XGIMI Horizon S Pro : test / review
Published on: 26-02-2025 / Modified: 26-02-2025
XGIMI's Horizon family was launched over 3 years ago with the Horizon FHD and Horizon Pro. The family then expanded with the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, and until then, the differences between the models were quite clear. With the introduction of the XGIMI Horizon S Max and S Pro, comparison has become more difficult, as the two projectors are as similar as two drops of water. I tested the XGIMI Horizon S Max 3 months ago and the result of my test was very positive. I'm now going to take a closer look at the S Pro, using the same test protocol to help you make the right choice between these two projectors
Temporary offer
I've got an exclusive promo code for this projector to bring the price down from €1,399 to €1,259, a €140 reduction!
Valid until March 15, 2025
To take advantage of this offer, simply use the following two links:
Activate promo (you'll be redirected to the XGIMI home page, but the promo code will have been activated)
Add to cart
When you add the projector to the cart, the discount will automatically appear like this:
Manufacturer web site:
https://www.xgimi.com
Site where I have bought or received the XGIMI Horizon S Pro: https://www.xgimi.co...
Price XGIMI Horizon S Pro
Not yet available / testedTimeline
March 26, 2025: the projector is received and the test can begin. It will probably take me a week to publish all my measurements.Why this projector?
Not yet available / testedUnpacking
The XGIMI Horizon S Pro box is quite imposing for the size of the projector. It's mainly the protective layer that adds bulk. The projector comes with a remote control, two AAA batteries, a manual in several languages, a huge power pack and a power cable.
The main box also contains an HDMI stick running Android TV. This HDMI stick will enable you to use Netflix natively, and is included free of charge in the price. If you don't need Netflix, this stick won't do you any good, but you can still use it on any other device with an HDMI port
I also received an XGIMI tripod specially designed for the Horizon range. This tripod consists of a heavy circular base to ensure the projector's stability. Then there's a metal rod, about 70 cm long, which you screw into the base. The projector is then mounted on a specially adapted bracket, which is attached to the upper part of the rod. I've tested this tripod and it works very well, being stable enough to keep the projector in place. You just have to be aware that you have to lift it by its base otherwise you'll detach the projector.
If you need a higher support, you'll have to opt for a standard camera tripod (on three legs)
Operating system
Not yet available / tested
Finish
The XGIMI Horizon S Pro uses the same chassis as the Horizon S Max. They have exactly the same dimensions, the S Max is just a few grams heavier
This resemblance obviously causes a little confusion. The resemblance isn't just aesthetic, because from a technical point of view, these two projectors are very similar too
The front panel is motorized and lowers automatically when you switch the projector on. The lens is therefore protected when the projector is switched off. It doesn't have much effect on dust. On the other hand, if you have children, they won't be able to leave fingerprints on the lens.
Sound diffusion is also via the front. The same speakers are used as in the S Max, with 2 x 12 watts from Harman Kardon
These two projectors use a tilting format that allows the projector to be oriented vertically for ceiling projection. Despite its massive appearance, this projector is quite agile
The stand is also mounted on a rotating disc that will allow you to orientate it 360°.
This flexibility will allow you to project an image in almost any position. I must warn you, however, that this flexibility has an impact on image quality. If your screen isn't perfectly perpendicular to the projection cone, you'll have to use trapezoidal correction. If the correction is slight, this is not a problem. On the other hand, you'll see a large grey frame around your image if you use a heavy correction.
Below, you'll find a standard screw thread. You can easily use the projector with a photo tripod, as the screw thread is perfectly stable.
XGIMI sells a tripod with this projector. The tripod is around 70 cm high and weighted at the base. Assembly is ultra-simple, with the main rod screwed onto the base. The projector is installed on a rotating support. Just be careful when moving it, as the top part detaches easily. This is handy for setting up the projector, but can be surprising if you lift the stand from the projector
Rear connectivity is fairly limited, and is also the same as on the S Max. There's a single HDMI eARC port and two USB 2.0 ports.
Like other XGIMI projectors, this projector uses a DMD 0.47 chip as a laser source. This chip has a reputation for being a little weak in terms of contrast, but we'll see if this is the case later on in this test.
If I consult this projector's datasheet, I see that it uses the same CPU and GPU as the S Max. So they're almost 100% identical. I say almost identical because there are a few minor differences.
Projection room
My projection room is rectangular, 4.6m by 2.9m (height 2.2m). I have two projection walls, one white wall 2.9m wide with just white paint with a possible 4m setback. I then have a 133 inch ALR screen on another wall with a possible setback of 2.8m. I mainly use the ALR screen except when the layout or type of projector is not suitable for this situation.Battery autonomy
Not yet available / testedPower consumption
Not yet available / testedOperating noise
Not yet available / testedImage quality
Not yet available / testedColorimetry
More explanations on colorimetry
Measuring color fidelity (colorimetry) is not a subjective question, it is something completely measurable. This measurement is carried out with a device (colorimeter, spectrometer, ...) which measures the difference between the real color and the displayed color. This difference is expressed in delta E (abbreviation: dE). A dE greater than 3 indicates a deviation perceptible to the human eye.
