ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar Review: The Chameleon of Home Audio

There’s a universally disappointing moment we’ve all experienced. You’ve dimmed the lights, settled into the sofa, and pressed play on the latest blockbuster film. The visuals are stunning, a sweeping cinematic masterpiece. But the sound? It’s thin, tinny, and completely hollow. Explosions sound like a muffled cough, whispers are inaudible, and the epic musical score is flattened into a forgettable background hum. This is the tragic reality of relying on the default speakers built into modern, slim TVs. They’re an afterthought, designed to fit into an impossibly thin chassis, and they simply can’t deliver the powerful, immersive audio that today’s media demands. Without a proper audio solution, you’re only getting half the experience, robbing yourself of the emotional depth and thrilling impact the creators intended.

What to Consider Before Buying a Soundbar or Speaker System

A soundbar or speaker system is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for transforming your living room into a veritable home cinema or concert hall. It bridges the gap between stunning high-definition visuals and the underwhelming audio that typically comes with them. The primary benefit is a massive upgrade in sound quality, delivering clearer dialogue, richer musical scores, and deeper, more impactful bass. This enhancement creates a truly immersive experience, whether you’re watching movies, playing video games, or streaming your favourite music. It brings the action to life and ensures you never have to strain to hear a crucial line of dialogue again.

The ideal customer for this type of product is someone who feels their TV’s audio is lacking and wants a simple, elegant solution to elevate their entertainment without the complexity and cost of a full multi-speaker surround sound system. This includes movie lovers, sports fans, and gamers who crave a more dynamic and engaging soundscape. However, it might not be suitable for those who are true audiophiles with a dedicated, acoustically treated room, as they may prefer a more complex component-based system. Likewise, if you live in a small apartment with thin walls, a high-powered system with a booming subwoofer might be overkill and could cause issues with neighbours. In such cases, high-quality headphones or a more compact speaker setup might be a better alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: Measure the space below or around your TV carefully. A soundbar should ideally be no wider than your television for a clean look. Consider the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar’s detachable design—can you accommodate a single 97.7 cm bar, or would two vertical towers flanking your screen or monitor be a better fit for your setup?
• Performance & Channels: Don’t just look at peak power (like the 120W here). Consider the channel configuration. A 5.0 channel system like this one aims to provide a wider, more enveloping soundstage with a dedicated centre channel for dialogue clarity, compared to a simpler 2.0 or 2.1 system. The inclusion of a dedicated sub-out port is also a critical performance feature, offering a future upgrade path for much deeper bass.
• Materials & Durability: Most soundbars in this price range are constructed from high-quality plastics, which is the case here. While premium models might use metal or wood, a well-finished plastic build is durable, lightweight, and acoustically sound for its purpose. Check for sturdy grilles that protect the drivers and solid construction that doesn’t rattle at high volumes.
• Ease of Use & Connectivity: How will you connect it? HDMI-ARC is the gold standard, allowing you to control the soundbar’s volume with your TV remote for a seamless experience. The inclusion of Optical, AUX, and Bluetooth 5.3 offers fantastic versatility for connecting to older TVs, PCs, and mobile devices. Also, consider the control methods—a physical remote, on-device buttons, and a comprehensive smartphone app provide the most flexibility.

Keeping these factors in mind, the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar stands out in several areas. You can explore its detailed specifications and unique features here.

While the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

First Impressions: A Masterclass in Packaging and Versatility

From the moment the courier handed us the box, we could tell ULTIMEA takes presentation and protection seriously. Several users noted how well-boxed the product is, and our experience confirmed this entirely. Opening it up reveals a meticulously organised interior, with every component—the three main speaker sections, the stands, the remote, and a generous array of cables—nestled securely in dense foam. It’s an unboxing experience that inspires confidence before you’ve even plugged anything in.

The unit itself is primarily constructed from a matte black plastic, but it feels solid and well-finished, avoiding the cheap, glossy look that plagues some budget audio equipment. The metal grilles protecting the five drivers add a touch of premium feel. Assembling it into a single bar is intuitive; the sections connect with a reassuringly solid click. The sheer amount of included accessories is a standout feature: you get HDMI, optical, and AUX cables, plus both short and long connector cables for using the bar in its unified or separated configurations. This generous inclusion means you’re ready to go right out of the box, no matter your setup, which is a welcome departure from brands that make you purchase essential cables separately.

