Summary
Premium Audio Company (PAC), the parent company of Klipsch, purchased Onkyo in 2021. Onkyo is a Japanese electronics manufacturer that has a cult-like following and is respected for its range of audiovisual receivers. Upon the announcement of the purchase, experts were in agreement that it was very probable that PAC would not be long before it used the intellectual capital of both companies in order to develop a new product line.
This prediction was realized three years later with the introduction of the Klipsch Flexus Sound system, which is a collection of modular home theater items that are designed around soundbars that are capable of Dolby Atmos.
Klipsch is the only brand of acoustics used. On the other hand, Onkyo is responsible for the electronics, digital signal processing, and amplification parts.
The way it sounds on paper, at least, seems like a marriage made in heaven for audiophiles. To what extent, however, does the Klipsch Flexus really live up to its inherent potential?
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review
The Flexus Core 200, which costs $499, is one of two soundbar models that you can construct your Flexus system around. The other soundbar model is the Flexus Core 100, which costs $349. In order to find out, we spent several days with the Flexus Core 200. Additionally, we were provided with two of the optional wireless expansion sets, which included the Flexus Surr 100 ($249) surround speakers and the Flexus Sub 100 ($299) subwoofer, so that we could get a sense of how a complete Flexus system, which costs $1,047, sounded.
The conclusion is that the Flexus Core 200 is a wonderful addition to your living room if you are looking for a Dolby Atmos sound system that is completely straightforward and requires no installation. What you need to know is explained here.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: Expansion is not required.
The Flexus system is meant to be both flexible and modular, as the name of the system strongly indicates. Do you have a tight space? Acquire the Core 100 soundbar here. Do you have a little or a lot of space? Proceed with the Core 200, which is bigger and more powerful. As your money, space, and need for more immersive sound rise, you will be able to begin adding more wireless speakers and subwoofers, just as you would with comparable systems from Sony, Sonos, and Bose.
Despite the fact that I am unable to comment on the Core 100 at this time, I have been really pleased with the Core 200’s capacity to generate a complete home theater experience on its own. This includes low-end bass, which is something that is almost impossible to do at this price point without a dedicated subwoofer. I will, in a minute, go into much more detail on the sound.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: Looks aren’t always accurate
When I initially saw Klipsch’s marketing photographs for the Flexus Core 200 (and when I heard its pricing), I anticipated it to be comparable in size and form to other soundbars that cost $500, such as the Sonos Beam Gen 2 or the Bose Smart Soundbar 600. Perhaps I am the only one who has this expectation.
No way. This Core 200 is a much larger speaker than others. Due to its size and weight, it is much more comparable to the Sonos Arc, which costs $899, or the Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, which costs $899 and was originally known as the Bose Smart Soundbar 900. It measures 44 inches in length. On the other hand, it does not have the same intimidating presence as the Sonos Arc because of its relatively low height of three inches and the materials that Klipsch chose to use. On the top of the speaker, Klipsch has included what I believe to be the most realistic imitation of wood grain vinyl that I have ever seen. This is a significant advantage. If someone claims that they can tell that the Flexus Sub 100 is not made of genuine wood without touching it, I challenge them to do so. The Flexus Sub 100 is completely covered in the same material.
There are just three controls available for the top controls: power, volume, and source selection. These controls are rather basic. In addition, I would have appreciated the ability to mute, play/pause, and skip tracks. Nevertheless, I will give Klipsch a pass since they can be accessed without any effort via the remote control.
The enormous, eight-character scrolling LED display that is concealed behind the fabric speaker grille came as a nice surprise to me. It is large enough to be viewed from any location in the room, and you can adjust the brightness of the display using either the remote control or the Klipsch Connect Plus app (more on that in a moment).
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: Not a single thing is missing
The Klipsch-designed box comes with a backlit Bluetooth remote, a pair of AAA batteries, an HDMI cable, a power wire, and two metal wall-mount brackets. The box is nearly completely manufactured from materials that are readily recyclable.
Since the brackets only have a single hole for the wall fastening that you choose, it is imperative that you select a wall fastener that is very durable. A straightforward drywall anchor, which weighs 18.7 pounds, is not likely to be able to sustain the weight of the Core 200.
Moreover, you will get a quick-start guide that will direct you to the download page for the Klipsch Connect Plus app, which is available for both iOS and Android. Obtaining the software is highly recommended since it contains settings that are inaccessible using the remote that is supplied.
It is important to note that this is not the Klipsch Connect app that you may already have if you have other Klipsch devices such as earphones or powered speakers like The Sevens.
Klipsch provides a backlit Bluetooth remote, a pair of AAA batteries, an HDMI cable, a power wire, and two metal wall-mount brackets in the box, which is nearly completely manufactured from material that can be recycled. Additionally, the box has digital-only connections.
