Hisense HS2100 vs ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro: Which soundbar wins?

Display

Soundbars don’t have a display in the traditional sense, so the closest practical comparison here is how well they improve your TV viewing experience. On that front, the Hisense HS2100 has the edge for most people because it’s designed as a straightforward TV audio upgrade with TV Mode, Dolby Audio, and DTS Virtual:X. That combination should give a more cinematic, room-filling feel for films, sport, and streaming. Winner: Hisense HS2100.

Performance

This is the biggest difference. The Hisense HS2100 is rated at 240W max audio power and comes as a true 2.1 system with an ultra-slim wireless subwoofer. That usually means more scale, deeper bass, and a more convincing sense of impact in action scenes and music. The ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro is listed as a 2.2ch soundbar with 100W peak power, plus BassMX and VoiceMX, which suggests useful tuning and clearer speech, but it is much less powerful on paper. For raw sound performance, especially if you want punch and presence, the Hisense wins clearly. Winner: Hisense HS2100.

Build quality and design

The ULTIMEA has a clever 2-in-1 detachable design, which is a genuine advantage if you want flexibility in setup and placement. It also supports wall mounting and includes Bluetooth 5.3, which helps it feel more modern and adaptable. The Hisense HS2100 is more conventional, but that can be a strength: a slim soundbar plus wireless subwoofer is easy to place, simple to connect, and likely to suit most UK living rooms without fuss. If you value design versatility, ULTIMEA wins; if you value a cleaner, more traditional home cinema setup, Hisense is more appealing. Winner: ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro.

Battery life

Neither product is battery powered, so battery life is not a meaningful factor here. Both are mains-powered TV audio systems, so this category is a tie. Winner: Tie.

Price and value for money

The ULTIMEA is cheaper at £75.99, while the Hisense costs £84.00, a difference of £8.01. On price alone, ULTIMEA is the better bargain. But value is about what you get for the money, and the Hisense’s extra power, wireless subwoofer, Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, and TV Mode make that extra £8 feel very well spent for most buyers. If you just want the lowest upfront cost, ULTIMEA wins; if you want the better overall package, Hisense offers stronger value. Winner: Tie, with a slight value edge to Hisense for performance and ULTIMEA for price.

Game library/features

There is no game library in either product, so that category doesn’t apply. However, feature-wise, ULTIMEA has the more app-driven experience, with EQ modes, VoiceMX for clearer dialogue, and Bluetooth 5.3. Hisense counters with EzPlay, Dolby Audio, DTS Virtual:X, and TV Mode, which are more directly useful for watching TV and films. For feature depth aimed at everyday TV use, Hisense has the stronger core audio feature set, while ULTIMEA has the more tweakable smart-control approach. Winner: Hisense HS2100.

Overall user experience

For most UK buyers, the Hisense HS2100 is the easier recommendation because it sounds like the more complete package straight out of the box. The 240W max output and wireless subwoofer should deliver noticeably bigger sound than the ULTIMEA’s 100W peak system, and the Dolby Audio plus DTS Virtual:X support makes it better suited to films, sport, and general TV watching. The ULTIMEA Apollo S40 Pro is still a solid buy if you want a cheaper, app-controlled soundbar with dialogue enhancement and a detachable design, but it is more about convenience and flexibility than outright audio muscle. Overall, the Hisense is the better sounding and more satisfying upgrade, while the ULTIMEA is the better budget-and-control choice. Overall winner: Hisense HS2100.