If you’re looking for a top-notch Dolby Atmos soundbar, it’s hard to beat the Sonos Arc Ultra. But Sonos is still recovering from its self-imposed 2024 software fiasco, and many of its once-loyal customers have sought refuge with the company’s competitors. Chief among these is Bluesound, a wireless, multiroom audio ecosystem from the Great White North.
With a collection of speakers, subwoofers, and music streamers that closely mirrors Sonos’ lineup, Bluesound is especially popular with audiophiles who value the company’s support of lossless, hi-res audio formats and have been willing to pay a premium for it (Bluesound devices typically cost 30 to 50 percent more than their Sonos counterparts).
Like Sonos, Bluesound also does home theater audio, but in this department it has lagged, most notably in its discrete support for the height-channel sound effects that epitomize Dolby Atmos—until now. Bluesound’s $1,499 Pulse Cinema is a pricey new chapter for the Canadian company: its first Dolby Atmos soundbar with dedicated up-firing drivers and a center channel.
A Sonos-Like Footprint
Photograph: Chris Haslam
There’s a single HDMI-ARC/eARC port, and, like with most of Bluesound’s speakers, an analog input, a digital input, a USB port for external storage, two-way Bluetooth with aptX Adaptive, and your choice of Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi. There’s even a wired subwoofer output, which is far from standard on most soundbars. Except for the lack of any HDMI inputs, it’s a generous and versatile collection that leaves the Arc Ultra in the dust.
Size-wise, the two speakers are similar: The Pulse Cinema, at 47 inches, is just one inch wider than the Arc Ultra. Both will look right at home under 50- to 65-inch TVs, but the Pulse Cinema, with its wraparound fabric grille and soft curves, may appeal more to those who want a less high-tech look. If you’d prefer to wall-mount it, a bracket is included. (Sonos sells its wall mounts separately.)
Armed with a 500-watt, 3.0.2-channel, 12-driver array, the Pulse Cinema pumps out impressive levels of detail for both movies and music. It’s this commitment to both formats that helps it stand out. Most soundbars will be a big step up from your TV’s internal speakers for movies and TV shows, but few offer a similarly rewarding listening experience when it comes to music.
Great for Dialog
Photograph: Chris Haslam
For TV audio, dialog clarity is a standout feature, with voices that are both well-centered and easily understandable, even in scenes with lots of competing background and surround sounds.
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![‘Strange New Worlds’ Season 4 Trailer Teases the Journey to the Beginning of ‘Star Trek’
The future of Star Trek on TV isn’t terribly optimistic, but the new season of Strange New Worlds—its fourth, ahead of a shortened fifth and final outing—looks stuffed full of excitement and wonder. Paramount just shared the latest trailer ahead of the show’s return in July, featuring a meaningful chat between future dynamic duo Spock (Ethan Peck) and Captain Kirk (Paul Wesley). [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85nfSzEho68[/embed] “In season four of the Paramount+ Original Series, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise—led by Captain Christopher Pike—embark on a series of thrilling and emotional adventures across the stars,” reads the official synopsis, which makes no mention of the puppet episode we know full well is coming. “As they journey to strange new worlds, they will battle inner demons and external threats, encounter colorful new characters, reunite with familiar faces, and confront terrifying aliens. Through it all, they strive to embrace a bright, hopeful future.”
Strange New Worlds season four stars Anson Mount (Pike), Rebecca Romijn (Una Chin-Riley/Number One), Ethan Peck (Spock), Jess Bush (Christine Chapel), Christina Chong (La’an Noonien-Singh), Celia Rose Gooding (Uhura), Melissa Navia (Erica Ortega), Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga), and Martin Quinn (Scotty); Carol Kane (Pelia) and Paul Wesley (Kirk) guest star.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season four begins July 23 on Paramount+. It runs weekly, with new episodes arriving Thursdays through September 24. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Strange #Worlds #Season #Trailer #Teases #Journey #Beginning #Star #TrekStar Trek: Strange New Worlds ‘Strange New Worlds’ Season 4 Trailer Teases the Journey to the Beginning of ‘Star Trek’
The future of Star Trek on TV isn’t terribly optimistic, but the new season of Strange New Worlds—its fourth, ahead of a shortened fifth and final outing—looks stuffed full of excitement and wonder. Paramount just shared the latest trailer ahead of the show’s return in July, featuring a meaningful chat between future dynamic duo Spock (Ethan Peck) and Captain Kirk (Paul Wesley). [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85nfSzEho68[/embed] “In season four of the Paramount+ Original Series, the crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise—led by Captain Christopher Pike—embark on a series of thrilling and emotional adventures across the stars,” reads the official synopsis, which makes no mention of the puppet episode we know full well is coming. “As they journey to strange new worlds, they will battle inner demons and external threats, encounter colorful new characters, reunite with familiar faces, and confront terrifying aliens. Through it all, they strive to embrace a bright, hopeful future.”
Strange New Worlds season four stars Anson Mount (Pike), Rebecca Romijn (Una Chin-Riley/Number One), Ethan Peck (Spock), Jess Bush (Christine Chapel), Christina Chong (La’an Noonien-Singh), Celia Rose Gooding (Uhura), Melissa Navia (Erica Ortega), Babs Olusanmokun (Dr. M’Benga), and Martin Quinn (Scotty); Carol Kane (Pelia) and Paul Wesley (Kirk) guest star.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season four begins July 23 on Paramount+. It runs weekly, with new episodes arriving Thursdays through September 24. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who. #Strange #Worlds #Season #Trailer #Teases #Journey #Beginning #Star #TrekStar Trek: Strange New Worlds](https://gizmodo.com/app/uploads/2026/06/Strange_new_worlds-1280x853.jpg)
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