Since the brackets only have a single hole for the wall fastening that you choose, it is imperative that you select a wall fastener that is very durable. A straightforward drywall anchor, which weighs 18.7 pounds, is not likely to be able to sustain the weight of the Core 200.
Moreover, you will get a quick-start guide that will direct you to the download page for the Klipsch Connect Plus app, which is available for both iOS and Android. Obtaining the software is highly recommended since it contains settings that are inaccessible using the remote that is supplied.
It is important to note that this is not the Klipsch Connect app that you may already have if you have other Klipsch devices such as earphones or powered speakers like The Sevens.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: only digital ports
This Core 200 has a single HDMI ARC/eARC connector, an optical input, and a USB-C input located around the rear of the device. Because each one may be linked to a separate device, you have more options available to you when it comes to the sources of sound. Because the Core 200 does not have a separate HDMI input, your television must be capable of passing over Dolby Atmos material using HDMI ARC/eARC. If it is not capable of doing so, the Core 200 will only be able to play back Dolby Digital 5.1 media.
This configuration is quite typical for soundbars that cost this much money. Nevertheless, the Core 200 is notable for having a subwoofer output that is devoted to it. When it comes to subwoofers, the majority of the major manufacturers that are discussed in this study employ a walled-garden strategy. You are going to have to get it from the same firm if you want to have one. In the event that you are fortunate, you will have the opportunity to choose from two different models.
In addition, Klipsch offers a wireless Flexus subwoofer, the Flexus Sub 100, which costs $299. In spite of this, you do not need to purchase it since it has a wired output. There is no subwoofer that cannot be used as long as it has a wired input and, preferably, an adjustable crossover.
This takes us to the second peculiar connector on the Core 200, which is the USB port that is recessed into the back of the device and is branded Klipsch Flexus Transport 100. If you wish to utilize the soundbar with the wireless Flexus accessory speakers that are optional, you will need to put the Transport 100 dongle that is included with those accessories into this slot.
It is possible to access music that is stored on an external drive as long as all of the songs are saved to the root folder (there is no option to traverse subfolders). This is a brief word concerning the USB-C interface. On the other hand, you won’t be able to switch to the USB-C input by using the remote or the controls on the top of the bar; the Klipsch Connect Plus app is the only one that allows you to do so.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: Easy to set up
With the Flexus Core 200, putting it together is a breeze. To connect the soundbar to your television, you may use the HDMI cable that is supplied in the package or you can use your own optical cable. After that, you can plug the soundbar into a power socket.
As soon as you turn on the television, the Core 200 also turns on and switches to either its television (high-definition multi-channel interface) or its optical input (whatever your arrangement is).
When you reach this phase, you are free to take the remote control and begin making modifications. It is possible that you will be able to access fundamental functionality such as volume, muting, and input selection when using a universal remote control, such as a Logitech Harmony, since the Core 200 is equipped with an infrared receiver.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: A respectable application
Nevertheless, as I said before, you will want to download the Klipsch Connect Plus app. It will link you to the Core 200 using Bluetooth LE, which stands for low energy consumption. This connection is not the same as the Bluetooth connection that is required in order to stream music. That is a positive development. The app will continue to be able to adjust the soundbar’s settings even if you are using the USB port or watching television at the same time.
Nevertheless, Bluetooth app connections are not as dependable as Wi-Fi connections, and you will discover that if you leave the Core 200’s Bluetooth connection range, you will be required to reconnect to the soundbar inside the app before you are allowed to utilize the settings. During the time when the program is checking the status of the Core 200 before reflecting any changes that you have made, you could also discover that it is a little bit sluggish.
The app has never crashed on me or stopped responding, which is more than I can say about some of the other Bluetooth applications I’ve used on competing devices. Although I don’t really like using Bluetooth in this manner, at least the program has never stopped responding to me.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: There is no Wi-Fi.
It would be appropriate to bring to your attention the fact that Klipsch has not incorporated Wi-Fi connection in the Flexus Core 200, which is one of the reasons why it is so large while having the same price tag as the smaller soundbars manufactured by Sonos and Bose. It is possible to construct a larger and more powerful speaker as a result of the cost savings; however, this comes with a few restrictions.
If there is no Wi-Fi, then there will be no Apple AirPlay, no Chromecast, no direct access to music apps such as Spotify Connect or Tidal Connect, no connection with smart home automation or voice assistants, and no interoperability with multiple rooms.
To summarize, this indicates that any music listening you do will be done via your television, through the USB port on your phone, or through Bluetooth on your phone.
How significant is that? You alone have the ability to make a decision.
