The Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is a 2024 standalone 3.1.2 soundbar situated a step above the Klipsch Flexus Core 100. This bar boasts a combination of desirable features like sound customization and Dolby Atmos support in an attractively designed package. Let's find out if it's flexible enough for your space.
Our Verdict
The Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is decent for mixed usage. Thanks to its well-balanced frequency response and its plethora of sound enhancement tools like EQ and listening modes, it offers flexible functionality. Music, dialogue-heavy content, and TV shows sound clear with a fairly wide soundstage. Object-based audio formats like Dolby Atmos and Dolby Digital are on the menu, though DTS is absent. The soundbar is a bit limited by its 3.1.2 configuration for surround sound purposes, like immersive movies, and there isn't any room calibration. Gamers will have to make do without HDMI 2.1 passthrough, and it lacks DTS audio format support.
- Balanced frequency response.
- Discrete center channel.
- Plenty of sound enhancement tools like EQ and listening modes.
- No room calibration.
- Lack of HDMI 2.1 passthrough.
No DTS support.
The Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is very good for TV shows and dialogue-heavy media. Its stereo frequency response has a good amount of low-end for a standalone bar, lending action-packed serials added punch. Its discrete center channel outputs natural-sounding dialogue thanks to a well-balanced mid-range. Besides that, the soundbar offers several sound enhancement tools like a 'Dialogue' mode, EQ, and a 'Night' mode, so you can binge-watch your shows without waking anybody. On the downside, it's a bit limited in connectivity by lacking an HDMI In port. It also doesn't support DTS audio formats.
- Balanced frequency response.
- Discrete center channel.
- Plenty of sound enhancement tools like EQ and listening modes.
- No room calibration.
The Klipsch Core 200 is good for listening to music. It offers a couple of listening modes for different soundstage experiences, including a 'Music' mode and a 'Movie' mode that widens the soundstage. Besides that, its integrated subs convey a good amount of punch and boom to mixes for a soundbar without an outboard subwoofer, while the EQ and EQ presets let you fine-tune the sound. The stereo frequency response plays back audio that's overall well-balanced, albeit a bit uneven in the upper frequencies. Meanwhile, it retains your music's dynamics, meaning the quiet parts sound quiet, and the loud parts sound loud. It doesn't support a large swath of wireless playback connectivity, so you're limited to Bluetooth, though.
- Balanced frequency response.
- Plenty of sound enhancement tools like EQ and listening modes.
- Limited wireless connectivity.
The Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is decent for movies. Its frequency response sounds balanced for soundtracks, clear dialogue, and a good amount of low-end. Enhancement tools like EQ and listening modes help carve out a sound that fits your space and preferences, but this soundbar lacks room calibration. That said, because it's a standalone soundbar without an outboard subwoofer or satellites, it doesn't have the same degree of rumble or immersive surround sound and downmixes 5.1 audio. Dolby Atmos audio formats are supported, but there's a lack of DTS support.
- Balanced frequency response.
- Discrete center channel.
- Plenty of sound enhancement tools like EQ and listening modes.
- 5.1 surround sound is downmixed.
- No room calibration.
No DTS support.
Changelog
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Updated Sep 18, 2025:
This review has been updated to mention the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 in the Sound Enhancement Features and Audio Format Support: HDMI In boxes.
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Updated Dec 10, 2024:
We've updated the Audio Format Support: ARC/eARC and Audio Format Support: Optical scores and accompanying text in response to a Klipsch representative reaching out to clarify the sound field audio processing. Associated usage scores have been updated.
- Updated Oct 01, 2024: Review published.
- Updated Sep 24, 2024: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is available in one color, 'Black.' You can view the label for our unit. You can also purchase the soundbar with an outboard sub (known as the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 3.1.2 System or the Klipsch Flexus Core 210). It's also available with the sub and satellites as the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 5.1.2 System.
We expect those variants to perform differently than the standalone soundbar. If you come across another different variant, let us know in the comments, and we'll add it to our review.
Popular Soundbar Comparisons
The Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is part of the brand's replacement of the Klipsch Cinema line. The Flexus Core 200 sits in a tier above the more affordable Klipsch Flexus Core 100 model. Unlike the step-up Klipsch Flexus Core 300 and soundbars like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), there's no room calibration on the Klipsch Flexus Core 200, so you'll have to use the sound enhancement tools to manually adjust the sound in your space. Compared to the Sony BRAVIA Theater Bar 8, the Klipsch offers more user controls over the sound as well, with a custom EQ. However, the Klipsch lacks the same degree of connectivity as the Sony, like HDMI In and HDMI 2.1 passthrough.
If you want to see what else you can get for your cash, check out the best soundbars under $500, or if you're short on space, take a look at the best all-in-one soundbars. For a comparison of which models are topping our lists, consider the best soundbars.
If you're low on space, the Sonos Beam (Gen 2) may fit better than the Klipsch Flexus Core 200. Both supply wide soundstages and well-balanced sound profiles. The Sonos integrates better within your home if you have other products by the brand, or if you want wireless audio support except for Bluetooth. It also includes a room calibration feature. That said, the Klipsch features more sound enhancement tools besides room calibration. It also gets much louder to fill larger rooms and retains dynamics better than the Sonos. The Klipsch supports Bluetooth but not Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, or Wi-Fi audio like the Sonos. On the other hand, the Klipsch doesn't correctly play back Dolby Digital content panning.
Whether the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 or the Bose Smart Soundbar is better is determined mainly by your habits. The Klipsch has a bit better stereo sound and soundstage, with more bass content out of the box. However, the Bose handles surround and Dolby Atmos content better with a more balanced and immersive sound. Plus, the Bose offers greater wireless connectivity allowing you to integrate it more easily for listening to music, whereas the Klipsch is limited to Bluetooth only.
Depending on your usage and preferences, you may prefer the Sonos Arc or the Klipsch Flexus Core 200. The Sonos includes room calibration and creates a slightly more immersive sound, but it lacks as much user control over the sound. The Klipsch offers more hands-on control over the sound with multiple listening modes and custom EQ. It's a bit more balanced sounding but lacks room calibration.
The 5.1.2 Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is an upgrade over the 3.1.2 Klipsch Flexus Core 200. The Flexus Core 300 includes greater audio format support, such as DTS and DTS:X. You also get room correction and more wireless playback options with the Flexus Core 300. Still, both bars have limitations around how impressive surround sound and Atmos can be in a standalone bar. If you mostly watch dialogue-heavy TV or listen to stereo music mixes, the Flexus Core 200 may suffice, as it still boasts a solid tuning and the leeway of EQ presets to play with the sound. That said, it's a much more limited soundbar that downmixes surround audio to stereo.
Test Results
