XGIMI Horizon Ultra Comprehensive Review: The Epitome of Portable Projectors

Specifications of the XGIMI Horizon Ultra

General:

• Product Name: XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K Projector
• Release Date: August 31, 2023
• Price: $1,699 / £1,749 / AU$3,499
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 265 x 224 x 170mm
• Weight: 5.2kg (11.4 pounds)
• Design: "Misty Gold" with cream PU leather exterior

Picture Quality:

• Resolution: 4K
• Brightness: 2300 ISO Lumens
• HDR Support: HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision
• Optical Technology: Dual Light (LED+Laser)
• Image Size: 40 - 200 inches
• Best Viewing Experience: 60 - 120 inches
• Throw Ratio: 1.2-1.5:1
• Auto Brightness: Adjusts to changing light conditions
• ISA 3.0 Technology: Intelligent Screen Adaptation for automatic keystone correction, obstacle detection, wall color adaptation, and eye protection

Smart Features:

• Operating System: Android TV 11
• Smart Capabilities: Streaming from sources like Amazon Prime and YouTube (Netflix not natively supported)
• Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth: 5.2

Audio:

• Speakers: Two 12W Harman Kardon speakers
• Audio Formats Supported: DTS-HD, DTS-Studio Sound, DTS-Virtual: X, Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus

Connections:

• HDMI Ports: 2 (1 with eARC)
• USB Ports: 2
• Audio Out: 3.5mm headphone port, Optical audio port
• Other Ports:

Design and Portability:

• Unique Features: Motorized cover that moves to reveal/hide the projector array
• Size and Portability: Compact design for easy placement and portability

Pros and Cons of XGIMI Horizon Ultra: Balancing Benefits and Drawbacks

Pros:

• Tasteful design and premium materials
• Immense picture quality with sharp 4K images and vibrant colors
• Superb image adjustment with ISA 3.0 technology
• Good selection of ports for connectivity
• Potent onboard speakers

Cons:

• No native Netflix support
• Android TV OS can be clunky
• Difficult to see buttons on the remote
• No legs or adjustable base (stand expected to be released next year)

Gaming Performance:

• Latency: 18ms in low-latency mode (suitable for casual console play)
• Refresh Rate: Locked to 60Hz

Supporting screen sizes from 40 to 200 inches, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is versatile enough for both intimate settings and expansive viewing environments. The projector shines with its dual LED and Laser light technologies enhancing the brightness to 2300 ISO Lumens. The compact stature (265 x 224 x 170 mm) and lightweight design (5.2 kg) make it a portable yet powerful device.

Design of the XGIMI Horizon Ultra

The XGIMI Horizon Ultra breaks away from typical projector aesthetics with its 'Misty Gold' color theme and cream PU leather finishing, adding a touch of luxury and modernity to its design. The motorized covering not only protects the lens but also adds a dynamic character to the setup that is incredibly satisfying to watch as it silently moves up and down as you turn the projector on and off. It oozes sophistication.

The lack of adjustable legs or a stand should be noted, although this is somewhat mitigated by excellent keystone correction capabilities, and there's a stand that can be bought alongside the projector which allows full adjustment of its angle as well as complete 360-degree rotation.

From opening the box to setting it up in my lounge, the experience and design work of the product was incredible. The box was nicely designed and easy to navigate, and the product simply looks beautiful with the us of materials that offer something other than simple plastics. 

Feature-Rich and Superior Performance

Cutting-Edge Features:

Equipped with Android TV 11, the Horizon Ultra offers extensive access to streaming content—save for Netflix due to licensing restrictions, although there are ways around this. Intelligent Screen Adaptation (ISA) technology 3.0 provides effortless setup, adjusting various settings automatically to maximize image quality based on environmental factors and projection surface. It works brilliantly, and even shows off as it shows you before and after examples of the colour grading.

Exceptional Projection Performance:

The Horizon Ultra excels in delivering crisp, clear 4K resolution with vibrant colors and deep blacks. The HDR performance is first-rate, complemented by brightness levels that are adequate even in well-lit conditions. While designed more for cinematic and casual gaming experiences with a refresh rate of 60Hz and 18ms latency, it performs reliably across various applications.