Deep Dive: A Performance Analysis of the ULTIMEA Apollo S70

Calling the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar just a “soundbar” feels like an understatement. It’s a modular audio system designed to adapt to your space and your mood. We put it through its paces in various configurations and with a wide range of content—from explosive action films and dialogue-heavy dramas to intense gaming sessions and multi-genre music playlists. What we discovered was a device that punches well above its weight, prioritising clarity, customisation, and a unique visual flair that sets it apart from the sea of monotonous black bars on the market.

Design and Versatility: The 3-in-1 Chameleon

The standout feature of the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar is undoubtedly its 3-in-1 detachable design. This isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a genuinely practical innovation that allows the system to cater to vastly different environments. In its traditional, unified form, it’s a sleek 97.7 cm soundbar that sits cleanly under most TVs 49 inches and larger. Assembly is a breeze, with the three segments locking together firmly. However, the real magic happens when you detach the side speakers. Using the included stands and longer connection cables, you can transform the system into a 2.1-style setup with a central unit and two vertical satellite speakers. We tested this configuration with a desktop PC, placing the vertical speakers on either side of a 32-inch monitor. As one user astutely pointed out, this “scomposta” (separated) mode truly excels in a near-field listening environment like a PC gaming setup. The stereo separation becomes far more pronounced, creating a wider, more immersive soundstage that draws you directly into the game world. The sound feels less like it’s coming from a single point below the screen and more like it’s enveloping you from the sides. The package includes everything you need for this transformation, including small caps to neatly cover the connection points on the central unit, showing a thoughtful attention to detail.

Audio Performance: Clarity, Customisation, and a Caveat

At its core, the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar is a 5.0 channel system, housing five full-range drivers. This configuration pays huge dividends when it comes to dialogue. During our testing with dialogue-heavy films, voices were consistently crisp, clear, and anchored to the centre of the screen. We never found ourselves reaching for the remote to enable subtitles, a common complaint with standard TV speakers. This was a sentiment echoed by multiple users who praised the “davvero ottima” (truly excellent) rendering of dialogue. The sound is full and well-balanced for its price point.

Where the Apollo S70 truly shines is in its customisation. While the included remote offers six useful EQ presets (Movie, Music, Voice, etc.), the real power is unlocked through the Ultimea Home App. Connecting via Bluetooth was seamless, and the app opened up a full 10-band equaliser. This level of granular control is rare in this category and allowed us to fine-tune the audio profile to our exact preference, boosting the mids for podcasts or tweaking the highs for classical music. Now, for the caveat: the bass. ULTIMEA’s “BassMX” technology does a commendable job of producing low-end frequencies from the full-range drivers. For casual viewing and in smaller rooms, the bass is present and adds a satisfying punch. However, it cannot replicate the visceral, room-shaking rumble of a dedicated subwoofer. Action movie enthusiasts and bass-heads will feel its absence. But ULTIMEA anticipated this. The inclusion of a dedicated sub-out port is a masterstroke, providing a clear and easy upgrade path. You can start with the bar and add any powered subwoofer later to create a truly formidable 5.1 system. If you value this future-proof flexibility, you can find more information on the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 here.

The RGB Light Show: Ambiance or Annoyance?

The integrated RGB lighting is the feature that will likely divide audiences, and we found ourselves on both sides of the fence depending on the context. Let’s be clear: for gaming and music, it’s absolutely fantastic. We fired up a rhythm-based game and set the lights to react to the audio. The back wall of our office erupted in a dynamic, pulsating light show that perfectly synced with the beat, dramatically increasing the sense of immersion. Similarly, putting on a high-energy playlist turned our listening session into a mini rave. The app offers control over 6 preset modes and millions of colours, allowing you to set a chill, static ambient colour or a dynamic, beat-reactive display. For anyone looking to enhance their gaming rig or PC setup, this feature alone is a huge selling point.

However, when we switched to a dark, atmospheric thriller film, the lights became a different story. As one user noted, the dynamic colours can be “fastidiosi” (annoying) and distracting, pulling your focus from the screen. The constant shifting of light on the wall behind the TV can detract from the carefully crafted cinematography. Thankfully, ULTIMEA had the foresight to make the lights fully controllable. A simple press of a button on the remote or a tap in the app cycles through modes or turns them off completely. We see this feature not as a flaw, but as a dual-purpose tool: an immersive amplifier for active entertainment like gaming and music, and an optional feature that can be easily disabled for serious cinematic viewing.

