From Silent Projectors to Premium Display Audio
For years, buying a projector meant planning a second purchase: a soundbar or AV receiver to compensate for weak built-in speakers. That separation is now fading as projector audio integration becomes a headline feature rather than an afterthought. Premium home theater projectors increasingly ship with advanced speaker arrays, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, and tuning by established audio brands. Harman Kardon speakers, in particular, have moved from lifestyle soundbars into projectors themselves, turning them into all-in-one home cinema hubs. This shift simplifies installation, reduces cable clutter, and narrows the performance gap between a traditional multi-box setup and a single premium device. Instead of treating video and audio as separate upgrades, manufacturers are designing cohesive systems where picture and sound are engineered together, aiming to deliver premium display audio that can genuinely anchor a living room or dedicated theater space.
Hisense Xplorer X1 Pro: Laser TV with Foldable Screen and 6.1.2 Audio
The Hisense Xplorer X1 Pro exemplifies how far integrated audio has come in home theater projectors. Marketed as a laser TV with a foldable screen, it combines a 100-inch or 120-inch laser TV foldable screen and RGB triple‑color laser projection with a 6.1.2‑channel Harman Kardon audio system. The projector delivers native 4K resolution and covers 110% of the BT.2020 color space, while the custom nano‑spectral selective screen helps maintain contrast by rejecting ambient light. On the audio side, nine built‑in speakers and a wireless subwoofer rated down to 33Hz create immersive surround sound, complete with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X decoding. Screen‑emitting audio technology vibrates the display surface so dialogue feels like it comes directly from the actors. This deep projector audio integration lets the X1 Pro function as a complete home theater, reducing reliance on external soundbars or receivers.
ViewSonic and Epson: Compact Projectors with Branded Sound
Not every home theater requires a massive laser TV foldable screen. Compact projectors such as the ViewSonic LX60HD and the Epson EpiqVision Flex CO‑FH02 show how Harman Kardon speakers can enhance more traditional designs. These models integrate branded audio as standard rather than treating it as an optional accessory. While full test results sit behind membership walls, their inclusion of advanced audio interfaces like ARC and eARC, along with support for multi‑channel formats, signals that they are engineered to work as serious entertainment hubs. For buyers, the appeal is clear: a portable or ceiling‑mounted projector that still offers credible, room‑filling sound without automatically budgeting for a separate soundbar. Although they may not match the sheer channel count or bass extension of the Hisense Xplorer X1 Pro, they move everyday home theater projectors much closer to a single‑box solution.
Projector-Plus-Soundbar vs All-in-One Home Theater
Traditional setups pair a basic projector with an external soundbar or AV system, offering flexibility but adding cost, complexity, and visual clutter. Cable runs, wall mounts, and audio calibration can intimidate new users. By contrast, premium projectors with built‑in Harman Kardon speakers and advanced processing promise plug‑and‑play surround sound that is good enough for most living rooms. Systems like the Hisense Xplorer X1 Pro go further, using distributed speakers, screen‑emitting audio, and wireless subwoofers to approximate the immersion of component systems. While dedicated audiophiles may still prefer separate speakers for ultimate customization, many households now see integrated projector audio as the default. These premium display audio solutions position modern projectors as all‑in‑one home theater centers, where adding external audio becomes an option for enthusiasts rather than a requirement for everyone.