Compare Bluesound Pulse Cinema Soundbar vs Ultimea Nova S50 Soundbar

AirPlay 2 support works as expected, but Apple Music lossless often requires an Apple TV or another external source since native Apple Music inside BluOS may be missing.

BluOS is fast and capable, but app UX splits opinions: some find it intuitive after a learning curve, while others call the controls confusing or inadequate.

Strong Dolby Atmos decoding and broad hi-res/lossless support, but notable gaps include no DTS:X and limited Dolby Atmos Music support depending on source and service.

Reviews agree the Nova S50 handles Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital signals properly for a budget bar, but several reviewers stress that it delivers virtual rather than true Atmos because the 2.1 layout lacks real height drivers.

Legacy-friendly options like optical and analog inputs, plus the ability to use third-party wired subs, broaden compatibility with older gear.

Bluetooth 5.2 with two-way aptX Adaptive is repeatedly highlighted as a versatile, high-quality wireless option.

Bluetooth playback is generally described as stable, though most reviewers still prefer HDMI eARC for the best TV experience.

Google Cast/Chromecast is repeatedly called out as not supported.

Reviews describe a cohesive front stage with strong separation, keeping effects, music, and dialog from smearing together.

At its best, the Nova S50 stays surprisingly composed for such a tiny soundbar, but the overall presentation can fall apart on more demanding material when bass blooms or treble turns sharp.

Premium aluminum-and-fabric design gets consistent praise, though the large/tall profile can block low-clearance TVs.

The ultra-slim, very compact footprint is one of the product's biggest advantages and makes it easy to place under smaller TVs. Some reviewers still felt the plastics and finish looked cheap up close.

Detail retrieval is frequently praised for both film and music, revealing subtle sounds that many soundbars smear or hide.

Fine ambient cues and basic definition are acceptable for casual TV use, but treble nuance and low-level texture are limited, especially with music and complex movie mixes.

A consistent highlight: voices stay centered, natural, and intelligible even during chaotic action mixes.

Dialogue is generally clearer than TV speakers and can sound nicely centered, but clarity is inconsistent. Some reviews heard haziness, clipping, or dialogue getting masked by effects and bassier passages.

Generally stays clean when played loud, with multiple reviewers noting controlled playback and little audible strain in action scenes.

This is mixed across sources. Some reviewers reported clipping, crackle, and pinched treble even around medium levels, while others found the bar unexpectedly clean and controlled near maximum volume.

Strong amplification and headroom help maintain impact and control during loud, dynamic scenes and music transients.

Nearly every reviewer was surprised by how much output the Nova S50 can produce for its size. It has enough headroom for small and medium rooms, though hard-hitting content exposes its limits.

Most reviewers note little-to-no EQ and no room correction today, limiting tailoring; a minority mention basic tone or sub controls, suggesting settings may evolve via updates.

The three sound presets and bass adjustment add useful flexibility, but the tuning is uneven. Most reviewers preferred Movie mode, while Music and sometimes Game mode were described as much less convincing.

Overall tuning is rich and detailed but can lean treble-forward for some ears; the lack of EQ makes it harder to tailor the tonal balance.

Frequency balance is the core weakness. Bass can sound bloated or crackly, treble can turn thin or pinched, and the bar usually sounds most tolerable only after conservative bass settings and the right preset.

HDMI eARC is the primary recommended connection and generally works smoothly, including TV-remote volume control over HDMI CEC.

eARC and ARC are consistently praised. They make setup easy, allow TV-linked power and volume control, and are one of the strongest convenience features on this model.

Works well as a standalone 3.2.2 bar and integrates into BluOS multiroom; expansion to sub and rears is a core strength, with some refinements arriving via firmware.

The Nova S50 fits neatly into cramped living rooms, bedrooms, and apartment setups, and it clearly upgrades TV sound. Buyers building a more serious cinema system will still outgrow it quickly.

Connectivity between the bar, optional sub, and optional rears is a key ecosystem benefit; some advanced surround/LFE features are still software-dependent.

The passive wired subwoofer is simple to connect and avoids wireless syncing headaches, but the cable limits placement freedom and can make the setup feel less tidy.

Using HDMI eARC is described as quicker and less delayed than Bluetooth for TV playback; no major lip-sync complaints surface.

