The N1S Ultimate is the flagship model of JMGO's N1S series of projectors, known for their integrated gimbal design. Offering the highest lumen output among the three N1S models, the Ultimate still delivers excellent gamut coverage of the BT.2020 color space, thanks to its triple-color RGB laser light engine. Powered by Google TV, the N1S Ultimate 4K includes HDMI 2.1 and authorized Netflix access, setting it apart from its siblings, in addition to its enhanced light output.

With a current street price of $2,099.00—potentially even lower—the N1S Ultimate 4K is a strong contender in terms of value, making it an excellent deal compared to its regular MSRP of $2,799.00.

Features

The N1S Ultimate 4k is the same design found the N1 Ultra that we reviewed here at Projector Central back in September of 2023.Though the menu options have undergone slight changes in placement and a few additional upgrades have been introduced, the N1S Ultimate remains very similar to its predecessor. It features the Texas Instruments 0.47-inch DMD DLP chipset, which provides a native 1080p display and employs a four-phase pixel shift to achieve UHD 3840x2160 resolution. The image produced by the Ultimate is exceptionally sharp and detailed, ensuring viewers need not worry about its 4K capabilities being non-native. Unfortunately, the Ultimate does exhibit a rainbow effect (RBE) when viewing certain content. While I am not highly sensitive to this phenomenon, those users who are may find it more pronounced.

The Ultimate employs JMGO's patented MALC Triple Color Laser light engine, enabling it to deliver impressive brightness. JMGO claims a specification of 3,300 ISO Lumens, and our measurements confirmed it exceeds this, achieving 3,524 ANSI Lumens in Ultra Brightness mode. However, this mode is not ideal for regular viewing due to its strong green bias. In a more standard and viewable picture mode, the N1S Ultimate achieved 2,749 ANSI lumens, which is still sufficiently bright for illuminating the larger screens commonly used in home theaters with impressive brightness uniformity. The N1S Ultimate 4K produced a measured FOFO (full on, full off) contrast ratio of 1,420:1 which is just short of the listed specification of 1,600:1 listed by JMGO.

The MALC laser light engine also offers remarkable gamut coverage. Although JMGO specifies 110% BT.2020 coverage for the N1S Ultimate, measurements of our sample fell slightly short of this claim but still delivered impressive results. The N1S Ultimate measured 96.45% xy and 98.33% uv for the BT.2020 color space and 99.14% xy and 99.55% uv for P3 coverage. Notably, Rec.709 coverage was 100%. However, results varied depending on the picture mode used, which will be explored in greater detail in the performance section. An additional note is that I did observe some laser speckle primarily with red, and yellow. The higher the laser light level the more prominent the speckle appeared. It was much less than I have observed on many other lifestyle RGB laser projectors, which is ultimately good.

One of the standout features of the N1S Ultimate, aside from its impressive brightness, brightness uniformity, and triple-laser RGB light source, is its integrated gimbal stand. The stand allows the Ultimate to be positioned almost anywhere, offering 135 degrees of vertical and 360 degrees of horizontal movement. In addition to tabletop placement, the gimbal base can be removed for ceiling mounting. This flexibility is especially useful given the Ultimate's compact size and weight of 9.92 pounds, with dimensions of 9.29 inches x 7.99 inches x 9.48 inches (WHD).

The N1S Ultimate also includes various correction options, such as four-point keystone correction and instant gimbal display correction, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. However, proper placement is still crucial. Since the Ultimate features a fixed-lens design without optical zoom, horizontal, or vertical lens shift, it must be placed closer to the screen due to its 1.20:1 throw ratio. To maintain image integrity, it is recommended to minimize the use of keystone correction.

That said, the gimbal's versatility may encourage users to rely on these features for convenience, even if it slightly impacts image quality. For optimal placement and to calculate the throw distance for your desired screen size, you can use the ProjectorCentral JMGO N1S Ultimate Throw Distance Calculator

The N1S Ultimate 4K features an Android smart platform as its operating system. The version installed on the Ultimate is Android TV 11, which is not the latest Android 14. One significant improvement over the N1 Ultra is the inclusion of an authorized Netflix application. Previously, users of the N1 Ultra had to rely on external streaming devices to access Netflix.

