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I would like to thank Ultimea for sending the Apollo S40 to review!
Full disclosure: This is a paid review but I made it clear to them that I do not guarantee positive reviews or recommendations – I make in-depth, honest evaluations based on my impressions and the ultimate value that the product may or may not provide.
Full photo gallery at the bottom!
Greetings mate and Welcome aboard.
Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions leading to a beautiful audio experience that will make you fall in love with music (NOT gear) all over again, so…
Ultimea Apollo S40
Price: Check | Check (Use this link for 25% OFF – Exclusive Code: STU25)
In The Box
Soundbar Unit
Power Adapter
HDMI ARC Cable
Digital Optical Cable
2x Wall Mounting Sets
Wall Brackets
Remote Control
Stereo RCA to RCA Audio Cable (100mm)
Stereo RCA to RCA Audio Cable (2.5mm)
Stereo RCA to 3.5mm Audio Cable
Quick Start Guide
Specifications
Introduction
Ultimea was kind enough to reach out to me regarding their Apollo S40 soundbar; a compact, affordable unit loaded with features.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know and most importantly, evaluate the sound quality.
Is the S40 a good overall value?
Let’s dive in and find out.
Packaging
Right away, the package is compact and luxurious looking.
You can tell Ultimea put a lot of thought into its marketing and design of both the unit and everything that comes with it.
You’re greeted with bold, clean typefaces, easy-to-read instructions, and a taut overall aesthetic.
Set-Up
Set up is a breeze and the unit comes with everything you need to start listening immediately.
There are HDMI, Optical, and Auxiliary options at your disposal, so connecting to various types of equipment is incredibly easy and intuitive.
I have a PlayStation 4 and settled on the optical input, but you can also connect this soundbar wirelessly to your phone which provides a nice element of added flexibility.
Generally speaking, you’ll go into Settings > Sound > Digital Audio Output > PCM.
If in doubt, just find the sound settings in your Television set and adjust them accordingly.
On the right-hand side of the unit is where your input selection appears; illuminated as the following:
While were’ at it, the unit itself is fairly sturdy and robust and also comes in 2 pieces.
This means you can connect both to the supplied stands, connect the 2 pieces together and place them on your entertainment center, or mount the entire unit on the wall using the stands mentioned above.
Since I live in an apartment, I decided against mounting as I’ve already put more holes in my wall than Swiss Cheese – but your mileage may vary.
Ultimea took the liberty of making both of these super easy to connect as well; without the need for instructions.
In fact, the entire process is incredibly user-friendly and intuitive to the point where I was up in running in less than 5 minutes.
Before you get started, remember to twist lock the bars in place and then connect the 2 sides with the supplied RCA to RCA Audio Cable (100mm).
If they’re standing separately, you’ll simply use the longer RCA to RCA (2.5m).
These cables ensure audio comes out of both sides.
After that, just connect it to your source via HDMI, Optical, Auxiliary, or Bluetooth.
They’ve also included a remote which requires 2 AAA batteries to operate and is also really easy to use.
In addition to the input options on the remote, you’ve also got them on the right side of the soundbar.
There’s the power button, Volume Buttons (+ and -), and the input button which you’ll use to cycle between sources.
Press once to power on, and hold for 3 seconds to power down.
Sound
This is where things get a bit tricky, so bear with me.
I wouldn’t call the sound bad, but there is certainly room for improvement.
The best way I can describe it is that it’s a bit tinny, boxy, and somewhat artificial.
That said, the addition of the bass boost really helps mitigate this issue and fills everything out.
For that, you can add 2 levels of bass and after doing so, the sound improves quite a bit.
So the overall sound is definitely clear and clean but can come off a bit sterile/hollow without the added boost.
When comparing them to my Andrew Jones Pioneers, you can immediately tell the difference.
The Jones’ provide the weight and impact that the S40 lacks, but again, those are more expensive speakers.
What I would urge people reading this to remember is that this is indeed an entry-level unit and sounds like one.
So temper your expectations accordingly and understand what you’re getting into.
That said,
Before we give a final verdict and discuss this Soundbar’s overall value, let’s go over some things I liked and others that can be improved.
What I liked:
Super easy to set up. You’re up and running in no time.
The overall package and versatility are excellent.
You’re getting the Power Adapter, HDMI ARC Cable, Digital Optical Cable, 2x Wall Mounting Sets, Wall Brackets, Remote Control, Stereo RCA to RCA Audio Cable (100mm), Stereo RCA to RCA Audio Cable (2.5mm), Stereo RCA to 3.5mm Audio Cable, and the Quick Start Guide.
In addition to that, you can use them in a couple of different positions and also have the option to mount them in order to save space.
Bluetooth option is a nice added bonus for those who want to stream with a phone.
The unit is compact and built well.
What can be improved:
The sound is a bit underwhelming and lacks that Wow factor.
Final Verdict & Overall Value
So is the S40 a good overall value?
I would lean towards yes, but I’d really, really like to see them improve the sound.
As it stands (no pun intended), you’re getting everything I mentioned for around $60-70 which I think is definitely worth it for those looking at entry-level Soundbars that are packed with features yet still remain affordable.
I would also like to point out that Ultimea seems really open to feedback.
I’ve been in touch with the rep and she’s been nothing but gracious and willing to both hear and relay constructive criticism to her team.
This for me goes a long way and I sincerely hope they take my concerns seriously in the future.
Well, that’s about it for today folks! I hope you’ve enjoyed this Ultimea Apollo S40 review and came away with some valuable insight.
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
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Does the S40 sound like something that you would be interested in? Do you have any experience with Soundbars? I’d love to hear from you. Until next time…
Stu is determined to help you make sound decisions, and strives to deliver the best and most in depth content on the internet! In his spare time, he likes to fish, paint, play guitar, pray, rap, make beats, take photos, record videos, graphic design, and more. His sense of humour, coupled with a knack for excellence and strict attention to detail are what allow him to stand out in an crowded industry.
