At CES 2025, surprises were in no short supply, but few were as unexpected and impressive as the XEO Big and its companion, the XEO Pod. A completely unknown name before the event, at least for me, XEO stunned attendees with its innovative approach to home VR and cinematic experiences. Here’s why the XEO Big and XEO Pod could be quite an innovation in home entertainment and even for PCVR enthusiasts that love immersive sound experiences.
XEO Big: A MicroOLED Powerhouse for PCVR
The XEO Big is a wired PCVR headset featuring 4K microOLED displays and inside-out tracking, eliminating the need for external base stations. Slated for release in Q3 2025, it carries a hefty price tag of around $2,000 USD. For the serious enthusiast or professional, though, it might just be worth every penny.
Compact and Lightweight Design
Weighing in at just 189 grams, the XEO Big is incredibly light—remarkably so compared to most high-end VR headsets. Its microOLED panels, supplied by Sony, deliver stunning visuals with deep blacks, vibrant colors, and a resolution that rivals some of the best displays we’ve seen.
Features That Impress
The headset comes packed with features like eye tracking and automatic IPD adjustment, ensuring both comfort and precision. Its inside-out tracking removes the need for external base stations, making it a plug-and-play solution for those without permanent VR setups.
Visuals That Shine
The XEO Big’s picture quality is fantastic. Its pancake lenses do a solid job, though they do introduce some glare, putting them a notch below the Meganex Superlight 8K’s optics. With a 100-degree horizontal and vertical field of view, the visuals are immersive and particularly suited for cinematic VR experiences. This makes it a strong contender for those who want to enjoy movies or entertainment in VR.
Comfort and Build
Though the headstrap on the demo unit wasn’t finalized, the headset’s featherweight design made it comfortable to wear during our short hands-on session. With refinements expected before launch, the XEO Big could be one of the most comfortable headsets in its class.
XEO Pod: Your Dolby Atmos Cinema in a Pod
If the XEO Big is impressive, the XEO Pod will really make your jaw drop. And for me that actually happened when I got the demo. More than just a seat, this $10,000+ Dolby Atmos-equipped pod aims to recreate a high-end cinema experience in your living room—or any corner of your home.
The Experience
The XEO Pod is a self-contained seating system with 20 speakers built in. Paired with the XEO Big, the pod transforms into a personal cinema, offering an enormous virtual screen and an unmatched surround sound experience. During the demo, I was stunned by the Pod’s audio performance. It genuinely felt like sitting in a premium theater, with audio precision and spatial immersion that had me questioning if I ever needed to go to a physical cinema again.
Space-Saving Genius
For those dreaming of a home cinema but lacking the space, the XEO Pod presents a brilliant alternative. Its compact footprint makes it possible to place it in a small room or corner, where it can deliver an audiovisual experience that rivals dedicated home theater setups.
The Verdict
The XEO Big and XEO Pod represent a bold new direction for home entertainment. Together, they offer a compelling combination of cutting-edge VR visuals and an unprecedented sound experience. While the price tags—$2,000 for the XEO Big and over $10,000 for the XEO Pod—put them firmly in the luxury category, their innovative designs and capabilities make them potential game-changers.
For consumers with the budget, the XEO Big and Pod could be the perfect solution for creating an incredible private cinema without requiring a dedicated room. For businesses targeting entertainment or premium VR experiences, the XEO combo offers intriguing possibilities.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on XEO as they prepare to launch later this year. If CES 2025 is any indication, this company could be one to watch in the high-end VR and entertainment space.
