Bluesound Pulse Cinema Review: A Pretty Sonos Alternative

If you’re looking for a top-notch Dolby Atmos soundbar, it’s hard to beat the Sonos Arc Ultra. But Sonos is still recovering from its self-imposed 2024 software fiasco, and many of its once-loyal customers have sought refuge with the company’s competitors. Chief among these is Bluesound, a wireless, multiroom audio ecosystem from the Great White North.

With a collection of speakers, subwoofers, and music streamers that closely mirrors Sonos’ lineup, Bluesound is especially popular with audiophiles who value the company’s support of lossless, hi-res audio formats and have been willing to pay a premium for it (Bluesound devices typically cost 30 to 50 percent more than their Sonos counterparts).

Like Sonos, Bluesound also does home theater audio, but in this department it has lagged, most notably in its discrete support for the height-channel sound effects that epitomize Dolby Atmos—until now. Bluesound’s $1,499 Pulse Cinema is a pricey new chapter for the Canadian company: its first Dolby Atmos soundbar with dedicated up-firing drivers and a center channel.

A Sonos-Like Footprint

There’s a single HDMI-ARC/eARC port, and, like with most of Bluesound’s speakers, an analog input, a digital input, a USB port for external storage, two-way Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive, and your choice of Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi. There’s even a wired subwoofer output, which is far from standard on most soundbars. Except for the lack of any HDMI inputs, it’s a generous and versatile collection that leaves the Arc Ultra in the dust.

Size-wise, the two speakers are similar: The Pulse Cinema, at 47 inches, is just one inch wider than the Arc Ultra. Both will look right at home under 50- to 65-inch TVs, but the Pulse Cinema, with its wraparound fabric grille and soft curves, may appeal more to those who want a less high-tech look. If you’d prefer to wall-mount it, a bracket is included. (Sonos sells its wall mounts separately.)

Armed with a 500-watt, 3.0.2-channel, 12-driver array, the Pulse Cinema pumps out impressive levels of detail for both movies and music. It’s this commitment to both formats that helps it stand out. Most soundbars will be a big step up from your TV’s internal speakers for movies and TV shows, but few offer a similarly rewarding listening experience when it comes to music.

Great for Dialog

Photograph: Chris Haslam

For TV audio, dialog clarity is a standout feature, with voices that are both well-centered and easily understandable, even in scenes with lots of competing background and surround sounds.