nuPro AS-3500

Unit type and recommended use

Increase your viewing pleasure with the nuPro AS-3500 Active Stereo Board! The sound deck puts an end to the tinny sound output of your TV: in no time at all, you can enjoy a sound panorama like in the cinema during Hollywood hits, finally feel like you're in the stands during sports broadcasts and can follow news programmes better thanks to Nubert's new Voice+ speech enhancement technology. Just plug it in, connect it and you're in sound heaven!

In the nuPro AS-3500, an equally powerful and sound-pure digital amplifier with a full 160 watts of rated power drives two tweeters, two midrange drivers and two subwoofers on the bottom. The Soundboard thus creates a room-filling soundscape that reaches true home cinema level: transparent highs, powerful mids and driving basses create concise sound effects and crystal-clear speech and convincingly bring out concert recordings or blockbuster soundtracks. Thanks to comprehensive setting options, viewers can control the sound image of the sound deck according to their taste, for example, curb the bass performance or improve the low-frequency reproduction at low volumes via loudness switching.

Like the compact nuBox AS-225 and Nubert's top model nuPro XS-7500, the nuPro AS-3500 also scores points with Nubert's electronic panorama expansion, dubbed "Hörizonterweiterung", which audibly enlarges the stereo effect and sets up an acoustic stage that is as three-dimensional as it is wide. Given the compact dimensions of the soundbar, this effect is all the more astonishing! Music recordings in particular benefit from this clever algorithm. A new feature is the "Voice+" sound option, which focuses on speech reproduction and makes dialogue in films or commentary in reports, documentaries and news programmes much more intelligible. In combination, Loudness and Voice+ make watching television much more fun at low levels.

The nuPro AS-3500 is also the first Nubert soundbar with an integrated decoder for the Dolby and DTS sound tracks from DVDs and Blu-ray discs or from streaming services such as Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. The sound system's powerful signal processor optimally prepares the surround information for two-channel reproduction.

Setting up the nuPro AS-3500 is as easy as can be. Thanks to its particularly low profile, the soundboard fits easily under the TV. With its rounded cabinet edges, high-quality multi-layer lacquer finish and removable magnetic fabric cover, the sound deck blends perfectly into any home décor. It is best connected via HDMI cable to an ARC- or eARC-capable output of the TV set. In this way, not only sound signals but also control information is transmitted. In this way, for example, the output volume of the soundplate can be adjusted with the TV remote control and both devices can be switched on or off together. Detailed settings are made using the AS-3500's high-quality remote control, which is included. Alternatively, the operation can be done via a rotary control on the front of the unit; multicoloured LEDs show all necessary information such as the selected input or the set volume.

The nuPro AS-3500 is not only recommended as a beautifully designed TV sound system, but also cuts a brilliant figure as a compact stereo system for music enjoyment. The fully digital signal processing reproduces recordings with absolute authenticity and purity of sound. Classic hi-fi players such as network streamers or CD players, but also game consoles, can be operated directly at the analogue or digital inputs of the stereo board. Smartphones, tablets or laptops can even be connected wirelessly via the integrated Bluetooth receiver. Thanks to support for aptX HD (Android) and AAC (iOS), sound signals are transmitted in excellent quality. The nuPro AS-3500 does not support the high-resolution wireless standard X-Connect, which is used to network the models of the nuPro X series. However, with the help of the optional nuConnect trX transceiver, the subwoofers of the nuSub series can be controlled wirelessly. Alternatively, commercially available active woofers can also be connected to the sub-out via cable.

With its high-quality three-way technology, innovative digital amplifier, wireless functions, extensive sound settings, special sound modes for effect and voice reproduction, easy expandability and foolproof operation, the nuPro AS-3500 is the all-round happy sound deck for your living room!

Construction principle and housing

The nuPro AS-3500 is a fully active all-in-one sound system. This means that it connects directly to the TV, satellite receiver or Blu-ray player, but also to game consoles, smartphones or hi-fi players and plays back film sound, sound effects or music. For this purpose, the sound deck relies on a digital amplifier with 160 watts nominal and 240 watts music power, which drives two tweeters, two mid-range speakers and two woofers via four channels. The frequency distribution is partially active; a passive crossover separates low and mid frequencies. The signals are prepared and processed by a powerful digital processor.

