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When it comes to choosing a sound system for your home theater, there are a lot of options out there. If you’re looking for the best of the best, you’ll want to take a closer look at the Klipsch Cinema 1200 vs. the Sonos Arc.
You really can’t go wrong with either the Klipsch Cinema 1200 or the Sonos Arc. Both of these soundbars offer superb sound quality, plenty of power, and easy setup, but which one is right for you? In this article, we’ll compare the two soundbars to help you decide which best suits your needs.
Klipsch Cinema 1200 vs. Sonos Arc: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Klipsch Cinema 1200 | Sonos Arc | |
|---|---|---|
| Year Released | 2021 | 2020 |
| Price | $1,424 | $899 |
| Bluetooth | Yes | No |
| Digital Theatre Sound (DTS) | No | Yes (However, it requires a firmware update) |
| Product Dimensions | 54 x 6.19 x 2.94 inches | 45 x 4.5 x 3.4 inches |
| Dolby Atmos | Yes | Yes |
| Weight | 42 pounds | 24.6 pounds |
Klipsch Cinema 1200 vs. Sonos Arc: What are the Differences?
Klipsch Cinema 1200 and Sonos Arc are amazing soundbars with powerful sound qualities. However, there are several differences between the soundbars.
Price
One of the biggest differences between the Klipsch Cinema 1200 and Sonos Arc systems is their cost. The Klipsch Cinema 1200 is listed at $1,424 on Amazon, while the Sonos Arc is listed at $899 on the Sonos website. This makes the Sonos Arc over $500 cheaper than the Klipsch Cinema 1200.
The massive price difference between the soundbars makes the Sonos Arc the best option if you want a premium soundbar that is below $1,000.
Even though the Sonos Arc and Klipsch Cinema 1200 are pricey, they offer great sound quality. They also have some built-in features that are definitely worth the investment. Both soundbars have a high retail value, which means that you can easily resell them later if you no longer need them.
Bluetooth
Another major difference between the Klipsch Cinema 1200 and Sonos Arc is that the Klipsch Cinema 1200 supports Bluetooth connectivity, unlike the Sonos Arc. This is a crucial difference for many users, as Bluetooth allows for a much more convenient and flexible way of connecting to and using the speaker.
You can easily connect your Klipsch Cinema 1200 soundbar to your phone or PC via Bluetooth and still enjoy a quality audio output. Sonos Arc, on the other hand, does not support such flexibility. If you want to enjoy the convenience and flexibility offered by Bluetooth, then the Klipsch Cinema 1200 might be your best option.
- 54” 5.1.4 Sound Bar With Full 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos Decoding
- Wireless rear surround speakers included (klipsch RSS3)
- HDMI-eARC: Single Cable, Single Remote
- Dolby Atmos Decoding For 360° Sound
- Best-In-Class 1200W Peak Power with Best in class 12" subwoofer
Audio Quality
Both soundbars use high-quality drivers and advanced signal processing to deliver excellent sound quality. However, the Klipsch Cinema 1200 has an edge when it comes to audio quality. While both the Klipsch and the Sonos support Dolby Atmos, a late update in 2021 brought DTS decoding to the Sonos Arc. This upgrade allows the Sonos Arc to play audio files in DTS format.
DTS is a surround sound format that provides a more immersive experience for movies and TV shows. Klipsch Cinema 1200 does not support this format, so it may not be the best choice for people who want the most immersive audio experience. This gives the Sonos Arc an edge when it comes to surround sound experience.
Even though it doesn’t support DTS, the Klipsch Cinema 1200 offers a higher power output than the Sonos Arc, meaning that it can provide greater volume and clarity. The extra power is especially noticeable when watching movies or TV shows with action scenes or explosions. The Klipsch Cinema 1200 also has a bit more bass than the Arc, so if you’re looking for a speaker that will really give you some thump, the Cinema is the way to go.
If you’re looking for the best possible sound quality, the Klipsch Cinema 1200 is the better choice. However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Sonos Arc is a great option that doesn’t sacrifice too much in terms of sound quality.
- All-new Sonos Arc - Bring all your entertainment to life with the brilliantly realistic sound of Arc, featuring Dolby Atmos. Enjoy control with your TV remote, voice, the Sonos app, Apple AirPlay 2,...
- 3D sound with Dolby Atmos - Experience shows, movies, and games with the precise and immersive sound of Dolby Atmos.