What sets it apart is the hybrid dual light technology, combining LED and Laser, to provide an impressive 2300 ISO Lumens of brightness. This means vibrant and accurate colors, deep blacks, and top-notch HDR performance with support for HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision. It's not the brightest, but it also isn't the most expensive of projectors in this niche.

Where it especially excels is in various lighting conditions, where it maintains high picture quality whether the room is dim or well-lit. The Intelligent Screen Adaptation (ISA) 3.0 technology is a game-changer, offering automatic keystone correction, obstacle detection, and wall color adaptation. This ensures that the image is perfectly oriented and calibrated, no matter where you set it up. The autofocus and optical zoom features make the setup process a breeze, allowing for easy adjustments to get the best picture.

This projector supports a screen size ranging from 40 to 200 inches, with the best viewing experience found between 60 and 120 inches to stop any potential loss of quality. This flexibility makes it ideal for larger room sizes, while you may find it harder to get the distance in a smaller room.

It must be noted that for the price, this is an exceptionally good projection.

Beautiful Audio

The XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K projector features two 12W Harman Kardon speakers, designed to deliver high-quality sound that complements its impressive visual performance. These speakers support a wide array of audio formats, including DTS-HD, DTS-Studio Sound, DTS-Virtual: X, Dolby Audio, Dolby Digital, and Dolby Digital Plus, ensuring a rich and immersive audio experience.

The built-in speakers have immense clarity and room-filling capabilities, making them suitable for a variety of content from movies to music. While audiophiles might prefer external audio systems for an even more enhanced sound experience, the onboard Harman Kardon speakers provide an excellent and convenient solution that will suit he majority of users. In fact, I have been reviewing a large, rather expensive external speaker that I won't name just yet, and I chose to use the built-in speakers of the Horizon Ultra because it simply didn't stack up.

The projector does include an optical audio port and a 3.5mm headphone jack, offering additional flexibility for those who want to connect external sound systems or headphones, but it's certainly not necessary.

Connectivity and User Interface: Streamlined and Intuitive

The projector is notably versatile with its connectivity options, including two HDMI ports (one supports eARC), allowing easy integration with soundbars or AV receivers. USB ports, optical audio out, Bluetooth 5.2, and Wi-Fi 6 ensure comprehensive connectivity. 

Despite a somewhat clunky Android interface, especially for users outside the Google ecosystem, the interface is responsive and offers an abundance of content options, although a workaround is needed for native Netflix streaming which takes a little while to setup. 

I have an android phone with a Google account ready to go, so it was a doddle to set up the projector, only taking me five minutes of pain-free button clicking to get it ready to use. But if you're an Apple user without the need for a Google account, this will take a little longer and could be a bit of a pain. 

Comparative Analysis and Market Position

When positioned against rivals such as the Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 and the BenQ TK700STi, the Horizon Ultra stands out particularly for its Intelligent Screen Adaptation technology and stylish design. While it might not offer the brightest projection in the market, its robust features and Dolby Vision support deliver substantial value for its price. Its unique aesthetic and smart functionalities ensure that it does not just blend in but stands out, enhancing the décor of any space it occupies.

Wrapping Up: Is the XGIMI Horizon Ultra the Ultimate Home Cinema Projector?

The XGIMI Horizon Ultra is an excellent investment for those who value both functionality and style in a home entertainment system. Its portable design, coupled with top-notch picture quality and smart features, make it a compelling choice for a wide range of consumers, from movie lovers to casual gamers. While it may require additional setup for Netflix streaming and might benefit from future physical adjustments like adjustable legs, these are minor cons compared to the overwhelming benefits it offers.

Priced reasonably within its feature set and capabilities, especially compared to higher-priced models that offer similar resolution without additional features like Dolby Vision, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is not just a purchase but an enhancement to any modern living space, seeking to merge technology with lifestyle seamlessly.

If this fits your budget, you'd be silly not to invest in this product.

Talking of...

Where to Buy?

The XGIMI Horizon Ultra 4K projector, released on August 31, 2023, can be purchased directly from XGIMI's official website, where buyers also receive a complimentary XGIMI 4K streaming stick. This premium projector is available for $1,699 in the US, £1,749 in the UK, and AU$3,499 in Australia. For those preferring an alternative retailer, it can also be found on Amazon at the same price. The sleek "Misty Gold" design and advanced features make it a compelling choice for those seeking high-quality home projection solutions. 

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