Klipsch Cinema 800 Review

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.

Klipsch Cinema 600, Klipsch’s younger sibling, was a huge hit in the market. The larger and more powerful Klipsch Cinema 800 3.1 Channel Dolby Atmos Soundbar with 10-Inch Wireless Subwoofer is now up for grabs, and anticipation levels have never been higher. For a home theater-like experience, this fascinating seems to be the ideal choice.

Here’s what we know about this new less expensive $879 Klipsch soundbar lineup.

Klipsch Cinema 800: Specs

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Product Differentiators

48-inch Dolby Atmos-equipped Klipsch Cinema 800 Sound Bar comes with a wireless subwoofer that can be placed anywhere in the room (decodes 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos). HDR passthrough, Dolby Vision compatibility, and HDMI eARC connection mean that Dolby Atmos sound and ultra-high-definition video may be streamed via one HDMI cable. Klipsch Cinema 800 speakers kind of look like  Klipsch Reference Series speakers because of their solid wood construction.

Design and Build quality

Klipsch’s speakers and soundbars are known for their high level of craftsmanship. Real wood and a fabric grille cover the whole body of these soundbars and subwoofers. While the Tractrix horn signature reveals the ‘Klipsch’ name, the fabric may catch cat hair or accumulate dust on it, which is aesthetically pleasant. This means that as time passes, it will get filthy and you will have to deal with cleaning it constantly. The lights can always be dimmed if you find it a problem.

Plastic dominates the bar’s construction, however it lacks a quality feel. There is a panel on the right side of the bar that can be removed to access the USB ports or attaching extra speakers.

There’s a lot of wood in the Klipsch Cinema 800’s subwoofer! The base is raised off the floor by four wooden pegs. Located beneath are the driver and power supply. The 10″ subwoofer is huge and will not fit in most homes. There is an LED display that indicates the mode or source of power.

Controls and connections

There are a few physical inputs on the Klipsch Cinema 800. When using it as an audio hub, you may connect it through HDMI ARC and Optical Audio In, as well as two Full HDMI In connections. A Sub Out connector is also included, as well as an Ethernet port for connecting it to your network.

Thanks to ARC, the Klipsch Cinema 800 can play a wide variety of audio formats. The most prevalent surround sound format, Dolby Digital, is supported. It also supports Dolby Atmos and other object-based and lossless surround sound formats, as well as eARC. DTS is not supported, though.

As a result of the many connection possibilities, these soundbars are very adaptable. You may even connect the TV wirelessly through Bluetooth. You may also connect a laptop, a turntable, or any other source to the TV. There’s a subwoofer out with Klipsch Cinema series units, so you can do anything you want.

You can simply add a Klipsch wired subwoofer or any other brand to any space by using numerous subs. Dolby Digital material may be streamed using this soundbar’s optical input. Many Blu-rays and streaming services provide this kind of surround sound.

Additional Features

Interface

It’s a really straightforward interface. You can see the input you’re using and the volume level at a glance. You could also check the audio format by pressing the LED button on the remote.

Bar Controls

There are buttons on top of the bar. On/off switch, input/output switch, volume control are all available.

Remote

The remote is based on the Klipsch Cinema 600’s design. There is a volume and inputs control on the bar itself.

HDMI CEC (TV Remote Control)

Using your TV remote, you can easily adjust the volume of the Klipsch Cinema 800. However, if you fail to switch it off manually, there is no power-saving option to assist you save energy.

App

The Klipsch Connect app is simple. The firmware may be updated, product information can be seen, and the manual can be consulted. There are also a few instructional videos can be found. There are several functions that are only accessible through the bar’s remote control. Spotify, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and AirPlay 2 can all be accessed over Wi-Fi, and you can also use Bluetooth to connect.

In the Klipsch Cinema 800 application, volume cannot be adjusted. Once Klipsch had promised a delivery date, they kept on delaying it again and again. In our opinion, this is a major flaw, and we believe it would have been better if the mobile app was never built.

Sound Performance

Klipsch Cinema 800’s audio offers a wide stereo soundstage, clean voices, and a decent stereo soundstage. As a result, your audio will be richer in detail and have a deeper, more impactful bass. All usage scenarios benefit from the sound’s neutral sonic character. Listening to a wide variety of audio material is possible because to its well-balanced sound. The low-bass rumbling and thud are faithfully reproduced. For most stuff, including gaming, the soundbar is loud enough.

