An excellent choice for a long-throw projector that supports 4K HDR and Dolby Vision under the $2000 price point, and possesses the capability to intelligently adjust to various screen surfaces.
Important keys
- The XGIMI Horizon Ultra is a 4K long-throw projector equipped with Dolby Vision, ensuring heightened brightness and intelligent screen adjustment to deliver a top-tier viewing experience.
- It boasts a distinctive design that harmoniously merges retro and contemporary aesthetics, evoking the appearance of a classic Hi-Fi speaker. This projector effortlessly integrates into any room, irrespective of varying wall colors.
- The Horizon Ultra excels in delivering remarkable picture quality and adaptability, accommodating image sizes of up to 200″. It is also well-suited for gaming and comes with built-in stereo audio, though external speakers may be preferred for a more comprehensive audio setup.
Are you searching for a hassle-free and swift method to create a massive 200-inch screen that looks fantastic in virtually any room without breaking the bank? Look no further than the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, acclaimed as the “first 4K long-throw projector with Dolby Vision.” It seamlessly combines remarkable image quality with an elegant design, and the setup is a breeze.
We had our initial encounter with this projector at IFA 2023 in Berlin a few months ago, and after our hands-on experience, we wholeheartedly endorse it as an excellent choice for home cinema enthusiasts.
As soon as the motorized front cover gracefully descends, you are greeted with a truly futuristic viewing experience. Thanks to its upgraded automatic keystone correction, improved brightness, and the intelligent adaptation to various wall colors, the Horizon Ultra can be effortlessly integrated into virtually any room.
Key Features
Enhanced Brightness
The Horizon Ultra boasts an impressive 2,300 ISO lumens, providing a 27% increase in brightness compared to its forerunner, the Horizon Pro. This heightened brightness proves particularly advantageous in well-lit environments, although it can lead to a slight reduction in color vibrancy in such conditions.
Dual Light Technology
Utilizing a 0.47-inch 4K DLP chipset with rapid pixel-shifting, the Horizon Ultra supports HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR. This technology ensures superior visual quality and precise color accuracy, achieving an expansive 95.5% DCI-P3 color gamut.
Intelligent Screen Adaptation 3.0
The Horizon Ultra features an enhanced Intelligent Screen Adaptation 3.0, enabling automatic recognition of picture frames and seamless adjustment of picture size and shape to fit a 16×9 aspect ratio on the wall.
Wall Color Correction
The projector incorporates automated wall color correction, delivering precise color reproduction on differently-tinted surfaces. While the effectiveness of this feature may vary under varying lighting conditions, it performs remarkably well with lightly colored walls, as demonstrated with our brown walls.
Built-In Stereo Audio
Equipped with dual 12W Harman Kardon speakers and DTS Studio Sound Technology, the Horizon Ultra provides satisfying audio quality. While it may not replace a dedicated sound system, these speakers offer a convenient audio solution for a range of setups, eliminating the need for additional hardware installation.
A Unique Design for Modern Homes
In contrast to the traditional projectors that often feature uninspiring, plastic, and bulky designs reminiscent of a bygone era, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra stands out with its distinctive approach. Consider other projectors like the $3000 BenQ HT4550i, which, despite its impressive picture quality, retains the same unremarkable all-plastic construction, exuding a cheap appearance. The outdated design of such projectors poses a challenge for many when contemplating the integration of projectors into their carefully designed spaces. Where should you place this cumbersome plastic device within your otherwise thoughtfully arranged environment?
XGIMI understood these concerns and made sure that the Horizon Ultra would redefine the standards for the appearance of premium projectors. Even when powered off, it serves as a conversation starter rather than an awkward “what’s that massive object on your table?” The design seamlessly combines retro and contemporary elements, resembling classic Hi-Fi designs, reminiscent of the 1958 Zenith Model B-723R AM/FM Vacuum Tube Radio. Its eggshell white body and light gray fabric finish infuse a modern minimalist touch while preserving a timeless retro influence.
The minimalist exterior of the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is complemented by its sole vents located at the rear, housing input and output ports, including a DC port, HDMI with EARC support, two USB ports, LAN, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an optical port. For wireless connectivity, the Horizon Ultra utilizes WiFi 6, supporting dual-band 2.4/5GHz, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax, and Bluetooth 5.2 with BLE compatibility. It’s worth noting that, apart from the power button, the projector lacks physical buttons. While the included remote is convenient, there are times when quick control adjustments on the projector itself are preferable without reaching for the remote.
