ZDNET’s Key Takeaways: The Bluesound Pulse Cinema soundbar, priced just below $1,500 on Amazon, offers a richly textured and immersive listening experience capable of filling an entire room with clarity and vitality, ensuring that every line of dialogue remains crisp and intelligible. The unit, however, relies on a companion mobile application for control and configuration, rather than employing traditional physical buttons or a remote. Readers are encouraged to follow ZDNET and add it as a preferred source on Google for future technology insights.
When it comes to watching television shows, streaming films, or engaging in long gaming sessions, I insist on an audio experience that envelops the space—a sound that feels dynamic, layered, and true to life. Over time, I have evaluated numerous soundbars, yet none have been able to surpass my personal benchmark: the JBL Bar 1000. Its performance has set a remarkably high standard, leaving other contenders struggling to match its powerful yet refined sound reproduction.
Given that context, my expectations were modest when the Bluesound Pulse Cinema arrived for testing. Its lack of an included subwoofer seemed limiting at first glance, despite providing an RCA output should one wish to add a separate bass unit. My assumption was that it would inevitably fall short of the deep, resonant low end the Bar 1000 produces so effortlessly. However, that assumption was quickly challenged, as the Pulse Cinema revealed its ability to surprise in ways I had not anticipated.
To set it up, I connected the Pulse Cinema to my television via HDMI eARC—a choice far superior to Bluetooth in both latency and audio fidelity. The HDMI connection established a faster, cleaner link and enabled broader codec support, ensuring immediate responsiveness and minimal interference. I have long preferred wired connections for audio devices because they consistently offer less delay and better stability, and the Pulse Cinema reinforced this conviction with its seamless setup process.
Once the hardware connection was complete, I turned my attention to the required control application. Unfortunately, this aspect left much to be desired. The app’s interface lacks intuitive design; it feels crowded and inconsistent, requiring unnecessary effort to navigate even basic functions. Its control parameters are limited, and, disappointingly, essential features such as sound equalization (EQ) are entirely absent. This omission restricts the user’s ability to adjust tonal balance or tailor the overall output to individual preferences—a glaring shortcoming in an otherwise sophisticated product. Attempts to integrate streaming services like Spotify were also unsuccessful, despite being properly authenticated through my mobile device. The result is an application experience that not only frustrates but also diminishes what could otherwise be a seamless user journey.
While the app is cumbersome, the sound it governs is extraordinary. The Bluesound Pulse Cinema compensates for software shortcomings with exceptional acoustic quality. Even without an external subwoofer, it produces a full-bodied, harmonious sound signature characterized by rich midrange tones, agile treble, and a surprising level of bass depth. The inclusion of the proprietary Surround Upmixer technology extends the soundstage, transforming standard stereo or channel-based content into a multidimensional simulation of surround sound that feels convincingly spacious. Remarkably, this virtual surround mode is active by default and evokes the sensation of having multiple speakers positioned around the room, when in reality all sound emerges from a single, elegant unit.
By comparison, my JBL Bar 1000 includes two detachable satellite speakers that physically project sound from multiple angles. Yet, the Pulse Cinema’s single-bar construction manages to emulate that same enveloping effect through its intricate internal architecture and digital processing. The result is deeply impressive, often making one forget that no discrete speakers are placed elsewhere in the room. Moreover, the depth and resonance of the bass tones are so satisfying that many listeners might be convinced a subwoofer is hidden somewhere, though none is present. For most ears, adding an external subwoofer could even feel excessive.
The technical proficiency behind this performance stems from the soundbar’s internal configuration—specifically, its sixteen individually tuned drivers, supported by dedicated upfiring and center channels that together shape a 3.2.2 Dolby Atmos soundstage. This configuration enhances verticality and spatial definition, ensuring that ambient effects and background sounds coexist harmoniously with crystal-clear dialogue. Even in media dense with environmental noise, such as dramatic scenes from the latest television episodes or films, conversations remain intelligible and natural. Importantly, voices never descend into tinny exaggeration but rather retain realistic timbre and dimensional depth.
In terms of appearance, the Pulse Cinema embodies understated sophistication. Its elongated, pill-like silhouette and smooth, uninterrupted façade make it a highly versatile design piece that can complement contemporary interiors as readily as minimalist setups. Unlike other soundbars adorned with distracting LEDs or intrusive digital displays, this one adopts a restrained aesthetic that radiates quiet confidence. Whether placed flat on a media console or elegantly mounted on a wall, it integrates effortlessly into a variety of living environments without compromising visual harmony.
After extended listening sessions, I found myself continually impressed by how confidently the Pulse Cinema competed with my JBL system. In fact, upon returning to the Bar 1000 after hours with the Bluesound, the JBL unexpectedly felt slightly less dimensional—an observation that underscores how effectively the Pulse Cinema balances warmth, depth, and clarity within a single streamlined enclosure.
From a financial perspective, there is no denying that the Bluesound Pulse Cinema commands a premium price at around $1,500. More affordable alternatives certainly exist, especially given that the JBL Bar 1000 can now be acquired for nearly half that amount. However, cost alone does not tell the full story. The Pulse Cinema delivers superior flexibility, nuanced acoustic control, and a design that elegantly substitutes for bulkier multi-component systems. The convenience of achieving robust low-end resonance without dedicating additional floor space to a separate subwoofer makes it not only practical but also forward-thinking in the context of modern living spaces.
For users constrained by limited space but unwilling to compromise on quality, this soundbar presents a nearly ideal solution. It produces musical highs that sparkle, midrange frequencies smooth enough to carry dialogue with emotional authenticity, and lows that convincingly anchor cinematic action scenes. While choosing between the Pulse Cinema and JBL Bar 1000 may prove difficult, the Bluesound’s blend of sonic depth, aesthetic refinement, and autonomous bass capability gives it an undeniable edge for those seeking immersion in an elegant, single-piece form factor.
Technical Specifications: The Bluesound Pulse Cinema features a 3.2.2-channel Dolby Atmos configuration powered by sixteen drivers, built-in amplification and decoding, intelligent DSP with automatic orientation sensing, and multiple input options including HDMI eARC, optical, and analog. The device supports wired or wireless subwoofer extensions and integrates seamlessly with Bluesound’s multi-room ecosystem through BluOS connectivity. Additional highlights include an included wall-mount bracket, tailored listening profiles such as Movie, Music, and Late Night modes, and high-resolution audio playback with full MQA support.
Sourse: https://www.zdnet.com/article/bluesound-pulse-cinema-review/
