Nova S80 5.1.2 Soundbar

I bought this soundbar and had issues with noise in surround speakers and popping woofer at low volume. Soundbar came with v142 firmware, i decided to give it a try because i like it and after Googling i found an update (v161). After this update the surround speakers play wonderful and cristal clear but subwoofer still have the same issue. I will not return it and give it a try waiting for the next update cos i see potential and after sale customer support trying to do their best. The last thing i want to notice is that the sound from the front/center speakers have not enough trebles in my opinion.

Après avoir eu des home cinéma filaires je suis maintenant passé a ce produit. Le son n'est peut-être pas le meilleur, maais pour mes oreilles de cinéphile et de musicien c'est le parfait produit.

Very good product for it's price!

Finally, I received my "Nova S80" set here in the UK after waiting for about a month. The bonus soundbar arrived much quicker, and I’ve already reviewed it separately.

Now, onto the Nova S80. The beautiful description on the website influenced my choice—I was initially considering the Poseidon D60.

**Packaging and Setup:**
The packaging is excellent, with all necessary cables, screws, and mounts included. Setup takes around 5–10 minutes (depending on your level of skill).

**First Disappointment:**
No batteries for the remote. A minor issue, but still annoying. After finding some batteries, I connected the system to my projector (from another brand) via Bluetooth.

**Second Disappointment:**
Bluetooth does not transmit Dolby Digital sound, let alone Atmos. The rear channels only deliver mono sound when connected via Bluetooth. If you’re using a third-party projector (not sure about Ultimea’s own projectors), you’ll need an HDMI cable running from the projector to the soundbar. This setup won’t look as neat as the marketing pictures unless you’ve pre-installed the cables behind the walls. However, if 5.1 sound isn’t a priority, Bluetooth can still be used.

**Soundbar Design:**
The soundbar comes in two parts, likely for easier packaging. However, the connector between the two is very short, preventing a wider stereo field. The stereo base is quite narrow, and the central channel blends too much with the left and right. You’ll only notice stereo effects if you’re sitting about a meter from the bar. Sitting further away (as you would with a 3-4 meter projector setup) blurs the sound and effects.

Expecting too much from a soundbar might be unfair, but a wider, more immersive sound would have been appreciated.

**Surround Channels:**
The surround channels benefit from long cables and deliver effects much better than the main unit. Still, separate left and right external channels would have been a much better choice.

**Subwoofer:**
The subwoofer delivers solid performance with a wide volume range. However, it lacks a power switch, which could be a useful addition.

**The Promised Atmos Experience:**
This was the main reason I bought the system. Reflected ceiling sound? Height effects? Unfortunately, no. All Atmos effects are mixed within the soundbar, with no proper ceiling reflection. Test tracks fail to deliver sounds to their intended positions. While the right and left directions are accurate, there’s no height perception.

**Another Issue:**
Possibly a faulty unit, but the surround channels are noticeably louder than the front. Considering most viewers are seated closer to the rear channels, this creates an imbalance. Increasing the front volume also raises the overall volume, making the rear channels overpowering and drowning out dialogues.

Lowering the volume with the remote (remember, no batteries included) creates another issue. At a level of -3, the rear channels turn off completely, and at -2, it’s already quite loud.

**App and Firmware Issues:**
I hoped a mobile app might resolve the issue, but no. This set isn’t supported by the app (at least I couldn’t find the S80 in the list). Firmware updates? No instructions provided, even though the reviews mentioned recommendations for updating.

**Conclusion:**
This is a £200 soundbar, not a £2000 one. So it’s easier to overlook the inconsistencies in the Atmos performance. Dolby Digital 5.1 works fine, and music playback is decent.

If you’ve never experienced a proper home cinema setup and have only used your TV’s built-in speakers before, this system will definitely give you a WOW effect. I’d recommend it as an entry-level sound system for appreciating the sound design in films.

For those familiar with high-quality audio, this is a decent, portable option that delivers on its price point but doesn’t aim for greatness.

I’ll give it a generous 4 stars. 3 seems too harsh, but 4 feels like a stretch—yet the price justifies some of the shortcomings.

Ultimea, you have great potential. Keep it up! Add external speakers and create a proper Atmos system at an affordable price. Best of luck!
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Nice soundbar, but we waiting for new firmware to eliminate subwoofer buziing sound on low volume, Ultimea we waiting.