Sincerely appreciate you citing our work and recognizing my wife, Kristi's contribution/role in that work, in your review. This is why DT and more specifically you, Caleb, are a class act. Now, if I may clarify a few points made in this video re: about our subwoofer issue(s). You didn't misquote me when you said, that at one point we had to put the Klipsch sub in "a different room." I did use that language when discussing this product with you. But I want to make sure there is no miscommunication or misunderstanding. When I said "another room" we were not referring to a literal room, i.e. the soundbar was in our living room and the sub in a spare bedroom. We had to place the sub further away from the bar in our open concept living room, that it might as well have been in a different room with respect to distance. We did this because the sub lacked adequate controls to enable us to blend it with the bar in our space. Apologies if that wasn't 100% clear. Now, we know our room has a boost in the bass at around 40Hz. Not a crazy boost, but a boost. This is not uncommon, and it is quite possible that others will have rooms with bass issues of their own whereby being able to adjust a sub such as this more to taste, will be welcomed. In your review you mention that you thought there may have been something wrong with our sub. Just so there's no confusion. We know our unit was not faulty. This was confirmed by Klipsch because they inspected the first one, and the second sub we were sent as a replacement (in the event that our first sub was faulty). Ultimately we had the same issues with both subwoofers we were sent. Truth is, this sub IS crazy powerful, and for some people (as of right now) its lack of control may prove to be an issue. Now, if I may be so bold, the non-existent app and lack of overall control isn't just something we felt we could excuse. At the 1200's price point you get crazy levels of control and adjustability from the likes of Samsung and LG. We told Klipsch in conversations leading up to and after our review that in order to be competitive they need to update the bar and not just "fix" the app, but rather finish it for the first time. Something it seems we both agree on. The app has been a thorn in the brand's side since The Fives and Cinema 600/400 days, which means it's going on well over a year without being completed. Outside of that, I think you and I had similar experiences. This is a big, bold bar. Do I think it's the best on the market at this price? No. Is it total crap? No. Like you state in you review, I think it can be made great but it's all going to hinge on that app and some firmware updates, which for the record were promised by August 30th, but are now TBD --and that's straight from Klipsch. Great review, and we'll see you on the next one.
The slight of not putting in that link, even if only temporary, can only be set straight with a boxing match between Caleb Denison and Andrew Robinson ☝️🧐. In Dolby Vision. And 8K.
That analogy you used to describe Klipsch as "A badass in a leather jacket with piercings who also has a PhD" is simply magnificent. Klipsch should use it in their advertising and pay you handsomely for the privilege. I used to own a pair of La Scala's so I know completely where you're coming from. Great review, too.
I am currently installing a 7.2.4 Atmos system but still feel that premium sound bars like this are much better than a full AVR system for 99% of people. Sound is extremely neglected and makes such a huge difference in any setup and I will never get away from wanting a full AVR system but I would be happy for large sound bars like this to bridge the gap.
Previously I had a 1000 watt 5.1 Sony system with wireless rear speakers. Need the wireless rear speakers for the layout of the large room. But I wanted Dolby Atmos and at least as much power as my Sony system. This Cinema 1200 (with 1200 watts), with wireless sub and wireless rear speakers and 5.1.4 really htis the mark.
I've said this on your reviews before......I love love love my Pioneer AVR paired with dedicated surround sound speakers and sub woofer and there's no substitute for an in your face CINEMA experience....HOWEVER....in a room that doesn't afford the SPACE or ability to run speaker wires than using a GOOD POWERFUL sound bar setup is great too! I had a JBL Bar 5.1 with 300 watt wireless sub and it was INCREDIBLE sound quality wise and the power it put out but I had to return it for compatibility issues with my TV. So seeing a sound bar offering from Klipsch I know it would be good!!
Jesus christ i had the Cinema 600 last year and it was insanely good sounding(I’ve now upgraded to dedicated 5.1 setup. I can only imagine what this behemoth sounds like! Mind blowingly good i bet!
I’m very happy that Digital Trends in stepping back into audio reviews.. I’ve been a subscriber for more than 6 years, and miss all the great personalities and reviews. However, I am hopeful based on the excellent review that all the great works will continue on!
I have the 950T AND the 950A. The A is absolutely unbelievable! Take it from a former professional trumpet player who used to tour with Elvis Presley. I know what sounds good and what sounds GREAT!
This review confirms that I made the right choice after watching Andrew and Kristi’s review. I had the 1200 on order but cancelled it (I’m a Klipsch guy through and through, too.) and bought the Q950A for our bedroom OLED. It’s a big bedroom but I’m convinced now that the sub alone would have caused some issues for its size. Plus, no one is talking about the availability issues of this system. I’m in Canada and wasn’t going to see mine much before late October. So, I’m very happy with the Q950A. It’s massive overkill for our bedroom so I think the Klipsch would have been too much anyway. Finally, I liked your respectful mention of Andrew and Kristi and their wonderful Recovering Audiophile channel. They’re a class act.
Klipsch did a firmware update after Andrew's pre-release review, which seems to have toned down the sub. I keep mine on +2 to feel solid presence. I got mine for U.S. $1499 pre-order price. Love my Cinema 1200!
@@ChazzMatt I rolled the dice on it and decided that the uncertainty of the app, firmware updates and the actual size of the thing wasn’t worth the $1,999 CDN + taxes ($2,200 total) I had paid. Plus I couldn’t get a straight answer from anyone on an ETA, which is now looking like late October. I just decided to go with the Samsung because I could actually buy it and take delivery. I’m still curious about the Klipsch but I don’t think I need anything more powerful in our bedroom. The Samsung gets stupid loud as it is. Glad the 1200 is working in your space.
I actually got this 2 days after they first went on sell...I can tell you it is a beast for sure and I am so happy i didn't give up and get the Q950A Samsung. I do agree that more control would be nice and Klipsch themselves promised the app would be updated on August 30th...I have 0 trust in release dates from Klipsch ever again. However i can say the bass is not overpowering at all, i have mine all the way up on +6 Night 0...my room has carpet though with a pretty thick memory foam pad. it does shake the entire 1800sqft house though when those super lows hit...I do agree it has that super low response but then there is a bit of a gap between that and where the sound bar takes over so SPOT on that for sure. Now i will say that you have to turn the sound bar volume up past 25 to really hear anything, that was a bummer...and like in your video movie night is set to 50-60 range..I did turn up to 75 and WOW it will run you out of the room with no distortion what so ever. I love this compromise for my home and wife, she wants the living room to be more of a living room. I am a bit disappointed that the HDMI is 8k at 30hrz(straight from Klipsch)..so not sure how future proof that really is.. it WILL NOT work as a HDMI hub for your ps5 or XBox X...it will not handle 4k HDR 120 Hrz. So you will need to go TV to sound bar. 4k HDR max is set to 60 hrz. Thank you for the review it is exact and correct to my own experience. I am so happy it is not just another plastic sound bar, the quality in this you can hear!