The charm of the Horizon Ultra lies in its ability to conceal its true identity until it powers on. When the projector is turned off, it resembles an unassuming compact speaker. In fact, upon unboxing, you might find yourself wondering where the lens is hidden. Is it integrated into the fabric? It’s almost like magic. Measuring 10.24 x 8.86 x 6.69 inches and weighing 11.46 pounds (5.2kg), the Horizon Ultra is significantly lighter and more compact than most competitors, making it easy to relocate from one room to another.
Things get truly exciting when you power it on. The front fabric cover elegantly slides down to unveil the lens, creating a memorable first impression. When powered off, the cover smoothly slides back up, akin to the secret bookcase passage in a classic mystery novel. In addition to safeguarding the lens when not in
use, this feature allows the Horizon Ultra to seamlessly blend into any room, resembling a traditional and elegant speaker. It’s likely that other brands will adopt this approach in their future releases over the next few years. However, it’s essential to keep in mind that this motorized component, while innovative, may introduce a potential point of failure. Time will reveal its durability.
To maintain its compact footprint, XGIMI opted to keep the power adapter external. The matching color and premium plastic casing add to the projector’s overall positive initial impression. Nonetheless, there is a noteworthy limitation: the fixed cable extending from the adapter to the back of the projector is relatively short, measuring about four feet. This constraint can be challenging, particularly if you intend to mount the Horizon Ultra in an elevated position, such as on a tripod or ceiling. In such cases, accommodating the short cable becomes a crucial consideration.
Moreover, while many projectors offer multiple mounting points for added security, the Horizon Ultra features a single shallow 1/4″ tripod mounting point underneath. It effectively raises the projector a few feet off the ground, but for enhanced stability, we recommend investing in one of XGIMI’s dedicated tripods or ceiling mounts.
Who Will Benefit from the XGIMI Horizon Ultra?
While projectors have traditionally served as essential tools for office or classroom presentations, their transformation into a high-quality home cinema experience might feel uncharted for many. Those who haven’t ventured into the realm of home projection may have questions like: What type of projector should I choose? Where should I position it? How can I adjust the focus or align it correctly? Which rooms are best suited for projectors, and do I need a dedicated screen?
Building upon the success of its predecessors, such as the Horizon Pro and the MoGo 2 Pro, the XGIMI Horizon Ultra is equipped with an array of advanced smart technologies designed to streamline this journey while maintaining superior image quality.
To begin with, the Horizon Ultra is relatively compact and can be easily relocated, accommodating various setups with exceptional ease. Whether you wish to place it on a side table, mount it on a stand, or install it on your ceiling, it boasts some of the most efficient and rapid auto-keystoning features we’ve encountered. Whether you lack space for a direct head-on installation or prefer it positioned at an angle, this projector offers automatic and manual adjustments to achieve the largest and most stunning image with minimal effort, even if you have limited prior knowledge of projector settings.
To truly put this versatility to the test, I recognized that my compact New York City apartment wouldn’t do justice to the colossal screen sizes that the Horizon Ultra is capable of delivering. Therefore, I enlisted the assistance of my parents, who had a spacious area available for a comprehensive evaluation of this projector.
Their basement offered several generously sized empty walls eager to serve as projection surfaces. However, there was one potential obstacle: the walls were painted in a light tannish/brown hue, which wasn’t my first choice of color. Nonetheless, given the circumstances, we proceeded with the test. Although the Horizon Ultra’s Intelligent Wall Color Adaptation feature promised to adjust its colors and white balance for lighter-colored walls, we wondered whether it would successfully adapt to these darker walls.
Until this point, my parents had been content with a 48″ 4K Samsung smart TV purchased a few years ago. Although it still functioned admirably, their spacious basement warranted a larger display.
After just a few minutes of setup, we had the new projector up and running, projecting a vast 150″ display that nearly reached the full height of their 9-foot ceilings. The Intelligent Screen Adaptation 3.0 worked quite effectively, although it took a few attempts to adapt to the unique shape of our wall, which included a slight drop-down segment it occasionally struggled to accommodate fully.