The dE must therefore be as low as possible but projectors rarely have a dE lower than 3 out of the box. They are often between 5 and 10, only a calibration can correctly adjust the colors.
For a perfect calibration, you must call a professional. I give you my parameters which correspond to my situation. These settings might work for your situation but it is not a guarantee, so take them as an indication of the direction to follow.
Not yet available / tested
Brightness
More explanations on brightness
The brightness for a projector is absolutely crucial. The brightness is measured in ANSI lumens and the values provided by the manufacturer are very often higher than reality.
I measure the brightness with a lux meter and I convert my measurements into ANSI lumens in relation to the projection surface. You thus obtain a real value.
A video projector, even if it is bright, cannot compete with a television. The contribution of light (natural or artificial) will have the effect of drastically reducing the contrast of your image. With a brightness lower than 1000 ANSI lumens, the projector must be used in total darkness.
Not yet available / tested
Sharpness
Not yet available / tested
Contrast
More explanations on contrast
Contrast (on/off) is used to measure the difference between white and black. This measurement gives an indication of the ability of a projector to produce a good rendering in dark scenes.
A contrast lower than 500:1 should be considered as a very low contrast and the consequence will be especially visible in dark scenes where you will lose details. This is less of a problem for sports, bright films or even cartoons.
A low contrast ratio does not mean that a projector is not usable, you just have to be aware that for films like Aliens, dark scenes will no longer allow you to distinguish details.
Not yet available / tested
Motion compensation
More on Motion Compensation (MEMC)
Many projectors use a frequency of 60 Hz, which means that they broadcast 60 frames per second. Many films were designed to broadcast 24 frames per second. This means that for each second, the film does not have enough frames to fill the 60 frames broadcast by the projector.
This most often results in a jerkiness in the image. Some projectors are able to attenuate this jerkiness with a motion compensation system (also called MEMC). If you abuse this compensation, you will get what is called the 'soap opera' effect which makes the image a little artificial like the TV series of the 80s.
Not yet available / tested
Image size and projection distance
More explanations on the projection distance
The projection distance determines the size of the image and the size of the image is determined by the projector's throw ratio. If a projector has a throw ratio of 1.2, it will have an image width of 83 cm with possibly a gray border.
The distance also plays a role in the brightness because the brightness decreases with the square of the distance. A projector placed at 4 meters will therefore lose 4 times more brightness than a projector placed at 2 meters.
Keystone image correction does not modify the projection cone, it resizes the image inside the projection cone. This means that in the event of a significant correction, you will see a large gray border appear around your image.
Not yet available / tested
Screen choice
Not yet available / tested
Audio quality
More explanations on audio quality
I use several types of music tracks to illustrate the sound quality of the projector but the rendering will always be limited by the recording device. Since I always use the same device, you will be able to compare the difference on the same basis.
I regularly use well-known songs protected by copyright to illustrate the sound quality of a video projector. It therefore sometimes happens that YouTube decides to block my videos for these reasons. In this case, you can listen to the soundtracks directly on YouTube and hope that YouTube has not completely blocked my channel.
Not yet available / tested
Video games
More explanations video games
To be able to play in good conditions with a projector, the latency must be low. Latency is the reaction time between pressing a button on your controller and the reaction on the screen, this latency is expressed in milliseconds and is also called 'input lag'.
I measure this latency with a specialized device. To be able to play fast-paced FPS-type games online, you need to obtain a latency of less than 30 ms. For games where the reaction time is less important, a latency of less than 100ms should be suitable for most situations.
I generally test ShadowRunner from Geforce Now on my Nvidia Shield except when this is not possible. I'm not used to playing with a controller, so I'm not very good at it, but the point is to show the projector's ability, not mine.
Not yet available / tested
Encoutered bugs
Not yet available / testedALR/CLR Projection screen
Are you looking for a good ALR/CLR screen for your projector? I may have what you need:ALR/CLR NothingProjector Screen
Test / Review conclusion
Not yet available / testedStrengths
Not yet available / tested
Weaknesses
Not yet available / tested
LAURENT WILLENHead of myself on this blog
I share my passions on my blog in my free time since 2006, I prefer that to watching nonsense on TV or on social networks. I work alone, I am undoubtedly one of the last survivors of the world of blogs and personal sites.
My speciality? Digital in all its forms. I have spent the last 25 years working for multinationals where I managed digital teams and generated revenues of over €500 million per year. I have expertise in telecoms, media, aviation, travel and tourism.
Questions/Comments