Home theater and hi-fi speakers have made Klipsch renowned and notorious in equal measure. The rocking and dramatic playing style of the classic speakers in the Reference series with copper-colored woofers and high-efficiency horn tweeters evokes warm sensations in audiophiles. We’ve already been pleased by the American manufacturer’s new line of soundbars, which are based on the same DNA.
Comparing Klipsch 600 vs 800 vs 1200, the Cinema 600 is the cheapest one delivering rich and detailed audio. The Cinema 800 is the next updated model with Wi-Fi and support for Spotify and voice assistants. While it supports Atmos, the Cinema 800 doesn’t deliver true Dolby Atmos sound. The subwoofer of these models delivers thumping bass.
Let’s get into this.
Table: Quick comparison of Klipsch Cinema 600 vs 800 vs 1200
Klipsch Cinema 600 vs 800 vs 1200 review:
Let’s dive into the detailed review of the Klipsch Cinema series along with its drawbacks.
Style and Quality:
Klipsch maintains very good build quality of speakers and soundbars. These soundbars and subwoofers are made from real wood and a fabric grille wraps the whole body. While the aesthetics is pleasing with the signature Tractrix horn revealing the ‘Klipsch’ name, the fabric may attract cat hair or accumulate dust on it.
So over time, it will be dirty, and you need to go through the hassle of cleaning it regularly. There is no front display on Klipsch 600 like the Klipsch 800 or 1200. Instead, you will see series of dots on the front panel representing volume up/down and different color indicating different sources. You can dim the lights if you think it is bothering you.
The 54” Klipsch 1200 soundbar is best for 65” or 75” TVs. The 10” subwoofer is large while the 12” seems massive and way too much for rooms to fit in. Klipsch Cinema 800 and 1200 design is almost similar. There is an LED display that shows mode or source. You can dim or brighten it or turn it off if it distracts you.
Inside the bar:
Comparing the Klipsch Cinema 600 vs 800 vs 1200, the Cinema 1200 has two additional mid-range drivers and 3” Cerametallic cone woofers while the tweeter drivers remain the same. There are three 1” soft dome tweeters. The Tractrix Horn ensures higher sensitivity and broader dispersion.
The Klipsch Cinema 600 is often compared with the 2019 model, Klipsch Bar 48. The Cinema 600 is an improved version and a newer one, so it is more preferable. There are slight changes in design, like there is a front display which makes it convenient to understand the source or mode applied to the soundbar.
The 600 and 800 has 4 3″ composite cone woofers while the 1200 has 6 of them. The subwoofer is similar for the previous two models while the new model has a gigantic 12” ported subwoofer.
Performance:
Overall, the audio has dynamics, the vocals are clear, and soundstage is broad. You will hear detailed and rich audio with deep and punchier bass. The sound has a neutral profile and is quite good of all use cases. The soundbar can get loud enough to use for most contents, even for gaming. Comparing Klipsch Cinema 600 vs 800, the 800 soundbar supports Dolby Atmos.
It also works with Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus. The Dolby Atmos without any dedicated height speakers doesn’t fulfil the goal but is definitely a step ahead from the Cinema 600. Most of the other features and specs remain the same. Creating a virtual 7.1.4 surround sound will give you immersive experience while watching movies or music.
The soft dome tweeters minimize distortion while the composite Fiber woofers focuses on detailed mid-range. The 90°×90° Kapton frame prevents audio from being colored due to vibration and delivers wide dispersion of audio. You can easily use this 5.1 system in medium to large sized rooms. Apart from an upgrade in audio quality, the Cinema 800 soundbar system is packed with several other features.
The soundbar can get loud with deep bass, delivering crystal-clear and rich audio. You can tweak settings to get the optimum performance.
While the subwoofer is large, it will blend seamlessly with the audio from the bar. Another difference we see while comparing the Klipsch Cinema 600 vs 800 vs 1200 is that, the 1200 comes with dedicated surround speakers while the other two models give you the freedom to expand them to 5.1 by including Surround 3 speakers.
Lastly, the Klipsch Cinema 1200 is a Dolby Atmos soundbar with height channels. Along with Atmos you will get Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus. However, the lack of the ‘common’ DTS or DTS: X is quite unexpected. The main thing you are looking for in this Klipsch cinema 1200 review is how well it performs.
Getting into technicalities
Klipsch Cinema 600 supports only Dolby Digital and DTS soundtracks. It lacks Dolby Atmos which is seen as the premium feature for movies. A dedicated center channel and the inclusion of surround speakers will have immersive effects while watching movies. It works with Bluetooth but there are no additional features like Chromecast or AirPlay.
