Aurzen Boom 3 Projector review: Compact and competent entertainment hub
The Aurzen Boom 3 is a 3-in-1 projector that serves as a good -- but not great -- projector, speaker, and smart TV for Apple users, all at once.
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector review
Projectors are more portable and easier to set up than a TV, creating a market for compact and convenient entertainment centers. They're cost-effective for this reason and can adjust to your living space as it changes over the years.
The appealing points of the Boom 3 are that it can fill your room with sound, project a large screen size, and that it has streaming platforms built in.
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector - Design & specs
Out of the box, the Boom 3 gives you a remote controller, power adapter, power cable, and manual. All you have to do is plug in the projector, turn it on, and pair the remote.
The Boom 3 has a decent brightness at 500 ANSI (400 ISO) lumens, so dimming the lights grants a more cinematic experience. Still, watching TV with the lights on doesn't drown out the experience, but there is a difference.
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector review - projector and accompanying remote
Many visual options are built-in, with auto-focus to keep everything sharp, image zoom, and keystone correction to adjust the screen's shape. When setting up, we recommend using auto keystone, zooming to your preferred size, and then adjusting the keystone correction manually.
The Boom 3 has two USB-A 2.0 ports, two HDMI ports, and an auxiliary port for speakers or headphones. You can use Bluetooth to connect to the Boom 3 and use it as a speaker.
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector review - back ports and speakers
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector - Specifications
Product Detail | Spec |
---|---|
Resolution | 1920x1080 |
Speakers | 36W: 2 full-range, 2 treble, 2 diaphragms |
Bluetooth | 5.2 |
Zoom | 50% - 100% |
Brightness | 500 ANSI |
Weights | 7.8 lbs |
Projection Method(s) | Front, Rear, Front Ceiling, Rear Ceiling |
Light Source | Laser |
Input(s) | USB 2.0 x 2, HDMI x 2, aux cable x 1 |
Auto Focus | Yes |
Auto Keystone Correction | Yes |
Dolby Audio | Yes |
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector - Usage
YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video are pre-installed on the Boom 3, with buttons on the remote for quick access. This gives a lot of media to watch if you have accounts on all these platforms, but they also have Plex and Disney+ as apps, but Disney+ is run on the projector's browser.
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector review - The home screen of the Boom 3
The Boom 3 can be carried in your hands or a bag, but it's not an "on-the-go" projector.
Whereas a TV needs wall or stand space, a projector needs a pretty good amount of horizontal distance to get a good size. We used the projector ~13 feet away from the wall to get a ~95" display at 75% zoom, meaning the Boom 3 has the potential to project 120" of display or more if space allows.
The emphasis on the Boom 3 as a speaker was not lost on us, as full volume can truly fill a large room with sound. It can sound tinny at lower volumes, but higher volumes let the diaphragms get more air and have better bass.
There are Standard, Vivid, Movies, Music, News, Music, and Sport audio modes, depending on your desired experience from the built-in speakers. We like to use Music mode while using the Boom 3 as a speaker and Movies while binging TV, but you can skip these EQ adjustments altogether for a simpler experience.
As well as being a Bluetooth speaker, the Boom3 supports screen mirroring on iPhone and MacBook, which helps with sharing and productivity uses.
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector review - Using BT speaker mode
The autofocus and keystone correction feature makes it convenient to quickly turn on the Boom 3 and optimize image quality before use. This is adjustable in settings as well, so your preference may vary.
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector - Competent speaker and projector
The Boom 3 is a good choice if you want an all-encompassing projector without wanting to buy an external speaker or TV stick. Its 3-in-1 use makes it a budget choice compared to other projectors with similar features.
Still, an Apple TV or console could raise the entertainment experience, but the UI and apps available do a good job of making the Boom 3 appealing.
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector review - comes with a volume knob!
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector Pros
- Speakers with great volume
- Autofocus and large screen size
- Pre-installed streaming apps
Aurzen Boom 3 Projector Cons
- Tinny audio at low volume
- May require significant space for full use
Rating: 3 out of 5
Where to buy the Aurzen Boom 3 Projector
The Aurzen Boom 3 Projector is sold out at Aurzen.com, but it's available with a $200 coupon discount at Amazon.
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