What Other Users Are Saying

After compiling our own findings, we turned to a wider pool of user feedback to see how our experience lined up. The consensus is overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the product’s value and versatility. One user, who had never owned a soundbar before, was impressed by the immediate and noticeable improvement in sound for films and sports. Another praised the “design elegante e versatile” (elegant and versatile design) and the “qualità costruttiva” (build quality) for the price.

The most consistent point of praise is the dialogue clarity. A reviewer noted the “resa dei dialoghi davvero ottima,” making movies and TV series much more enjoyable. The customisation options and the sheer fun of the RGB lights for music and gaming were also frequently highlighted, with one person calling it a “rivelazione” (revelation) that creates a “magica atmosfera” (magical atmosphere) in their living room.

On the critical side, the feedback aligns perfectly with our own “caveat” about the bass. Several users mentioned that while the sound is full, it’s missing the deep low-end punch that only a separate subwoofer can provide. One described the bass and highs as not being the soundbar’s strongest points compared to its excellent mid-range vocal performance. Another noted that the lighting, while a “bel plus” (nice bonus), could be distracting for film viewing. This balanced feedback confirms that the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar is a fantastic, versatile audio solution whose main limitation is the inherent physics of a sub-less design—a limitation it smartly addresses with its sub-out port.

How Does the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar Compare to the Alternatives?

The ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar carves out a unique niche with its blend of modularity, 5.0 channels, and RGB lighting. But how does it stack up against other popular options on the market? We looked at three key competitors to see where it fits in.

1. Sharp HT-SB140(MT) 150W Bluetooth Soundbar

The Sharp HT-SB140(MT) represents the straightforward, no-frills approach to better TV audio. It’s a slim, single-piece 2.0 channel soundbar focused entirely on delivering a louder, clearer sound than your TV’s speakers. With 150W of power, it has plenty of volume on tap. It features HDMI ARC for simple control, but it lacks the ULTIMEA’s 5.0 channel separation, dedicated centre driver for dialogue, and advanced app-based EQ. This is the choice for a user who wants a simple, set-and-forget audio boost and has absolutely no interest in RGB lighting, modular designs, or future subwoofer expansion. It’s simplicity and affordability personified, whereas the Apollo S70 is built for the user who loves to tinker and customise.

2. Hisense HS214 All-in-one Soundbar

The Hisense HS214 is a compelling alternative, especially for those concerned about bass performance out of the box. Its key advantage is the built-in subwoofer, which provides a more robust low-end response than the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar can manage on its own. It’s an elegant all-in-one solution that delivers a 2.1 channel experience in a compact form factor. However, the trade-off is significant. You lose the superior dialogue clarity and wider soundstage of the Apollo S70’s 5.0 channel setup. Furthermore, you sacrifice the modular design, the dynamic RGB lighting, and the deep customisation offered by the Ultimea Home App. This is the better choice for someone who prioritises immediate bass in a compact package over dialogue clarity and custom features.

3. Polk Audio Monitor XT90 Dolby Atmos Height Speaker

It’s important to clarify that the Polk Audio Monitor XT90 is not a direct competitor but represents a different audio philosophy. These are not standalone speakers; they are Dolby Atmos/DTS:X certified height modules designed to be placed on top of existing floor-standing or bookshelf speakers. Their sole purpose is to add a vertical dimension of sound (like rain or helicopters overhead) to a more advanced, component-based surround sound system. A user would buy these as an *upgrade* to an existing high-quality setup, not as a primary sound source for their TV. The ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar is a complete, all-in-one solution for improving core audio, while the Polk speakers are a specialised add-on for enthusiasts chasing the ultimate 3D audio experience.

Our Final Verdict: Is the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Worth It?

After extensive testing, we can confidently say that the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar is a uniquely compelling product that offers exceptional value and versatility. It successfully carves out its own identity in a crowded market by refusing to be just one thing. It’s a sleek soundbar for your TV, a dynamic stereo system for your PC, and an ambient light show for your gaming sessions. Its greatest strength lies in this adaptability, backed by surprisingly clear dialogue performance and a level of audio customisation through its app that is simply unheard of at this price point.

While it won’t satisfy audiophiles looking for earth-shaking bass right out of the box, its inclusion of a sub-out port is a brilliant move that provides a crucial upgrade path. We recommend the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar without hesitation to gamers, PC users, and anyone looking for a feature-packed, customisable, and fun audio upgrade that delivers on both sound and style. It’s a chameleon that can adapt to almost any entertainment need.

If you’ve decided the ULTIMEA Apollo S70 Sound Bar is the right fit for your setup, you can check its current price and availability here.