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Hardware Yaber K3 Review

The Yaber K3 projector delivers bright images that are supplemented with quality JBL audio but its lack of versatility is apparent.
 
 

General Information

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Product Details:

Official Website: https://www.yaber.com/products/yaber-k3

Following the release of their portable T2 Plus projector earlier in the year, Yaber has introduced a new model: the Yaber K3. While it maintains the custom JBL audio system, it's designed for different applications. Let's dive into this review.

What's in the Yaber K3 box and its features

The Yaber K3 is listed at $600 on Amazon, but keep reading for a special offer if you're considering a purchase. The package includes:
  • K3 Projector
  • Power Cable
  • Remote Control
  • HDMI Cable

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Here are the K3's specifications:

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Fresh design for a new projector

Unlike the tower-shaped T2 Plus, the Yaber K3 has a more conventional, horizontal layout. It's solidly constructed, with a stylish fabric front, giving the device a robust feel.

Personally, I prefer upright projectors as they naturally project from a higher point without needing stands or mounts. The T2 Plus had this design, with a handle that could adjust the projection angle.

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Yaber's latest model lacks these features and isn't meant for elevated projection. However, it does have a small fold-out stand for slight height and angle adjustments. While it's a nice touch, I'd prefer a taller stand or a handle-like feature. This is because the K3 doesn't support tripods or wall mounts, making it challenging to project from various heights and angles easily.

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I asked Yaber about this design choice. Marshall Mao, Yaber's General Manager, explained, "We designed the K3 series specifically for a high-end indoor movie experience, prioritizing audio-visual quality over portability. This home-focused design allowed us to use larger components for better brightness and sound, and advanced cooling systems like CoolSwift for optimal performance. The built-in Google TV dongle, powerful speakers, and other home-centric features offer greater functionality where stable power is available, meeting our goal of an immersive, uninterrupted experience."

Still, it's odd that such options weren't included, given the K3's sizeable dimensions of 290323154mm, which provide ample space for these features. On-device controls would also be a welcome addition. While the K3 comes with a remote and can be controlled via a smartphone app, having on-device buttons would be helpful if other options are unavailable due to dead batteries.

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One notable improvement in the K3 is the integration of the Android TV dongle. Unlike the T2 Plus, where it protruded visibly, the K3's dongle is discreetly housed at the base, hidden beneath a small cover. This design enhancement demonstrates Yaber's attention to aesthetics and user experience.

Impressive brightness and audio quality

The Yaber K3 truly shines in its projection capabilities. Boasting a 1080p resolution and an impressive 1600 ANSI Lumens, it delivers strikingly bright images. This is a significant upgrade from the T2 Plus, which offered 450 ANSI Lumens. The K3's enhanced brightness allows for comfortable viewing even in less-than-ideal lighting conditions, making it a viable TV alternative.

Yaber's shift in focus with the K3 series is evident. As explained by Marshall Mao, the K3 was engineered as a comprehensive home entertainment solution. It prioritizes enhanced brightness, powerful audio (featuring dual 15W JBL stereo speakers and a subwoofer in the Pro model), and advanced technologies like NovaGlow and CoolSwift. This approach aims to deliver a cinema-like experience at home, rather than emphasizing portability.

The K3's performance across various media - from video games to movies - is commendable, consistently producing bright, vivid images. While the image quality is faithful to the source, it may not be the sharpest or most impressive at its price point. Higher image quality and refresh rates would be welcome improvements for future iterations.

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Versatility is a key strength of the Yaber K3. It supports multiple input options including USB, HDMI, and the built-in Android TV. The projector can display content at sizes ranging from 40" to 200", accommodating various room setups and further solidifying its potential as a TV replacement. User-friendly features like auto focus and auto keystone correction enhance the experience, with manual adjustments available for fine-tuning.

However, the intelligent obstacle avoidance feature falls short of expectations. Designed to adjust the viewing angle to account for environmental elements like furniture, this feature didn't perform consistently in my tests. Fortunately, the manual adjustment options allow users to optimize the projection as needed.

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In summary, the Yaber K3 represents a significant step forward in home projection technology. Its integrated design, impressive brightness, and versatile functionality make it a strong contender in the market. While there's room for improvement in areas like image sharpness and some smart features, the K3 offers a compelling package for those seeking a high-quality home theater experience.

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Audio quality is just as crucial as visual projection. Yaber's K3 series continues its collaboration with audio expert JBL. This projector boasts custom 15W JBL stereo speakers with Dolby audio, and the Pro version includes a subwoofer. The K3 truly showcases JBL's audio expertise. Sound output is accurate and lively, complementing projected visuals with a natural, clear soundscape. The K3's speaker mode also allows it to function as a high-quality Bluetooth speaker with robust bass.

Marshall Mao from Yaber stated, "We've incorporated JBL's cutting-edge acoustic technology into our new K3 series, boosting audio performance for an immersive experience. We're eager to strengthen our partnership with JBL, pushing sound quality boundaries to offer users top-notch audiovisual solutions."

Yaber K3: Progress and Setbacks

The K3 addresses some issues from the previous T2 Plus model. The built-in Android TV dongle is a welcome addition, and the brighter display is noticeable. However, this model introduces some drawbacks not present in the T2 Plus.

The K3's height and angle adjustments are significantly limited. Even with its small stand, it's not ideal for living rooms with furniture. Given its 1.2:1 throw ratio, you need to place the K3 at a considerable distance from the projection surface for a large image. If furniture obstructs the path, you'll need to position the K3 at a specific height and angle to avoid obstacles. This projector's capabilities are restricted as its stand offers minimal elevation and it lacks tripod or wall mount support. Yaber could have resolved this by making the K3 a short-throw projector or at least including tripod compatibility.

Additionally, the K3 is less versatile than the T2 Plus as it requires an external power source. The absence of a built-in battery limits its portability, which seems like a missed opportunity. Given the K3's bright output, it could be suitable for outdoor use and wouldn't require proximity to a power outlet.

Lastly, the fan noise is quite noticeable. While it effectively cools the projector, you'll likely need to increase the volume to mask the fan sounds.

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These limitations position the Yaber K3 as a more conventional indoor projector for fixed setups. While not inherently flawed, enhanced versatility would boost its appeal, particularly given its current price point. I found myself preferring the Yaber T2 Plus over the K3, and I'm hopeful that Yaber's next projector will combine the best features of both models to create a more compelling product.

Yaber K3 discount offer

For those interested in purchasing the Yaber K3, a limited-time discount code is available, reducing the price to $412.

Amazon Link
Discount Code: YABERK317
  • Regular Price: $599.99
  • Discounted Price: $412
  • Offer Period: valid from November 11, 2024, 00:00 PST to December 2, 2024, 23:59 PST.
Final Thoughts

  • Delivers exceptionally bright images
  • Premium sound quality (Pro model includes built-in subwoofer)
  • Neatly integrated Android TV dongle
  • Lacks tripod or wall mount options
  • Depends on external power supply
  • Restricted height and angle adjustments.

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Hardware Review information

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Author rating
3.50 star(s)

Pros

  • Projects very bright images
  • High-end audio quality (with integrated subwoofer in Pro model)
  • Well concealed Android TV dongle

Cons

  • No tripod or wall mount support
  • Relies on external power source
  • Limited height and angle adjustments

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