A Compact And Highly Convenient Home Theatre System

Having a dedicated home theatre may not be feasible for everyone, particularly when factors like space, cost, and installation make it challenging. The Dangbei N2 Mini might change your mind, especially if you want to mitigate all those challenges to a great extent.

The N2 Mini is just a compact version of the Dangbei N2, and while it does downgrade some of the specs, many of the features remain on the Mini version. If you are someone who wants a compact home theatre system at an affordable price, then the N2 Mini might be a compelling option. But before you make a buying decision, here is what you should expect with the projector.

Packaging and Contents

The N2 Mini comes in a well-packed box that covers the projector with foam from all sides. The box only had three things in total (four if you count the user manual):

1. Dangbei N2 mini projector
2. A power cable
3. Remote control

Dangbei gets everything included inside the N2 Mini, which is impressive and doesn’t require you to add a dedicated device for running things like streaming services. The sound system is built-in, and so are the connectivity options. I liked how you don’t need any additional stuff to get started, as the N2 Mini gets all of them equipped inside a small chassis.

Nonetheless, if you want to add a dedicated sound system, you may, but you can get going even without a sound system or even a dedicated screen for this setup (assuming you have at least 40 inches of wall space available without any obstructions).

Technical Specifications And Summary

The N2 Mini is a compact and downgraded version of the N2, and has several minor differences. The N2 Mini on paper looks on par with N2 in many areas, but one should expect noticeably lower brightness compared to the latter. On N2, you will find up to 400 Lumens of brightness, but the N2 Mini reduces that to half, i.e., 200 Lumens. This theoretically puts the N2 Mini on the list of dim projectors, which are meant to be used in dark rooms.

We will see how it turns out in our testing, but continuing on the specs, the N2 Mini has nearly the same throw ratio as the N2 (1.25:1 vs 1.26:1). While the N2 can scale up to 120-inches and as low as 45-inches, the N2 Mini expands the range to as low as 40-inches, offering more versatility and is more ideal for smaller screen sizes.

One of the notable features of the N2 Mini is the Auto Focus and Auto Keystone Correction, which automatically adjusts the screen size and projection. The projector does offer manual correction as well, but with automatic adjustments, it aims at offering a quick adjustment for those who don’t want to waste any time on fine-tuning.

The N2 Mini also comes with a built-in speaker, offering an entry-level 6W audio delivery and supports Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus for better sound clarity. As for the core specs, the N2 Mini is fairly entry-level, featuring 1 GB DDR3 memory and 8 GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. The operating system is based on Linux and offers modern connectivity options such as WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, and an HDMI 2.1 port. For external devices, a 3.5mm jack is available for speakers/headphones and a USB 2.0 for basic peripherals.

Compared to the more expensive N2, the wireless connectivity has been improved while the core specs remain identical. Last but not least, similar to the N2, the N2 Mini offers built-in apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu Plus, YouTube, and other streaming platforms, eliminating the need for devices like the FireTV Stick.

Setup and User Experience

Since the setup doesn’t have much except for a power cable, a remote, and the projector itself, setting up the N2 Mini was completely hassle-free and straightforward. You can get started within a minute. All you need is at least 40 inches of screen or empty wall space and a desk/stand where you can put the N2 Mini.

The N2 Mini has a flexible gimble stand, which allows adjustments up to 190 degrees, which makes projection on the front or even at the ceiling possible. Whenever the projector angle is changed, it takes a couple of seconds to automatically fix the image projection through the Auto Keystone, and it even has an obstacle avoidance feature to ensure you get an obstruction-free projection.

There is a small power button at the back through which you can turn the projector on/off, but you can use the remote control for the same as well. After a few initial steps for setup, you will be directed to the Home screen, which brings you all the options such as YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, etc.

I was impressed by the responsiveness of the N2 Mini. Its lightweight OS and entry-level hardware can operate quickly with no lag in response whatsoever. The simple interface adds to the hassle-free operation, but you can always tweak things through the settings menu via the remote control.

Performance: Picture Quality and Sound

I used the N2 Mini for projecting on both a dedicated projector screen as well as surfaces such as a wall. I was impressed with the picture quality and how quickly it adapts to the surface through automatic adjustments. It’s surely not very bright, and you will need to at least dim the lights in the room or switch them off completely for a vivid image quality.

200 ISO Lumens of brightness isn’t meant for viewing in a well-lit room, but that’s what you should expect with an entry-level projector like N2 Mini. As far as the image quality is concerned, on a big screen that measures around 100-inches, it’s quite decent and is the recommended screen size by Dangbei.

Sound delivery is satisfactory as well, but nowhere near what dedicated speakers could offer. The speaker is loud enough, but the clarity isn’t for audiophiles. Once again, it’s a convenient feature that gets the job done, but you can connect external speakers if you want a crisp and clear sound quality.

Not to forget, you can connect the N2 Mini with consoles like PS5 via HDMI connection, but it’s not for competitive gaming. Even high-end projectors like AWOL LTV-3500 PRO can’t offer as quick a response as a regular monitor, let alone entry-level projectors like the N2 Mini. However, if you want to play adventurous triple-A titles on a big 100-inch screen, you will enjoy it on the N2 Mini.

The Verdict

Despite being an entry-level projector, the Dangbei N2 Mini is an excellent choice for enjoying movies on the go or can be a dedicated home theatre system for a small room. Its portable and lightweight design with built-in OTT and speaker allows a quick setup, which is not only convenient but is also decent enough in image quality and sound delivery.

The N2 Mini might not be the best fit in well-lit environments, but it is excellent for dark rooms and can be placed anywhere on the desk with the projection aimed at a wall or even on the ceiling. With features like Auto Keystone Adjustment and Auto Focus, it’s simply well worth its price. The N2 Mini is officially priced at $229, but can be purchased for $179 at the moment with a limited-time offer. At this price, it’s definitely a great deal, considering it offers a lot of features you typically find on more expensive projectors.

7.8

WCCFTECH RATING