Plenty of output for medium to large rooms; reviewers describe strong punch and scale without needing to push the bar hard.

Loudness is a standout strength. Reviewers repeatedly said the Nova S50 plays much louder than its tiny size suggests and can fill a small or medium room more easily than expected.

Low-volume listening is not flawless. One full review specifically noted pinched treble even at low levels, suggesting the bar can sound edgy before volume is pushed.

Expansion to sub and rear speakers is a major draw; most reports are positive, though some features and fine-tuning are still tied to firmware updates.

On-device touch controls and indicators are functional but minimal; some find the status lights less informative than a display.

The bar includes usable side-mounted controls, which help for quick adjustments. Still, most reviewers interacted with it primarily through the remote rather than the buttons on the unit.

Optical input is available for legacy TVs, but Dolby Atmos playback depends on HDMI eARC rather than optical.

Optical input is included and meaningfully broadens compatibility with older TVs and sources. Reviews did not report a clear sound-quality advantage over HDMI, but the connection itself is a useful fallback.

No remote is included; most users rely on the TV remote via HDMI CEC, with an optional accessory remote or IR learning mentioned in some coverage.

Remote usability is better than expected for the price, with tactile or ergonomic buttons and straightforward source switching. The only notable complaint was that one reviewer found the play and pause behavior confusing or nonfunctional.

Initial setup is consistently described as straightforward; the main friction point is learning the app layout.

Setup simplicity is a clear strength. Multiple reviewers said the system took only a minute or two to connect and start using, especially over HDMI eARC or ARC.

Smart functionality is minimal. Beyond Bluetooth, basic EQ modes, and simple status controls, the reviews describe no app ecosystem, no Wi-Fi platform, and no advanced voice or streaming features.

Upfiring drivers provide real height cues, but the Atmos bubble is less convincing than top competitors unless the room and optional speakers cooperate.

Virtual height effects exceed expectations for the price, and some content produces a convincing sense of sound lifting and moving around the room. Even so, reviewers repeatedly note that this is not true height-channel Atmos.

Spotify/Tidal Connect are commonly supported, but at least one reviewer reports Spotify connection issues, so real-world reliability is mixed.

The front LEDs clearly show source, volume, and mute status and can be useful in everyday use. They are not perfect, though, because brightness and the auto-mute behavior can be mildly annoying.

Wide stereo spread and precise separation make music feel immersive for a single-chassis soundbar.

Stereo placement is better than expected for a tiny 2.1 system, with some convincing left-right motion and centered vocals or dialogue. It still cannot match the precision of larger multi-speaker soundbars.

No summary yet.

The included passive subwoofer adds real punch and helps the Nova S50 sound bigger than it looks. Its tuning is not especially tight, however, and several reviewers said bass can become too heavy, boomy, or crackly.

Virtualizer and surround upmixing create convincing wraparound effects for a single bar, but true immersion improves noticeably with optional rears.

Virtual surround is one of the Nova S50's most impressive traits for the money. Several reviewers found the effect surprisingly immersive, though it remains a simulation rather than genuine multi-channel surround.

At around $1,500 it is expensive; many say the build and sound justify the cost, but value versus competing bundles with sub/rears is debated.

Value is the strongest consensus positive. Across reviews, the Nova S50 is repeatedly framed as an unusually cheap, worthwhile upgrade over TV speakers, especially for buyers who prioritize size and price first.

There are no HDMI inputs, so it cannot act as an HDMI switch with video passthrough; it relies on the TV's eARC connection for sources.

Voices and vocals are serviceable for casual use, but not refined. Higher voices and sibilants can sound thin, harsh, or slightly muffled depending on the content and EQ mode.

Its very small, lightweight build makes it easy to place on tight stands, fit into bedrooms, and move around compact setups. Convenience of size is one of the product's biggest advantages.

Streaming over Wi-Fi/Ethernet is widely described as stable and responsive, including for hi-res playback.

Unusually generous I/O for a soundbar: HDMI eARC, optical, analog RCA, USB, Ethernet, plus a sub out for added flexibility.

Wired connectivity is generous for such a cheap soundbar. Reviewers repeatedly highlighted HDMI eARC or ARC, optical, AUX, USB, and the subwoofer connection as practical strengths.