Additionally, features such as support for multiple user profiles, allow each user to customize their own home screen. Popular features like ambient mode are also included, enabling viewers to display art, fireplaces, and more. The Google Play Store is available, as well, providing access to a wide range of downloadable apps. 3D is also available.

It's worth noting that while using the smart platform, picture settings are separate from HDMI settings. Users will need to input their preferred settings specifically within Android if they want to employ the User picture mode.

The gaming performance of the Ultimate has been improved compared to the N1 Ultra. JMGO lists the input latency as 16ms, although it does not specify the resolution or frame rate at which this measurement was achieved. The Ultimate offers two latency reduction options. The first is "Low Latency," which reduces latency while keeping some processing features, such as keystone correction, enabled. The second option is "Ultra-Low Latency," which disables all processing.

When tested at 1080p/60Hz and 4K/60Hz, the results showed a latency of 36ms in Low Latency mode, with an additional 4ms when keystone correction was enabled. In Ultra-Low Latency mode, the measured latency was 19ms. The Ultimate also accepted 1080p signals at 120Hz and 240Hz. However, it did not display the flashing portion of the test pattern used for measurements, showing only the four outer boxes, which do not flash and cannot be used for accurate latency measurements.

While it is technically possible that latency at 120Hz and 240Hz could be halved compared to the 60Hz measurements, this could not be confirmed.

The N1S Ultimate features stereo side-firing speakers with surprisingly good performance. JMGO claims these speakers are capable of achieving a 45Hz low-frequency extension. The Ultimate performed and measured similarly to the N1 Ultra, delivering a relatively full and rich audio experience. However, the N1S Ultimate has dropped the Dynaudio branding and now features "Master Sound Powered by JMGO." Unlike the N1 Ultra, the Ultimate does not include a User mode for audio settings and instead offers four presets: Standard, Movie, Music, and Sports. While the audio quality is impressive, it is not a substitute for a dedicated sound system like an AVR, AVP, or soundbar. Nevertheless, the built-in speakers enhance the Ultimate's versatility, allowing it to be set up quickly and deliver a great entertainment experience.

The I/O on the N1S Ultimate 4K is quite basic, offering only two HDMI 2.1 inputs, with eARC support available on HDMI Input 2. It also includes a USB Type-A port with media playback support and a 3.5mm audio output. While the HDMI ports are labeled as HDMI 2.1, an analysis of the EDID on the Ultimate reveals that none of the ports support FRL (Fixed Rate Link), a high-bandwidth feature of true HDMI 2.1. This indicates that the HDMI inputs on the Ultimate are limited to 18 Gbps, typically associated with standard HDMI 2.0. However, since the device supports eARC, the inputs can technically be classified as HDMI 2.1.

The N1S Ultimate 4K comes with a new remote, which differs from the one provided with the N1 Ultra. The remote is compact and responsive, featuring buttons for Home (to return to the Google homepage), a microphone (to engage voice assistants), volume control, navigation, menu, and settings. It also includes quick-access buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Prime Video, and, fortunately, an Input Source button. This Input Source button allows users to quickly switch between source devices—an addition that was missing from the N1 Ultra remote but is thankfully included with the Ultimate.

Performance

Color Modes.The N1S Ultimate offers a total of 12 picture modes—six for SDR and six for HDR. These modes share the same naming convention across both SDR and HDR: Vivid, Standard, Soft, Movie, Office, and User. Fortunately, they have separate memory settings based on dynamic range, with two exceptions: the 11-point white balance controls and the Light Brightness setting for laser power, which are global. This means that viewers can calibrate the User mode for SDR with separate settings for HDR, eliminating the need to switch picture modes based on content.

However, among all the picture modes, only the User mode provides adjustable controls for fine-tuning or calibration. Additionally, enabling Ultra Brightness automatically switches the display to the User mode, as it is the only mode that supports this feature.

The N1S Ultimate 4K does not allow users to change or select a color gamut manually. Instead, the color gamut is predefined and varies depending on the selected picture mode, as outlined below.

