Klipsch - 2.1-Channel Soundbar System with 6-1/2" Subwoofer - Black

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• Rated 4 out of 5 stars

  Good sounding soundbar, limited subwoofer range

  • Tech Insider Network Member
  • Top 1000 Contributor

  We needed to replace our old 5.1 surround system, so we are now using this 2.1 Klipsch Bar 40 and it doesn’t feel like a downgrade. We will eventually return to 5.1 surround after a few components have been replaced but we are extremely happy with the sound quality from this 2.1 Klipsch system. I like the wood construction of the bar and subwoofer. The cloth exterior center section of the soundbar along with the horn tweeters on each end looks great. The subwoofer looks like a black box, nothing too fancy, so it blends well. The soundbar will automatically wake up when it receives audio through a cable connection or if you connect to the soundbar with Bluetooth. I like that you must make the Bluetooth connection from your device instead of the soundbar automatically connecting to the phone/tablet/computer when powered up. Every system setting can be controlled by the remote that is about the same size and shape as a FireTV remote. It helps that the system isn’t overly complicated, so you only need 12 buttons. You can easily use the remote in the dark which should be expected but that was a major shortcoming/headache on our last system. We don’t need to constantly adjust the volume on the Klipsch. It sounds great when we are on the couch in front of the TV, but it doesn’t disturb the rest of the house. Night mode is nice, but I find I don’t even need to use it if I just bump the volume down a notch or two at night. This system has wonderful volume control, very granular. You can make small adjustments to find the sweet spot while our last system was always just a little too loud or a little too soft and impossible to set just right. Dialog Enhance mode does make dialog louder. I tried this feature mostly while watching certain youtube channels. I don’t really care for Virtual Surround mode. Shortcomings: One major shortcoming is the subwoofer range. I get nowhere near the advertised 30-foot maximum range, not even one third that distance. I placed the subwoofer 9 feet away from the soundbar, behind my couch. This is the exact same placement I used for 6 years with my last wireless subwoofer. I’m disappointed I cannot use this out of the way location and had to make room on one side of the TV, in the way. The soundbar has three LED brightness settings (Bright always on, Dim always on, Dim off after inactivity) but it always powers up in Bright always on mode. If you prefer one of the other two settings, you will need to change this every time you power on the speaker. Annoying. The system remembers other settings between each use, but I really wish it didn’t remember the Night mode, Dialog Enhance and Virtual Surround modes.

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  Posted 6 years ago by bridaw

• Rated 5 out of 5 stars

  Excellent Soundbar in Sound and Build Quality

  • Tech Insider Network Member

  Even though there’s plenty of soundbars to choose from this price range the Bar 40 so far has been the only to offer the most bang for the buck where it matters sound output. Build Quality: Top Notch Beautiful dark wooden material that screams luxury. So far it’s the best-looking soundbar I’ve owned. If I didn’t know the retail price already I would have guessed the Bar 40 would have cost close to $600. Besides being stylish the solid build material helps on driving the subwoofer to pump out some deep punchy bass that rattles my small apartment. Now, this is how a subwoofer should sound. Sound Quality: Clear and Loud I was very impressed the first time hearing the Bar 40. I did not expect it to sound this good. From watching The Mask, Chernobyl and playing some Star Wars Battlefront 2 let’s just say those Tv Speakers are going to take a hike. No matter what you throw at it the sound does not disappoint. It’s a crystal clear sound accompanied by a subwoofer that can deliver some serious bass when it’s needed especially on those explosive scenes. Streaming music via Bluetooth sounded just as good. It really is an all-around solid performer that will make you forget that your Tv has speakers. You get 3 sound modes to choose from (Surround, Night Mode and Dialog). Dialog mode increases dialogue volume for enhanced vocal clarity without increasing ambient sounds. Night mode adjusts the dynamic range for quieter listening environments but also shuts off the subwoofer so FYI. You can also have all enhancements turned off for a more natural sound. For most of the time, I had it on the surround mode which gives it a wide engulfing sound to mimic a 5.1 sound system. You can also use dialog or night mode along with surround mode useful at night for viewing news broadcast. Features: For audio input, your options are HDMI-ARC • Bluetooth® • 3.5mm Analog • Optical Digital. My prefer connection method is optical cable since I have no available HDMI ports. Bluetooth connection was quick and easy with no signal drops. Pretty much just your standard soundbar features. You also get a remote control with the option to dim the LEDs or turned them off completely if you prefer. Klipsch Bar 40 is a solid 2.1 soundbar you can get for this price range. It’s loud with an impressive down-firing subwoofer that makes it a joy to watch any kind of content. There’s nothing entry-level about the Bar 40.

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  Posted 6 years ago by J0A0A7

• Rated 3 out of 5 stars

  You've Seen Better

  • Tech Insider Network Member
  • Top 250 Contributor

  This soundbar is a good addition to your HDTV, but it's not at all worth the $299.99 price tag. It doesn't really do anything amazing to garner that. The Bluetooth feature is cool, but not mind blowing and far from original. the remote wants to be a TV remote more than it wants to control your blue-tooth capable TV more than it wants to control the bar itself. If you've never had a soundbar for your HDTV, I can't in faith, recommend that this be your first or even third choice. You've seen better and cheaper options. As I always do, I am adding a link to my full online review. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1e41tyZNVTpxjVGquNI-wHN7p1xC-rcdKvKEKJu3XFEk/edit?usp=sharing

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  Posted 6 years ago by hitsuyoo