9 hours ago
11
ZDNET's cardinal takeaways
- Xgimi's Horizon S Max is connected merchantability present for $1,899.
- It offers sharp, vibrant representation prime that punches good supra its terms tag, and the caller gimbal plan is casual to acceptable up.
- Its minimal larboard enactment mightiness beryllium a occupation for some.
I won't hide the lede: the Xgimi Horizon S Max is 1 of the brightest projectors I've tested, and that's 1 of the premier concerns with replacing a TV for a projector. The Horizon S Max besides includes my favourite plan constituent from the JMGO N-series of projectors, making it casual to plug in, acceptable up, and play.
Also: Is your Roku TV spying connected you? Probably, but here's however to enactment an extremity to it
I'm besides fond of the sleek and portable signifier factor. It builds upon the predecessor's carnal limitations, though 1 bundle hindrance volition annoy you -- oregon possibly a few, depending connected your usage case. That said, I inactive similar the Horizon S Max, and here's wherefore you should see it.
A plan that's hard to kick about
Unlike the Horizon Ultra, the caller Xgimi projector comes with a built-in rotating stand, truthful you don't request to walk other connected a basal to clasp the projector. It's precise akin to the 1 you tin find connected the JMGO N1 Ultra and the newly-launched N1S Ultimate. Personally, I emotion it due to the fact that it's highly elemental to set the surface placement -- some vertically (135 degrees) and horizontally (360 degrees). Also, the mounting strategy is coagulated and stays astatine the space you acceptable it unless you link a dense HDMI cablegram that pulls it down.
Also: I tried MSI's Windows PC handheld - present I'm wondering if gaming laptops should adjacent exist
The Xgimi projector retains the sliding screen connected the front. Apart from looking classy, it protects the lens from attracting dust. You'll find 2 USB 2.0 ports and an HDMI (eARC) larboard connected the back. The larboard concern is downgraded from the Horizon Ultra, which had different HDMI port, a 3.5mm audio jack, and an Ethernet larboard successful summation to the ones connected the Horizon S Max.
The deficiency of a 3.5mm audio jack means I couldn't link my Marshall Stanmore 2 for sound, portion 1 HDMI larboard means you tin either link a soundbar oregon a gaming console. Most rival projectors person a 3.5mm audio larboard and 2 HDMI ports. It's a minimal larboard enactment alongside the powerfulness fastener and vigor vents connected the back.
Oh, truthful bright!
The Xgimi Horizon S Max features a dual airy root that brings the brightness up from 2,300 lumens connected the Horizon Ultra to 3,100 lumens. The surface size tin grow up to 200 inches with a propulsion ratio of 1.2:1. In my experience, I've recovered it brighter and much elaborate than the JMGO N1 Ultra and connected par with the much costly N1S Ultimate.
I've enjoyed my clip with the Horizon S Max. The keystone correction is quicker and much reliable than its predecessor. It's besides quicker astatine adjusting the representation connected immoderate aboveground and autofocus.
Also: Netflix introduces a caller 'dialogue only' subtitles enactment (crowd cheers)
However, I inactive propulsion the curtains if I powerfulness it connected during the day, but it is agleam capable to beryllium disposable successful light. The surface is vibrant, colorful, and immersive. You'll decidedly bask watching movies connected it. When I had it projected connected a pinkish wall, it didn't impact the representation prime -- acknowledgment to a caller diagnostic that adjusts the colour equilibrium of the representation based connected partition color.
Like the Horizon Ultra, the Horizon S Max comes with enactment for MEMC, Dolby Vision, and a crippled mode for reduced latency. Watching Dolby Vision contented with varying lighting is an immersive experience, and It's besides elevated by the large talker setup, which sounds louder than expected.
Xgimi Horizon S Max ports
I person my Stanmore 2 connected to the JMGO N1S Ultimate due to the fact that it doesn't get large enough, but the dual 12W drivers connected the Horizon S Max are capable for a tiny room. So, you wouldn't necessitate an outer speaker. I'm disappointed that there's nary audio larboard for my speaker, and I person to link a soundbar done HDMI if I privation to elevate the dependable experience.
In my experience, navigating connected the Android TV 11-based Horizon S Max bundle was smooth. But, determination were times erstwhile I noticed a lag betwixt distant input and the UI. As for the remote, it's well-built, yet it lacks speedy enactment buttons that let 1 property to spell to your favourite streaming apps.
Also: The champion dependable systems you tin buy
It took maine conscionable a fewer minutes to brace the remote, acceptable up my Google accounts, and download my desired apps. Horizon S Max houses 2GB of RAM and 64GB of retention onboard, which is powered by quad Cortex A55 cores. You besides get built-in Chromecast support, Bluetooth 5.1, and Wi-Fi 5 for wireless connectivity.
One annoyance from past twelvemonth that remains is the lack of Netflix support. You can't tally the autochthonal Netflix app connected the Horizon S Max. This is astonishing due to the fact that rivals similar JMGO fixed this contented with the latest N1S lineup. You tin inactive tally Netflix with a streaming stick, but the deficiency of Netflix enactment could beryllium a deal-breaker for many.
ZDNET's buying advice
At $1,900, the Xgimi Horizon S Max features amended representation prime than its competitors. It rivals the $2,500+ JMGO N1S Ultimate and is amended than the likewise priced JMGO N1 Ultra. I emotion the caller plan with an integrated gimbal-like stand. It makes the projector precise convenient to acceptable up and play. However, the deficiency of larboard enactment and Netflix enactment whitethorn antagonistic that convenience.
Additionally, the Xgimi Horizon S Max offers fantabulous representation prime and sound. The idiosyncratic interface is manageable, and I've enjoyed watching movies connected it. So, if you person a fund of $2,000 and privation a projector purely for its representation quality, the Xgimi Horizon S Max is an casual recommendation.
Looking for the adjacent champion product? Get adept reviews and exertion favorites with ZDNET Recommends.
English (US) ·