In case you’re wanting for a top-notch Dolby Atmos soundbar, it’s laborious to beat the Sonos Arc Extremely. However Sonos remains to be recovering from its self-imposed 2024 software program fiasco, and plenty of of its once-loyal clients have sought refuge with the corporate’s opponents. Chief amongst these is Bluesound, a wi-fi, multiroom audio ecosystem from the Nice White North.
With a group of audio system, subwoofers, and music streamers that intently mirrors Sonos’ lineup, Bluesound is very well-liked with audiophiles who worth the corporate’s help of lossless, hi-res audio codecs and have been keen to pay a premium for it (Bluesound gadgets usually price 30 to 50 % greater than their Sonos counterparts).
Like Sonos, Bluesound additionally does house theater audio, however on this division it has lagged, most notably in its discrete help for the height-channel sound results that epitomize Dolby Atmos—till now. Bluesound’s $1,499 Pulse Cinema is an expensive new chapter for the Canadian firm: its first Dolby Atmos soundbar with devoted up-firing drivers and a middle channel.
A Sonos-Like Footprint
{Photograph}: Chris Haslam
There’s a single HDMI-ARC/eARC port, and, like with most of Bluesound’s audio system, an analog enter, a digital enter, a USB port for exterior storage, two-way Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive, and your alternative of Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi. There’s even a wired subwoofer output, which is much from commonplace on most soundbars. Apart from the dearth of any HDMI inputs, it’s a beneficiant and versatile assortment that leaves the Arc Extremely within the mud.
Measurement-wise, the 2 audio system are comparable: The Pulse Cinema, at 47 inches, is only one inch wider than the Arc Extremely. Each will look proper at house beneath 50- to 65-inch TVs, however the Pulse Cinema, with its wraparound cloth grille and smooth curves, might attraction extra to those that desire a much less high-tech look. In case you’d choose to wall-mount it, a bracket is included. (Sonos sells its wall mounts individually.)
Armed with a 500-watt, 3.0.2-channel, 12-driver array, the Pulse Cinema pumps out spectacular ranges of element for each films and music. It’s this dedication to each codecs that helps it stand out. Most soundbars shall be a giant step up out of your TV’s inner audio system for films and TV exhibits, however few supply a equally rewarding listening expertise with regards to music.
Nice for Dialog
{Photograph}: Chris Haslam
For TV audio, dialog readability is a standout function, with voices which are each well-centered and simply comprehensible, even in scenes with plenty of competing background and encompass sounds.