I put away my subwoofer after switching to this room-filling soundbar – and it looks great

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In the case of watching TV or taking part in video games, I choose my sound to fill a room with wealthy, dynamic, and correct sound. Up to now, my favourite soundbar has been the JBL Bar 1000, and no different has come even near topping that machine.

My bar has been set very excessive.

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 presumably 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 all the time choose a wired connection for my soundbars over Bluetooth.

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

Then got here the app.

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 shoppers for putting in apps and utilizing their telephones as remotes (as a substitute of getting to construct and ship a bodily distant with the machine).

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 power to change the sound is, properly, not there.

There is not any EQ, which might be extremely useful for this speaker. Moreover, it’s best to be capable of 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).

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 necessary facet of a soundbar.

Happily, the sound produced by the Bluesound Pulse Cinema makes up for the problems with the app. Sure, it will drastically profit from having a subwoofer related, however even with no 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 a terrific job of filling a room with lovely sound from each nook. That being stated, the Pulse Cinema does a exceptional job of simulating encompass. This function is enabled by default, and you’d anticipate finding satellite tv for pc audio system conveniently positioned across the room.

It is actually spectacular.

Also, even with no sub, you get a shocking quantity of rumble and thump from the speaker. The common ear is not going to miss the subwoofer. I might speculate that the common ear would possibly assume a sub related to the Pulse Cinema can be overkill.

The rationale why this soundbar is ready to ship such superb sound is because of its 16 drivers, together with devoted upfiring and middle channels. The speaker association creates a surprisingly broad 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 newest episode of Fallout, with all of the ambient sound, I had no situation 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 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 almost any aesthetic.

However once more, I’m going again to the sound, and the Bluesound Pulse Cinema delivers. I spent a couple of hours listening to the Pulse Cinema and once 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 quite a bit.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

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

Nonetheless, 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 on house), is a big benefit.

I like a superb subwoofer, however I have been in conditions the place having one simply is not sensible. In these instances, I’ve all the time 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 definitely worth the value.

I would have a troublesome 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, in case you’re pressed for house however nonetheless need booming, clear, dynamic sound, the Pulse Cinema is difficult to beat.