Bluesound Pulse Cinema: Promising Soundbar Falls Short of Sonos Throne

Bluesound's Pulse Cinema soundbar aims to be the audiophile's alternative to Sonos, promising immersive Dolby Atmos and high-fidelity audio. But does it deliver, or is it just another pretty face in a crowded market? After a week of rigorous testing, the Pulse Cinema shows promise, but software quirks and a steep price tag prevent it from dethroning the established king.

Design and Build Quality: A Visual Treat

Right out of the box, the Pulse Cinema impresses. The minimalist design, wrapped in a premium fabric, is a welcome departure from the typical black plastic slabs that dominate the soundbar landscape. Build quality feels solid and substantial; this is a product that looks and feels like it justifies its premium price point. Setting it up is relatively straightforward, though the BluOS app, while functional, lacks the polish and intuitiveness of Sonos's software.

Audio Performance: Highs and Lows

The Pulse Cinema truly shines when it comes to music playback. The soundstage is wide and detailed, with clear separation between instruments. Highs are crisp without being harsh, and the midrange is rich and full. The integrated Dolby Atmos delivers a decent sense of verticality, but it doesn't quite match the immersive experience of dedicated Atmos systems with up-firing speakers. "This is a promising stand-alone Dolby Atmos soundbar for music fans," Wired reports, and I have to agree. However, the bass response is somewhat lacking, especially at lower volumes. While adequate for most genres, bass-heavy tracks left me wanting more. For true cinematic rumble, you'll likely need to invest in the optional Pulse Sub+.

Software and Usability: Where Things Falter

Unfortunately, the Pulse Cinema's software is where its Achilles' heel resides. During my testing, I encountered occasional glitches and freezes within the BluOS app. Streaming services sometimes took longer to load than expected, and on a few occasions, the soundbar simply refused to connect to my Wi-Fi network. These issues, while not deal-breakers, detract from the overall experience and highlight the need for further software refinement. The lack of built-in voice assistant support (a feature standard on many competing soundbars) also feels like a missed opportunity. While you can control the Pulse Cinema via Alexa or Google Assistant through the BluOS app, it's not as seamless or convenient as having native integration. The value proposition here is muddied by these issues, and forces you to consider if the improved audio quality is worth the sometimes frustrating user experience.

The Bluesound Pulse Cinema is a compelling soundbar with the potential to rival Sonos. Its sleek design, robust build quality, and impressive audio performance make it a worthy contender for audiophiles seeking an all-in-one solution. However, the software glitches and lack of features hold it back from achieving true greatness. With some much-needed software tweaks, the Pulse Cinema could become a serious threat to Sonos's dominance. Until then, it remains a promising but imperfect alternative.