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| Awol Vision Aetherion 4K triple-laser ultra-short-throw projector |
LAS VEGAS – The battle for the perfect home theater just entered a new dimension. At the bustling CES 2026 show, Awol Vision made a powerful statement aimed directly at luxury home cinemas and hardcore gamers, unveiling the Aetherion Max and Aetherion Pro. These aren't just incremental updates; they're ultra-short-throw (UST) triple-laser projectors promising to deliver flawless 4K sharpness on screens up to a jaw-dropping 200 inches.
With starting prices of $3,499 and a planned market arrival in March 2026, Awol Vision is challenging the notion that massive screen size requires a compromise in pixel-perfect clarity.
Conquering the Big-Screen Blur: The PixelLock Promise
Positioned as the new flagship of Awol's UST lineup, the Aetherion series is built around a proprietary technology dubbed PixelLock. The core challenge for any projector, especially UST models projecting huge images, is pixel drift and color fringing—where precise alignment falters, leading to soft edges and visual artifacts.
Awol Vision claims PixelLock is a holistic solution, combining optical, mechanical, and digital alignment systems to "lock" each pixel in place. The bold company assertion is that this allows the projectors to maintain exceptional fine detail and edge-to-edge sharpness, even when stretching to a 200-inch canvas. While these performance claims await independent review, they signal Awol's ambitious intent to solve a persistent high-end pain point.
For a deeper dive into the complete specifications and official announcements, you can explore the Awol Vision Aetherion series details on their website.
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| Awol Vision Aetherion ultra-short-throw projector, front view |
Brightness, Contrast, and Cinema-Quality HDR
The two models differentiate themselves primarily on light output. The top-tier Aetherion Max boasts an impressive 3,300 ISO lumens, while the Aetherion Pro is rated at 2,600 ISO lumens. Both are stated to offer a native 6,000:1 contrast ratio, a critical figure for deep blacks.
Where they aim to shine is in high dynamic range (HDR) support. The projectors are certified for virtually every major HDR format: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and IMAX Enhanced. Coupled with Filmmaker Mode and Awol's emphasized dynamic tone mapping, the company promises optimized HDR performance that adjusts intelligently scene-by-scene, preserving directorial intent and shadow detail.
Built for the Next Generation of Gamers
Awol Vision is explicitly targeting the gaming community with specs that read like a premium gaming monitor. The headline figure is a blistering 1 ms input latency at 240 Hz, supported by Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). Furthermore, the claim of Dolby Vision Gaming support positions the Aetherion series as a potential powerhouse for next-gen consoles and high-end PC rigs, promising enhanced visual dynamics in fast-paced titles.
Smart Features and Connectivity for a Streaming World
Powering the experience is the MediaTek MT9655 system-on-a-chip, paired with a generous 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage. The projectors run Google TV (based on Android TV 14), offering a familiar, content-rich interface.
Forward-looking connectivity is also a focus. Both models include Wi-Fi 7 and Gigabit Ethernet, which Awol states is essential for handling high-bitrate 4K/8K streaming, cloud gaming services, and local network playback without a hiccup.
Pricing, Availability, and Early Bird Opportunities
The Awol Vision Aetherion Max will carry a retail price of $4,499, with the Aetherion Pro starting at $3,499. The company has announced a Kickstarter campaign launching in late January 2026, where early adopters can expect special pricing and potential screen-and-projector bundle deals. If all goes to plan, general sales will commence in March 2026.
The Bottom Line
With the Aetherion series, Awol Vision isn't just releasing new projectors; it's setting a new benchmark for what's expected in the ultra-short-throw category. By tackling image integrity at extreme sizes, packing in elite gaming features, and supporting the full spectrum of HDR formats, the Aetherion Max and Pro are making a compelling pitch to enthusiasts who refuse to choose between size and performance. The proof, as always, will be in the projection—but for now, Awol Vision has certainly captured the spotlight at CES.