This Sonos Arc Rival Has an Audiophile Feature Different From Every Other Soundbar

Klipsch is best known for its beloved Heritage line of loudspeakers — which it still makes in Hope, Arkansas today. Still, the renowned American audio company has gotten more home theater systems in recent years. And this week, it announced its most high-end soundbar to date.

The Flexus Core 300 is essentially a more premium version of Klipsch’s existing Flexus Core 200 and Flexus Core 100 soundbars (both released earlier this year). Like its smaller siblings, the Flexus Core 300 is a joint collaboration between Klipsch and the AVR experts at Onkyo, but the Core 300 is significantly bigger (and more expensive).

Additionally, the Klipsch Flexus Core 300 is the first soundbar to feature Dirac Live Room Correction technology, a much sought-after feature for audiophiles and home theater enthusiasts.

Klipsch

What is Dirac Live?

“Dirac Live” is quickly becoming one of the most popular buzzwords in the hi-fi space — we’re seeing support for it in more and more integrated amplifiers, network streamers and all-in-one speakers.

In a nutshell, Dirac Live is a room correction technology a la Sonos’s TruePlay, but it’s significantly more advanced (and nerdy) as it requires you to use a special microphone and Dirac Live’s software to perfectly tune each speaker in your system so that it sounds best.

While it’s becoming more common for higher-end hi-fi components to support Dirac Live, users typically have to pay extra if they want to take advantage of the service. The neat thing with the Flexus Core 300 soundbar is that the license for Dirac Live is included — no need to pay extra.

(If you want to learn more on Dirac Live, check out What Hi-Fi‘s explainer.)

Klipsch

A beast of a Dolby Atmos soundbar

Even if you don’t take advantage of Dirac Live, the Flexus Core 300 seems like a pretty killer Dolby Atmos soundbar. It’s a 5.1.2-channel soundbar that packs a total of 12 drivers, supports the most popular immersive audio technologies (Dolby Atmos and DTS:X), and weighs almost 35 pounds — it’s a beast.

On the inside, the Flexus Core 300 soundbar features eight 2.25-inch drivers — four front-firing, two up-firing and two side-firing — and four 4-inch woofers. The resulting sound promises to be both powerful and immersive. But if you want an even improved home theater experience, Klispch has you covered as well.

With the Flexus Core 300, Klipsch is also introducing a new set of rear-channel speakers (Flexus Surr 200) and 12-inch subwoofer (Flexus Sub 200) — that can wirelessly connect to its soundbar and help you build out your home theater.

Additionally, the Flexus Core 300 soundbar has a bunch of modern features that you’d probably expect in a modern flagship soundbar.

It supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming (for when you’re not watching TV). It has USB-C, RCA and digital optical for connecting other analog sources (including older TVs or a wired subwoofer). And thanks to its HDMI eARC connection, it can work with pretty much any TV (including 8K).

Klipsch

Price and availability

The Klipsch Flexus Core 300 soundbar costs $999, positioning it as a slightly higher-end option to other flagship Dolby Atmos soundbars like the Sonos Arc ($899) and Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar ($900).

Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait a little while to purchase. Klipsch’s entire new Flexus Sound System — including the Flexus Core 300 soundbar ($999), the Flexus Surr 200 surround speakers ($399) and Flexus Sub 200 wireless subwoofer ($499) — will be available this winter.

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