Awol Vision Unveils Aetherion Max and Pro 4K Ultra-Short-Throw Projectors at CES 2026, Bringing Dolby Vision and High-Refresh-Rate Gaming to the Big Screen

Awol Vision is expanding its 4K ultra-short-throw projector lineup with two new models, the Aetherion Max and Aetherion Pro, aimed at people who want a big-screen home theater feel without the hassle of a long-throw setup. With premium HDR formats, gaming-first features, and the latest streaming platform built in, the new Aetherion series is positioned as a high-end option for movies, sports, and next-gen gaming.

Brightness is one of the main differences between the two projectors. The Awol Vision Aetherion Max is rated at up to 3,300 ISO lumens, while the Aetherion Pro is listed at 2,600 ISO lumens. Both models are designed around the same core image goals, including a native 6,000:1 contrast ratio and support for major cinematic playback formats such as Dolby Vision, HDR10+, IMAX Enhanced, and Filmmaker Mode. Awol Vision also emphasizes enhanced black level processing and dynamic tone mapping, which it says adjusts HDR performance scene by scene to preserve highlights while keeping darker areas looking more detailed and controlled.

Gaming is a major selling point for the Aetherion Max and Pro, with specs that target competitive and high-refresh gameplay. Awol Vision claims input latency as low as 1 ms at 240 Hz, along with support for variable refresh rate (VRR) and auto low latency mode (ALLM). The company also says the projectors support Dolby Vision Gaming, making the Aetherion lineup especially appealing for modern consoles and gaming PCs where low lag and smooth frame pacing can matter as much as image quality.

For smart features, both projectors run Google TV based on Android TV 14. Inside, they use a MediaTek MT9655 system-on-chip paired with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of internal storage, a combination intended to keep the interface responsive while handling apps, streaming, and playback. Connectivity includes Gigabit Ethernet plus Wi-Fi 7, which Awol Vision pitches for high-bitrate streaming and cloud gaming scenarios where fast, stable networking can make a noticeable difference.

Pricing places both models firmly in the premium UST projector category. The Awol Vision Aetherion Max is set to retail for $4,499, while the Aetherion Pro will cost $3,499. Awol Vision says both projectors are scheduled to go on sale in March 2026, with early-bird pricing and bundle deals expected through a Kickstarter campaign launching in late January.