Can’t decide: 3.1 vs 5.1 for a 20m² room + thoughts on the app, Dolby Atmos & pricing differences

[Leinadus]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been trying to decide which Ultimea soundbar to buy, and honestly, it’s turning into quite a dilemma. I’m stuck between several models and can’t make up my mind — should I go for a 5.1 setup or stick with 3.1 for a room of about 20 m²? I’d love to get that immersive, cinematic experience, but I’m not sure if a full 5.1 system would really make a big difference in a space this size.

I’m also wondering about the app — is it actually useful in daily use, or is it more of a “nice-to-have” feature that doesn’t change much? (Thinking about Nova vs Poseidon here.) And what about Dolby Atmos — does it make a noticeable difference in such a small space, or is it mostly marketing talk?

One thing that makes the decision harder is that there’s almost no Polish-language content about Ultimea products. It’s really surprising how little presence the brand has here — no local reviews, no detailed tests, barely any user feedback, and almost zero marketing. It’s hard to find any reliable comparisons or honest opinions in Polish, which makes choosing the right model quite tricky.

Another thing I’ve noticed is the pricing — on Amazon.pl, the prices are noticeably higher than on other Amazon stores. Even when the listed price is similar, other regions often have extra seller coupons available, which makes the final cost significantly lower. During Prime Day, some models abroad were almost half the price — I really regret not grabbing one back then.

Anyway, I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts — especially from anyone using Ultimea soundbars in smaller rooms.

Cheers!

 

[Ultimea Team]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been trying to decide which Ultimea soundbar to buy, and honestly, it’s turning into quite a dilemma. I’m stuck between several models and can’t make up my mind — should I go for a 5.1 setup or stick with 3.1 for a room of about 20 m²? I’d love to get that immersive, cinematic experience, but I’m not sure if a full 5.1 system would really make a big difference in a space this size.

I’m also wondering about the app — is it actually useful in daily use, or is it more of a “nice-to-have” feature that doesn’t change much? (Thinking about Nova vs Poseidon here.) And what about Dolby Atmos — does it make a noticeable difference in such a small space, or is it mostly marketing talk?

One thing that makes the decision harder is that there’s almost no Polish-language content about Ultimea products. It’s really surprising how little presence the brand has here — no local reviews, no detailed tests, barely any user feedback, and almost zero marketing. It’s hard to find any reliable comparisons or honest opinions in Polish, which makes choosing the right model quite tricky.

Another thing I’ve noticed is the pricing — on Amazon.pl, the prices are noticeably higher than on other Amazon stores. Even when the listed price is similar, other regions often have extra seller coupons available, which makes the final cost significantly lower. During Prime Day, some models abroad were almost half the price — I really regret not grabbing one back then.

Anyway, I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts — especially from anyone using Ultimea soundbars in smaller rooms.

Cheers!

Thank you for choosing Ultimea over other brands. The issues you're struggling with—from channel configuration and room compatibility to app usability and price differences—are very practical, and we fully understand your hesitation. Please allow us to provide you with some detailed references and analysis based on your specific situation.

Regarding the choice of space and channels: 5.1 or 3.1?
A 20-square-meter room is actually the perfect size for a 5.1 system.

What does a 5.1 system offer?
It uses independent rear surround speakers to create sound from behind and to the sides. This "enveloping" feeling of sound is simply unattainable with a 3.1 system. While watching a movie, you can clearly hear airplanes flying overhead, raindrops dripping around you, and even the subtle sound of footsteps behind you. This sense of immersion and positioning is a quantum leap.

Will it feel cumbersome or redundant?
Absolutely not. Modern wireless surround speakers (like the ones that come with the Poseidon D80 Boom) are incredibly compact, requiring no complicated wiring. They can be flexibly placed on either side of or behind the sofa, easily creating a complete surround sound field.

Conclusion: If you're looking for an immersive cinematic experience, a 5.1 system is definitely worth the investment and will deliver immediate results in a 20-square-meter space.