Nice review! I am a Klipsch fan. With our main TV I am using a pair of The Fives with a Klipsch subwoofer with our 75” Sony X950H. Not exactly state of the art but way better than you might think. With a well adjusted sub the Fives come alive. When I bought the Fives well over a year ago Klipsch was promising an EQ function in the app. I don’t really need it for my setup but I think for this sound bar it is essential. I won’t consider it seriously until that is sorted. I love the concept and will be a potential customer for this product if they fix the app. However I am not holding my breath for that to happen.
Yeah, I think the 1200 is a little bit overboard, which is why I got the Cinema 600 5.1 setup, and I have the same complaint almost a year later about the app. These sounds bars would be excellent if the app gave us all, much better control over the subs, surrounds and the center channel, with a ten band eq to hone it all in. Good review.
Caleb, I hate to disagree, but the next best thing is the new Sony HT-A9. I got one with the optional 300w sub a couple of days ago. In a word WOW ! I’m using the TV speakers of the 83A90J as the centre channel and its shockingly good. Even without the TV as the centre the left and right fronts create a phantom centre that is very good. Overall rich sound with many layers… best height effects from upward firing drivers that I’ve heard yet … I could go on and on.. just say it’s way better than the Sammy or the ambeo and I’ve heard them both. And it decodes DTS (sorry klipsch ). I think you need to put the HT-A9 on your review list. And thanks for your awesome content ! Love your channel !
It was usefull to see your review. 👌 I have intents to buy this soundbar but have some doubts. I used Samsung Q950A before, and I was almost happy. Sometime it was not enough bass from subwoofer. But sound picture was really great. Does this Klipsch has automatic calibration of the space (room) and will it be really much better that samsung. And does it have equlizer? and is it possible convenient and simple to regulate it from gadget or its own remote control is enough and perfect?
So probably a recurring question but how does something like this compare to a Klipsch 5.1.4 stand alone speaker system with a 1500 dollar atmos receiver? Is there usually a compromise in sound quality when going to a all in one system vs a stand alone system and only negative is complexity with wire? I have about 2300 to spend and its between this sound bar and a klipsch reference cinema system 5.1.4 speaker setup with a denon x3700h.
Hi Caleb, I’m a long time subscriber to your channel. I’m looking to buy fully loaded Atmos soundbar. Klipsch is my choice for their vast sound experience. I was amazed with Klipsch Cinema 1200 set-up . But , saw lot of reviews were in people said it died in a year , app not upto mark, no DTS etc. So I was again confused . Now I saw this Klipsch Flexus Core 200 series upcoming. I really need your inputs here , which one should I go with ? I’m from India , not sure when the new ones will be launched here ? Thanks !
I really wanted this and was waiting for it's release, but when the opportunity came up to get a Samsung Q950A for under $900, I just couldn't resist. No regrets! The Q950A is an amazing value at that price.
Very interested if center channel issue gets fixed. Wife doesn’t like my current set up and was leaning towards this as a compromise. Thanks for the review
So how did it go with the updates to the app? Thinking of buying this and use it with my LG CX and Xbox series-x. Problem is I keep finding bad reviews for this product from people using it for this purpose. Did they fix the lack of DTS-X support? Should I wait for the Onkyo TX-RZ50 to be available and go the receiver rout?
I purchased the Klipsch 48 inch sound bar with the 8 inch woofer a few yrs back and this thing kicks BUTT!! I have it under a 75 inch Samsung big screen and in a large room (approx 20 x 18) and the thing rocks! I was looking at the Samsung Q950 sound bar system too. But now Klipsch has this Beastly Cinema 1200 out now. Like Digital Trend host said; there’s just something about owning a Klipsch. To me Klipsch is like a bad ass BMW! 😂. And it sounds like it too!
I was going to buy the Klipsch (over the Sonos Arc + 2 wireless rears). Now I need to know what the Sony HT-A9 is like as it appears to be a killer system, even more so with a comparable Sony TV as a center channel.
My HiSense 65U8G didn't even cost the price of this soundbar, so I opted for the budget friendly VIZIO M51ax-J6 . Great enough sound power for my needs.
I have an old Sony STR-1000 home theater receiver that does what I need with four HDMI inputs and my 4K content looks great on my aging Plasma TV, but I plan on replacing the TV soon to a 75" 8K model. Will I need to replace my receiver in order to get 8K? Should I change up the flow by inputting the sources into the TV and then going out to the receiver for sound? Thanks.
I wanted to know how the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and the Module 700 subwoofer and 2 Bose surround speakers would stack up against the Klipsch 1200 Dolby Atmos system.
I was very interested in this, but if it is replacing full size speakers how is it with music? I'd love to hear what your thoughts are for music sources.
I like the convenience of a soundbar set up, when streaming apps, live tv etc. Now, when playing a 4k/blu ray, then we turn on our av system. It's a 16 speaker, 4 sub, all separate power amplification!! Old school rules. We don't even use the klispch sub. We use our own. Wish they would sell the package, with the option of not taking the sub. But, oh well. Thanks for the vid.
Don’t waste money on this! I bought this and returned for the full Sonos arc system, sub and one sl’s, believe me Sonos sounds was better, cleaner and punchy. Best app stability, control and support. Cinema 1200 feels incomplete product…
Everyone that has heard mine is amazed how well it sounds. if you do want "tesla" gadgets this does not have that ..but it sounds freaking amazing and i have heard the samsung, JBL, Sonos and really spent that 2 months waiting on the 1200 researching all of them, not one drop of disappointment in the choice. Several of my "audiophile" friends are really amazed by this system.
