Designed by Benjamin Hubert’s studio LAYER, the XGIMI Mira short throw projector reflects a brand evolving from a tech-focused venture to one with a growing understanding about the importance of form not solely serving function. A handsome follow up to the HORIZON Ultra – a more traditional projector requiring a fair distance from unit to screen – the fabric wrapped Mira houses within it not only the means to conjure a 100-inch picture upon a wall or screen from mere inches away, but also integrates a Harmon Kardon 2.1 audio system and smart TV capabilities for a simplified, yet comprehensive home theater experience.
Compared to XGIMI’s current ultra short throw model, the Mira also shares some spiritual similarities with Hubert’s work for Bang & Olufsen. Where the B&O Balance was dressed in wool textile emphasizing the speaker’s drum-spun verticality, the Mira’s fabric-draped form is intended to neutralize the “black box” presence of technology housed within it, softening the silhouette into a shape closer hewn to a piece of home decor.
“At LAYER, we have developed a new approach to home technology, using tactile materials, a soft palette, and gentle forms that make it more welcoming and less obtrusive in the interior,” says LAYER Design Founder, Benjamin Hubert.
Announced in China, the laser projection TV is listed as capable of creating a 100-inch picture from about 9.4-inches distance, with a maximum brightness of a fairly modest 900 lumens. XGIMI is also including an art frame/projection screen coated to improve the reflection of projected light for a brighter picture with improved contrast. Taking cues from Samsung’s The Frame, the screen is also designed to operate as a museum gallery sized artwork display furthering its utility as a decorative display as much as a home theater solution.
Launched at the 2023 edition of the IFA Berlin trade fair in Germany in September, XGIMI has yet to release pricing for the United States market. But if the exchange rate informs a ballpark figure, the 6,999 Chinese Yuan priced projector should come in at or near $1,000.
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