Are you looking to upgrade to an immersive home theater experience? If so, you likely came across the Klipsch Cinema 1200, the brand‘s flagship Dolby Atmos soundbar.
Before we dive into the details, let me state clearly: The Cinema 1200 delivers absolutely phenomenal, room-filling audio unmatched by most rival soundbars. But it also commands a premium price – especially when adding surround speakers.
My goal here is to equip you with everything required to decide if the 1200 makes sense for your budget and entertainment needs. I‘ll cover sound quality, format support, design, features and more so you feel fully confident before purchasing.
An Orientation to Klipsch‘s Place in Home Audio
First let‘s level-set on Klipsch‘s reputation for audiophile-grade components. Founded in 1946, the Indiana-based speaker specialist brings 75+ years of experience crafting high-end sound systems. The company stands behind extremely rigorous performance testing to satisfy even discerning listeners.
This pedigree does come at a cost though – Klipsch gear sits firmly in the premium bracket. But that pricier investment buys you exceptional accuracy, emotional resonance and longevity. Owners report Cinema systems easily lasting over a decade before servicing.
Now on to the Cinema 1200 itself…
Configuration – 7 Discrete Channels Plus Dolby Atmos Height Channels
The Cinema 1200‘s cabinet contains a 3.1.2 arrangement:
- Left, Center & Right channels handle primary screen audio
- Two upfiring drivers in the bar bounce sound off your ceiling for immersive bubble effect
- 12" wireless subwoofer provides floor-shaking low frequency effects
Additionally, I highly recommend adding Klipsch‘s optional surround speakers:
- Elevation-enabled units for Dolby Atmos height layering
- Create an enveloping 5.1.4 soundfield around your seating
Here‘s how the full 1200 ecosystem visually maps to Dolby Atmos’ object-based format for ultimate realism:
Let‘s now compare some key specifications between the Cinema 1200 and other leading Dolby Atmos soundbars:
| Spec | Klipsch Cinema 1200 | Sonos Arc | Bose Smart Soundbar 900 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Channels | 5.1.4 | 5.0.2 | 5.0.2 |
| Frequency Range | 34Hz – 22kHz | 40Hz – 20kHz | 42Hz – 20kHz |
| Subwoofer Size | 12" Wireless | 8" (Integrated) | 6.5" (Integrated) |
| Peak Power | 1200W | 856W | 900W |
| Height Speakers | Sold Separately | Bounces from Soundbar | Bounces from Soundbar |
| DTS:X Support? | No | Yes | No |
Beyond technical firepower, the 1200 also leverages rigid,Resonance-suppressing enclosures using wood panels stained or painted for aesthetically pleasing finish. This sculpted industrial design aligns with Klipsch’s signature high-end style.
But enough specs – how does the 1200 system actually sound?
Awesome Performance – Movies, Music & More Come Alive
I‘m happy to report the Cinema 1200 does Klipsch legend proud across a variety of entertainment mediums:
Crisp, Intelligible Dialogue – The Foundation of Immersion
Vocals represent the bedrock for conveying emotion whether you‘re watching dramas, comedies or documentaries. Without clear center-focused voices, you risk missing critical exposition or punchlines.
The 1200 nails this thanks to dedicated center channel duties plus adjustable Dialogue Enhancement. This lets you boost mid-range punch to clarify speech against background effects or soundtracks.
Results are sparkling smooth midrange coupled with spatial projection – actors sound lifelike as if performing in the room.
Visceral Bass – Feel Every Heart-Pounding Moment
While understandable vocals build connections, forceful bass kicks excitement into high gear. The wireless sub fosters fullness during action sequences thanks to a mammoth 12" spun copper driver and 200W Class D amplifier.
Install this beast near a corner wall, and reinforced ultra-low frequencies energize car crashes, explosions even dance tracks with literally floor-vibrating impact. Klipsch built the Cinema 1200 for dynamic thrills!
Holographic Soundstage – Next-Level Immersive Dimensionality
Panning effects help sell realism for vehicles racing by or objects whizzing past ear-level. Here the combination of Dolby Atmos processing, dedicated upfiring drivers plus surround speakers pays off in spades.
The soundfield expands well beyond the physical cabinet dimensions – you visualize futuristic spacecrafts diving overhead as pilots bark orders. Ambient environmental cues like rainfall or crickets surround completely with delicate intimacy.