- Tuned to perfection - Enhanced Trueplay tuning technology optimizes the sound for the unique acoustics of the room.
- Immerse yourself in the music - Stream music, radio, podcasts, and more from your favorite services with the Sonos app or Apple AirPlay 2 when the TV is off.
- A truly powerful soundbar - Eleven high-performance drivers produce vivid detail and impressive bass.
Connectivity
When it comes to connectivity, the Klipsch Cinema and Sonos Arc are both very capable. The Klipsch Cinema has 2 HDMI inputs and 1 output, as well as an optical digital input. It also has built-in Bluetooth connectivity for connecting to your mobile device or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
The Sonos Arc, on the other hand, has HDMI-ARC, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi for connecting to your home network. Both devices also have USB ports for connecting to a computer or other USB-enabled devices. However, unlike the Klipsch Cinema 1200, Sonos Arc doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity.
Features
Both the Sonos Arc and Klipsch Cinema have many excellent features that make them great choices for anyone looking for a top-quality sound system. They both support Dolby Atmos which creates an immersive sound quality by projecting sounds in three dimensions. They both have excellent subwoofers to hold down the bass and superior surround sound effects to enhance your gaming, movies, and music.
Both sound systems can function within your Smart Home ecosystem, as they can be used with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant to make controlling them easier. The Sonos Arc has built-in support for AirPlay 2, so it can be used to stream audio with Apple devices.
One unique feature of the Klipsch Cinema 1200 is that it features HDCP 2.3 for 8K video pass-through. This allows it to deliver high-quality, clear videos. This means that if you have an 8K TV, you’ll be able to take advantage of its higher resolution when watching movies and TV shows. Sonos Arc, however, does not have an 8K video passthrough.
The 8K video pass-through feature is significant because it allows users to take full advantage of the latest generation of high-resolution displays. Not only does it provide a sharper and more detailed picture, but it also offers a wider color gamut and higher frame rates than 4K. For those who want the absolute best image quality from their home theater system, the Klipsch Cinema 1200 is a clear choice.
Design
When it comes to design, the Klipsch Cinema 1200 and Sonos Arc are both sleek and stylish. However, the Klipsch soundbar is slightly longer and heavier than the Sonos Arc. The Sonos Arc weighs 24.6 pounds while the Klipsch Cinema 1200 weighs 42 pounds — almost twice as heavy as the Sonos Arc.
The Klipsch Cinema 1200 comes with a remote control, while the Sonos Arc does not. The Klipsch Cinema 1200’s remote control is very user-friendly and has buttons for power, volume, input selection, and mute.
Even though the Sonos Arc does not come with a remote, you can sync it with your TV remote. This allows you to control your soundbar with your TV remote. You can also configure and control the Sonos Arc with the Sonos app.
Klipsch Cinema 1200 vs. Sonos Arc: 7 Must-Know Facts
- Both soundbars support Dolby Atmos.
- Klipsch Cinema 1200 does not support Digital Theatre Sound (DTS), unlike the Sonos Arc.
- Klipsch Cinema 1200 supports Bluetooth connectivity, while the Sonos Arc doesn’t.
- The Sonos Arc is $500 cheaper than the Klipsch Cinema 1200, but both are very reasonably priced given their features and performance.
- The Sonos Arc requires a firmware update before being able to decode DTS formats.
- Klipsch Cinema 1200 was released a year after the Sonos Arc.
- Klipsch Cinema’s HDCP 2.3 gives it a significant advantage over the Sonos Arc as it allows it to support 8K video passthrough.
Klipsch Cinema 1200 vs. Sonos Arc: Which Should I Buy?
Both the Klipsch Cinema 1200 and Sonos Arc are premium soundbars that offer a high-quality immersive audio experience. However, which one should you buy?
If you’re looking for a versatile soundbar, then the Klipsch Cinema 1200 is ideal for you. It supports Bluetooth connectivity which makes it easier to connect it to your phone, laptop, and other devices. It also has an 8K video passthrough, which allows you to enjoy better audio and video quality when connected to an 8K TV. However, at $1,200, price is a consideration.
The Sonos Arc is an ideal option if you’re looking for a premium soundbar that costs less than $1,000. It supports Dolby Atmos and has a built-in voice assistant. By updating its firmware, the Sonos Arc can also support Digital Theatre Sound (DTS).
We highly recommend the Sonos Arc because it is significantly cheaper than the Klipsch Cinema 1200 and also produces a top-quality and immersive audio experience.
