The fastest way to understand this Claria CLR45 review is to turn the projector around and look at the back of it. Where the CLR12 and CLR18 give you a sensible cluster of HDMI ports, the CLR45 presents a full control panel — eARC, DisplayPort 2.0, USB-C with power delivery, balanced XLR audio, and RS-232 with LAN and IP control. That is not the back of a living-room gadget; it is the back of a piece of install gear. Claria's flagship is two products in one: a no-compromise 8K home-cinema centerpiece, and a projector an integrator can wire into a building. We rated it with both of those buyers in mind, because the $11,500 price only makes sense once you know which one you are.
Quick verdict
Rating: 4.6/5
- Best for: high-end dedicated cinemas, large venues, and professional AV installs that need both reference image quality and real system integration.
- Strengths: 10,000 lumens, intelligent auto focus, 0.65 ultra-short throw, 110% DCI-P3 color, eARC, DisplayPort 2.0, XLR, RS-232/LAN/IP control and an aluminum chassis.
- Keep in mind: it is the most expensive Rhayon model, the 150,000:1 contrast is a Claria-claimed figure, and a typical home will never touch most of the pro I/O.
Specifications
| Spec | Claria CLR45 |
|---|---|
| Brightness | 10,000 lumens |
| Contrast ratio | 150,000:1 (claimed) |
| Resolution | 8K UHD (7680×4320) |
| Color gamut | 110% DCI-P3 |
| Throw ratio | 0.65 ultra short throw |
| Focus | Intelligent Auto Focus |
| Screen size | 100" – 400" |
| Light source | Laser |
| Noise level | ≤ 24 dB |
| HDMI | 3× HDMI 2.1 + eARC |
| Other video | DisplayPort 2.0, USB-C (PD) |
| Pro audio | XLR balanced out |
| Control | RS-232 / LAN / IP |
| Chassis | Aluminum frame |
| Smart platform | Android TV 14 |
| MSRP | $11,500 |
Specs as rated by Claria.
What to expect
In daily use, three things separate the CLR45 from the rest of the line. First, the 0.65 ultra-short throw lets it sit on a low cabinet directly under the screen and still fill up to 400 inches — no ceiling mount, no long throw distance. Second, intelligent auto focus means the image re-sharpens itself after any bump, so you never hunt for focus by hand. Third, with 10,000 lumens and 110% DCI-P3 color it produces a picture that is both bright enough for difficult rooms and accurate enough for color-critical work. Beyond that, the integration features quietly do their job in the background of a properly wired system.
Who should buy it
There are two clear buyers. The home-cinema enthusiast who wants the brightest, sharpest, most hands-off setup in the Rhayon family and has the room and budget to do it right — for them, auto focus, ultra-short throw and DCI-P3 color are tangible everyday upgrades. And the professional: the integrator controlling it over IP, the venue running a 400-inch image, the studio or gallery that needs accurate color and balanced audio. If you do not need RS-232/IP control, XLR or wide-gamut accuracy, you are buying capability you will never use — and the CLR18 will serve you for $2,600 less.
In-depth analysis
Brightness
10,000 lumens is more than almost any home needs, and that is precisely the point at this tier: it removes brightness from the list of things you have to think about. Large screens, lit rooms, even semi-outdoor events stay bright and punchy with headroom to spare.
8K and color
The native 8K panel is shared across the line, so the CLR45's true differentiator on image quality is the 110% DCI-P3 color gamut. Covering more than the full digital-cinema color space is what lets it serve as a reference display, and it gives everyday content noticeably richer, more believable color too.
Throw and auto focus
This pairing is the flagship's signature. The 0.65 ultra-short throw turns a tight room into a giant-screen room without cable runs or a blocked beam, and intelligent auto focus removes the single most tedious chore of projector ownership. Together they make a 400-inch picture feel almost as fuss-free as turning on a TV.
Connectivity and smarts
The connector panel is the real story. Three HDMI 2.1 ports plus eARC, DisplayPort 2.0, USB-C with power delivery, XLR balanced audio, and RS-232/LAN/IP control let the CLR45 drop straight into a professional rack and be driven by a control system. Android TV 14 covers streaming on board. For a living room it is overkill; for an integrator it is exactly the checklist they hand a manufacturer.
How it compares
| Model | CLR12 | CLR18 | CLR45 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brightness | 6,000 lm | 8,000 lm | 10,000 lm |
| Contrast (claimed) | 70,000:1 | 100,000:1 | 150,000:1 |
| Throw | 0.8 short | 0.8 short | 0.65 ultra short |
| Auto Focus | No | No | Yes |
| Color gamut | Standard | Standard | 110% DCI-P3 |
| Pro control | No | No | RS-232 / LAN / IP |
| Max screen | 300" | 350" | 400" |
| MSRP | $6,950 | $8,900 | $11,500 |
The leap from CLR18 to CLR45 is not really about the extra 2,000 lumens — it is everything wrapped around the image: auto focus, ultra-short throw, wide-gamut color, an aluminum chassis and full professional control. That is what the extra spend buys, and whether it is worth it depends entirely on whether you will use those tools.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 10,000 lumens — effortless brightness at any screen size or room
- Intelligent auto focus eliminates manual focusing for good
- 0.65 ultra-short throw fits 400-inch images into tight spaces
- 110% DCI-P3 color for reference-grade accuracy
- Pro integration: eARC, DisplayPort 2.0, XLR, RS-232/LAN/IP, aluminum frame
Cons
- $11,500 — the most expensive model in the Rhayon Series
- 150,000:1 contrast is a claimed, not measured, number
- Most of the professional I/O is wasted in a typical home
FAQ
What separates the CLR45 from the CLR18?
The CLR45 adds intelligent auto focus, a 0.65 ultra-short throw, 110% DCI-P3 wide-gamut color, an aluminum chassis, and professional connectivity (eARC, DisplayPort 2.0, XLR, RS-232/LAN/IP). The CLR18 has none of those pro features.
Can the CLR45 be controlled by a home-automation system?
Yes. RS-232, LAN and IP control let an integrator drive it from a control system such as Control4 or Crestron, which is a key reason it is aimed at professional installs.
Is the CLR45 worth it for a normal living room?
Partly. The auto focus, brightness and DCI-P3 color are real benefits anywhere, but the IP control and XLR audio are built for integrators. Many home buyers get most of the experience from the CLR18 for less.
How big a screen can the CLR45 drive?
Up to 400 inches, and thanks to the 0.65 ultra-short throw it can do so from a low cabinet right beneath the screen rather than across the room.
Bottom line
The Claria CLR45 is a flagship that mostly earns its place by being two things at once. As a home-cinema centerpiece, auto focus, the ultra-short throw and 110% DCI-P3 color are genuine, daily upgrades rather than spec-sheet trophies. As an install tool, its eARC, DisplayPort 2.0, XLR and IP control make it a serious option for integrators and venues. The only real caveat is the predictable one: at $11,500 with pro I/O most buyers will never touch, it is more projector than most rooms need. For the people it is built for, it is close to ideal — a well-earned 4.6/5.
View the Claria CLR45 official page
Typically listed by distributors on marketplaces — availability varies.