@@Elad1369 Yes I have heard nothing but great things from this sound bar. Same here have been doing research on this as well for awhile and have come to same conclusion - Great product and have always loved Klipich ….. have all the RF35 series speakers now but tired of wires and receiver and want want ATMOS . I have a SVS sun I going to connect so I have 2 subs Thanks for the info and no BS info etc …. Can’t wait to get mine !!!!
Re the center channel - isn't the "dialog" button on the remote a level control for the center channel? I have the Cinema 600 5.1 and that seems to be how that button functions. (Rather than "enhancing" dialog via EQ tricks, etc.)
Love your videos Caleb. You're looking slim. Glad to see you're healthy in these times. At least I hope it's exercise and diet and not something more serious. Anyway, keep up the great work.
As someone who uses an 8 year old Denon 5.1 AVR along with a trio of front speakers, front, left and centre, in a small space, I don't need a Soundbar. Bass is handled by the larger right and left channel speakers, and they give more than enough punch in my small space, L:4m, W:3m, H:2.5m and it opens up into a small kitchen. A sub-woofer would overwhelm my tiny front living room. I'm someone who uses their gear to absolute destruction before replacing it as long as it works, and try to reuse the components if I can.
Is it just me? Just got my 1200. Sounds great BUT, i think it tops out too early. Especially with music videos. Not loud enough. Any way to make it louder?
I have a full 7.1 system wires and all do my best to hide everything ... still the sound bars coming out now are starting to make me want to cross over to this type of set up
@@ChitownAZit could be but i don't think any wireless Atmos speaker as good as Sonos at the moment. I am eagerly waiting Sony ht-a9.. sounds promising so far
Sir please say me which TV is best for me LG c1 or LG G1 and one more thing that other TH-camr are saying c1 is better choice so help me sir and sir I should wait for ps5 pro or buy ps5 I am confused sir please reply and which picture quality is best ok thanks
the C1 is better value they basically have the same picture quality the only difference is the G1 is a tiny lil brighter which doesn't really make a difference. if you can find a ps5 you should be more than fine with the ps5. I have C1 77 with a ps5,Xbox series x and sonos arc setup it is awesome.
So could I plug a different less powerful subwoofer into the soundbar instead of using the one that comes with it without disrupting the audio sync to the other surround channels?
Great review! I have 2 surround systems and I love them. Personally, I'm not one bit interested in Atmos because of the limited content and the fact that a decent 5.1 will blow away any Atmos setup away. I understand the need to create something new but I think they totally messed things up with Atmos. Yes, I'd love more effects but there comes a point where it's counter-productive. What I do want is better sound quality especially in terms of movies, games, and music and you need quality components to make that happen. First, Caleb is spot on! You need to be able to control the center channel - it's everything! Without control of the center channel, you are in for a lot of suffering. Also the subwoofer needs more control - it sounds to me like the subwoofer was too large for the room for the other folks. What really intrigues me are the TVs with positional sound like the Sony A80/A90J and Sony's 3D sound for games which apparently may work with home theaters. What everyone eventually realizes is that the center channel does most of the work when watching shows or movies and being able to position the voice would be the most impressive upgrade since there'll be voices in any source, I guarantee you that. I almost feel Dolby should have evolved to a more intelligent deep learning system taking existing content, upscaling it, and involving the left and right channels to simulate positional sound and to improve quality since those are the better channels usually.
I was the same till i said forget it and added too height speakers(rp500sa) to my rf-7III set up. whole new world and everything is in atmos. just do it.
@@ChitownAZ I’m glad you like it. I imagine sound bars will have a huge boom. We’ll start seeing some very high end sound bars from Bowers Wilkins and other companies. Very few people want to install 9 speakers in their home especially high end stuff. How do you hang a 100lb speaker? :). 5 high end speakers was a lot imho
Good 5.1 will blow away any Atmos setup, how does that work. Atmos is 5.1 but with 3d position, instead of speaker position, and vertical sound. How did they mess things up with Atmos?
Sound bars are great if you are interested in achieving better sound over TV speakers (i.e., clarity, range, dynamics, volume, spaciousness). However, a receiver + separate speakers has higher performance potential than a sound bar, especially if quality components are selected and properly setup in room. So I would say it depends on what you're after - sound bars these days are fantastic, but if you're willing to go the extra mile (cost / setup) a good receiver, sub, and speakers can certainly out-perform even a very good sound bar. But as far as performance per dollar, the sound bar should win in most cases and be very satisfying.
I am happy with SN11RG with firmware updates and since blu rays which is still big market are mostly DTS and even some of the new 4k releases are in DTS x the lack of support on this bar is deal breaker and lets face it DTS-X generally sounds better than atmos.
Hello, enjoy your channel. Hoping you can help with something. I recently purchased the LG C1 Oled and have been impressed. However, I am having difficulty with the optical digital out port. I have tried two cables and I cannot get the cable to insert. The port looks quite different than any other port I've seen before the Optical out. Can you tell me specifically what cable will fit with the LG c1 optical digital port? Thanks in advance for the help.
if the soundbar is only about 3 meters away from me / rear speaker. is this soundbar worth it? for dolby atmos. i was thinking about teufel lux 5.1 but they dont have atmos. teufel has only dynamore.
Hi Caleb. I recently bought Cinema 1200. I hear no or very low sound until I set volume to 45+ which is almost the half of the 100 max volume in the soundbar. Not sure if it’s the expected behavior or it is just me. Considering the 1200 watt soundbar, the volume is very low. Have you or someone else have experienced the same? My brother has cinema 800 and he has the same issue. I previously had JBL 5.1 Soundbar and had quite sufficient sound volume at 16+.
