OBE has launched the R3 Ultra Max in China, a new home projector that makes an interesting trade-off: rather than chasing 4K native resolution, it sticks with 1080p while putting more emphasis on brightness, flexible positioning and an unusually substantial built-in audio system.
The OBE R3 Ultra Max is priced at 3,999 yuan, roughly $596, and uses a native 1080p LCD panel supplied by TCL CSOT. It can accept 4K video sources, although those signals are ultimately displayed at the projector’s native Full HD resolution. OBE rates brightness at 1,800 CVIA lumens and claims a 40,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Projection sizes range from 40 to 150 inches, with a 1.2:1 throw ratio.
Arguably the more useful feature is the hardware surrounding that display. The projector sits on an integrated Z-shaped gimbal capable of 120 degrees of vertical adjustment and a full 360 degrees of horizontal rotation. That opens up considerably more placement options than a conventional fixed projector, including projecting onto a ceiling without having to improvise a stand.
OBE has also given the R3 Ultra Max a 2.1-channel audio system consisting of two 10W mid/high-frequency drivers and a dedicated 25W subwoofer. The speakers use a 1,070cc acoustic chamber, with OBE claiming bass response extending down to 43Hz. Specifications alone can’t tell us how convincing that system will sound in a real room, but a dedicated subwoofer is certainly more ambitious than the basic speakers fitted to many compact projectors.
Inside is MediaTek’s MT9681 processor paired with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Connectivity includes two HDMI 2.1 ports, with eARC available for connecting an external audio system, alongside USB-A 3.0 and a 3.5mm audio connection. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 handle wireless connectivity. OBE also claims input latency as low as 3ms, though real-world gaming performance will depend on the conditions and settings under which that figure was measured.
The software runs on OBE’s Super AI OS 2.0 and supports AirPlay and Miracast casting. Tencent’s Hunyuan large language model is integrated for voice searches and queries, although the more practical smart features may be the projector’s automated setup tools. A ToF sensor and CMOS camera handle autofocus, keystone correction, screen alignment and obstacle avoidance.
OBE says operating noise remains below 26dB, another potentially useful specification for a projector intended to sit relatively close to viewers.
The R3 Ultra Max looks less like an attempt to win a resolution-specification battle and more like an all-in-one living-room display. The combination of a movable gimbal, automated image adjustment and 2.1 audio could make setup considerably easier, but its value will depend heavily on whether OBE’s brightness, contrast and latency claims translate into convincing real-world performance.
