Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 3.1.2 Channel Powered by Onkyo Bluetooth Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos and Custom Tuned Bass – Black

This Klipsh CORE 200 is quite the chameleon – in a very good way!
Prior to purchasing this Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 soundbar, I had used several other models from the likes of Yamaha, Vizio, and Sony. I felt that they did well, given their price-point, but for some, they didn’t last long. Recently, I became intrigued with this Klipsch model, and at the time of this writing, I purchased it with an $80 off coupon (which only appeared for 24 hours on Amazon).When the CORE 200 arrived, I was pleasantly surprised to see such a nicely designed unit – with some good heft to it . It is mostly made with wood and metal with plenty of inputs and outputs on the rear. And did I mentioned that it was an attractive unit?Another reason I wanted to get this Klipsch model is due-to-the-fact that it had a dedicated wired self-powered subwoofer output connection on the rear – which is rare to find anymore – since most soundbars now-a-days only feature dedicated wireless connections. But for someone with a wired powered subwoofer, having this dedicated subwoofer output (RCA connection) was the icing on the cake.I connected the unit via the HDMI-arc(e) input on my 77″ Samsung 4K TV, and then I began watching a variety of programs. My reasoning for calling the CORE 200 a chameleon is due to the fact that if your video has poor audio – well, that’s what you’ll get – poor audio. Let’s face it, many (if not most) TV programs have poor audio (music, etc). Now, do keep in mind that this CORE 200 can’t magically make chicken salad out of c-h-i-c-k-e-n s-h-i-t – it’s that simple. Often-times, some of us – and it’s not realistic to assume this – believe that fine audio gear should somehow automatically make “everything” sound better. So due to this unrealistic assumption, when listening to poor audio – with the soundbar not sounding any better – some initial disappointment can set it. As I stated, what goes in should come out with the same effects.With videos and broadcasts with good to superb soundtracks, this CORE 200 will fill the front of your viewing area with a broad sound-stage and excellent separation from left to right. With excellent movies/recordings, you’ll get excellent instrumental timbre and a surprising amount of bass (even without any external subwoofers). The internal 4″ subwoofers do a great job of getting the bass down to around 50-55 hz, and provide you with a palpable effect. I happen to be also using an Edifier 8″ powered subwoofer connected to my Klipsch, and the bass reach and effects are even better. So if you don’t have a subwoofer already, then I’d suggest getting the optional Klipsch 10″ subwoofer to really give this baby some extra wallop.So folks – this is certainly one of your better soundbars. Sure, there are much more expensive models out there from several audiophile-level vendors – some going for $3000+ (and those prices are without additional subwoofers), and one would assume that they would sound better. But then, what does “better” really mean? In addition, the downloadable Klipsch app for your cell phone will give you very detailed information and options to further adjust your soundbar – even allowing you to update the firmware (when new firmware becomes available).The remote control is also nice – very straight forward – allowing you to choose a variety of functions, and that LCD screen on the right of the sound-bar, shows you at-a-glance what settings you have (as you adjust them).Of course, some of you may be asking, “well, what about the negatives?” Well, do keep in mind that all reviews are subjective, based on how we are using the gear. As I alluded to above, for me – in my family room setup – I have the Klipsch connected to a 77″ Samsung 4K TV. Because I’m a senior citizen, there are certain sound tracks where the voices are difficult for us to make out. I found the dialogue control on this Klipsch still lacking somewhat (for us personally) and on some movies where the music and other sound effects almost drown out the voices, it was still difficult for us to make things out – unless we turned up the volume quite a bit. However, due to the overall superb performance of this CORE 200, I won’t deduct any points in the overall rating.So for me, this CORE 200 is far, far superior to the previous brands that I’ve used, and I can heartily recommend this unit. Thus a full 5 stars?

I think being an audiophile I can talk about this.I have used speakers from Boat, Bose, Samsung, Yamaha, Blaupunkt, JBL Harman.I have also tested Sonos and Denon which are great too. However this is another level bad boi.Needed an Dolby upgrade soundbar for new Dolby TV and after much checking bought this.Hadn’t heard much about Klipsch before. Took a punt. Speaker doesn’t disappoint watch OTT, game, musical etc. Thump is just amazing without cracking on high volume. Very clear tones dialogue and notes. Happy ears.

I expected more. The midrange is ‘tinny’, bass is dull and ‘boomy’ and unfortunately unbalanced and clarity and ‘presence’ is not what was expected. Stage is small and stereo image is lost. Maybe I expected too much, but very disappointing in the end. The description creates an image and expectation which in reality the soundbar falls way short of.

Sound is top notch