Waiting for Sony 7000 Sound bar and full setup review. Also, kind request if an actual audio from each channel can be included instead of just talking about it? My 5000 I think sucks the audio is never enough in a medium size bedroom usually when using Netflix I have to set volume at 70% to get balanced dialogues and bass. Thanks 🙏🏼
i mean.. this is basically a integrated HTIB with receiver in the sound bar. call it just sound bar is quite a stretch, although i understand the sound bar section might be sold separately without the rear channels or sub woofer, but as it stands, this is more of a HTIB than a sound bar
This is $800 on Klipsch's website atm. Would you guys recommend for that price? Currently have a $350 Yamaha soundbar, and it just doesn't do it for me. I live in a condo with my TV mounted above my fireplace, so there is not much (or any, really), space for a receiver
i really think i will be going with the Klipsch Cinema 1200 it just seems to hit all the right notes, including the best in atmos, thanks for the review Andrew! i am looking at this vs a full home theater cause i move every so often and moving a massive set of speakers and receiver along with my 65 inch lg oled cx is just too much! plus this supporting HDMI 2.1 like you said for next gen consoles and such over the x950a much better deal
Sound bars have their place, but once you start getting nice TVs, you need to match it up with a big boy sound system - a processor, real speakers, and proper amplification. Part of that is performance (it’s hard to get good sound from most sound bars in general), but also cost as a whole - the quality you can get from a proper system goes way further per dollar versus a bar. But the biggest issue for me is that sound bars are closed systems; you can’t often upgrade individual components as you get the upgrade bug, and trust me, you will get it. With a proper system you can swap out various speakers, cables, or amps and processors when you want without throwing the whole thing in the trash. Also upfiring Atmos is just sad 😂
Indeed, i thought soundbars were for people just looking to upgrade trashy tv sound, but for this price you are at the level of people who really care about big sound. And a full on system will knock the socks off this thing
@@ernestohernandez9370 I didn't. I said they have their place. Where does it fit? Easy: - Given equal cost between a soundbar and a separate system, which one would you install? - Does that setup work in the place I want to install it? The #1 issue people have when they build out their setups is underestimating the power of audio, when in fact it's at least as important as the display. You spent a ton of money on a nice display; expect to pay at least that much on your audio system. Why would you shortchange yourself on 50% of the experience?
The other way to look at it is given the option to keep changing out kit just ends up into a money pit that never ends where your never happy. Always wonder what if I changed this or that. With a system (designed to work together) you can draw a line under it and move on.
@@jondonnelly3 I would disagree as that’s a false economy. If you want to upgrade, you’re going to want to do it whether you have a soundbar or a proper audio system, and doing so with the former quickly becomes far more expensive. Also that’s a self control problem, not a benefit of soundbars.
@@Jack-ub3jl You don't have to wait until next year Sony HT-A7000 replaces a great HT-ST5000 with optional 300w & 200w subwoofer and dedicated rear speakers, should be a nice premium audio option, its expensive upon launch but will reduce in price over time
Any soundbar like this around the same price that’s good? Keep hearing this isn’t a good soundbar because of the controls ? Someone who’s well aware of these things can you help me out and let me know where I can find one
This soundbar seems really interesting - but what about the price? Ofc more expensive, but HOW EXPENSIVE? This seems like a perfect replacement for my 2nd Living room where i am still running a 5.1 Heco set which i want to "clean up" and sell the good old Hecos with "good" 5.1 for "mediocre" surround with "good" Atmos. Since i like the Klipsch sound anyways, well.
Sincerely appreciate you citing our work and recognizing my wife, Kristi's contribution/role in that work, in your review. This is why DT and more specifically you, Caleb, are a class act.
Now, if I may clarify a few points made in this video re: about our subwoofer issue(s). You didn't misquote me when you said, that at one point we had to put the Klipsch sub in "a different room." I did use that language when discussing this product with you. But I want to make sure there is no miscommunication or misunderstanding. When I said "another room" we were not referring to a literal room, i.e. the soundbar was in our living room and the sub in a spare bedroom. We had to place the sub further away from the bar in our open concept living room, that it might as well have been in a different room with respect to distance. We did this because the sub lacked adequate controls to enable us to blend it with the bar in our space. Apologies if that wasn't 100% clear. Now, we know our room has a boost in the bass at around 40Hz. Not a crazy boost, but a boost. This is not uncommon, and it is quite possible that others will have rooms with bass issues of their own whereby being able to adjust a sub such as this more to taste, will be welcomed.
In your review you mention that you thought there may have been something wrong with our sub. Just so there's no confusion. We know our unit was not faulty. This was confirmed by Klipsch because they inspected the first one, and the second sub we were sent as a replacement (in the event that our first sub was faulty). Ultimately we had the same issues with both subwoofers we were sent. Truth is, this sub IS crazy powerful, and for some people (as of right now) its lack of control may prove to be an issue.
Now, if I may be so bold, the non-existent app and lack of overall control isn't just something we felt we could excuse. At the 1200's price point you get crazy levels of control and adjustability from the likes of Samsung and LG. We told Klipsch in conversations leading up to and after our review that in order to be competitive they need to update the bar and not just "fix" the app, but rather finish it for the first time. Something it seems we both agree on. The app has been a thorn in the brand's side since The Fives and Cinema 600/400 days, which means it's going on well over a year without being completed.
Outside of that, I think you and I had similar experiences. This is a big, bold bar. Do I think it's the best on the market at this price? No. Is it total crap? No. Like you state in you review, I think it can be made great but it's all going to hinge on that app and some firmware updates, which for the record were promised by August 30th, but are now TBD --and that's straight from Klipsch.
Great review, and we'll see you on the next one.
Oh, and one more thing, where's my link? You call me out and don't link 😂 Share the love millionaire!
@Mark Sentowski The app update did not happen on August 30th and is now TBD. Thanks for watching and for being a fan!
@@andrewrobinsonreviews Added! Thanks again!
Does Klipsch offer an additional wireless subwoofer for the Cinema 1200..?
The slight of not putting in that link, even if only temporary, can only be set straight with a boxing match between Caleb Denison and Andrew Robinson ☝️🧐. In Dolby Vision. And 8K.
A breath of fresh air from all the television reviews. I would like to see more audio equipment being reviewed like this😁
That analogy you used to describe Klipsch as "A badass in a leather jacket with piercings who also has a PhD" is simply magnificent. Klipsch should use it in their advertising and pay you handsomely for the privilege. I used to own a pair of La Scala's so I know completely where you're coming from. Great review, too.
I am currently installing a 7.2.4 Atmos system but still feel that premium sound bars like this are much better than a full AVR system for 99% of people. Sound is extremely neglected and makes such a huge difference in any setup and I will never get away from wanting a full AVR system but I would be happy for large sound bars like this to bridge the gap.
Previously I had a 1000 watt 5.1 Sony system with wireless rear speakers. Need the wireless rear speakers for the layout of the large room. But I wanted Dolby Atmos and at least as much power as my Sony system. This Cinema 1200 (with 1200 watts), with wireless sub and wireless rear speakers and 5.1.4 really htis the mark.
@@ChazzMatt uncontrolled power. For movies the Samsung one is way so much better than the 1200.
