Klipsch's immersive new Dolby Atmos soundbars gear up for U.K. launch
Klipsch's immersive new Dolby Atmos soundbars gear up for U.K. launch
By Mike Wheatley - 4 December 2020

U.S. audio technology firm Klipsch has announced a range of new wireless soundbars that are going on sale in the U.K. soon. 

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The Klipsch Cinema 400, Cinema 600, Cinema 800 and Cinema 1200 soundbars have names that refer to the power output they boast. They come with a healthy dollop of bass at the low-end thanks to the complementary wireless subwoofer that’s included, and feature Bluetooth connectivity so they can stream sounds from all kinds of devices, not only the TV. 

Other features include either HDMI-ARC or HDMI-eARC functionality to enhance the audio quality, and all but the most affordable Cinema 400 come with a motion sensing remote control. The two higher end models, the Cinema 800 and Cinema 1200, also sport wireless multiroom support. 

Starting at the low end with the Klipsch Cinema 400, this is a 2.1 channel soundbar that promises to level up your TV and gaming audio experience. It features two Klipsch Tractrix 1-inch tweeters and a pair of 3-inch midrange drivers. They’re combined with an 8-inch wireless subwoofer and are compatible with the Dolby Audio decoding format, which helps to provide virtual surround and dialogue enhancement for movies. 

The Klipsch Cinema 600 takes things up a notch. It’s a 3.1 channel soundbar that comes equipped with an extra Tractix tweeter in the center to deliver sharper dialogue clarity, plus two extra midrange woofers. The subwoofer is larger too at 10-inches. The soundbar also comes with a motion sensing remote that makes it easier to control, with backlit LEDs helping users to see in low-light conditions. Users can buy option Klipsch Surround 3 speakers if they want to build a 5.1 channel setup. 

Next level up is the Klipsch Cinema 800, which adds the superior Dolby Atmos surround format. It’s a 3.1 channel soundbar but it enables 7.1.4 decoding to deliver more overhead sound, creating a greater sense of immersion, the company insists. It can also be expanded to a 5.1 channel system using the option Surround 3 speakers. Other additions include the ability to tap into the smart home network using Spotify Connect, Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to create multiroom audio. It also offers 8K passthrough and provides enhanced audio for compatible content with HDMI-eARC. 

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The most expensive Klipsch Cinema 1200 (pictured above) provides a 5.1.4 channel system out of the box with discrete height speakers integrated with the soundbar, in addition to the included wireless surround speakers and 12-inch subwoofer. It also features extras such as 8K HDR Passthrough, High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection 2.3 and a unique dialogue enhancement mode that promises that onscreen coversations will never be interrupted by background noise ever again. 

All four of the soundbars are encased in real wood cabinets to avoid the unwanted resonance that plastic cases often cause. 

Klipsch said the lower end Cinema 400 and Cinema 600 will go on sale this month priced at £379 and £549 respectively. Those who want to splurge on the higher-end Klipsch Cinema 800 and Cinema 1200 will have to wait until next month, when they’ll go on sale priced at £899 and £1,449.