Wired Reviews Valerion VisionMaster Max: 4K Projector With Excellent Picture but Average Sound
Wired's review finds the Valerion VisionMaster Max 4K projector very capable for home theater use, though its built-in audio does not match the picture quality. The projector costs $3,999.
Technology outlet Wired has published a review of the Valerion VisionMaster Max, a 4K home projector priced at $3,999. Reviewer Chris Haslam concludes that its picture is outstanding but its built-in sound lags behind. The review matters for buyers weighing an expensive projector for a home theater or living room.
Gaming and connections
The reviewer did not test the projector with video games, but its specifications are impressive. At 1080p it supports refresh rates up to 240 Hz, with claimed input lag as low as 4 milliseconds. For 4K gaming at 60 Hz, input lag is rated at 15 milliseconds. It has two HDMI 2.1 inputs and an auto low-latency mode, but no variable refresh rate (VRR) support.
Sound
The projector has two 12-watt speakers. Audio is clean and detailed, with effects neatly separated from dialogue. However, pushed beyond level 25 out of 100, it simply sounds loud. The reviewer argues that at this price, an all-in-one projector should deliver audio matching its picture.
It supports DTS and Dolby Atmos, so it can be connected to a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater system. It can also link wirelessly to a Bluetooth speaker, though latency can be an issue. For reliable synchronization and true surround sound, HDMI eARC remains the better option.
Competition and verdict
The reviewer names Anker's Nebula X1, with Google TV and 3,500-lumen brightness, and the Leica Cine Play 1, rated 9/10 by Wired, as rivals. Valerion's own cheaper VisionMaster Pro 2 costs $2,999 and keeps Google TV, RGB triple-laser projection, optical zoom and EBL, but loses the Max's iris and vertical lens shift.
In the reviewer's view, the Max suits viewers who want to use its full capabilities with a proper screen, external sound and careful setup. At the time of publication, the brand bundles the Max with a choice of screens and four stands, including a tripod and ceiling mount, at no extra charge. The reviewer recommends it as a compact projector at the heart of a home theater.
