Soundbar Nubert nuBoxx AS-425 max

The Nubert marketing staff claims of the new nuBoxx series, "There has never been so much sound for so little money!". Okay, you've undoubtedly heard it a lot from public relations professionals. Indeed, the experts at Nubert electronic GmbH in Schwäbisch Gmünd are incorporating a lot of extremely compelling technology in their new entry-level class - particularly in the soundbars in the series.

The concept

The new AS-425 max is based on the tried-and-true NuBox AS-225, but it has increased greatly in width and, in addition to the specified digital decoders, has two additional bass drivers. Its 86-centimeter breadth complements today's huge televisions and so provides a broader stereo basis.

The electronics unit appears to have been borrowed from the nuPro AS-3500, based on the connecting panel. Only the PCM sound format's sample rate was reduced from 192 kHz to a maximum of 96 kHz. The two 11.8 centimeter woofers/midrange drivers and the 25-millimeter fabric dome are powered by two digital amplifiers, each with a rated output of 40 watts. To divide the woofer and tweeter, a digital crossover is used.

The connectivity possibilities are manageable but more than adequate for the majority of users. There are two digital audio inputs (S/PDIF and Toslink) plus a pair of analog cinch connections onboard. Enough for a CD player and a network streamer, for example.

An HDMI connector is used to connect to the TV or satellite receiver. You can use the "Sub Out" port to connect an external subwoofer to relieve the sound base in the bass. This automatically activates an 80 Hertz high-pass filter in front of the soundbar, freeing it from bass and making it more steady.

A Bluetooth receiver that supports aptX HD and AAC (Bluetooth 5) can take data streams from cell phones, for example. Because Nubert's RC technology (Room Calibration) is not present, no bass measurement at the listening position is feasible. This room correction, which primarily cleans out drone frequencies via the Nubert app X-Remote, had previously been reserved only for the nuPro X models.

Practice

The operating instructions are brief and to the point, but they cover everything that has to be addressed. In addition to the installation parameters, such as the minimum distance to the rear wall, there is a brief explanation of the connecting alternatives. The instructions are mostly concerned with how to use the device and the included remote control. To summarize, there is no faster way to get a soundbar to play. Connect the power cord, connect the HDMI cable to the TV's (e)-ARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) port, turn on the TV, and you're ready to go.

Convenient: Because of ARC, the sound base is triggered at the same moment. If you wish to stream music from your smartphone, for example, "pairing" establishes a Bluetooth connection in a matter of seconds.

The latter fits comfortably in the palm of the hand and provides direct access to the majority of the functions. At the touch of a button, all inputs, including Bluetooth, can be selected. If you wish to modify the bass or treble dose slightly, first select "Tone."

When you press the button once, you'll be sent to the bass menu. The dose can then be adjusted using the "Tone Level" buttons. Another push of the "Tone" button allows you to modify the midrange and treble settings. Following that, a loudness function - i.e. a modest bass boost - can be triggered, which makes sense at low listening volumes.

Green (bass), blue (treble), and red (loudness) LEDs light up around the rotary dial to indicate where you are in the menu. Great: Simple and intuitive, obviating the need for an expensive on-screen menu. Individually chosen settings can be saved in one of three presets.

The LED chain also gives additional information: The current sound format is Dolby Digital, DTS, or PCM, depending on the color of the LEDs (pink, orange, or white). Problem fixed.

The "Wide" button on the remote control provides an extra, fascinating function: the degree of the subjective panorama enlargement may be configured by pushing the Wide button numerous times. This option also has a focus on voice playback. Not every film's sound is mixed equally effectively, and dialogues are sometimes missed in the midst of the sound chaos. In this case, the option to improve voice intelligibility is really useful.

Loudspeakers from the same manufacturer frequently have a distinct "sounding," i.e. a tonal tuning that is shared by all models from the same manufacturer and, to some extent, takes into consideration the developer's handwriting. This is likewise true for Nubert, with the exception that the sound ideal has a relatively neutral focus here. We recall Nubert's tagline of the "honest loudspeaker." Tonally, that's mostly correct.

As a result, the AS-425 max performs at a fairly similar level in terms of sound to a nuPro AS-3500, which costs at least 300 dollars more. The larger bass drivers functioning specifically for low frequencies should only increase the AS-3500's border sovereignty. However, under regular listening settings, the AS-425 is not far behind. The best listening zone maybe a little tighter in the mids due to the slightly stronger bundling, but if you sit as far in the middle as feasible in front of the sound deck, the listener may listen to a sound that is unrivaled in this price range.

The conclusion

What makes soundbars in general, and the AS-425 in particular, so appealing is its all-in-one solution. The wonderful, vibrant world of cinema and music is available without any additional components when plugged into the TV or linked via Bluetooth. The good old hi-fi rack with its plethora of equipment has seen better days in many living rooms.

The formerly required subwoofer is also no longer required; thanks to the latest generation of active electronics and long-throw chassis, the AS-425 can play down to an astonishing 35 Hertz while maintaining sound pressure levels that should satisfy everyone. Between typical TV sound and this Nubert Soundbar, there are tonal galaxies. But it doesn't only make ordinary television into a spectacle: if you sit properly, you can also listen to music very effectively with the AS-425. And what is the story's essence? It will be impossible to find anything with a more powerful sound in this price range.