XGIMI Lights Up the Horizon with the Ultra Projector: A Dolby Vision Delight!

XGIMI, the trailblazer in compact yet high-quality smart projectors, is back with a bang! We previously reviewed the smaller XGIMI MoGo 2 and we’re so impressed with the power it threw out for it’s for its size, so it comes as no surprise that the Horizon Ultra had us excited.

Meet the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, The worlds first 4K Long-Throw and the newest 4K gem in their projector lineup, now spiced up with Dolby Vision allowing you to dive into a world of cinematic wonder from the comfort of your home.

Setup

Setting up the Xgimi Horizon Ultra was a breeze. The on-screen instructions were clear and intuitive, and the included remote control simplifies navigation. It offers various connectivity options, including HDMI, USB, and wireless screen mirroring, making it compatible with a wide range of devices.

One of the setup features we’d have liked to have seen is having the option of memory settings based on your inputs. At times we were moving the projector around quite often having to setup our ideal keystones, throw length and colour settings again when plugging everything back in.

Design

This isn’t your average projector; its premium feel and choice of materials definitely separate it from the rest in the price category that can still have plastic finishing.

It’s a sleek tech marvel that’ll look good even when it’s not beaming movie magic and the party trick on the the motorized lens cover adds a touch of sophistication, protecting the lens when it’s not in action.

The Xgimi Horizon Ultra boasts a sleek and compact design that blends seamlessly into any home decor. Its build quality feels solid.

Dubbed “Misty Gold”, there’s something that just works on this 70’s inspired colourway. It shouldn’t look as nice as it does in any living room, but it does. In every living room. Perhaps that is because of the Fabric mask coverings on the front screen, the subtle Harman/Kardon partnership branding or our favourite, the genuine Nappa tumbled leather. The Aesthetics are just straight-up gorgeous.

This projector can grace your table or rock a tripod, giving you more flexibility than ever. Plus, the ports at the rear offer everything you need, including two HDMI 2.1 ports for high-quality sound and visuals.

The cherry on top is the minimalist Bluetooth remote control, a breeze to navigate, and it even has a built-in microphone for all your voice-controlled needs.

Features

Brimming with Intelligent Screen Adaptation (ISA3) technology, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is no slouch. It comes with autofocus, keystone correction, and even obstacle avoidance (which you can turn off). With an optical zoom in the mix, this projector adapts like a chameleon, no digital tweaking is necessary if you have the right projector setup.

We did find from time to time it was harder for the Projector to learn the dimensions for Keystone based on the surface such as an outdoor screen, but Autofocus was a breeze.

The inclusion of Android TV 11 gives you a bold and beautiful interface for your grand cinematic adventures straight out of the box. It’s just a little hiccup – Netflix isn’t officially certified for projectors, but who needs it when you’ve got all the other streaming giants at your beck and call?

All in all the Horizon Ultra is stacked with all the features you’d want in a domestic setting and it was difficult to think of anything else you’d want to make it perfect.

Performance

The 4K resolution on the Xgimi Horizon Ultra delivers breathtakingly sharp and vibrant visuals. Colours are rich and accurate, and the brightness is more than enough to enjoy a clear image even in moderately lit rooms. The HDR support adds depth and detail to the content, making movies and games come to life like never before.

The brightness really took us by surprise, it’s the first long throw we’ve used outside before sunset that gave us a crystal clear picture making it ideal for those summer viewings and indoors, it also managed to overperform both with natural light in the room and bright room lights, in fact with the lights down you almost need to turn it down a notch.

In terms of sounds, The two 12w built-in Harman Kardon speakers provide above-average audio quality, with clear dialogue and a decent amount of bass. We used it both both as a front and rear projector outside and not once did we need to go over 50% volume from 5 metres away. The projector also supports Bluetooth audio, making it easy to connect external speakers wirelessly.

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Verdict

Based on other projectors on the market and on performance alone, the Horizon Ultra offers exceptional value for the quality and features it provides. The 4K projection, smart capabilities, and ease of use make it worth every penny for a premium home cinema experience.

Add in what XGIMI have done in terms of design and it makes it one of the best bits of tech we’ve used in 2023.

In summary, the Xgimi Horizon Ultra 4K Projector has exceeded my expectations in every aspect. It’s a fantastic addition to any home theatre setup, providing incredible visuals, easy setup, and a wealth of smart features. If you’re looking to elevate your entertainment experience, this projector is an excellent choice.