Bluesound Pulse Cinema Soundbar Overview

Score: 7/10

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema emerges as a strong contender in the soundbar arena, offering a distinctive alternative to Sonos. The former leader, Sonos, is still grappling with the aftermath of its 2024 software issues, prompting many of its dedicated users to explore other options. Bluesound, a leading wireless audio system from Canada, stands out in this regard.

Bluesound captures the attention of audiophiles with its extensive lineup of speakers, subwoofers, and music streamers that bear a close resemblance to Sonos products. The commitment to supporting high-resolution, lossless audio underscores the premium price tag of Bluesound devices, typically 30 to 50 percent higher than those of Sonos.

A Comparable Presence to Sonos

Bluesound, similar to Sonos, has ventured into home theater audio but had previously lagged in the realm of Dolby Atmos. This gap is now being bridged with the launch of the $1,499 Pulse Cinema, Bluesound's first soundbar featuring dedicated up-firing drivers and a center channel.

The connectivity options on the Pulse Cinema include an HDMI-ARC/eARC port, along with analog and digital inputs, a USB port for external storage, and two-way Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive. It supports both Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections. Unlike many soundbars, it also includes a wired subwoofer output. Without extra HDMI inputs, Bluesound offers versatility that puts some of its competitors to shame.

Although similar in size to the Arc Ultra, measuring 47 inches in width, the Pulse Cinema features a wraparound fabric grille and gentle curves, which may attract those seeking a less tech-heavy appearance. It also includes an option for wall mounting, with the necessary bracket provided.

Exceptional for Clear Dialog

Dialog clarity is one of the standout features of the Pulse Cinema, effectively centering voices and maintaining their clarity even amid bustling background noise and surrounding sound effects.

It utilizes a 500-watt, 3.0.2-channel, 12-driver array that intricately details audio for both movies and music, providing a gratifying listening experience. Most soundbars are a significant improvement over TV speakers for watching films and shows, but few offer the same quality for music playback.

Atmospheric Yet Incomplete

To fully enjoy Dolby Atmos, the accurate portrayal of height and surround channels is crucial. While the Pulse Cinema performs well, it does not quite match the immersive experience offered by more premium models like the Arc Ultra or Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus.

Bluesound has plans to enhance the Pulse Cinema with a future software update, allowing it to expand into a 5.1.2 setup using additional Pulse components. It aims to improve low-frequency effects and add distinct channel level adjustments, although no timeline has been set for these enhancements.

Musical Excellence

One area where the Pulse Cinema truly excels is in musical reproduction. The clarity that elevates movie and TV show audio translates equally well into music, delivering bright highs and resonant bass. Its soundstage is impressively wide, allowing each musical element to be distinctly heard.

However, the absence of equalizer settings is a limitation. Although the soundbar's high-frequency precision is noteworthy, it may cause listening fatigue over time due to its sharpness. This highlights the need for customizable sound profiles.

Conclusion and Considerations

As Bluesound refines its product with necessary updates, the Pulse Cinema stands as its most impressive soundbar so far, especially for music enthusiasts. Nevertheless, those loyal to Sonos might want to hold off on switching due to current software shortcomings. For a similar investment, Sonos offers a more intricate setup, which might be appealing to those seeking a comprehensive audio experience.