Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 With Dolby Atmos Evaluate: Nice Sounding Immediate Cinema

A soundbar would possibly get extraordinarily near emulating cinema sound at dwelling, however there actually is not any substitute for a devoted encompass sound system. The Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 with Dolby Atmos paired with an AV receiver, for instance, is an prompt improve to your dwelling theater. And yow will discover it at an outrageously low worth.

The comparatively compact system presents glorious dwelling cinema sound. It is also certainly one of solely two way of life Dolby Atmos packages I’ve seen up to now six years — stunning contemplating how lengthy the spatial audio format has been round. The opposite Atmos system, the Focal Sib Evo, is costlier and has fewer channels, making Klipsch’s setup extra recommendable. It even sounds nice with music. Its solely potential downside is its fiddly setup.

Whereas dwelling theater obsessives would possibly pooh-pooh a “cinema in a field” resolution, there are some actual advantages. The primary is integration. Since the entire satellites are the identical measurement, it signifies that encompass results can transfer seamlessly from one speaker to a different. The result’s higher immersion as a result of sound high quality does not dip distractingly when the motion strikes to the (smaller) rears, for instance. Secondly, these petite audio system could be positioned in an unobtrusive method, and so they provide a sleeker look than most soundbars. Most individuals do not have room for 4 or extra an identical audio system of their dwelling house, and the Klipsch’s compactness solves this.

What it’s

The Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 — that is 10 channels in all — is a Dolby Atmos speaker set that gives a “simply add receiver” resolution. The system consists of three principal parts: 4 Dolby Atmos-capable satellites, a middle dialogue channel and an energetic 10-inch subwoofer.

The satellites embody the proprietary 5.25-inch spun-copper driver paired with a 1-inch aluminum LTS tweeter within the firm’s Tractrix Horn. For Dolby Atmos duties, the highest of the cupboard contains a 4-inch polyfiber driver designed to bounce top results off the ceiling and again down at you. Every of the audio system is 3.5 inches excessive and 6.5 inches large. The middle channel options twin 4-inch copper spun drivers and a 1-inch tweeter in a 17.6-inch large cupboard.

The subwoofer boasts a 10-inch driver in a roughly 15-inch sq. field. It presents the standard controls, together with quantity, part and a low cross filter. The sub does not characteristic any of the flamboyant inputs or outputs of costlier fashions with solely a single set of RCA-in jacks, although what’s there may be lots for most individuals. The sub is rated at 150 watts and is able to a frequency response of 32Hz-120Hz (+/- 3dB). Evaluate this to Klipsch’s new $750 sub, which works as deep as a claimed 22Hz!

Connection

The package deal contains sufficient wires for the entire audio system, which is a pleasant contact, although it’s fairly needed because the speaker “binding posts” will solely settle for skinny, naked wires and never banana plugs. I discovered it’s very easy to attach the wires securely and for them to not work. The connection inside is troublesome to see, and it is simple to push the wire too far in. This ends in the put up contacting the insulation as a substitute of the naked wire and finally no sound. If the catch on the finish of the put up was metallic as a substitute of plastic, this would not be a difficulty.

Moreover, when connecting the items, I discovered you need to be methodical about which wires you plug in as they aren’t labeled. (I marked Atmos Heights with a inexperienced piece of tape, for instance). Remember the fact that there are 10 units of wires — and each Dolby speaker has two units every — so put aside at the very least an hour to get every thing connected.

I related the system to an Onkyo TX-RZ50, which presents Klipsch presets for standard audio system — and despite the fact that it does not have one for the Reference set particularly, it does provide the “Klipsch>Different” catch-all. I used a decibel meter app to set ranges, after which I used to be able to rock!

The way it sounds

Among the best dwelling cinema check scenes I’ve but encountered is the Thanator Assault scene from the unique Avatar. From whispered dialog to expansive jungle soundscapes to pummeling dynamics, this scene has every thing. When fed by the Klipsch Reference Cinema system, the sound was cohesive, clear and simply understandable. It was a whole lot of enjoyable, too! Encompass steering was flawless, and there was even a way of top because the Thanator approached — despite the fact that it is not an Atmos soundtrack.

Switching to the Dolby Atmos soundtrack of Mad Max, although, I had goosebumps from the opening seconds. I beloved it. Encompass results swirled effortlessly between the audio system — together with heights — and the dialogue was crystal clear. When Rockatansky fired up his Charger’s engine, it had the full-throated roar you’d anticipate — because of the deft dealing with of the 10-inch sub.

With music, the Atmos mixture of Nick Cave’s Crimson Proper Hand on Apple Music was initially a bit of lopsided. The underside observe of the bass riff sounded “floopy,” to cite a technical time period. To place it one other method, the deepest observe distorted, and I discovered I needed to regulate the bass to combine it higher. 

After that, a succession of tunes flew by: Grand Salvo’s Area of Flowers was dynamic and intimate; Beta Band’s Life was impressively deep; and Okkervil River’s For Actual sounded punchy and enjoyable. Ultimately, I needed to depart, however I needed to remain and pay attention extra.

Do you have to purchase it?

Other than some setup quirks — one thing the Klipsch has in frequent with its Focal Sib Evo competitor — the Klipsch Reference Cinema System 5.1.4 with Dolby Atmos is a completely pleasurable speaker set. It is dynamic with motion pictures and may sound nice with music, too. 

Whereas it is not unfair to ask folks to pay the complete $1,400 retail worth, you must you should definitely get this method whereas it is on sale. If there was ever a product out there for the widest worth spectrum, that is it. I’ve seen this set for anyplace between $400 and $1,400. Clearly, you must attempt to get it for as little as you may, and at as much as $1,000 off, that is fairly a steal.