I would like to thank Ultimea for sending the Nova 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.
Greetings mate and Welcome aboard!
Stuart Charles here, HomeStudioBasics.com helping YOU make sound decisions, so…
Ultimea Nova S40
Price: Check Amazon! | Check Ultimea!
Note: Anything you buy on Ultimea’s website with code STU25 will get you 25% OFF
In The Box
Soundbar
Subwoofer
Power Adapter
Stereo 3.5mm to 3.5mm Audio Cable
ARC Cable
Digital Optical Cable
Remote Control
Wall Mounting Kit
Wall Bracket
User Manual
With that, what is the Nova S40 all about?
Is it a good value? How does it sound?
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know in order to make a sound buying decision.
So let’s get started!
Packaging
First off, the box it comes in is pretty nice, all things considered.
As a graphic designer, I really enjoy the elegant, clean typefaces and Ultimea even includes some pictures of really happy people to get you pumped up! xD
The package itself is great and includes everything you need.
I was up and running in about 4.857 seconds using the supplied Optical cable in conjunction with my PS4.
Any way you want to use this will probably work, so don’t fret. You can even wall-mount the thing but since I live in an apartment I decided against it.
The soundbar itself is compact and well-constructed.
Despite its small size, it feels solid and sturdy, which is a plus.
It’s not too heavy, making it easy to mount or place on a TV stand.
The minimalist design is sleek and should blend well with most home entertainment setups.
Control Panel on the Soundbar
On the side of the soundbar, you’ll find a convenient control panel with various buttons.
The input mode button is versatile, allowing you to switch between different sources such as Arc, optical, coaxial, Bluetooth, auxiliary, and USB.
It’s worth noting that holding this button for three seconds activates Bluetooth mode and initiates the pairing process.
The Power button and volume up and down buttons are self-explanatory, allowing you to adjust the audio output, and there’s also a play/pause button for media control.
Remote Control
The remote control, while functional, does have some room for improvement.
It requires two AAA batteries, which unfortunately are not included in the package.
The remote’s layout includes separate buttons for power, input mode, volume control, and media playback.
One minor drawback here is the absence of a single dedicated input button.
Instead, there are multiple input mode buttons, which can be confusing in the dark or if you’re in a hurry.
It would have been more user-friendly to have a single input button that cycles through the available sources, simplifying the process and reducing the chance of pressing the wrong button.
That said, this is a minor nitpick but something I found notable.
Subwoofer Build Quality
Moving on to the subwoofer, it shares the soundbar’s decent build quality.
It’s compact and well-constructed, designed to deliver the low-end punch you’d expect from a subwoofer.
The compact size makes it easy to position in your room without taking up too much space, and it complements the soundbar’s design nicely.
In summary, both the soundbar and subwoofer are built decently well.
The soundbar’s compact design is sleek and sturdy, and the control panel on the side provides easy access to essential functions.
The remote control is functional but could benefit from a more streamlined input selection layout.
The subwoofer, while compact, complements the overall build and design of the system.
These aspects contribute to a user-friendly setup that should fit well into most home audio environments.
Back Panel
The back panel of this soundbar and subwoofer combo is where you’ll find a variety of input and output options, providing flexibility for connecting to different devices and audio sources.
Here’s a breakdown of the ports and jacks on the back:
- Auxiliary (Aux) Jack: This 3.5mm audio input allows you to connect external devices like smartphones, tablets, or MP3 players to the soundbar. It’s a versatile option for playing audio from analog sources.
- ARC (Audio Return Channel) Jack: ARC is a feature found on many modern televisions. This HDMI port enables a two-way audio connection between your TV and the soundbar. It allows audio from your TV to be sent to the soundbar and vice versa, simplifying your setup and reducing cable clutter.
- USB Port: The USB port allows you to connect your Laptop/PC.
- Optical Jack: The optical audio input is compatible with devices like DVD players, Blu-ray players, and gaming consoles. It delivers high-quality digital audio signals for improved sound quality.
- Coaxial Jack: Coaxial audio inputs are less common but can be found on some audio equipment. This jack allows you to connect devices like CD players or older audio receivers that use coaxial digital audio connections.
- Sub Out: The subwoofer output is a crucial connection for linking the soundbar to the included subwoofer. This ensures that the low-frequency audio signals are properly routed to the subwoofer for enhanced bass response.
- DC In: This is the power input, where you connect the power adapter to supply electricity to the soundbar and subwoofer.
The back panel’s range of connectivity options is a strength of this soundbar and subwoofer system, as it accommodates various audio sources and setups.
Whether you’re connecting to your TV, gaming console, music player, or other devices, you’ll likely find the appropriate input or output option on the back panel, allowing for a versatile and adaptable audio experience.
Sound Quality
When it comes to the sound, the experience was a mixed bag.
