By: Dipin Sehdev

Canadian audio specialist Bluesound has unveiled two new Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbars—the Pulse Cinema and the Pulse Cinema Mini—marking a major step in its mission to bring hi-res streaming and multi-room audio into the home theater space.

And while specs and features look impressive on paper, the bigger story is what sits inside: BluOS, Bluesound’s powerful streaming and multi-room platform. BluOS already powers some of the best-connected hi-fi systems on the market, offering high-resolution playback (up to 24-bit/192kHz), MQA support, and integration with more than 20 streaming services including Tidal, Qobuz, Spotify, and Amazon Music. Bringing this backbone to a Dolby Atmos soundbar could make Bluesound a serious contender in the premium home theater market.

If the Pulse Cinema series’ sound quality matches the strength of BluOS, Bluesound may have a winner on its hands. But how do these new soundbars stack up against category leaders like the Samsung Q990F, KEF XIO (87% CE Critic Score), Sonos Arc Ultra (91% CE Critic Score), and Sennheiser Ambeo Max (93% CE Critic Score)? Let’s break it down.

A Tale of Two Soundbars

Bluesound has launched two models to cover different use cases:

Pulse Cinema

• Size & Design: A 47-inch soundbar meant to pair with TVs 55 inches and larger.

• Power: 500 watts of total output.

• Drivers: 16-driver array, including a dedicated center channel, dual 4-inch woofers, and upfiring drivers for Dolby Atmos height effects.

• Channels: 3.2.2 Dolby Atmos configuration.

• Target Audience: Larger living rooms, main TV setups, and anyone seeking cinematic performance without the bulk of an AV receiver.

Pulse Cinema Mini

• Size & Design: 33 inches wide, built for bedrooms, apartments, and smaller spaces.

• Power: 280 watts of system power.

• Drivers: Angled drivers with dual 4-inch woofers.

• Channels: 2.1-channel setup with virtualized Atmos height effects.

• Target Audience: Secondary TVs, dens, or compact living environments where space matters but performance can’t be ignored.

Adaptive Design and Smarter Setup

Both soundbars feature automatic DSP-powered orientation detection, allowing them to adjust their tuning whether they’re mounted on a wall or sitting under a TV. This trend of adaptive design is growing across the industry—Samsung’s QS700F and KEF’s XIO both offer similar flexibility.

It’s a small feature that removes friction for everyday users, which aligns with Bluesound’s “Simple AV” philosophy: delivering audiophile-grade sound without the AV receiver complexity.

BluOS: The Secret Weapon

If there’s one thing that separates Bluesound from rivals, it’s BluOS.

• Streaming Support: Over 20 integrated services (Spotify Connect, Tidal, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music, Pandora, etc.).

• High-Resolution Playback: Up to 24-bit/192kHz, with MQA decoding for Tidal Masters.

• Multi-Room Capability: Sync audio across multiple rooms with Bluesound speakers or any BluOS-enabled product.

• Control: Dedicated BluOS Controller app for iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, plus integration with Control4, Crestron, and RTI for custom installs.

In essence, BluOS turns the Pulse Cinema into more than a soundbar—it’s a gateway to whole-home hi-fi. This is an area where even category leaders like Sonos Arc Ultra can’t quite compete at the same hi-res level.

Connectivity and Expandability

Both soundbars include:

• HDMI eARC (supporting lossless Dolby Atmos passthrough)

• Optical and RCA analog inputs

• AirPlay 2 and two-way Bluetooth

• Subwoofer output for wired or wireless bass expansion

They can also be paired with the Pulse Sub+ and additional Bluesound speakers for a full wireless surround system—all without requiring a traditional AV receiver.

Pricing & Availability

• Pulse Cinema: $1,499 (U.S.), $1,699 (Canada), £1,149 (U.K.), €1,299 (Europe)

• Pulse Cinema Mini: $999 (U.S.), $1,099 (Canada), £799 (U.K.), €899 (Europe)

• Pre-orders: Open September 24, 2025

• Shipping: Begins October 24, 2025

Competitive Landscape: Can Bluesound Compete?

The premium soundbar space is dominated by some of the most respected names in audio. Here’s how Bluesound’s flagship Pulse Cinema compares to rivals:

Analysis: Where Bluesound Stands Out

• Platform Superiority: BluOS is arguably stronger than Sonos for audiophiles, thanks to hi-res and MQA playback.

• Expandable System: The ability to add wireless surrounds and a sub puts Bluesound on par with Samsung and Sonos in scalability.

• Form Factor: Sleek, wall-friendly design with auto-DSP tuning makes setup easier than KEF’s or Sennheiser’s bulkier models.

• Price Positioning: At $1,499, the Pulse Cinema undercuts KEF and Sennheiser, while slightly topping the Sonos Arc Ultra.

The main challenge? Channel count. Rivals like Samsung offer 11.1.4 with included rears and subs, while Bluesound’s base unit maxes at 3.2.2. For buyers chasing the most “theatrical” Atmos experience, that may be a sticking point.

Final Thoughts

The launch of the Pulse Cinema and Pulse Cinema Mini is more than just two new soundbars—it’s Bluesound planting a flag in the home theater landscape. By marrying Dolby Atmos hardware with the BluOS platform, Bluesound is offering something its rivals can’t: a true convergence of audiophile-grade music streaming and cinematic sound.

If the performance of the soundbars themselves holds up—and that’s the final test—then Bluesound may finally deliver what many hi-fi enthusiasts have been waiting for: a soundbar that doesn’t compromise on music.

In a market where Samsung pushes channel counts, Sonos emphasizes ecosystem lock-in, and Sennheiser flexes DSP wizardry, Bluesound’s bet on hi-res audio and BluOS integration could carve out a loyal following.

The real question is: will the Pulse Cinema sound as good as BluOS already performs? If so, Bluesound might just have built the next must-own soundbar for both cinephiles and music lovers alike.