Which receiver gives 5.1.4 output ? Please advise …
I've said this on your reviews before......I love love love my Pioneer AVR paired with dedicated surround sound speakers and sub woofer and there's no substitute for an in your face CINEMA experience....HOWEVER....in a room that doesn't afford the SPACE or ability to run speaker wires than using a GOOD POWERFUL sound bar setup is great too! I had a JBL Bar 5.1 with 300 watt wireless sub and it was INCREDIBLE sound quality wise and the power it put out but I had to return it for compatibility issues with my TV.
So seeing a sound bar offering from Klipsch I know it would be good!!
Jesus christ i had the Cinema 600 last year and it was insanely good sounding(I’ve now upgraded to dedicated 5.1 setup. I can only imagine what this behemoth sounds like! Mind blowingly good i bet!
If you're comparing it to the Q950A, how does it compare to the Sonos Arc?
Caleb, you’re spot on with the new TCL 6 Series, it’s too good
Thanks FOMO! We gotta get a collab happening soon!
I’m very happy that Digital Trends in stepping back into audio reviews.. I’ve been a subscriber for more than 6 years, and miss all the great personalities and reviews. However, I am hopeful based on the excellent review that all the great works will continue on!
I Would love to see a review of the Sony HT-A7000 to see how it compares to this and the Samsung Q950A/T
+1!
Same
Same! I may get the HT-A9 or the 7000 but it doesn't have the sub included
I have the 950T AND the 950A. The A is absolutely unbelievable! Take it from a former professional trumpet player who used to tour with Elvis Presley. I know what sounds good and what sounds GREAT!
@@Trumpet1ification is it worth it move from T to A ? I just bought T for like 5 months then the new one came in and cost almost the same 😭
This review confirms that I made the right choice after watching Andrew and Kristi’s review. I had the 1200 on order but cancelled it (I’m a Klipsch guy through and through, too.) and bought the Q950A for our bedroom OLED. It’s a big bedroom but I’m convinced now that the sub alone would have caused some issues for its size. Plus, no one is talking about the availability issues of this system. I’m in Canada and wasn’t going to see mine much before late October. So, I’m very happy with the Q950A. It’s massive overkill for our bedroom so I think the Klipsch would have been too much anyway.
Finally, I liked your respectful mention of Andrew and Kristi and their wonderful Recovering Audiophile channel. They’re a class act.
Klipsch did a firmware update after Andrew's pre-release review, which seems to have toned down the sub. I keep mine on +2 to feel solid presence. I got mine for U.S. $1499 pre-order price. Love my Cinema 1200!
@@ChazzMatt I rolled the dice on it and decided that the uncertainty of the app, firmware updates and the actual size of the thing wasn’t worth the $1,999 CDN + taxes ($2,200 total) I had paid. Plus I couldn’t get a straight answer from anyone on an ETA, which is now looking like late October. I just decided to go with the Samsung because I could actually buy it and take delivery. I’m still curious about the Klipsch but I don’t think I need anything more powerful in our bedroom. The Samsung gets stupid loud as it is. Glad the 1200 is working in your space.
The real question though is there such thing as TOO MUCH??? haha I can say that sub would double as a vanity stool....just sayin....
@@Elad1369 We use the large sub as a side table over by our love seat. It matches the other dark wooden furniture we have in the living room.
Bought this and paired it with the LG C2 77" --- KILLER!
I actually got this 2 days after they first went on sell...I can tell you it is a beast for sure and I am so happy i didn't give up and get the Q950A Samsung. I do agree that more control would be nice and Klipsch themselves promised the app would be updated on August 30th...I have 0 trust in release dates from Klipsch ever again. However i can say the bass is not overpowering at all, i have mine all the way up on +6 Night 0...my room has carpet though with a pretty thick memory foam pad. it does shake the entire 1800sqft house though when those super lows hit...I do agree it has that super low response but then there is a bit of a gap between that and where the sound bar takes over so SPOT on that for sure. Now i will say that you have to turn the sound bar volume up past 25 to really hear anything, that was a bummer...and like in your video movie night is set to 50-60 range..I did turn up to 75 and WOW it will run you out of the room with no distortion what so ever. I love this compromise for my home and wife, she wants the living room to be more of a living room. I am a bit disappointed that the HDMI is 8k at 30hrz(straight from Klipsch)..so not sure how future proof that really is.. it WILL NOT work as a HDMI hub for your ps5 or XBox X...it will not handle 4k HDR 120 Hrz. So you will need to go TV to sound bar. 4k HDR max is set to 60 hrz.
Thank you for the review it is exact and correct to my own experience. I am so happy it is not just another plastic sound bar, the quality in this you can hear!
I didn’t get the 8 k 30 hz part . What is the drawback please explain in detail thanks !
Nice review! I am a Klipsch fan. With our main TV I am using a pair of The Fives with a Klipsch subwoofer with our 75” Sony X950H. Not exactly state of the art but way better than you might think. With a well adjusted sub the Fives come alive. When I bought the Fives well over a year ago Klipsch was promising an EQ function in the app. I don’t really need it for my setup but I think for this sound bar it is essential. I won’t consider it seriously until that is sorted. I love the concept and will be a potential customer for this product if they fix the app. However I am not holding my breath for that to happen.
What Towers are those in White??
Yeah, I think the 1200 is a little bit overboard, which is why I got the Cinema 600 5.1 setup, and I have the same complaint almost a year later about the app. These sounds bars would be excellent if the app gave us all, much better control over the subs, surrounds and the center channel, with a ten band eq to hone it all in. Good review.
Caleb, I hate to disagree, but the next best thing is the new Sony HT-A9. I got one with the optional 300w sub a couple of days ago. In a word WOW ! I’m using the TV speakers of the 83A90J as the centre channel and its shockingly good. Even without the TV as the centre the left and right fronts create a phantom centre that is very good. Overall rich sound with many layers… best height effects from upward firing drivers that I’ve heard yet … I could go on and on.. just say it’s way better than the Sammy or the ambeo and I’ve heard them both. And it decodes DTS (sorry klipsch ). I think you need to put the HT-A9 on your review list. And thanks for your awesome content ! Love your channel !
I have the Q950A and I love it. I haven't heard this Klipsch, but I have plenty of Klipsch at home.