Vivid tracks to 2020, Standard tracks close to P3, Soft and Movie track close to 709 with oversaturation in red, Office tracks to 709 almost perfectly, and User tracks to 2020. The issues with this approach stem from the lack of picture adjustments in all picture modes (mainly for color temperature) and that 100% saturation points are firmly anchored and do not move when adjustment is available. For example, Office picture mode, which tracks Rec.709 almost perfectly, has slight errors in hue and a lack of saturation in addition to the greenish white point. If the color temperature was adjustable, then it would realign the tracking and ideally be fully accurate with just a simple white point adjustment. A user who wants a more accurate image might choose the User picture mode, but since it tracks to Rec.2020 and the 100% saturation points are firmly anchored after any adjustments are made tracking is good until approximately 70/75% saturation, then all points after will be over-saturated and start to track back to the 100% anchor point, thus throwing the color off hue. This could simply be corrected by allowing a selectable color gamut or removing the anchor from 100% saturated color.

Due to the inability to adjust the picture settings, none of the picture modes provide accurate out-of-the-box (OOTB) performance. All picture modes use predefined gamma and color temperature settings. This could be problematic for viewers seeking accuracy, especially those who cannot calibrate the User picture mode. Most of the picture modes exhibit either a strong blue bias, resulting in a very cool image, or an overly green hue.

For viewers who choose to calibrate the N1S Ultimate, standard global controls such as Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Hue, and Sharpness are available. Additionally, more advanced settings allow users to adjust the color temperature and select between Bright, Middle, and Dark gamma, which correspond to 1.9, 2.1, and 2.3 gamma levels, respectively. A full color management system (CMS) and an 11-point white balance are also available, with adjustments shared globally between SDR and HDR modes. The "User HDR" picture mode offers access to these same settings.

OOTB viewing performance was acceptable but required switching between Standard mode for HDR and Office mode for SDR. This was necessary because Standard, while cooler and more saturated, caused noticeable oversaturation in SDR content. Conversely, Office tracked better for SDR but exhibited a green bias. For viewers who are not concerned about oversaturation, using Standard for both SDR and HDR is a viable option. While midtones looked accurate and tracked close to Rec.709 within Rec.2020, highly saturated colors were excessively vivid, which may not suit everyone's preference.

Ultimately, for users who choose not to calibrate the N1S Ultimate but still want a picture that is somewhat accurate, starting with the Standard and Office picture modes is recommended.

I calibrated the N1S Ultimate 4K with Calman Ultimate calibration software from Portrait Displays, a Colorimetry Research CR-250 Colorimeter, Colorimetry Research CR-100 Colorimeter, and a Murideo 8K Seven Generator. The projector was placed 8 feet 10 inches to project a 100-inch, 16:9 image on a reference 1.3 gain, 135-inch 2.35:1 Stewart Filmscreen.

Picture modes had large dE (DeltaE) errors, which is the metric used to determine the visible error. It has been determined that anything over a dE of 3 is visible, anything over 2.3 is a just noticeable difference for trained eyes and anything below 2.3 won't likely be seen to the eye. Pre-calibration measurements of User picture mode had dE errors averaging 7.4dE for grayscale with a 11.8 max. Color checker measured an average of 6.1dE with a max of 18.6dE. 10% saturation sweeps faired similarly to the large 150+ patch color checker with a 7dE avg. and 12.4dE max. HDR errors were very similar with average around 8dE and max errors around 12dE.

Using the provided single point color temperature adjustment control, I targeted the production industry standard D65 neutral gray white point by adjusting the Gain controls. Afterwards, a full CMS (color management system) calibration for the RGBCMY primaries and secondary colors was performed as well. Results for post calibration helped to improve the level of accuracy, though errors still remained high due to the N1S Ultimate 4K's inability to adjust for 100% saturated colors, which throws off other color points as well. Grayscale average measured 0.8dE with maximum errors reaching 1.3dE, large-scale Color Checker average measured 3.1dE with a 18.4dE max, while saturation sweeps averaged a 2.7dE with a 12.4dE max. HDR calibration had similar errors due to the 100% saturation points being anchored and being unable to be moved which throw off hue the more saturated colors became.

The device I used for reviewing content post-calibration was a Panasonic UB-820 UHD player.

