Bluesound PULSE CINEMA & PULSE CINEMA MINI Dolby Atmos Soundbars with BluOS

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At Audio Advice, we’ve reviewed countless soundbars over the years, all claiming to deliver home theater performance without the hassle of receivers, bulky speakers, or wires running across the room. Some fall short, while others really impress us. But because the overall quality of soundbars has gotten so good, it now takes something special for a new one to grab our attention.

That’s why when Bluesound sent us early samples of their brand-new PULSE CINEMA and PULSE CINEMA MINI, we were immediately struck by how feature-packed they are and how confidently they perform. In a crowded field of Dolby Atmos soundbars, these two really do stand out.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema Multi-Room Streaming Soundbar

$1,499.00

Bluesound Pulse Cinema Mini Multi-Room Streaming Soundbar

$999.00

Looking Back: The Pulse Soundbar+

We liked the previous Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+, but it had limitations. It supported Dolby Atmos, but all the drivers were front-facing and Atmos relied on virtualization. That never delivered the same sense of height and immersion as dedicated upfiring channels. The Soundbar+ was also taller than most competitors and often blocked the bottom of a TV unless wall-mounted. It still sounded good, but there was clear room to improve.

The new Pulse Cinema lineup feels like Bluesound listened closely and made the right upgrades.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema Soundbar mounted on a wall under a television

Design and Build Quality

The first thing that stands out about these new soundbars is the design. The grey fabric-wrapped front and black aluminum body with rounded edges look sleek and modern. The Mini version also comes in a white and tan finish that blends beautifully in lighter interiors.

Both bars feature capacitive touch buttons with a proximity sensor, lighting up only when your hand approaches. Whether on a media console or wall-mounted with the included bracket, these soundbars look fantastic.

Another clever touch is auto orientation sensing. When mounted on the wall, the bar adjusts each driver’s role automatically for the best performance. In terms of size, the Pulse Cinema is about 48 inches wide, ideal for TVs 55 inches or larger. The Pulse Cinema Mini measures about 34 inches wide, making it a great fit for bedrooms, offices, or smaller TVs.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema soundbar
Bluesound Pulse Cinema Mini soundbar

Pulse Cinema: Full-Size Dolby Atmos Soundbar

The larger Pulse Cinema uses a 3.1.2 layout with 500 watts of system power. Inside are 16 total drivers, including a dedicated left, center, and right front stage, plus a pair of discrete upfiring height channels. Two 4-inch internal woofers with four passive radiators provide low-end impact.

This design gives the Pulse Cinema enough output to fill medium to large rooms while keeping dialogue clear and effects immersive.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema Multi-Room Streaming Soundbar

$1,499.00

Pulse Cinema Mini: Compact Atmos Virtualization

The Pulse Cinema Mini is just as exciting but designed for completely different setups. It’s a 2.1 array with two angled drivers to widen the front stage, two 4-inch woofers, and two passive radiators for the low end. With 280 watts of power, it’s plenty for small to medium spaces.

Instead of discrete upfiring height drivers, the Mini uses Dolby Atmos virtualization to create a 3D bubble of sound. While not as precise as real height channels, the Mini’s compact size makes it easier to place in cabinets or under shelves where upfiring drivers would be blocked. Just be sure to position it flush with the front edge for best results.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema Mini Multi-Room Streaming Soundbar

$999.00

Connections and Inputs

On the back of both soundbars you’ll find:

  • HDMI eARC
  • Optical in
  • Analog in for legacy gear
  • USB Type-A for local file playback
  • Ethernet port
  • RCA subwoofer out

We love that Bluesound includes a dedicated subwoofer output, which many competitors skip. This means you can add your own wired subwoofer or pair the wireless Pulse Sub+ for a seamless upgrade.
Bluesound Pulse Cinema Soundbar back panel

Streaming and BluOS Platform

Both soundbars support hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD256. Connectivity includes AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and two-way Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive. They’re also Roon Ready.

The real advantage, though, is Bluesound’s BluOS app platform. It integrates all major streaming services, local music libraries, and advanced features like:

  • Subwoofer crossover and tone controls
  • Grouping zones across a whole home
  • Adding wireless surrounds
  • Managing levels, delay, and listening modes (Movie, Music, Late Night)

BluOS is fast, stable, and flexible, and it continues to be one of our favorite multiroom audio ecosystems.

Performance in Real Rooms

Pulse Cinema

The Pulse Cinema shines in medium to large rooms with flat ceilings between 10–12 feet high. The upfiring drivers bounce sound off the ceiling to create convincing height effects, while the dedicated center channel keeps dialogue anchored to the screen.

It’s not a substitute for true in-ceiling speakers, but it delivers a surprisingly immersive experience for a single soundbar.