In the event that the absence of Wi-Fi is a source of frustration for you, there is a practical alternative that won’t put a strain on your finances: purchase a Wiim Mini for $109 and connect it to the optical port of the Core 200. The Core 200 is equipped with almost all of the features that I outlined above, thanks to the small streamer.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: The sound is very loud
When it comes to the Klipsch Flexus Core 200, while there are a lot of soundbars that have built-in subwoofers and promise huge bass, the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is not just talking the talk. You would need to consider the Sony HT-A7000, which costs $1,300, or the Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Plus, which costs $1,500, in order to get a degree of low-end performance that is even somewhat comparable to this standard.
Although it is still not as thunderous as a dedicated subwoofer, I think the sound quality of this soundbar will astound you if it is your first or if you are upgrading from a less expensive device.
It is a well-known scene from the film Unbroken, which was released in 2014, in which American bombers begin a bombing mission over Japan during World War II. This moment is a good test of any sound system due to the strong combination of engine whining, wind noise, machine-gun fire, shouted conversation, and midair flak explosions that it contains.
When the bass setting on the Core 200 is set to its highest, you are able to experience the full force of this scenario even if you do not have a dedicated subwoofer. This is something that lesser soundbars simply are not capable of doing.
However, there is also volume. It is said that the Core 200 has a power rating of 185 watts. When the power is increased, however, that number loses all significance and becomes meaningless. The volume scale of the Core 200 ranges from one to fifty cents. At the age of 18, it generates more sound than you could possibly desire for any kind of casual watching. When you reach the age of 21, you will almost feel as if you are in a movie theater.
Furthermore, if you start to push yourself into the middle to high 20s, I hope you have a room that is really spacious, there are no neighbors for hundreds of feet in any direction, and you could even have some hearing protection.
If this is the result of merging the expertise of Onkyo in amplification with that of Klipsch in acoustics, then I have only one question for you: what took you guys so long when you decided to do this?
Out of the box, the soundbar has excellent clarity of dialogue, which is an essential feature of any soundbar. In the event that you do not find it sufficient, you will discover that the changeable conversation improvement modes are really helpful. Through the use of the Dialogue button on the remote, you have the ability to choose between low, medium, and high levels, or you may completely turn it off.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: Several peculiar environments
In reference to the configurations, Klipsch has chosen to implement a peculiar combination of features that may be accessed remotely and those that can only be handled via the Klipsch Connect Plus app. An example of this would be the Bass button on the remote control, which allows you to adjust the volume of the bass. You will, however, need the application in order to make adjustments to the mids or highs, as well as to utilize any of the various equalization presets.
In the other direction, if you connect a subwoofer and surrounds, you will be able to manage the distinct levels of both of them from the app, but the remote control will only allow you to access the surround levels. What about the discrete setting for the channels that are at the front height? However, the remote control is the only way to access them.
In addition to the equalization settings that are exclusive to the app, there are two sound modes: movie and music. It is arguable that each one is superior than the other for the purpose for which it was designed. In Movie mode, the sound field is more broad, and the highs and lows are amplified. On the other hand, Music mode seems to maintain more information and offers a presentation that is concentrated and forward-facing.
Experimenting with them is something that should be considered, particularly if you want a conventional stereo mix that is supplemented with a somewhat spatial sense. On the other hand, due to the fact that the Core 200 will always upmix stereo to either 3.1.2 or 5.1.2, depending on the speaker configuration, it is not possible to get pure two-channel sound on this device.
These are strange options, but you eventually come to terms with them. The fact that there is no method to assign various settings to different sources is something that is a bit longer and more aggravating. When someone is viewing a movie, it is not unusual for them to want either the bass or the speech to be amplified. Additionally, it is not uncommon for the same individual to have a preference for a more subdued sound while listening to music. However, you will need to make adjustments to each setting each time you transition from the TV to the optical to the Bluetooth function. Taking into consideration the significant role that Onkyo played in the creation of the Flexus system, this seems to be a particularly significant error.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: Soft Dolby Atmos sound
When it comes to the effects of Dolby Atmos that are transmitted via the height channels, your results can be different. Evidently, Klipsch excels in the field of transmitting music that is both clear and strong using speakers that are specifically designed for that purpose, without depending on a great deal of complex signal processing. In actuality, this indicates that the overhead sound impact will be lessened if the soundbar’s up-firing, ceiling-reflecting drivers are unable to effectively bounce sounds back to your listening location. This might be due to the fact that your ceiling is particularly tall, low, or even tilted.
Even while it is still there and it is helpful to use the remote to adjust the front height levels to their highest possible settings, the performance is not nearly as convincing as the performance that you will receive from the industry leaders in signal processing, such as Sony, Bose, or Sennheiser.
A portion of me is curious about whether or not the height effects of the Klipsch Core 200 may be enhanced if it had room-correction tuning similar to that of Sonos’ TruePlay or Sony’s Sound Field Optimization. However, this capability is not present on the Core 200.