1080p/SDR Viewing. The movie Gravity (in SDR via Blu-ray) looked impressive overall and was surprisingly sharp, though the lower native contrast was noticeable. The whites in the space suits appeared very clean, with no obvious color tint in the suits such as when the camera pans in on Sandra Bullock as she performs the repair. The various shots of Earth displayed good detail and natural blues.

One noticeable issue was the appearance of rainbow effects particularly on white objects that moved slowly across the screen against the black void of space. The first instance of this was the space shuttle at the beginning of the movie as it slowly approached from the far right of the screen. Another example occurred when Sandra Bullock was thrust into space after the debris strike. As she drifted farther into the distance and became smaller, the effect became much more pronounced.

Overall, the movie looked good, but it highlighted the presence of RBE (Rainbow Banding Effect) on the N1S Ultimate, depending on the content being viewed.

UHD/HDR Viewing.Watching The Dark Knight Rises in HDR via 4K UHD, skin tones were well-presented in the opening scene, both before and during the skyjacking. The CIA operative waiting in front of the plane looked natural. However, this same scene revealed a significant amount of clipping in the sky, which lacked details that are typically visible. This issue was also apparent when the camera cut back to the hooded captives in the van; the window behind them clipped any real detail that would normally be visible.

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The problem persisted during the plane sequence when Bane captured the doctor. In the subsequent scene at the party, while Bruce is on the building, the low native contrast became very noticeable. Unfortunately, adjusting settings to enhance contrast resulted in significant crushing of details in clothing and other darker areas. Additionally, rainbows were visible in various scenes, such as when Selina carried the silver dining ware. Quick glances or cuts made these artifacts particularly noticeable.

While watching Blade Runner 2049 in HDR via 4K UHD, the presentation was excellent, with accurate skin tones and impressive shadow detail. Since the movie isn't overly bright, it complemented the performance of the N1S Ultimate well. The various neon colors throughout the city were displayed correctly in most instances, though magentas appeared slightly off, leaning more toward pink. Overall, the picture quality was extremely sharp, and motion remained smooth during the slow pans used throughout the film. The N1S Ultimate performed exceptionally well with this movie.

Conclusion

The JMGO N1S Ultimate 4K performed well but could have been better. It delivers a sharp and detailed image that is both bright and vibrant. At its current street price, it offers good value, especially when considering its impressive color gamut coverage, smart platform, and high light output. This projector is ideal for events such as outdoor gatherings, sleepovers, and other occasions where a large projected image enhances the experience.

Its accessible design enhances mobility, further supported by the included travel case for easy transportation. The gimbal design and short throw capabilities mean it doesn't require much space to operate effectively. However, these same features can pose challenges for some home cinema setups, particularly if users are unable to position the projector in the center of the room for optimal image projection.

Lifestyle projectors are becoming increasingly popular due to their versatility, and the JMGO N1S Ultimate 4K is no exception. It offers a great deal of flexibility that many users will appreciate. However, accuracy-focused enthusiasts might be disappointed by its picture quality, as it leans toward a more vibrant and saturated image rather than precise color accuracy.

That said, despite its flaws, this is a very capable projector. Its current pricing makes it a strong option for those who value excellent color gamut coverage and brightness in a compact, quiet, and portable package, even if absolute picture accuracy is not their top priority.

Measurements

Brightness. The N1S Ultimate is rated for 3,300 ISO lumens. The brightest picture mode is the SDR User picture mode while in the Ultra Brightness setting. This picture mode measured 3,524 ANSI lumens, which is 6.35% higher than its rated specification. When not employing the Ultra Brightness setting, the User Picture mode measured 2,749 ANSI lumens, which is 16.69% lower than its rated specification. The more accurate measurement is User, without engaging Ultra Brightness as it is a more usable picture mode for consuming content.

JMGO N1S ULTIMATE ANSI Lumens

SDR	ANSI Lumens
Vivid	2,608
Standard	2,608
Soft	1,903
Movie	2,608
Office	2,573
User	2,749
User (Ultra Brightness)	3,524
HDR	ANSI Lumens
Vivid (HDR)	2,643
Standard (HDR)	2,643
Soft (HDR)	1,973
Movie (HDR)	2,573
Office (HDR)	2,573
User (HDR)	2,608
User (Ultra Brightness) (HDR)	3,313

Zoom Lens Light Loss. The N1S Ultimate is a fixed lens projector. Optical zoom is not supported.