About the Daily Usefulness of the App
This isn't just a nice-to-have feature; it's a powerful sound control center. Taking our ULTIMEA app as an example, its core value lies in:

Fine Sound Customization: The equalizer (EQ) lets you freely adjust bass and treble, for example, to enhance vocal clarity or adjust bass levels based on the movie or music genre.

Convenient Scene Switching: Switch between modes like "Movie," "Music," and "Nighttime" with a single tap, eliminating the need to fiddle with the remote.

Firmware Updates: Ensure your device always has the latest features and optimal performance.

Conclusion: The app offers deeper and more convenient personalized sound management, making it highly useful for users who want to optimize their listening experience based on specific content.

About the Effect of Dolby Atmos
Dolby Atmos is more than just a marketing gimmick. Its core difference from traditional surround sound lies in its introduction of height channels.

Experience Difference: You'll hear thunder rumbling overhead and helicopters circling rooftops—a three-dimensional sound experience unmatched by traditional 5.1.

Conclusion: If your budget allows, Dolby Atmos can deliver a truly revolutionary, vertically immersive experience.

Pricing: We've noticed price differences on Amazon in different regions. This is often due to local operating costs, tax policies, and promotional strategies. We remain committed to providing fair and competitive pricing for our global users.

Content and Marketing: We are actively expanding into European markets, including Poland, and plan to collaborate with more local creators and increase multilingual user support content. Your feedback is crucial to us. We hope the above analysis helps you understand the complexities and make the right choice for you. If you have any questions about a specific model, we're here to answer them.

Thank you for your interest and trust!

 

[Forbes]

Hey! I completely understand your dilemma; I faced the same issue a few months ago!

For your 20-square-meter room, I recommend a 5.1-channel system! I have a similarly sized space and recently bought the Poseidon D80. The rear speakers make a huge difference. Movies and games feel enveloped by sound, and music feels more "inside the room." If you prefer that cinematic vibe, it's not over the top.

About the app: It's very convenient to switch between "Movie" and "Music" modes, and the EQ lets you adjust the bass and treble at will. It's much more convenient than trying to control everything with the remote.

Dolby Atmos: Yes, it's amazing! Even in a smaller room, you can still hear the sound of rain or a helicopter flying overhead. The effect is subtle, but it definitely adds depth to the room.

Perhaps you could try setting a price alert on Amazon Germany? That's how I got the D80 on sale!

 

[Leongino]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been trying to decide which Ultimea soundbar to buy, and honestly, it’s turning into quite a dilemma. I’m stuck between several models and can’t make up my mind — should I go for a 5.1 setup or stick with 3.1 for a room of about 20 m²? I’d love to get that immersive, cinematic experience, but I’m not sure if a full 5.1 system would really make a big difference in a space this size.

I’m also wondering about the app — is it actually useful in daily use, or is it more of a “nice-to-have” feature that doesn’t change much? (Thinking about Nova vs Poseidon here.) And what about Dolby Atmos — does it make a noticeable difference in such a small space, or is it mostly marketing talk?

One thing that makes the decision harder is that there’s almost no Polish-language content about Ultimea products. It’s really surprising how little presence the brand has here — no local reviews, no detailed tests, barely any user feedback, and almost zero marketing. It’s hard to find any reliable comparisons or honest opinions in Polish, which makes choosing the right model quite tricky.

Another thing I’ve noticed is the pricing — on Amazon.pl, the prices are noticeably higher than on other Amazon stores. Even when the listed price is similar, other regions often have extra seller coupons available, which makes the final cost significantly lower. During Prime Day, some models abroad were almost half the price — I really regret not grabbing one back then.

Anyway, I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts — especially from anyone using Ultimea soundbars in smaller rooms.

Cheers!

Hi!


I was in the exact same spot. I started with a 3.1, then made a direct jump to 7.1 with the Poseidon D80, and now I use the Skywave X40 (5.1) every day in a ~20 m² room.