From watching live baseball games, movies, TV shows, news broadcasts, and, of course, miscellaneous YouTube videos, everything appeared sharp, vibrant, and notably bright. It swiftly became my dad’s new favorite entertainment. Unsurprisingly, when I inquired about keeping the projector for a few more days of testing, there was no resistance.
The most remarkable aspect? With the lights turned off, you’d forget that the walls were originally brown, and we didn’t need a projection screen or wall repainting to achieve this effect.
When we toggled the Intelligent Wall Color Adaptation feature on and off, it was truly astonishing to observe how the projector handled these colored walls.
Viewing Experience
Picture Quality and Versatility
The Horizon Ultra accommodates a wide range of image sizes, from 40” to a whopping 200”. What sets it apart is its versatile throw ratio of 1.2-1.5:1, allowing for flexible placement options. Unlike many conventional projectors with 2:1 throw ratios, which demand two feet of distance for every foot of image width, the Horizon Ultra can be positioned much closer to the screen. This enhanced flexibility is especially valuable for individuals with limited space.
The projector’s exceptional picture quality can be attributed to its innovative “Dual Light” projection system, which seamlessly combines the brightness and sharpness of laser projection with the color accuracy and contrast of LED projection. This advanced technology aims to alleviate the viewing fatigue commonly associated with overly bright and sharp laser projectors.
In addition to resolution and brightness, the Horizon Ultra boasts a remarkable 95% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut and supports HDR10. The image quality is vibrant and well-balanced, avoiding the overly saturated appearance. While experienced cinephiles and projector aficionados might discern minor imperfections, to my less experienced eye, the visual quality appeared splendid.
The Horizon Ultra also delivers notable contrast performance, particularly when compared to previous XGIMI models. It excels in rendering fine details within darker scenes without sacrificing visual clarity. While it may not rival an OLED TV, it achieves remarkably deep blacks, contributing to an immersive cinematic viewing experience.
In movies like “Interstellar,” fine details come to life with stunning clarity. You can discern the pores on Matthew McConaughey’s face, the individual strands of Anne Hathaway’s hair, and even the subtle film grain throughout the film.
Our viewing experience extended to a variety of content, including a baseball game between the Minnesota Twins and the Chicago White Sox, “Fionna and Cake,” and Dolby content demos, all of which left us with a resounding “wow” factor.
Gaming Experience
While it may lack 120Hz support, gamers will find the Horizon Ultra to be a commendable choice. It features an impressively low latency, with a minimum input lag of 18ms at 4K 60Hz—marking a substantial improvement over its predecessor, the Horizon Pro, which had a 35ms input lag. The Gaming mode can be enabled within the projector’s input settings, and it’s also automatically activated when the projector detects a gaming source, such as an Xbox or PlayStation. During our test with “Forza Motorsport” on an Xbox Series X, the gaming immersion was elevated to new heights, making it an exceptional choice for racing simulations.
Audio Performance and Considerations
While even budget bookshelf speakers can contribute to a more comprehensive audio setup, the built-in speakers here are quite impressive. The dual 12W speakers deliver robust bass and high-definition audio, generating ample power to fill a sizable room. However, it’s worth noting that the projector’s versatile placement may position the speakers to the side rather than in the center.
Remote and User-Friendly Interface
The remote control combines aluminum and plastic materials, offering a premium feel and comfortable grip. It incorporates a built-in microphone for utilizing Google Assistant to control or search for content.
The remote includes dedicated buttons for power, settings, and navigation, creating an intuitive and user-friendly interface. It maintains simplicity with back and home buttons, volume controls, and a button for initiating the auto keystone feature. Despite the projector’s cinematic focus, one minor letdown is the absence of backlighting on the remote, making it challenging to use in dimly lit environments.
Elegance at Its Best
The XGIMI Horizon Ultra distinguishes itself with its impressive features, elegant design, and straightforward setup. It departs from the conventional, uninspiring projector aesthetics, introducing a fresh and appealing addition to any room. While it may not encompass all the high-end features found in some competitors, its well-rounded nature ensures a superb viewing experience for a wide range of content.
Despite some minor drawbacks related to the remote and power adapter, the Horizon Ultra reflects meticulous design and has the potential to establish a new industry standard for future releases.