Finally, I found a room-filling soundbar that makes a subwoofer unnecessary for me

ZDNET’s key takeaways

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema soundbar is offered from Amazon for just below $1,500
You may get wealthy, dynamic, and room-filling, whereas not lacking a phrase of dialogue
The Pulse Cinema requires an app for management.

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On the subject of watching TV or taking part in video games, I desire my sound to fill a room with wealthy, dynamic, and correct sound. Thus far, my favourite soundbar has been the JBL Bar 1000, and no different has come even near topping that gadget.

My bar has been set very excessive.

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Once I obtained the Bluesound Pulse Cinema, I used to be sure it will fall in need of the JBL’s sound. In spite of everything, this soundbar did not embody a subwoofer (though it does have a single RCA output for one), so how may it probably examine to the bass produced by the Bar 1000?

Seems, the Pulse Cinema delivers some surprises. Let me clarify.

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My expertise

I related the Pulse Cinema to my TV by way of HDMI eARC, which was considerably nicer than connecting by way of Bluetooth (with much less delay and extra codec assist). HDMI additionally meant connectivity was simpler and instantaneous. I might at all times desire a wired connection for my soundbars over Bluetooth.

Pulse Cinema connection ports. — You get loads of choices for connectivity.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

In different phrases, connecting the Pluse Cinema soundbar was easy.

Then got here the app.

Bluesound App. — This app may use a serious redesign to make it simpler to grasp and use.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

I do not learn about you, however I’m so over every little thing requiring an app. I get it: It is in all probability cheaper for producers to depend on customers for putting in apps and utilizing their telephones as remotes (as an alternative of getting to construct and ship a bodily distant with the gadget).

Generally, these apps aren’t dangerous. Within the case of the Bluesound Pulse Cinema, the app is dangerous. The UI is subpar, the controls are insufficient, and the general expertise is complicated. On high of that, the power to change the sound is, effectively, not there.

There is not any EQ, which might be extremely useful for this speaker. Moreover, it’s best to be capable to join the soundbar to providers like Spotify. Attempt as I’d, the connection couldn’t be made (even with my cellphone related to my Spotify account).

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The app additionally has a little bit of a studying curve, which actually should not be the case.

However how does it sound? In spite of everything, that is the one most vital side of a soundbar.

Fortuitously, the sound produced by the Bluesound Pulse Cinema makes up for the problems with the app. Sure, it will enormously profit from having a subwoofer related, however even with out a sub, the sound is wealthy and dynamic.

There’s additionally one thing Bluesound calls Encompass Upmixer, which turns channel-based audio right into a virtualized encompass sound.

My JBL Bar 1000 consists of two satellite tv for pc audio system, which do an amazing job of filling a room with stunning sound from each nook. That being stated, the Pulse Cinema does a exceptional job of simulating encompass. This characteristic is enabled by default, and you’ll anticipate finding satellite tv for pc audio system conveniently positioned across the room.

It is actually spectacular.

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Additionally, even with out a sub, you get a stunning quantity of rumble and thump from the speaker. The typical ear won’t miss the subwoofer. I might speculate that the common ear would possibly assume a sub related to the Pulse Cinema could be overkill.

The rationale why this soundbar is ready to ship such wonderful sound is because of its 16 drivers, together with devoted upfiring and middle channels. The speaker association creates a surprisingly vast 3.2.2 Dolby Atmos soundstage, and you will by no means miss a phrase of dialogue, a word of music, or a single element.

Even listening to the most recent episode of Fallout, with all of the ambient sound, I had no subject listening to dialogue. To my shock, the dialogue did not sound in any respect tinny (which is a pet peeve of mine). Voices sounded dimensional and lifelike.

The look

Though I am keen on the look of the JBL Bar 1000, the Pulse Cinema is a ravishing piece of tech. It is a lengthy pill-shaped speaker with a design scheme that is not interrupted by LED shows, lights, or the rest. It is clear and stylish. And with the power to make use of it both positioned flat on a desk (or TV stand) or mounted to a wall, this soundbar ought to slot in with practically any aesthetic.

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However once more, I am going again to the sound, and the Bluesound Pulse Cinema delivers. I spent a number of hours listening to the Pulse Cinema and after I lastly went again to the JBL, I did not discover myself pondering, “Whew, I am glad I am again to this.”

In truth, after going again to the JBL, I used to be shocked that the sound appeared a bit much less dimensional than the Pulse Cinema — and that is saying so much.

ZDNET shopping for recommendation

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema is not low cost. At simply round $1,500, you could possibly definitely purchase cheaper soundbars. Provided that the JBL Bar 1000 can now be had for nearly half the value of the Pulse Cinema, it is a exhausting promote.

Nevertheless, with the Pulse Cinema, you get extra for much less, in addition to a better degree of flexibility. Having a soundbar that offers you the sensation of a subwoofer, with out truly needing one (and taking over house), is a big benefit.

Additionally: I used to be struggling to listen to TV dialogue, till this soundbar fastened every little thing for reasonable

I really like subwoofer, however I have been in conditions the place having one simply is not sensible. In these instances, I’ve at all times felt an absence of low-end diminished the expertise. You do not have to fret about that with the Pulse Cinema, and that alone may make it well worth the worth.

I might have a tricky time selecting between the Pulse Cinema and the JBL Bar 1000. The Pulse Cinema delivers wonderful depth, easy mids, and sensible highs — all from a single bar. So, in the event you’re pressed for house however nonetheless need booming, clear, dynamic sound, the Pulse Cinema is tough to beat.