TECH REVIEW – The Hisense U3120G is a 3.1.2 channel system comprising a soundbar and a subwoofer. It is compatible with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, featuring two upward-firing speakers for ceiling effects and boasts a total power output of 420 watts. Equipped with an HDMI input supporting Ultra HD, HDR signals, and an HDMI output compatible with eARC, it also supports wireless music playback via Bluetooth. We had a brief opportunity to test it to share our impressions.

The Hisense U3120G soundbar boasts a clean design. It’s essentially completely rectangular, with thick grilles covering both the top and the front speakers. With a width of 99 cm, it fits perfectly alongside TVs of 50 inches and larger. Its depth is 11 cm, and it stands 6 cm tall, allowing placement in front of most TVs without obstructing the infrared receiver.

The ends of the soundbar are not rounded but finish in sharp angles. The absence of side-firing speakers, which can be found on higher-end models like the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus or the Bang & Olufsen Beosound Theatre, is notably missing here.

The Art of Simplicity

On top, there’s a small panel with a few control buttons to adjust the volume, power on the soundbar, or switch to Bluetooth mode. These buttons have shifted slightly to the right, which is unusual as they are generally located in the center. The front display shows a scrolling five-character text when needed. Instead of a central placement, the manufacturer has decided to position two speakers for the center channel at the front center, which we will revisit later.

The build quality of the Hisense U3120G soundbar is entirely satisfactory. We observed no manufacturing defects on the test sample. The soundbar rests on two broad rubber pads that prevent it from slipping.

The subwoofer has a similarly restrained design as the soundbar it accompanies. Its edges are rounded as if to suggest a touch of elegance. Its melamine-coated MDF is quite standard. It stands on four rubber pads, and a grille covers its woofer. At the back, a bass-reflex port is located next to the power cable connection and a button for wireless connection with the soundbar.

„Got myself connected” (Stereo MC)

The Hisense U3120G soundbar has an HDMI input supporting Ultra HD and HDR, including Dolby Vision (up to a maximum of 60 frames per second). An HDMI eARC output provides a connection to the television. It also features a coaxial and an optical audio input. USB-C and USB-A ports are also present, the latter allowing direct music playback from a USB drive. The USB-C port can connect an adapter sold separately to send a wireless signal to rear speakers. These ports can also be used to charge mobile devices, although they are not easily accessible for everyday use unless a cable is permanently connected.

Since the soundbar is Bluetooth-compatible, it can receive music from mobile devices. Unfortunately, it does not support WiFi, which is disappointing but understandable given the affordable price tag. The Bluetooth compatibility does not always work as expected: for example, it could not be recognized and used as a sound device by PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Steam Deck—the first two used the TV’s digital output instead (which worked excellently), but I could not use the sound projector with the Steam Deck at all.

The soundbar comes with a remote control, and the TV remote can also adjust the volume (but not the audio modes). The remote is compact, made of plastic, and not backlit. The buttons are easily accessible, and it’s appreciated that you can immediately adjust the bass, treble, and display brightness. The mute button is also easy to find, even in the dark.

Impressive Sound Experience

The Hisense U3120G soundbar boasts eight speakers, six on the front and two directed towards the ceiling. Thus, two speakers serve the center channel (logically). Two additional pairs of speakers are positioned on the sides, facing the viewer. This is complemented by an 8-inch (20 cm) woofer in the subwoofer, which is positioned at the front. The wireless connection between the soundbar and subwoofer is automatic, and we encountered no issues syncing the two units. The soundbar provides 240 watts of power, and the subwoofer provides 180 watts, for a total of 420 watts.

In operation, the soundbar and subwoofer deliver a rather expansive audio performance, easily filling a small living room of about 20 m². The system is surprisingly powerful, notable given its relatively compact size. The subwoofer is difficult to localize, which is advantageous, thus providing a consistent sound spectrum with the soundbar.

The combination of the two is dynamic and pleasant to listen to.

At Home in the Heights

The U3120G system’s sound is particularly convincing in terms of ceiling effects, as it appears that the sound is not coming from the soundbar but rather from the television, which is always a plus. The sound profile is quite warm, with spatial effects, although these do not fill the entire room. We must acknowledge that the soundbar radiates a wider broadcast, and the sounds are well directed forward. Listening to Dolby Atmos demo tracks was very enjoyable, as the experience was quite immersive, without distortion, and with well-tracked movements of objects in space, although adding rear speakers could indeed enhance the experience.

Several audio modes are available: Movie, Music, Night, Smart, News, Sports, and Game. The Movie mode provides the most convincing results, in our view. The soundstage is then quite wide, with satisfactory spatial effects, while the Sports mode tends to deliver too much bass. The Music mode is also noteworthy, especially for its stereo downmixed sound. Listening to Nine Inch Nails in this mode is an unparalleled enjoyment for a fan like me. In movies, the dialogues are extremely clear and pleasant, projecting well forward. As for the Game mode, experiencing titles like Final Fantasy VII Rebirth or Stellar Blade was truly epic, both musically and in terms of sound effects.

In addition, the background music stays in place alongside dialogues and other effects, which is particularly favorable during a car chase scene in an action movie on Netflix with Dolby Atmos sound. The high level of detail and precision allows us to enjoy the faintest sounds of steps and invisible droplets falling in the series “The Last Of Us.”

Solid, Good Quality

Although the Hisense U3120G soundbar and subwoofer might appear somewhat cheap at first glance, once set up and connected, the two components surprise and perform exceptionally well, providing enjoyable sound at an accessible price. The system operates stably, with no distortion, and dialogues are in a completely different dimension compared to TV speakers. We particularly like how the background sounds, effects, and dialogues each find their own path to our ears, ultimately forming a coherent whole. This Dolby Atmos and DTS:X system is also excellent for listening to music, capable of meticulously reproducing the finest details of classical music while providing enough power and robust bass for electronic titles.

-Herpai Gergely (BadSector)-