Despite the fact that its height effects may not blow you away, the Core 200 provides an astonishingly broad soundstage that meticulously places sounds in the appropriate locations. In my experience, there are very few instances in any particular film in which the overhead noises constitute the primary component. This is not to say that I am trying to minimize the significance of these ambient sounds. On the other hand, the Flexus Core 200 is capable of producing sounds that are practically continuous, particularly during action scenes. This is especially true for left, right and surround sounds.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: Subs and the surrounding area
This brings me to the first piece of purchasing advice I have to provide. It is quite uncommon for me to recommend to the owner of a soundbar that they purchase a pair of surround speakers rather than a subwoofer separately. In contrast, I believe that you need to proceed in this manner with regard to the Core 200. When viewing scenarios that feature a lot of sounds traveling from front to back or vice versa, the Core 200’s channel count is increased from 3.1.2 to 5.1.2 when the Flexus Surr 100 surround speakers are added to the system. This makes a significant impact.
The pursuit and gunfire action with the Aston Martin that takes place in No Time to Die is a fantastic example. The action takes place in front of you, close to the screen, since there are no settings to distract you. With the surrounds, you are in the center of the action, and bullets are flying and ricocheting all around you, as if you were sitting right next to everyone’s favorite British superspy.
If you add a Flexus Sub 100, you can transform the Core 200’s outstanding bass into actual low-frequency oomph, the type that you can feel. This is not to imply that you should overlook the Flexus Sub 100, which is available. It is only that the additional impact that the subwoofer provides is not quite as much of an improvement as the surrounds.
In a normal situation, I may criticize Klipsch for the performance of the Sub 100, which is satisfactory but not outstanding. The Core 200 soundbar is the subject of this review; however, this is not a review of the subwoofer in question. Furthermore, given that you are able to connect any subwoofer of your choosing, it is difficult to complain about a device that you do not have to purchase.
Although I did not get the opportunity to test out two Sub 100s, the Core 200 is capable of supporting that configuration. I mean, if you really want to go all out, you can even run a third sub via the cable output while simultaneously running two Sub 100s wirelessly.
I find the style of the Sub 100 to be rather impressive. In the past, Klipsch sold soundbars that were outfitted with enormous, massive subwoofers that were difficult to conceal or even decrease. On the other hand, the Sub 100 is a relatively small container, measuring around one cubic foot in volume. Its body is rounded and resembles wood, and it is so appealing that you may not even mind if it is exposed to the elements.
The odd dongle-based Transport 100 wireless system from Klipsch is not very attractive, particularly when you take into consideration the fact that almost every other wireless soundbar system is able to provide the same functionality without resorting to the use of dongles. In spite of this, once I had the sub and surrounds matched, it functioned without any problems, which is the best that can be asked for.
Klipsch Flexus Core 200 review: Tunes, as well
The Core 200 also provides a wonderful experience when it comes to listening to music. When in Music mode with the Flat EQ option, the factory sound profile of a Klipsch speaker is pleasingly balanced, with just a small bump in the highs.
It is possible to tailor this to your own preferences by making use of the presets and the custom equalization option; however, it is important to keep in mind that these settings will remain in place even if you go back to viewing television.
One of the aspects of the Core 200’s musical capabilities that impressed me the most was how well it handled Bluetooth audio output.
As a general rule, I have a negative attitude toward Bluetooth audio on soundbars. My experience has shown that the sound is distorted even when they are using the AAC codec. There is a lack of specifics, and everything that is left is not fulfilling. I always instantly switch to streaming via Wi-Fi, which normally results in an improvement that is noticeable very immediately.
When I initially got my hands on the Core 200, one of the first things I did was attach a Wiim Pro to the optical connection. I did this because I anticipated that I would want to use it exclusively.
My experience with the Core 200, however, has not been like that at all. There was an improvement in detail when I switched between Bluetooth and the Wiim, but it was not to the point where I wanted to give up Bluetooth. This is a significant achievement for a soundbar that does not support Wi-Fi.
Another useful piece of advice for Bluetooth listening is that the play/pause button on the remote control may also be used to skip tracks. This is something that is not mentioned in the handbook. You may skip forward by pressing it twice, or you can go back to the beginning of the track by pressing it three times (or you can go back to the track that came before it if you are in the opening few seconds of a new track).
It is true that the Klipsch Flexus system is neither as advanced nor as versatile as soundbars from Sonos, Bose, and Sony, all of which feature Wi-Fi and/or Ethernet networking. However, the Klipsch Flexus system does offer flexible connectivity options. On the other hand, the Core 200’s cinematic punch will more than make up for the fact that you will be giving up some intelligence in exchange for it. Additionally, Klipsch’s wireless transport system makes it possible for you to keep the expansion opportunities that those other competitors offer.
In the event that you are interested in transforming your television room from a casual watching place into a genuine home theater, the Klipsch Flexus Core 200 is one of the greatest single-speaker systems that you can get for the price of $500. It is possible that it is the best system available.