Brightness Uniformity. The N1S Ultimate projecting a 100-inch diagonal image resulted in measured brightness uniformity of 93%. The brightest portion of the screen was the middle top sector and the dimmest the right bottom. The difference in brightness on a full white screen was not noticeable.

Fan Noise. JMGO rates the fan noise for the N1S Ultimate at less than 26dB. Using Room EQ Wizard software and a Umik-1 microphone, my theater room ambient noise floor is 33.3 dBA. Measuring the N1S Ultimate at approximately 3 feet away from multiple locations the N1S Ultimate measured between 33.6-36.8 dBA.

Ultra-Brightness
Left - 35.1 dBA
Right - 35.4 dBA
Front - 34.7 dBA
Rear - 36.8 dBA

Laser 10 (Ultra Brightness Off)
Left - 34.4 dBA
Right - 34.2 dBA
Front - 34.1 dBA
Rear - 35.1 dBA

Laser 1
Left - 33.7 dBA
Right - 33.6 dBA
Front - 33.7 dBA
Rear - 33.6 dBA

Input Lag. Input lag measurements were taken using a Murideo 8K Seven Generator using both the Low Latency and Ultra Low Latency options in the N1S Ultimate. While using low latency with Keystone applied a small increase in latency of approximately 4ms is seen. The measurements below are without Keystone enabled.

Low Latency
1080p/60Hz = 36Hz
1080p/120Hz = N/A
1080p/240Hz = N/A
4k/60Hz = 36Hz

Ultra-Low Latency
1080p/60Hz = 20Hz
1080p/120Hz = N/A
1080p/240Hz = N/A
4k/60Hz = 20Hz

Connections

• HDMI 2.1 (x2; HDCP 2.2, eARC HDMI 2)
• 3.5mm Mini Jack Audio out
• USB 2.0 Type A (media playback)
• Wi-Fi 6
• Bluetooth 5.2

Final Settings

Calibrated image settings from any third-party do not account for the significant potential for sample-to-sample variation, nor the different screen sizes and materials, lighting, lamp usage, or other environmental factors that can affect image quality. Projectors should always be calibrated in the user's own space and tuned for the expected viewing conditions. However, the settings provided here may be a helpful starting point for some. Always record your current settings before making adjustments so you can return to them as desired. Refer to the Performance section for some context for each calibration.

SDR Settings

Picture Mode: User

Brightness: 49
Contrast: 47
Saturation: 32
Hue: 0
Sharpness: 0
HDR: On

Color Temperature: User
Red Gain: 0
Green Gain: -2
Blue Gain: -19

Advanced Settings
DNR: Off
MPEG NR: Off
Adaptive Luma Control: Off (or Low)
Local Contrast Control: Off (or Low)
Gamma: Dark

Color Tuner: On

Color	Hue	Saturation	Brightness
Red	60	52	50
Green	31	45	50
Blue	49	53	55
Cyan	50	30	77
Magenta	38	53	50
Yellow	52	73	50
Flesh Tone	50	50	50

HDR Settings

Picture Mode: User
Brightness: 50
Contrast: 50

Saturation: 46
Hue: 0
Sharpness: 0
HDR: On

Color Temperature: User
Red Gain: -1
Green Gain: -2
Blue Gain: -21

Advanced Settings
DNR: Off
MPEG NR: Off
Adaptive Luma Control: Off (or Medium)
Local Contrast Control: Off (or Medium)
Gamma: Bright

Color Tuner: On

Color	Hue	Saturation	Brightness
Red	50	49	50
Green	44	43	50
Blue	47	44	50
Cyan	55	60	50
Magenta	44	58	50
Yellow	51	60	50
Flesh Tone	50	50	50

For more detailed specifications and connections, check out our JMGO N1S Ultimate projector page.

To buy this projector, use Where to Buy online, or get a price quote by email direct from Projector Central authorized dealers using our E-Z Quote tool.

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