Pulse Cinema Mini

The Mini is perfect for smaller rooms or layouts where upfiring speakers won’t work — like vaulted ceilings, ceiling fans, or furniture that blocks placement. Atmos virtualization uses advanced processing to simulate height and surround effects. While less precise than discrete height channels, it lifts the soundstage and spreads effects convincingly for its size.

Bluesound Pulse Cinema Mini soundbar

Expanding to Full Surround Sound

On their own, both soundbars sound great, but they’re designed to expand:

  • Add the Pulse Sub+ for deeper bass and clearer dialogue.
  • Add Pulse M speakers as wireless rears for the most convincing surround effects.
  • Use Pulse Flex speakers for more affordable rear channels.
  • Power your own passive rears with a Powernode or Powernode Edge.

With the Sub+ and wireless rears, the Pulse Cinema becomes a 5.1.2 system, while the Mini builds into a 4.1 setup with virtualized Atmos.

Bluesound Pulse Sub+ BluOS Wireless Powered Subwoofer

$899.00

Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i Ultra-Compact Streaming HiFi Speaker w/ Wi-Fi & Bluetooth

$299.00

Bluesound Pulse M Wireless Multi-Room Music Streaming Speaker

$499.00

Bluesound PowerNode EDGE Wireless Multi-Room Hi-Res Music Streaming Amplifier-Black

$749.00

Real-World Testing

We tested movies like The Irishman, a go-to for soundbar evaluations. Dialogue was crisp, ambient effects like chirping crickets were realistic, and height effects arced convincingly overhead with the Pulse Cinema. Adding the Sub+ and rears unlocked a fully immersive surround bubble.

The Mini held strong, too, with clear dialogue and surprisingly good virtualized height effects. For its size, it’s one of the most convincing compact soundbars we’ve tested.


Music Playback

Music performance is another strength. Hi-res playback through BluOS sounded excellent, with even tonal balance and clean imaging. Grouping the bars with other Bluesound gear around the house made for seamless whole-home audio.

One limitation is that Atmos music is not yet supported natively in BluOS. However, when streaming Atmos music through Apple TV over HDMI eARC, the bars played back correctly. We expect Bluesound to add native Atmos music in the future as the format grows.


Room for Improvement

While we’re impressed overall, a few areas could be refined:

  • The glossy black touch panel can reflect light under a TV. A matte finish would reduce distractions.
  • Wireless surrounds with upfiring drivers would allow expansion to a 5.1.4 system.
  • Support for multiple subwoofers would appeal to advanced home theater builders.

Bluesound Pluse Cinema Mini soundbar in white

Final Thoughts

What sets Bluesound apart is the combination of serious hardware and the BluOS ecosystem. The Pulse Cinema delivers real upfiring height channels, a dedicated center channel, and enough power for large rooms. The Mini offers compact flexibility with Atmos virtualization for spaces where height speakers won’t work.

Both scale easily with the Sub+ and wireless rears, and both double as hi-res music hubs when you’re not watching movies.

If you want a soundbar that simplifies your system while still giving you an upgrade path into surround sound, the Bluesound Pulse Cinema lineup makes a strong case in this price range.



FAQs: Bluesound Pulse Cinema and Pulse Cinema Mini

What’s the difference between the Pulse Cinema and Pulse Cinema Mini?

The Pulse Cinema is a 47-inch 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos soundbar with discrete upfiring drivers and 500 watts of power. The Pulse Cinema Mini is a 34-inch 2.1 design with angled drivers, 280 watts of power, and Atmos virtualization.

Do I need a receiver to use these soundbars?

No. Both soundbars include built-in amplification and Dolby Atmos decoding. Connect your TV with a single HDMI eARC cable and you’re ready to go.

Can I add a subwoofer or surround speakers later?

Yes. Both models support a wired subwoofer via RCA and can pair wirelessly with the Pulse Sub+. You can also add Pulse M or Pulse Flex speakers as wireless rears, or use a Powernode with passive speakers.

Do these soundbars support hi-res audio?

Yes. Both support hi-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, MQA decoding, and DSD256 playback.

Will they play Dolby Atmos from streaming apps?

Yes. Dolby Atmos plays correctly when passed over HDMI eARC from your TV or external streaming device. Atmos music is not yet native in BluOS but works through HDMI connections like Apple TV.

What room size is each model best for?

The Pulse Cinema is best for medium to large rooms with flat ceilings that allow upfiring drivers to work. The Pulse Cinema Mini is better for smaller rooms, bedrooms, or spaces where placement flexibility is more important.

What colors are available?

The Pulse Cinema comes in black with a dark grey grille. The Mini is available in black with dark grey or white with tan.



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Bluesound Pulse Cinema Multi-Room Streaming Soundbar

$1,499.00

Bluesound Pulse Cinema Mini Multi-Room Streaming Soundbar

$999.00