It was usefull to see your review. 👌 I have intents to buy this soundbar but have some doubts. I used Samsung Q950A before, and I was almost happy. Sometime it was not enough bass from subwoofer. But sound picture was really great. Does this Klipsch has automatic calibration of the space (room) and will it be really much better that samsung. And does it have equlizer? and is it possible convenient and simple to regulate it from gadget or its own remote control is enough and perfect?
Good to see you in shape buddy👍🏻
"Everybody is 'in shape'. If you don't have a shape you don't exist." - Confucius or probably just me.
So probably a recurring question but how does something like this compare to a Klipsch 5.1.4 stand alone speaker system with a 1500 dollar atmos receiver? Is there usually a compromise in sound quality when going to a all in one system vs a stand alone system and only negative is complexity with wire? I have about 2300 to spend and its between this sound bar and a klipsch reference cinema system 5.1.4 speaker setup with a denon x3700h.
Great review! I’m looking forward to you reviewing the new Dolby Atmos Bose Smart Soundbar 900 coming out this month!
Hi Caleb,
I’m a long time subscriber to your channel.
I’m looking to buy fully loaded Atmos soundbar.
Klipsch is my choice for their vast sound experience.
I was amazed with Klipsch Cinema 1200 set-up .
But , saw lot of reviews were in people said it died in a year , app not upto mark, no DTS etc.
So I was again confused .
Now I saw this Klipsch Flexus Core 200 series upcoming.
I really need your inputs here , which one should I go with ?
I’m from India , not sure when the new ones will be launched here ?
Thanks !
I really wanted this and was waiting for it's release, but when the opportunity came up to get a Samsung Q950A for under $900, I just couldn't resist. No regrets! The Q950A is an amazing value at that price.
Where did you find such a great deal?
Very interested if center channel issue gets fixed. Wife doesn’t like my current set up and was leaning towards this as a compromise. Thanks for the review
I love the upgradable Subwoofer options
Thinking about buying this! Have they updated the app so you have better control of the Sub and center channel speakers?!
I just bought one directly from Klipsch for $999, I can't wait for it to arrive! Thank you for the video sir
Can’t you just say $1000?
So how did it go with the updates to the app? Thinking of buying this and use it with my LG CX and Xbox series-x. Problem is I keep finding bad reviews for this product from people using it for this purpose. Did they fix the lack of DTS-X support? Should I wait for the Onkyo TX-RZ50 to be available and go the receiver rout?
Between the klipsch 1200 and the Bose 900, which one will you go for ? Thank you
what to buy JBL Bar 1300 vs Klipsch Cinema 1200 ? mainly for listening to music with good bass
I purchased the Klipsch 48 inch sound bar with the 8 inch woofer a few yrs back and this thing kicks BUTT!! I have it under a 75 inch Samsung big screen and in a large room (approx 20 x 18) and the thing rocks! I was looking at the Samsung Q950 sound bar system too. But now Klipsch has this Beastly Cinema 1200 out now.
Like Digital Trend host said; there’s just something about owning a Klipsch. To me Klipsch is like a bad ass BMW! 😂. And it sounds like it too!
Would you recommend this over LG SP9YA and Im using a LG C1 65'' OLED Tv ? Or the Cinema 800 model ?
Can review the new sony HT-A9? Would love to see how it compare with this.
I was going to buy the Klipsch (over the Sonos Arc + 2 wireless rears). Now I need to know what the Sony HT-A9 is like as it appears to be a killer system, even more so with a comparable Sony TV as a center channel.
You are friends with Andrew and Kristi? Cool!
I'd love to see a mega review where you and Andrew trade thoughts just like he does with Kristi.
My HiSense 65U8G didn't even cost the price of this soundbar, so I opted for the budget friendly VIZIO M51ax-J6 . Great enough sound power for my needs.
Thank you Kaleb for this video. Hey, have you tried the Creative Xfi carrier? If so what did you think about it?
Caleb looking good with the new weight loss happy for you man.
Not supporting DTS is a major deal breaker man...geezus
I have an old Sony STR-1000 home theater receiver that does what I need with four HDMI inputs and my 4K content looks great on my aging Plasma TV, but I plan on replacing the TV soon to a 75" 8K model. Will I need to replace my receiver in order to get 8K? Should I change up the flow by inputting the sources into the TV and then going out to the receiver for sound? Thanks.
How would you compare this one to the Nakamichi 7.1.2? I’m looking to upgrade my sound and don’t want to take a step back. Thanks
How does this compare to the Sony HT-A9 ? They are in similar price points with the Sony being a bit more expensive.
So what are some good options at different budgets. I can't run speaker wires across the room. I currently have the bose cinemate sr1
I wanted to know how the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 and the Module 700 subwoofer and 2 Bose surround speakers would stack up against the Klipsch 1200 Dolby Atmos system.
I was very interested in this, but if it is replacing full size speakers how is it with music? I'd love to hear what your thoughts are for music sources.
I like the convenience of a soundbar set up, when streaming apps, live tv etc. Now, when playing a 4k/blu ray, then we turn on our av system. It's a 16 speaker, 4 sub, all separate power amplification!! Old school rules. We don't even use the klispch sub. We use our own. Wish they would sell the package, with the option of not taking the sub. But, oh well. Thanks for the vid.
This is the system I’m getting
Been waiting for review !!
Can’t wait !!
Don’t waste money on this! I bought this and returned for the full Sonos arc system, sub and one sl’s, believe me Sonos sounds was better, cleaner and punchy. Best app stability, control and support. Cinema 1200 feels incomplete product…
Everyone that has heard mine is amazed how well it sounds. if you do want "tesla" gadgets this does not have that ..but it sounds freaking amazing and i have heard the samsung, JBL, Sonos and really spent that 2 months waiting on the 1200 researching all of them, not one drop of disappointment in the choice. Several of my "audiophile" friends are really amazed by this system.
@@Elad1369
Yes I have heard nothing but great things from this sound bar. Same here have been doing research on this as well for awhile and have come to same conclusion
- Great product and have always loved Klipich ….. have all the RF35 series speakers now but tired of wires and receiver and want want ATMOS . I have a SVS sun I going to connect so I have 2 subs
Thanks for the info and no BS info etc …. Can’t wait to get mine !!!!
I have a 2018 Samsung tv that does have ARC or eArc. Normal HDMI. Will the CINEMA 1200 SOUND BAR still work?
What would you recommend for best Dolby Atmos sound bar or higher spectrum and lower end and mid range
Should I get this or the new Flexus Systems ?