Well, it is a large soundbar that can get loud, deliver crystal clear audio but you might need to adjust some settings to get the music as per your taste. The Klipsch Cinema 1200 sound system doesn’t sound impressive out of the box but that doesn’t mean it sounds bad either. It has an SPL of 109dB, higher than the other two.
With 1200W power, we expect it to be ideal for large room setups. The subwoofer is quite big and the whole system must go through manual adjustments to sound good. Follow the settings guideline discussed below and check whether it goes well in your room setup. The main issue is the blending of the subwoofer with the rest of the system.
The subwoofer delivers clean and punchier low-end, while the four height channels deliver prominent height effects. Movies are enjoyed with a cinematic sound and environment.
Comparing Klipsch 1200 vs 800 vs 600, the 1200 has a total of 11 drivers while the others have 7 drivers. Klipsch 1200 has port for additional subwoofer.
In case you feel uneasy with the integration of the subwoofer and its lack of control options, Klipsch suggests adding a wired sub then using that subwoofer’s control to adjust the overall bass level. In large rooms, multiple subwoofers are much needed, so if you think in this way, Klipsch engineering and design actually makes sense.
The rear speakers are 9” tall and has couple of 3” drivers made of fiber-composite. One of the drivers is front-firing and the other is upward firing. The dedicated height channels make watching any content more powerful and impactful. The clarity and wide soundstage are astounding and pleasing. There aren’t any harshness or distortion at any volume level.
Settings:
You can choose the Surround mode of Klipsch 600 soundbar to enrich the 3.1 channel sound. However, you might not get any dramatic change. There are also Dialogue (Mode 1, 2 and 3) and Night mode. You can also adjust the subwoofer level with the remote. These settings are similar for the Cinema 800 as well.
Tweaking the settings will bring out the best of the system. LSR/RSR up by 1 or 2, BHT, FHT up by 2 or more as per your taste. sub level down to -2 or -4. Then choose the Standard for Sound Mode and Dialog 1. The massive subwoofer becomes overpowering delivering ‘too much bass’ that doesn’t integrate well with the rest of the audio.
The controls and settings of the subwoofer are limited, and this seems to be a drawback of the Klipsch system. Users do just want a plug-and-play soundbar system might not be very happy with this model. Set the system to Night one mode that will cut the sub by 50%. Then you can adjust the sub level up and down by +/- 6dB.
You can use the remote control to choose from 6 different sound modes, Standard, Direct, Movie, Music, Game, and Party. You can select each one of those to see the one you prefer. The differences aren’t appealing, like the Party mode doesn’t actually bring the party mood.
These Klipsch models gives you a plug and play setup where the subwoofer or rear speakers will connect to the bar wirelessly. This allows you to place the subwoofer at its best position in the room. The expensive Klipsch Cinema 1200 is a powerhouse and produces immersive surround sound with prominent movie effects.
If you are not a fan of adjusting settings, you might as well look into the Klipsch Cinema 600. This is applicable if height channels don’t make big difference to you. The reason we incline towards the 600 is due to better integration of the subwoofer and the soundbar. The Klipsch 1200 is the best and latest model.
Adjusting the settings isn’t that hard enough either. Height channels are a must have if you are a TV show or movie lover. We have also suggested some detailed setting options. You can also try different modes to find the best one for you.
Controls and connections
Comparing Klipsch Cinema 800 vs 600, the Cinema 600 has optical in, HDMI ARC, HDMI out, and 3.5mm input. The Cinema 800 has all these options and there are 2 more HDMI In which the 600 soundbar doesn’t have. Comparing the Klipsch Cinema 600 vs 800, the 600 sound system doesn’t support eARC. Klipsch 800 vs 1200 comparison shows no difference in terms of connections.
The connection options make these soundbar quite versatile. You can even go wireless by connecting the TV with Bluetooth. Along with connecting TV, you can also connect laptop, turntable, or other sources. The Klipsch Cinema series models include a subwoofer out which leaves door to anything you want to do.
You can use Wi-Fi and connect to Spotify, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or AirPlay 2. You will find these features in Klipsch Cinema 1200, along with multi-room support. Similar to Cinema 1200, it supports HDMI eARC. It has HDCP 2.3 and allows 8k and DV passthrough.
We have always preferred multiple subwoofers for any room so you can easily include a Klipsch wired subwoofer or any other brand as well. All three models of this Klipsch series have both remote control and an app. While app requires an update to utilize it to change EQ settings, you can use the remote to do so as well.