With Dolby Digital and Plus, it also works. However, even if it falls short of the ideal, the Dolby Atmos system with no specialized height speakers is still an improvement over the Cinema 800. Other than that, not much has changed. A simulated 7.1.4 surround sound system will allow you to enjoy movies and music in a more immersive way.

The four height channels provide dramatic height effects to the mix, while the subwoofer provides crisper and more punchy low-end. When watching a movie, it’s best to do it in a theater with a full sound system.

A Dolby Atmos soundbar with height channels, the Klipsch Cinema 800 completes the picture. Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus will be included in the Atmos package. Surround sound quality on the Klipsch Cinema 800 is not good at all. To play back surround video, this 3.1 arrangement downmixes it into stereo, which results in a less immersive audio experience. Instead of emanating from speakers all around you, it seems like the sound is coming from just in front of you.

For movies, the Klipsch 800 is an excellent choice. With a dedicated center channel, conversation modes, and Dolby Atmos, soundtracks are detailed, voices are rich and clear with rattling bass.

Getting into technicalities

All seven drivers are available on the 800. It has a front-firing and an upward-firing driver. With height channels, you can get the most out of any video. Impressive clarity and an expansive soundstage make this music enjoyable. Is there any harshness or distortion in the sound at any volume?

Composite Fiber woofers concentrate on mid-range detail while the soft dome tweeters reduce distortion. The 90°90° Kapton frame prevents audio from being colored by vibration and provides a broad dispersion of the sound. This 5.1 system is well-suited to spaces with a capacity ranging from modest to big. This soundbar system has a number of extra functions in addition to better audio quality.

The Klipsch Cinema 800 has these characteristics, as well as multi-room capability. If you’re concerned about the subwoofer’s lack of control, Klipsch recommends installing a wired subwoofer and utilizing the control on that subwoofer to alter the overall bass level. As a result, Klipsch engineering and design really makes sense when used in big spaces with several subwoofers installed.

Compared To Other Soundbars

Sonos Arc

The Klipsch Cinema 800 and both of the Sonos Arc might be more suited to your listening habits. The Sonos is a better-built 5.0.2 setup. In terms of the soundstage, surround, and Atmos capabilities, it is superior. The Klipsch lacks a built-in voice assistant and room correction function. Klipsch, on the other hand, has a built-in subwoofer that can deliver room-shaking low-bass from the box.

Samsung HW-Q950A

The Samsung HW-Q950A is better than the Klipsch Cinema 800. The Samsung‘s one is a better built 11.1.4 setup with discrete satellites. It gets louder, and it has better surround and Atmos performances. It even comes with more sound enhancement features, such as room correction. Unlike the Klipsch, it has DTS support and built-in voice assistant capabilities. It also offers more wireless playback options.

Parting Words

This is a great soundbar for anybody who wants a cinematic experience in their living room, and it’s quick to set up and offers incredible sound quality. It’s a pricey purchase, but if you’re looking for a high-quality product, it’s worth it.

We had high hopes for Cinema 800’s “sound bubble” when it entered the market. But there isn’t that great “wow” factor. Atmos soundbars like Samsung’s HW-Q950A and Sonos Arc are more powerful, but the Cinema 800 isn’t nearly as capable of filling the room.

The Klipsch Cinema 800 is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a mid-range soundbar with Dolby Atmos and smart features like Spotify, voice assistants, or multi-room.

FAQs

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 ideal for compact spaces or personal settings. It’s a 2.1 surround sound system with an 8″ subwoofer. It’s a decent-sounding speaker with crisp conversation, a fair mid-range, and a strong low-end. The soundbar offers a well-balanced tone and may be amplified to fill tiny areas.

Do Klipsch manufactures good soundbars?

Klipsch is known for its high-quality speakers and soundbars. The speakers, whether bookshelf or tower, are excellent. Soundbars and subwoofers are also impressive. Klipsch was labeled as having a “bright” sound that “punches you in the face,” however Klipsch worked around this over time. In terms of features and performance, the price is reasonable; you get what you paid for. Overall, it is a well-known and dependable brand.

Is Dolby Atmos great on Klipsch Cinema 800?

The Klipsch Cinema 800 does not function well in Atmos. ‘ Playing Atmos material in stereo isn’t particularly immersive sounding since it needs to be downmixed.

Down-firing speakers from the ceiling are the only method to get authentic atmospheric sound. Up-firing speakers bring the listener closer to a full atmos experience, but only if the room’s proportions enable the sound to “bounce” off the ceiling. Having up-firing speakers.

Tahmid Shuvro

Freelance tech journalist & author of soundboxlab.com …Read More