Re the center channel - isn't the "dialog" button on the remote a level control for the center channel? I have the Cinema 600 5.1 and that seems to be how that button functions. (Rather than "enhancing" dialog via EQ tricks, etc.)
LOVE the analogies! They really help - especially the cars. Super useful!
Love your videos Caleb. You're looking slim. Glad to see you're healthy in these times. At least I hope it's exercise and diet and not something more serious. Anyway, keep up the great work.
I would love to know how you compare this to the Sonos ARC with the sub and rear speakers being the Sonos one or one SL
Is the ARC better?
I’m thinking about getting one. $450 the guy is offering. Should I get it? I like crisp bass, and nice on the tweeters. Will this do it??
I liked the nice comments about Andrew; I hate when it gets nasty between reviewers.
What is your opinion about the Sennheiser Ambeo?
Can compare it any of the new soundbars?
As someone who uses an 8 year old Denon 5.1 AVR along with a trio of front speakers, front, left and centre, in a small space, I don't need a Soundbar. Bass is handled by the larger right and left channel speakers, and they give more than enough punch in my small space, L:4m, W:3m, H:2.5m and it opens up into a small kitchen. A sub-woofer would overwhelm my tiny front living room. I'm someone who uses their gear to absolute destruction before replacing it as long as it works, and try to reuse the components if I can.
Why is there no DTS support? Did Klipsch not want to pay for licensing or is it a software issue or missing chip issue due to the chip shortage??
Is it just me? Just got my 1200. Sounds great BUT, i think it tops out too early. Especially with music videos. Not loud enough. Any way to make it louder?
What I really need is voice clarity that Yamaha can bring. Helpful for non-native speakers. Roku does a good job as well.
Hi. Do you know if we can add any more sub or other speakers with this cinema 1200. Thanks
I have a full 7.1 system wires and all do my best to hide everything ... still the sound bars coming out now are starting to make me want to cross over to this type of set up
I am using Samsung/Harman Kardon HW Q90R 7.1.4. My question, is it worth an upgrade to Klipsch 1200? I didn't even know if it is an upgrade or what.
Can I connect it with Bose surround sounds as well with the sound bar and the subwoofer???
Why are you not comparing this to sonos Arc full setup which costs little less than this and sounds best so far
Because that isn’t what this item is about🙄
arc/sonos is a hype thing, no where near the best, just the coolest
@@ChitownAZit could be but i don't think any wireless Atmos speaker as good as Sonos at the moment. I am eagerly waiting Sony ht-a9.. sounds promising so far
Sir please say me which TV is best for me LG c1 or LG G1 and one more thing that other TH-camr are saying c1 is better choice so help me sir and sir I should wait for ps5 pro or buy ps5 I am confused sir please reply and which picture quality is best ok thanks
the C1 is better value they basically have the same picture quality the only difference is the G1 is a tiny lil brighter which doesn't really make a difference. if you can find a ps5 you should be more than fine with the ps5. I have C1 77 with a ps5,Xbox series x and sonos arc setup it is awesome.
Can you use this without the rear channel speakers? Would the experience still be worth the cost if so?
So could I plug a different less powerful subwoofer into the soundbar instead of using the one that comes with it without disrupting the audio sync to the other surround channels?
Great review! I have 2 surround systems and I love them. Personally, I'm not one bit interested in Atmos because of the limited content and the fact that a decent 5.1 will blow away any Atmos setup away. I understand the need to create something new but I think they totally messed things up with Atmos. Yes, I'd love more effects but there comes a point where it's counter-productive. What I do want is better sound quality especially in terms of movies, games, and music and you need quality components to make that happen.
First, Caleb is spot on! You need to be able to control the center channel - it's everything! Without control of the center channel, you are in for a lot of suffering. Also the subwoofer needs more control - it sounds to me like the subwoofer was too large for the room for the other folks.
What really intrigues me are the TVs with positional sound like the Sony A80/A90J and Sony's 3D sound for games which apparently may work with home theaters. What everyone eventually realizes is that the center channel does most of the work when watching shows or movies and being able to position the voice would be the most impressive upgrade since there'll be voices in any source, I guarantee you that.
I almost feel Dolby should have evolved to a more intelligent deep learning system taking existing content, upscaling it, and involving the left and right channels to simulate positional sound and to improve quality since those are the better channels usually.
I was the same till i said forget it and added too height speakers(rp500sa) to my rf-7III set up. whole new world and everything is in atmos. just do it.
@@ChitownAZ I’m glad you like it. I imagine sound bars will have a huge boom. We’ll start seeing some very high end sound bars from Bowers Wilkins and other companies.
Very few people want to install 9 speakers in their home especially high end stuff. How do you hang a 100lb speaker? :). 5 high end speakers was a lot imho
Good 5.1 will blow away any Atmos setup, how does that work. Atmos is 5.1 but with 3d position, instead of speaker position, and vertical sound. How did they mess things up with Atmos?
A 7.1 will always blow away a 5.1 system. Nothing really changes other than you have sound coming from above you
@@TheCamaro5 its object based.. it also working together with the other speakers to create more spacial sound
Excellent review. I’m also subscribing to you now. Was there ever an update on your experience with the mobile app and firmware updates?
I've put my pioneer av receiver and 5.1 harman kardon hkts 60bq speaker to go for the LG top of the line soundbar with rear upfiring speakers...
How would you compare this to the Sennheiser ambeo 3D?
How does this compared to *sennheiser ambeo* ? Which one is better?
You recently reviewed the Sony HT-A9. If you could only get one, which one and why?
Prob the best analogy I've ever heard..as a Klipsch fan bois.. I want this in my living room now.. this review was 1 week late
Sound bars are great if you are interested in achieving better sound over TV speakers (i.e., clarity, range, dynamics, volume, spaciousness). However, a receiver + separate speakers has higher performance potential than a sound bar, especially if quality components are selected and properly setup in room. So I would say it depends on what you're after - sound bars these days are fantastic, but if you're willing to go the extra mile (cost / setup) a good receiver, sub, and speakers can certainly out-perform even a very good sound bar. But as far as performance per dollar, the sound bar should win in most cases and be very satisfying.