While it promises to enhance your audio setup with a subwoofer, it falls short in some crucial areas.
Let’s start with the soundbar itself. The sound quality is okay, but it lacks the dynamics and soundstage that would truly immerse you in your audio content.
The overall oomph that you’d expect from a sound system is conspicuously absent. It does the job for basic audio playback, but it won’t blow you away.
Bass
The subwoofer does add some decent low-end punch to the mix, but it’s not without its drawbacks.
The bass can be a bit too poofy at times, lacking the tightness and precision that audiophiles crave.
Nonetheless, if you’re looking for the best aspect of this setup, it’s definitely the bass as it adds some much-needed meat to the overall sound.
Speaking of the overall sound, let’s discuss the mid-range and treble.
Mid-Range
Moving on to the mids and treble, this is where the soundbar really shows its limitations.
The sound isn’t open and lacks the professionalism you’d expect from a higher-end system.
While there’s clarity, it feels like the audio output mirrors what you’d find in a speaker system costing this much (roughly $70).
The highs can be harsh and grating, making it uncomfortable to listen to at higher volumes.
The overall sound signature feels a tad cheap and doesn’t offer the warmth or depth you’d want from a quality audio setup.
It’s almost overly sterile and clinical, but not in a good way – it’s more like it’s missing the character and finesse that elevate the audio experience.
Size
Another factor to consider when evaluating the sound quality of this soundbar and subwoofer combo is the size of the soundbar itself.
It’s important to note that this soundbar is notably compact and, in some cases, even tiny compared to larger, more high-end soundbars.
The small size of the soundbar can be a double-edged sword when it comes to sound quality.
On one hand, it’s advantageous for those with limited space or a minimalist aesthetic, as it won’t dominate your TV setup.
However, this compact form factor also means that there are physical limitations in terms of driver size and speaker placement.
In the world of audio, larger speakers typically have the potential to deliver more robust and immersive sound due to their ability to move more air and produce a broader range of frequencies.
Smaller soundbars like this one may struggle to compete with larger, more substantial speakers when it comes to delivering a truly room-filling audio experience.
So, while the compact size of this soundbar has its advantages in terms of aesthetics and space-saving, it can also contribute to the limitations in sound quality and overall audio performance, which should be considered in the context of its affordability and intended use as a budget-friendly audio solution.
Value
When evaluating the sound quality of this soundbar and subwoofer combination, it’s important to consider its price point.
While the sound quality is described as just okay and may lack some of the depth, dynamics, and richness that you’d find in higher-end audio systems, it’s crucial to keep in mind that this is a budget-friendly unit, typically priced at around $70 or in a similar range.
At this price level, it’s expected that there will be certain compromises in sound quality and build compared to more premium audio systems.
The soundbar and subwoofer do their best to deliver a functional audio experience, and for casual listeners or those on a tight budget, it can provide a reasonable improvement over built-in TV speakers.
It’s worth noting that for those seeking a more immersive, high-fidelity soundstage with exceptional clarity and depth, investing in a more expensive soundbar and subwoofer setup would likely be necessary.
However, for users looking for an affordable and straightforward solution to enhance their TV or music listening experience without breaking the bank, this unit may still offer good value for its price, despite its limitations in sound quality and performance.
Closing Thoughts
The Nova S40 soundbar with subwoofer presents a mixed bag of performance and features.
While it offers a versatile range of connection options and provides a noticeable improvement over built-in TV or computer speakers, it doesn’t quite deliver the knockout punch that would lead me to wholeheartedly recommend it.
This soundbar may find its niche for users in specific scenarios.
It could be a suitable choice if you’re looking to enhance your audio experience at your computer workstation, where space may be limited, and a compact soundbar can fit seamlessly.
In this context, it can provide a better audio experience for gaming, video conferencing, or casual music listening.
Additionally, the Nova S40 could serve as a secondary audio setup for a smaller room or as a budget-friendly option in spaces where audiophile-level sound quality isn’t the top priority.
Its versatility in terms of input options makes it adaptable to various devices and use cases, which is a commendable feature, especially at its price point.
However, for those seeking a premium audio experience, particularly for home theater setups or critical music listening, this soundbar will undoubtedly fall short in delivering the depth, dynamics, and richness of sound that higher-end systems provide.
In such cases, investing in a more advanced soundbar and subwoofer combination may be a better choice.
In the end, the Nova S40 soundbar with subwoofer offers value within its constraints and can be a reasonable addition to your audio setup if you align with its intended use cases and are mindful of its budget-friendly nature.
Well, that’s about it for today my friend. I hope you enjoyed this Ultimea Nova S40 Review and came away with some valuable insight.
Would you buy this unit? What are your experiences with Soundbars? Let me know!
Questions? Comments? Requests? Did I miss the mark on something? Please let me know down below or Contact me!!
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All the best and God bless,
-Stu
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