Sound Advice Product of the Year: This year's winner, the Nebula Cosmos 4K SE projector, represents a breakthrough I have long been waiting for: a 4K smart projector priced around $1,000 that is capable of picture quality rivaling a good movie theater. The $2,000 Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K could do that, but I figured the $1,000-ish price point is where we would see consumer interest and acceptance really open up. My instincts were right as I received quite a few reader inquiries about the Cosmos 4K SE when I first mentioned it in print.

The Cosmos 4K SE physically resembles the Cosmos Laser 4K and employs a dual LED-laser light source that is not only bright, but has beautiful and accurate color. (Be sure to set color temperature to "warm" and the MEMC motion correction to "off" for the best picture.) It can project up to 200 inches diagonally and there are settings for projecting against a colored wall. Google TV provides streaming services, and Dolby Vision, autofocus and automatic keystone correction are just a few of the many features incorporated into this masterpiece.

While streaming is how most people will use the projector, paired with a 4K Blu-ray player the image quality goes up another few notches. I've shown "Top Gun: Maverick" on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray to friends, using a Panasonic 4K Blu-ray player, the 4K SE and a 120-inch screen. They were floored at how amazing it looks. Though extremely large flat panels have come down in price quite a bit, there is nothing that matches the cinematic nature of projection. Streaming football games is great fun, too, and you can also use the projector's HDMI connections with video games, a cable or satellite box or over-the-air tuner.

One of the most common questions I received about the projector was how well it will perform in a room with ambient light. Several factors affect this, such as the amount of ambient light, where it is coming from and how big of an image you are projecting. There are special ambient light rejecting screens available that provide a bright, colorful image even in daytime room lighting, but typically these have been extremely expensive and designed for permanent installation. Industry leader Elite Screens recently introduced portable ambient light rejecting screens, just the solution many people need to make their projector dreams a reality. Elite's portable screens are considered the best you can buy for both image quality and ease of use, and I expect the same to be true of their portable ambient light rejecting screens. You can see them at elitescreens.com and I will have more to report about them in the future.

If you need one last bit of justification to get one, the Cosmos 4K SE can be used as a business projector as well as for entertainment. Nebula regularly has promotions, and as of the last week of 2024 it was being offered for $1,099.99, a hair above that magic $1,000 price point. That's an amazing value for a top-notch product that will open up new worlds in your home entertainment experience. Congratulations, Nebula! Learn more at seenebula.com.

Q. The tip of my earbuds must seal tightly in the ear canal for the bass to be reproduced and the noise cancellation to work. Any movement of my jaw breaks the seal. The included tips do not help. Is there a solution for this problem, besides sticking with big over-ear headphones?

—R.K., Portsmouth, New Hampshire

A. Foam ear tips should solve your problem. I've recommended Comply foam tips for years and readers have always been satisfied with them. complyfoam.com

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