The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is a premium 5.1.4 setup with a dedicated subwoofer that can reproduce a really deep, rumbling bass. You can feel the thump in action-packed movies as well as bass-heavy music. With a recent firmware update, you can use the Klipsch Connect app to access a 3-band graphic EQ and other sound customization tools like an adjustable dialogue enhancement feature. Its Atmos performance is pretty solid, too. That said, for some listeners, the thump and rumble in the bass may be a bit too overwhelming.
Our Verdict
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is great for mixed usage. Its dedicated subwoofer helps reproduce a rumbling low-bass, and it has a bass-heavy sound profile out-of-the-box. It can be overwhelming for some users, but others will appreciate that they can feel the thump in movies and music. Its discrete satellites help create a more immersive sound, especially with surround content, and it has a pretty good Atmos performance. The extra rumble in the bass may not be ideal for all listeners, but you can also adjust it to be more neutral if you want.
- 3-band graphic EQ.
- Gets loud.
- Good Atmos performance.
- No room correction.
- No DTS support.
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is excellent for dialogue-centric content like TV shows. Despite its bass-heavy sound, it still reproduces dialogue pretty clearly and accurately. There's even an adjustable dialogue enhancement mode that lets you control how loud the voices are in your audio, as well as a night mode feature that can reduce the dynamic range of the subwoofer to avoid disturbing those around you. Also, it has a discrete center channel that anchors voices to a pinpoint location in the soundstage, resulting in a more immersive sound.
- Adjustable dialogue enhancement feature.
- Adjustable night mode feature.
- No room correction.
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is great for music. Its bass-heavy sound makes it ideal for fans of bass-heavy music genres like hip-hop and EDM. Its dedicated subwoofer ensures that you can feel the thump and rumble in the low-bass. There are a lot of customization features, too, including a 3-band graphic EQ as well as bass and treble adjustments. Its thumpy sound can be overwhelming for some listeners, though you can adjust it to be more neutral if you prefer.
- 3-band graphic EQ.
- Gets loud.
- No room correction.
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is great for movies. Its satellite speakers help to create a more immersive listening experience with surround sound, so sound objects like racing cars and flying helicopters seem to come from pinpoint locations in the soundstage. Its Atmos performance is pretty good, too, with a deep, rumbling bass that helps you feel the explosions in action-heavy scenes. There are some sound customization features available, too. However, its thumpy bass might overwhelm some listeners, and its soundstage isn't as wide as other premium models we've tested.
- 3-band graphic EQ.
- Good Atmos performance.
- No DTS support.
Changelog
- Updated Jan 29, 2024: Updated Stereo Dynamics results with new methodology. Added Audio Latency: ARC Audio Latency: HDMI In and Audio Latency: Optical results.
- Updated Jan 29, 2024: We've converted this review to Test Bench Update 1.3. If applicable, we've retested stereo sound based on the manufacturer's recommendations. Additionally, we've expanded our audio latency tests to the following boxes: Audio Latency: ARC, Audio Latency: HDMI In, and Audio Latency: Optical. You can see the full changelog here.
- Updated Jun 02, 2023: Converted to Test Bench 1.2. Updated the results for audio format support via ARC/eARC, HDMI In, and Optical. Added Video Passthrough to TV results as well.
- Updated Mar 27, 2023: Added cable lengths to In The Box.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is available in 'Black'. You can see the label for the model we tested here.
If you see another version of this bar, let us know in the discussions, and we'll update the review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is a premium 5.1.4 setup ideal for listeners who want to feel the thump and rumble in the low-bass. A recent firmware update added some additional features to the Klipsch Connect app, so it's a bit more customizable. While its Atmos performance is solid, its soundstage isn't as wide as the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module or the Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers. Also, there's no DTS support, which is pretty disappointing.
See our recommendations for the best soundbars, the best soundbars with subwoofer, and the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.
The Sonos Arc and the Klipsch Cinema 1200 are two different soundbar setups. The Sonos is a standalone 5.0.2 bar, while the Klipsch is a full 5.1.4 setup with a dedicated sub and satellites. As a result, the Klipsch can reproduce a more extended low-bass, and it has a better surround performance. However, its soundstage performance isn't as impressive as the better-built Sonos, and it doesn't support DTS content. You may also want to compare it to the full Sonos Arc with Sub + One SL Speakers.
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 and the Bose Smart Soundbar 900 with Speakers + Bass Module are both premium setups, but the Bose scores a bit better overall. The Bose is better built, and it offers better soundstage, surround, and Atmos performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it has room correction and DTS support. Some listeners may also prefer its more neutral sound out-of-the-box compared to the Klipsch's bass-heavy sound profile. The Klipsch comes with a graphic EQ and presets, unlike the Bose, as well as Full HDMI In port for high-quality passthrough. It's still a suitable choice, especially for listeners who love to feel the thump in the bass range.
The Samsung HW-Q950T or the Klipsch Cinema 1200 are both very versatile, premium soundbar setups. The Samsung is a 9.1.4 setup that's better-built and has better surround and Atmos performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it also supports DTS content. That said, the Klipsch's bass-heavy sound is more suitable for listeners who like to feel extra thump and punch in their audio.
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 and the Samsung HW-Q950A are both premium soundbars, but the Samsung is better overall. The Samsung is an 11.1.4 setup that's better built with built-in voice assistant support. It has better surround and Atmos performances. Unlike the Klipsch, it supports DTS content, and it has a room correction feature. However, if you love a bass-heavy sound, you may prefer the Klipsch.
Test Results
