I shelved my subwoofer after hearing what this stylish soundbar could do &#8211; just be prepared for the price

ZDNET’s key takeaways

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema soundbar is on the market from Amazon for slightly below $1,500
You will 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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With regards to watching TV or enjoying video games, I choose 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 system.

My bar has been set very excessive.

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After 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 embrace a subwoofer (though it does have a single RCA output for one), so how may it probably evaluate 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 through HDMI eARC, which was considerably nicer than connecting through Bluetooth (with much less delay and extra codec assist). HDMI additionally meant connectivity was simpler and instantaneous. I’d at all times choose 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 significant redesign to make it simpler to know and use.

Jack Wallen/ZDNET

I do not learn about you, however I’m so over all the things requiring an app. I get it: It is most likely 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 system).

Typically, these apps aren’t unhealthy. Within the case of the Bluesound Pulse Cinema, the app is unhealthy. The UI is subpar, the controls are insufficient, and the general expertise is complicated. On prime of that, the flexibility to change the sound is, nicely, not there.

There isn’t any EQ, which might be extremely useful for this speaker. Moreover, you must have the ability to join the soundbar to providers like Spotify. Attempt as I would, 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 only most vital facet of a soundbar.

Happily, the sound produced by the Bluesound Pulse Cinema makes up for the problems with the app. Sure, it will significantly profit from having a subwoofer related, however even and not using 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 contains two satellite tv for pc audio system, which do an incredible job of filling a room with lovely sound from each nook. That being mentioned, the Pulse Cinema does a outstanding 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 and not using a sub, you get a shocking quantity of rumble and thump from the speaker. The typical ear won’t miss the subwoofer. I’d speculate that the typical ear may assume a sub related to the Pulse Cinema could be overkill.

The explanation why this soundbar is ready to ship such superb sound is because of its 16 drivers, together with devoted upfiring and heart 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 be aware of music, or a single element.

Even listening to the most recent episode of Fallout, with all of the ambient sound, I had no problem 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 an attractive 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 chic. And with the flexibility 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 considering, “Whew, I am glad I am again to this.”

Actually, after going again to the JBL, I used to be stunned that the sound appeared a bit much less dimensional than the Pulse Cinema — and that is saying lots.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema is not low-cost. At simply round $1,500, you can 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 arduous promote.

Nonetheless, with the Pulse Cinema, you get extra for much less, in addition to a better stage of flexibility. Having a soundbar that offers you the sensation of a subwoofer, with out really needing one (and taking on area), is a major benefit.

Additionally: I used to be struggling to listen to TV dialogue, till this soundbar fastened all the things for affordable

I really like a very good subwoofer, however I have been in conditions the place having one simply is not sensible. In these circumstances, I’ve at all times felt a scarcity 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 superb depth, clean mids, and sensible highs — all from a single bar. So, should you’re pressed for area however nonetheless need booming, clear, dynamic sound, the Pulse Cinema is tough to beat.