The sense of 3D space stands right up there with advanced AVR-powered setups I‘ve auditioned. Klipsch aced the immersive presentation.
Connectivity – Inputs for Every Modern Device
Of course epic sonic scale means little if connectivity poses headaches. The Cinema 1200 wonderfully accommodates modern source gadgetry:
HDMI eARC – Single cable with eARC backwards compatibility pipes Dolby Atmos from smart TVs to the soundbar. 8K/60FPS passthrough future-proofs upcoming devices.
Optical – Supplement HDMI with optical cables from older Blu-ray players, game consoles etc.
WiFi & Bluetooth – Wireless streaming from music apps, Alexa or your phone libraries.
Google Assistant – Voice search, content cues and smart home commands supported natively.
Simply said – anything you plug into your TV will play nicely through the Klipsch 1200 thanks to comprehensive format support and wireless extensions.
Key Features & Accessories For Optimization
Beyond core playback, Klipsch fleshes out the Cinema 1200 experience via extra capabilities:
Dialogue Enhancement Lift – Three tuning levels clarify speech against interfering sounds. Great for sports programming or complicated movie mixes!
Surround Speakers – I consider these essential for fully tangible Dolby Atmos immersion. Wireless integration keeps installation simple.
Subwoofer Output – Doubles bass by daisy-chaining an additional powered woofer. Take chest-caving low frequencies over the top!
EQ Modes – Optimize voicing for music (balanced) or movies (impactful) via preset modes. Adds variety for different media.
Klipsch Connect App – Wirelessly configure audio settings like Dialogue Lift amounts, bass management, Firmware updates and more. Provides greater customization latitude beyond the bundled remote.
Professional Recommendations To Complete Your Setup
I tapped a few home theater installation experts for additional pointers on incorporating the Cinema 1200 into your space:
Room Conditions – For optimally dimensional surround effects, feed the system using ceiling height of 8 feet or above. Concrete slab ceiling construction works best by reflecting immersive audio.
Furniture Layout – Angle seating 15-30 degrees off the Cinema 1200 bar center so sounds pan smoothly from front to rear. This avoids overly biased left/right perception.
Acoustic Treatment – Add bass-trapping panels in corners to tighten low frequencies if the wireless sub sounds boomy. Foam padding across the first wall reflection points also focuses transients.
Media Choices – Seek out Dolby Atmos or Dolby Digital Plus content for the most immersive results. Well recorded music like jazz magnifies the 1200’s audiophile lineage.
What Do Actual Owners Say?
Most experts and customers unanimously praise the Klipsch Cinema 1200‘s acoustic achievements. Here are common reactions:
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"With the wireless surround speakers added, I finally achieved full cinematic audio immersion! The detail and power are incredible even from my basement theater."
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"Vocals leap from the screen with astonishing clarity just like a commercial cinema."
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"This instantly became my primary music listening station thanks gorgeous warmth joined by intimate fine details."
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"I‘ve auditioned many soundbars over the years but none immerse like this 1200 setup. Atmos effects fully envelop from all angles – amazing!"
So while owners glow over sound quality and format support, what faults do some report?
Potential Shortcomings to Consider
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No onboard DTS:X – the 1200 decodes Dolby standards like Atmos but lacks DTS. A receiver can resolve this but adds cost.
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Bass biased bright – a few owners feel the wireless sub skews a touch boomy out of the box. EQ adjustments easily counteract.
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Expensive investment – tallying $1900+ for the bar, sub, surrounds plus cables gives pause next to more affordable options.
But none considered these deal-breaking faults – rather just modest caveats fixed with minor tweaks. Overall enthusiasm runs extremely high.
The Final Verdict: An Awesome Package for Discerning Listeners
So in closing, should you rush out and buy the Klipsch Cinema 1200 or seek alternatives? Answering requires honest self-assessment:
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Casual TV watchers find better value with cheaper soundbars under $500. The 1200 overwhelms those simply wanting audio upgrade over built-in television speakers.
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Discerning home theater fans unwilling to compromise immersive thrills should absolutely shortlist the 1200. Assuming budget allows, Klipsch massively over-delivers performance at this price point.
If you desire authentic cinema-style audio with bass that hits your chest, effects that zoom overhead and unmatched future-proofing, proceed with confidence choosing the exceptional Cinema 1200!
I hope mapping every strength and weakness helped steer you towards the perfect film and music accompaniment. Feel free to reach out with any other questions before deciding!