My honest take:

• 3.1 → 7.1 (D80): the upgrade was huge. Rear speakers and wider channel separation put the sound around you, not just in front. For movies, it’s night-and-day.
• D80 (7.1) → X40 (5.1): even though you “lose channels” on paper, the change still feels pretty dramatic because of how it sounds: the X40 gives me a wider soundstage, clearer dialogue, and a more convincing Atmos feel with compatible content. In 20 m², Atmos is noticeable (rain, helicopters, things that “rise”), though height is more evident at the front than the back—normal for 5.1 without rear height speakers.

5.1 or 3.1 for ~20 m²?
If you want a real home-cinema vibe, go 5.1 at least. 3.1 gets the job done, but adding rears changes the game. If you can reach 7.1 (like the D80), even better for that extra immersion.

The app: at first I thought “nice to have,” but I do end up using it daily: tweak sub level, boost dialogue, switch modes without getting up… It saves time and lets you dial in your sound.

Quick tips that worked for me:

• Place rears at 90–110° from your listening position and at ear height.
• On the TV, enable eARC/Bitstream and Dolby Atmos (DD+) if available.
• In smaller rooms, lower the sub –2/–4 dB to avoid boom, and toggle Upmix depending on the content.

Pricing & where to buy:
I also saw differences across Amazon regions. Heads-up: the official ULTIMEA website often has pretty significant discounts (coupons, bundles, etc.). Give it a look before you buy, it can be notably cheaper than Amazon.pl sometimes.

If my experience helps: with ~20 m² I wouldn’t go back to 3.1. Between the D80 (7.1) and X40 (5.1), both have been great, but these days I stick with the X40 for the soundstage and ease of use.

 

[harshjain1906]

Hi everyone,

I’ve been trying to decide which Ultimea soundbar to buy, and honestly, it’s turning into quite a dilemma. I’m stuck between several models and can’t make up my mind — should I go for a 5.1 setup or stick with 3.1 for a room of about 20 m²? I’d love to get that immersive, cinematic experience, but I’m not sure if a full 5.1 system would really make a big difference in a space this size.

I’m also wondering about the app — is it actually useful in daily use, or is it more of a “nice-to-have” feature that doesn’t change much? (Thinking about Nova vs Poseidon here.) And what about Dolby Atmos — does it make a noticeable difference in such a small space, or is it mostly marketing talk?

One thing that makes the decision harder is that there’s almost no Polish-language content about Ultimea products. It’s really surprising how little presence the brand has here — no local reviews, no detailed tests, barely any user feedback, and almost zero marketing. It’s hard to find any reliable comparisons or honest opinions in Polish, which makes choosing the right model quite tricky.

Another thing I’ve noticed is the pricing — on Amazon.pl, the prices are noticeably higher than on other Amazon stores. Even when the listed price is similar, other regions often have extra seller coupons available, which makes the final cost significantly lower. During Prime Day, some models abroad were almost half the price — I really regret not grabbing one back then.

Anyway, I’d really appreciate hearing your thoughts — especially from anyone using Ultimea soundbars in smaller rooms.

Cheers!

You already got lots of suggestions from the community. Hope now you can decide

 

[Leinadus]

Thank you all for the wonderful and very quick help!
Your answers have really cleared up many of my doubts.

After reading your feedback, I’m becoming more and more convinced that a 5.1 system will be the best choice for a room of around 20 m² — especially if I want to achieve that truly cinematic surround experience.

I also really appreciate the explanations regarding the app – it looks like a genuinely useful tool, not just a nice extra. Dolby Atmos also sounds appealing, especially if the price difference isn’t too big.