Which receiver gives 5.1.4 output ? Please advise …
Great video
I was waiting for this review
Thanks for your reviews helped me make the best purchasing of products 👍
I am happy with SN11RG with firmware updates and since blu rays which is still big market are mostly DTS and even some of the new 4k releases are in DTS x the lack of support on this bar is deal breaker and lets face it DTS-X generally sounds better than atmos.
does it really not support DTS? Even samsung’s soundbars support that. I’m disappointed that Caleb didn’t even mention that. Not very thorough.
Hello, enjoy your channel. Hoping you can help with something. I recently purchased the LG C1 Oled and have been impressed. However, I am having difficulty with the optical digital out port. I have tried two cables and I cannot get the cable to insert. The port looks quite different than any other port I've seen before the Optical out. Can you tell me specifically what cable will fit with the LG c1 optical digital port? Thanks in advance for the help.
What do you think about the Nakamichi Shockwafe 9.2.4?
if the soundbar is only about 3 meters away from me / rear speaker. is this soundbar worth it? for dolby atmos. i was thinking about teufel lux 5.1 but they dont have atmos. teufel has only dynamore.
Hi Caleb. I recently bought Cinema 1200. I hear no or very low sound until I set volume to 45+ which is almost the half of the 100 max volume in the soundbar. Not sure if it’s the expected behavior or it is just me. Considering the 1200 watt soundbar, the volume is very low. Have you or someone else have experienced the same?
My brother has cinema 800 and he has the same issue.
I previously had JBL 5.1 Soundbar and had quite sufficient sound volume at 16+.
Better than the Nakamichi Soundwafe 7.1.4?
Nakamichi 9.2.4 probly better bang for buck , but bass on klipsch better even vs 1 12 inch vs 2 10s.
How does the Bose 900 with a sub woofer compare to the Klipsch 1200?
Waiting for Sony 7000 Sound bar and full setup review. Also, kind request if an actual audio from each channel can be included instead of just talking about it? My 5000 I think sucks the audio is never enough in a medium size bedroom usually when using Netflix I have to set volume at 70% to get balanced dialogues and bass. Thanks 🙏🏼
any news on EQ function? Or ability to control the centre channel with the remote?
i mean.. this is basically a integrated HTIB with receiver in the sound bar. call it just sound bar is quite a stretch, although i understand the sound bar section might be sold separately without the rear channels or sub woofer, but as it stands, this is more of a HTIB than a sound bar
Serious question: can up-firing atmos speakers from a soundbar have better height effects than standalone height channels on a dedicated 5.1.2 system?
This is $800 on Klipsch's website atm. Would you guys recommend for that price? Currently have a $350 Yamaha soundbar, and it just doesn't do it for me. I live in a condo with my TV mounted above my fireplace, so there is not much (or any, really), space for a receiver
i really think i will be going with the Klipsch Cinema 1200 it just seems to hit all the right notes, including the best in atmos, thanks for the review Andrew! i am looking at this vs a full home theater cause i move every so often and moving a massive set of speakers and receiver along with my 65 inch lg oled cx is just too much! plus this supporting HDMI 2.1 like you said for next gen consoles and such over the x950a much better deal
Is the Sonos Arc with sub and one rears better?
Sound bars have their place, but once you start getting nice TVs, you need to match it up with a big boy sound system - a processor, real speakers, and proper amplification. Part of that is performance (it’s hard to get good sound from most sound bars in general), but also cost as a whole - the quality you can get from a proper system goes way further per dollar versus a bar. But the biggest issue for me is that sound bars are closed systems; you can’t often upgrade individual components as you get the upgrade bug, and trust me, you will get it. With a proper system you can swap out various speakers, cables, or amps and processors when you want without throwing the whole thing in the trash.
Also upfiring Atmos is just sad 😂
Indeed, i thought soundbars were for people just looking to upgrade trashy tv sound, but for this price you are at the level of people who really care about big sound. And a full on system will knock the socks off this thing
the sonos arc setup is awesome sound quality is great 👍 don't try to downplay sounds bars they can be really good.
@@ernestohernandez9370 I didn't. I said they have their place. Where does it fit? Easy:
- Given equal cost between a soundbar and a separate system, which one would you install?
- Does that setup work in the place I want to install it?
The #1 issue people have when they build out their setups is underestimating the power of audio, when in fact it's at least as important as the display. You spent a ton of money on a nice display; expect to pay at least that much on your audio system. Why would you shortchange yourself on 50% of the experience?
The other way to look at it is given the option to keep changing out kit just ends up into a money pit that never ends where your never happy. Always wonder what if I changed this or that. With a system (designed to work together) you can draw a line under it and move on.
@@jondonnelly3 I would disagree as that’s a false economy. If you want to upgrade, you’re going to want to do it whether you have a soundbar or a proper audio system, and doing so with the former quickly becomes far more expensive. Also that’s a self control problem, not a benefit of soundbars.
Any thoughts on the Sony HT-A7000? I am really thinking about this one to pair with my Sony A80J to use the center speaker.
Sony also announced HT-A5000 today for $899.99
@@shamarlawrence9429 i am waiting for next years in 2022 to see what will replace the Sony htst 5000 it will be 5 years old in 2022
@@Jack-ub3jl You don't have to wait until next year Sony HT-A7000 replaces a great HT-ST5000 with optional 300w & 200w subwoofer and dedicated rear speakers, should be a nice premium audio option, its expensive upon launch but will reduce in price over time
@@shamarlawrence9429 i see you had it , the HTST 5000 was that a good Soundbar to activate the Dolby Atmos i have to use the 3D suround mode ?
@@shamarlawrence9429 the HTST 5000 is Still not discontinued i can still get it
Any soundbar like this around the same price that’s good? Keep hearing this isn’t a good soundbar because of the controls ? Someone who’s well aware of these things can you help me out and let me know where I can find one
Awesome review and analogies! But what’s the price?
How does this compare to the Sony HT-A9?
This soundbar seems really interesting - but what about the price? Ofc more expensive, but HOW EXPENSIVE?
This seems like a perfect replacement for my 2nd Living room where i am still running a 5.1 Heco set which i want to "clean up" and sell the good old Hecos with "good" 5.1 for "mediocre" surround with "good" Atmos. Since i like the Klipsch sound anyways, well.
If the 600 is a beast I can only imagine the 1200. Want it but the price is really up there.
If you don't need Atmos, would you consider the 800 or the 600 for mixed movie/music usage?
600 is best bang for bucks . Only thing i h8 about these sound bars are the subs move if u crank it up.