opted to include electronic lens shift V/H Overall this is a very compact, impressive package that can really deliver some great Theater, 3D, gaming experiences that are currently unmatched in the North American market at this feature/value to price ratio. Xgimi has also provided good FW support for previous Xgimi models and this looks like it will continue for the lifetime of the 20 Max. Let me know if you have any questions and I will be happy to answer. :) I will be providing a more detailed review, I am hoping to do this after some new firmware is released that will allow improved DBLE (EBL) on DV and on lower laser values.
The laser speckle is improved but still dependant on the screen. Most suggest a acoustically transparent weaved screen like silver ticket WAB or XY screens makes a nice one also. XGIMI is working on some new firmware to help with various issues reported. I will update as I am able to test and they release them to OTA updates.
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