When it comes to the purchase, there are currently two main deciding factors:
1. Price – I really like the Skywave series, especially in terms of design, but unfortunately, it’s currently beyond my planned budget.
I’m therefore mostly leaning toward models from the Poseidon D60 or Nova S70 series, which seem to offer the best compromise between quality and price. I also considered the D80 and S80, but for my needs, a 7.1 setup would be a bit excessive, and both are slightly above my budget. In that case, the F40 might actually be a better choice.

2. Sound for movies – I care a lot about clear dialogue and consistent sound levels during both quiet and loud scenes. I’d prefer not to constantly adjust the volume while watching. I don’t listen to much music, so the soundbar will mostly be used for movies and gaming.

At the moment, I’m leaning the most toward the Poseidon D60, although if a good promotion appeared for one of the previously mentioned models, I might follow that path instead.


Once again, huge thanks for all the advice, comparisons, and such quick replies! This is truly a great and helpful community.

 

[Ultimea Team]

Thank you all for the wonderful and very quick help!
Your answers have really cleared up many of my doubts.

After reading your feedback, I’m becoming more and more convinced that a 5.1 system will be the best choice for a room of around 20 m² — especially if I want to achieve that truly cinematic surround experience.

I also really appreciate the explanations regarding the app – it looks like a genuinely useful tool, not just a nice extra. Dolby Atmos also sounds appealing, especially if the price difference isn’t too big.

When it comes to the purchase, there are currently two main deciding factors:
1. Price – I really like the Skywave series, especially in terms of design, but unfortunately, it’s currently beyond my planned budget.
I’m therefore mostly leaning toward models from the Poseidon D60 or Nova S70 series, which seem to offer the best compromise between quality and price. I also considered the D80 and S80, but for my needs, a 7.1 setup would be a bit excessive, and both are slightly above my budget. In that case, the F40 might actually be a better choice.

2. Sound for movies – I care a lot about clear dialogue and consistent sound levels during both quiet and loud scenes. I’d prefer not to constantly adjust the volume while watching. I don’t listen to much music, so the soundbar will mostly be used for movies and gaming.

At the moment, I’m leaning the most toward the Poseidon D60, although if a good promotion appeared for one of the previously mentioned models, I might follow that path instead.


Once again, huge thanks for all the advice, comparisons, and such quick replies! This is truly a great and helpful community.

Hello!

Exclusive Advice for You
Based on your situation, we recommend waiting a bit and focusing on the Black Friday sales.

Why Black Friday?
This is typically one of the biggest discounts of the year, and your favorite Skywave series, Poseidon D80, and Nova S80 may all be available at prices within your budget.

What can you do specifically?

Follow the community and official updates: We'll also be posting promotional information on the Ultimea community and official website. Stay tuned.

Before Black Friday, if you have any further questions or need assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Thank you again for your interest in Ultimea. We look forward to hearing from you soon about your home theater setup!

Sincerely,
The Ultimea Team

 

[Ultimea Team]

We can also take a look at the following article, hopefully this will help you choose the ideal system!

How to Choose a Home Theater Sound System? | 2.1, 5.1, 7.1, and Dolby Atmos Explained ​

 

[Leinadus]

Thank you for your message and advice!
I actually suspected it might be worth waiting a bit, so I didn’t make the purchase earlier. I’m currently switching from a Samsung S60A, where unfortunately the Bluetooth stopped working. I’m still waiting for the refund, so there’s no rush — it’s perfect timing with Black Friday coming up soon.

 

[Ultimea Team]

Thank you for your message and advice!
I actually suspected it might be worth waiting a bit, so I didn’t make the purchase earlier. I’m currently switching from a Samsung S60A, where unfortunately the Bluetooth stopped working. I’m still waiting for the refund, so there’s no rush — it’s perfect timing with Black Friday coming up soon.

Thank you very much for your response and for embracing our suggestions!

We believe it will be a complete leap forward in sound quality and immersion, especially in movies and games, where you'll experience a completely different, enveloping sound experience. We will do our best to help you complete the upgrade in the most cost-effective way possible.

Sincerely,
The Ultimea Team