The cabinet of the nuPro AS-3500 is made of thick-walled, low-resonance wood fibre material (MDF) and is intricately braced, allowing a load capacity of over 100 kilograms for TVs placed on the deck. The rounded front reduces harmful edge dispersion and contributes to precise sound reproduction. The bass reflex ports are located at the rear of the cabinet; a wall clearance of about ten centimetres should therefore be ensured. The subwoofers radiate downwards; there, the optimum distance is ensured by four spike feet. The elegant design and the high-quality sanded finish in black or white create a homely appearance, which is made even more discreet by the magnetically adhering fabric cover (black in both versions). The status LEDs can still be read through the fabric cover.

The nuPro AS-3500 operates as a stereo system with left and right channels. The relatively wide cabinet allows for a three-dimensional stage effect, which can be further extended via the Integrated Wide circuit ("listening zone extension"). Specially for films and TV programmes, the "Voice+" speech focus is also on board, enabling clearer voice reproduction. Purists can, of course, continue to enjoy unadulterated two-channel sound.

Chassis

The high frequency range is covered by two modern 25 millimetre diameter calotte drivers, which are also used in other models of the nuPro series. Two polypropylene drivers with a diameter of 119 millimetres ensure concise sound reproduction in the mid-range frequencies. In the low frequency range, two long-throw drivers are embedded in the underside of the soundbar. All drivers are specially manufactured for Nubert and have been optimised for their respective purpose over many development stages in cooperation with our engineers.

Operation and setting options

The stereo board can be operated either via the accompanying remote control or with the help of the rotary switch on the front of the unit, whereby important operations such as volume control can also be easily accessed via the TV if it is connected via the HDMI (e)ARC input. The supplied remote control, which stands out with its high-quality feel and elegant design, allows quick access to the various sound settings.

Multicoloured LEDs around the rotary knob provide clear information about the selected input and the status of the unit, and are also easy to see through the removable fabric cover.

Tone control

The soundbar has several sound settings to adjust the playback image to the listener's preferences or the spatial situation. For example, the bass and mid-range/treble reproduction can be boosted or attenuated in several stages. An adaptive loudness circuit automatically intensifies the low-frequency reproduction at low volumes. To expand the stereo stage, there is also the option of activating a sophisticated two-stage wide function that preserves the character of the recording in the best possible way. Finally, especially for quiet playback of films and TV programmes, there is the Voice+ sound mode, which ensures clearer and more intelligible voice reproduction.

Connections and sound formats

There are four audio inputs on the back of the stereo board. The most important is the HDMI input (version 2.1), which is ideally connected to the ARC or eARC output of the TV (or another AV device such as a receiver) and then receives not only sound signals but also control commands from compatible TV models, for example for volume control. In addition, an analogue RCA input as well as an optical digital and an electrical digital input are available for connecting further hi-fi players, AV or entertainment devices. A sub output allows the connection of an external subwoofer to further increase the bass reproduction (crossover frequency: 80 Hertz). In addition, the nuPro AS-3500 can be paired with tablets, mobile phones and other compatible devices via Bluetooth and thus also receive sound signals wirelessly. Thanks to support for aptX HD and AAC, the transmission takes place in high quality and with the lowest possible delay via aptX Low Latency.

The nuPro AS-3500 not only plays back sound in PCM format, but also decodes Dolby Digital (AC3) and DTS Digital Surround. The soundboard is therefore ideally equipped to play back sound tracks from Blu-ray discs, DVDs or streaming videos and to prepare them in the best possible way for stereo playback. If necessary, the correct format, the correct output and the ARC function must be activated on the source player.

Energy

This sound plate is equipped with a convenient automatic energy-saving feature that switches the box on independently or puts it into the energy-saving stand-by mode when not in use. In this stand-by mode, which can also be activated manually via the remote control or the rotary knob, the sound system consumes less than 0.5 watts. A rocker switch allows you to disconnect the nuPro AS-3500 completely from the mains. The wide-range power supply allows this active speaker to be used on mains voltages from 110 to 120 and 230 to 240 volts.

More info in Technology

For all technically interested music and home cinema lovers who are not put off by hard facts and metrological details, Günther Nubert's "Technik satt" offers plenty of technical correlations and electro-acoustic background knowledge as well as the topic of sound optimisation and insights into the development and history of Nubert loudspeakers and devices.