The Klipsch Cinema 800 and 1200 app can’t be used to change the volume either. Klipsch keeps promising a date for an update and postpones it further. We feel like it is a major downside, and it would have been best to eliminate the use of mobile app altogether. Other soundbars have more controls and EQ along with calibration software which the Klipsch doesn’t include.
Cost:
Klipsch Cinema 1200 soundbar price is higher than the 600 and 800. But it doesn’t have any hidden cost because it is a full package with the inclusion of rear speakers. The Klipsch Cinema 600 costs less than the other two. While the cost of the of the 600 and 800 will increase once you pair the surround speakers, the overall sum will still be lower than the Cinema 1200.
Which is best for what?
Klipsch 600: Best for music. Klipsch manufacturer excels in making speakers and knows the engineering more than anyone. This Cinema model seems to be more inclined towards music rather than movies. Movies are still enjoyable, but music is even better.
Klipsch 800: Best for movies. Dedicated center channel, dialogue modes and Dolby Atmos makes soundtracks detailed, vocals rich and clear with shaking bass.
Klipsch 1200: Best for overall use. Whether you are using the Klipsch 1200 soundbar for movies, music, or games, it is capable of delivering ruling the house. However, this is after you have adjusted the sub level along with other speakers. Movies, TV shows or sports, anything you watch on TV will be crystal clear and detailed. Music will get excellent mid-range and low-end with deep bass.
Best alternatives:
Let’s have a look at the alternatives of the Klipsch Cinema series.
Samsung Q950A
the Samsung Q950A (Sony HT A9 vs Samsung Q950A article) soundbar system can be directly compared with Klipsch Cinema 1200. Samsung Q950A has more number of channels resulting in better soundfield and broader and wider soundstage throughout the room.
Comparing Klipsch Cinema 1200 vs Samsung Q950A, the Q950A supports DTS formats and has auto EQ options. It has a total of 22 speakers and the sound quality is amazing. Samsung might be a better option and can perform well in most rooms or use cases.
Sonos ARC
Comparing Klipsch Cinema 800 vs Sonos Arc, the Sonos Arc has wider soundstage and has a 5.0.2 channel system. It supports voice assistants and has room correction feature. Moreover, it doesn’t have dedicated subwoofer so if you want average bass, you can choose this one. It gives you option to add additional speakers and sub. The bar can get quite loud but overall sound is quite impactful.
Klipsch Bar 48
Comparing Klipsch Cinema 600 vs Klipsch Bar 48, the Bar 48 is available in almost half the price. It is a 3.1 system and has different features to improve the sound quality. In case you want an entry level soundbar system at affordable cost, you can check this model. It will easily room fill mid-sized spaces.
Verdict: Which one should you buy?
The Klipsch 600 soundbar is ideal for you if you don’t have high budget yet want a decent soundbar with subwoofer. It will suit you if Dolby Atmos feature isn’t a must-have and an average immersive soundstage is satisfying to you. In case you want a mid-range soundbar with Dolby Atmos and smart features like Spotify, voice assistants or multi-room, then you can easily choose the Klipsch Cinema 800.
Comparing Klipsch 600 vs 800, the difference in price is few hundred bucks, so it is best to go with a Dolby Atmos soundbar with advanced smart features. If budget is your issue, then you need to let go of the latest Klipsch Cinema 1200. Instead, look into the Klipsch Cinema 800. On the other hand if budget isn’t an issue Klipsch 1200 will perform quite well.
However, if you rely on EQ settings more, then the 1200 might not sound magical to you at first. These adjustments and tweaking of settings seem to be the only drawback of this Klipsch series. The blending of subwoofer will the rest of the audio is far better with Cinema 600 and 800. You can check the Klipsch Cinema 800, which is a mid-range system and has Atmos support as well.
FAQ
This FAQ section is here to solve some of your problems regarding this differentiate of various model from Klipsch. let’s find out more!
Which Klipsch Cinema model is best for small rooms?
The Klipsch Cinema 400 is best for small rooms or cozy places. It is a 2.1 soundbar system that comes with an 8” subwoofer. It is a decent sounding speaker that can deliver clear dialogues, good mid-range and impressive low-end. The soundbar has a balanced tone and can get loud enough to fill small spaces.
Do Klipsch manufactures good soundbars?
Klipsch excels in making speakers and soundbars. The speakers, like bookshelf or tower speakers are outstanding. Soundbars and subwoofers are powerful as well. Klipsch was labelled to have ‘bright’ sound that punches you on the face but over time, Klipsch worked around it. The cost is appropriate in terms of features and performance, you will get what you pay for. Overall, it is a popular and quite reliable brand.
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