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Bluesound Pulse Soundbar - Black
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar - Black - connections detail
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar - Black - angled sides
Crutchfield: Bluesound Pulse Soundbar
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar - Black - back
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar - Black - included kick stands give added stability
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar - Simple app control (smartphone not included)
Item # 813PLSBR | MFR # Pulse Soundbar-BK
In Stock
The Pulse Soundbar offers connection options for your TV, audio player, or USB drive. (Top view of the bar's connection panel.)
Is it possible to play high-resolution audio from a sound bar — and stream it throughout your home? Bluesound emphatically says “yes!” with their Pulse Soundbar. This compact sound bar fits easily under most TVs and delivers spacious, fully detailed sound from your movies and shows. And, as part of Bluesound's "ecosystem" of whole house streaming music players, it delivers top-notch sound from all your wireless music sources, including high-res files from a network-attached storage drive, internet music services, or even Bluetooth from your phone.
You can build an impressive wireless surround sound system with the Pulse Soundbar. Just add a Bluesound Pulse Sub and two Pulse Flex speakers. The sound bar has Dolby Digital decoding built in. It wirelessly sends true Dolby rear-channel sound to the Pulse Flex speakers and low bass to the subwoofer. That puts you right in the middle of an enveloping home theater soundstage.
The Pulse Soundbar comes with a variety of listening modes for tailoring its sound. Two dialogue enhancing modes make it easier to understand what's going on. A wide cinema mode opens up the soundstage — great for epic blockbusters. There's also a wide music mode, so you can play a live concert Blu-ray and feel like you're in the audience.
From our article Bluesound Pulse Soundbar review
"The sound seemed to open up and breathe a little more with the higher-resolution MQA files (streaming on TIDAL MASTERS). Roberta Flack's 'Killing me Softly' was a highlight. The strong thump of the bass and percussion took over my rapidly nodding head at first. Then my movement was forced to slow down by Flack's beautiful "can't-be-rushed" vocals as the song went on. Her voice was crystal clear, and there was an extra spaciousness to the song."
— Jeff Miller, A/V writer
Bluesound is compatible with virtually all digital music formats — including high-resolution files up to 24-bit/192kHz. Access the music stored on your computer or a networked hard drive. Stream from internet radio stations and online services like Spotify®, TIDAL, and Deezer. You can also enjoy downloads from high-res music sites such as HDtracks. The player is compatible with MQA, an up-and-coming high-resolution audio format. The Pulse Soundbar also features a USB input for playing files "locally" from a thumb drive or hard drive — ideal when friends come over with their own music.
The Pulse Soundbar features aptX® audio coding, an advanced form of Bluetooth that allows higher-fidelity sound with compatible Bluetooth devices. The system is backward-compatible with earlier forms of Bluetooth, too. Bluetooth is a convenient way to play the sound from any app you might be using on your mobile device, including Netflix® and YouTube®. You can even share that Bluetooth source with other Bluesound music players around your house that are connected to the same network.
Combine multiple Bluesound players to enjoy high-end sound throughout your home.
The Bluesound system is easily controlled from your smartphone or tablet. Just download the free app from the Apple® App Store or Google Play. The app lets you select songs and adjust volume. Choose to play music in one room, all rooms, or different tracks in different spaces around your home.
Great sound but setup documentation is horrible
Anonymous, Waldorf, MD
Average Customer Review(s):
Great sound but setup documentation is horrible
Pros: Dynamic sound
Cons: Setup is horrible and disappointing that something cost this much doesn't include remote to easy the use of the system. Word to wise you will need to have the app installed on multiple devices or a dedicated device that does not leave the location of sound bar.
This product goes way beyond just a soundbar. It should be considered first a Bluesound DAC that happens to be a soundbar also. I connected the Bluesound Pulse in a bedroom with a Samsung Q7F 4K TV using optical out on the Samsung "One Connect" box. Pulse is connected to the home LAN via CAT7 Ethernet cable which allows listen to any server stored CDs and HiRes music files as well as streaming of Tidal Masters with MQA decoding...no other soundbar provides such capabilities. Bluesound Pulse is becomes another "player" in the home that be used as a single player or grouped with any of our other Bluesound players. For TV sound, options of TV/Music/Movies provides all the options for normal viewing as well as streaming 4K movies/4K content via apps on Sansung Q7F for Netflex/Amazon/CBS Streaming etc. Performance far exceeded expectations and highly recommend to anyone who wants more than just a soundbar.
Pros: Fantastic sound, exceptional build quality, HiRes DAC with MQA, Ethernet as well as WiFi, becomes another Bluesound Player for access through out your home.
Cons: None
I was already a Bluesound fan and owner of both G1 and G2 products. So when my ASB-2 started to fail I pulled the trigger on this. It has much better low end than I expected or read in the audio mag/site reviews, clarity is amazing. Remote programming (Harmony elite) is straight out of remote programming for dummies :-). Great for TV, Movies and High Res music. Crutchfield was great getting this in white for me before it even showed up on their site. Aesthetically it passed all the requirements with my SO and is now wall mounted.
Pros: Amazing sound. Great bass, so much so I am not going to bother with a sub hookup True Bluesound quality build and design
Cons: No HDMI inputs (solved with an HDMI to Optical conversion switch) No true surround, but honestly Dolby processing just got announced.
Of all the sound bars out there this might be everyone's cup of tea. It has everything an audio enthusiast and aesthetic minded person might be looking for. Connectivity, style, quality materials and craftsmanship and of course sonic performance. Audio quality and details in movies is a far more than you would expect, but the Pulse excels on audio, even on semi decent resolution files it delivers detailed soundstage. The app interface might be tricky at first but once you get the hang of it you'll find out all the Pulse is capable of. I've read that you can't program remotes to operate it, this is false. I programed it with my cable provider remote and it works wonders. Also it has dialogue enhancer. I thought I was stepping all the way down from my Martin Logan sound bar but even with the couple of things I traded like DTS this is by far a better deal for movies and with music I haven't missed the ML so far. Crutchfield service and support also made this purchase a no brainer.
Pros: Absolutely awesome with music. Incredible bass Detailed reproduction even with average music files Bluetooth Above average performace with movies Design and quality construction
Cons: Not real surround but not a deal breaker and doesn't include optic wire, but I'm nitpicking.
Amazing sound quality and ease of setup makes this not only a TV sound bar but a whole room music system.
Pros:
Cons:
I wanted to complete my whole house music system. I have a Pulse Mini in the back of the house and a Flex in the kitchen I bought the Pulse sounder for the living room. I have somewhat of a open concept home. The music flows great! The soundbar is not a surround effect bar, it is great for music and adding excellent sound for your TV and it works with the rest of my system. You might not hear sound coming from behind your head but the sound from this piece is fantastic! and the bass is very good. I'm sure there are better soundbars for that surround effect that some might be looking for, but this was what i was looking for. It's pricey but it's made by a NAD a great company who has been in the business for a long time. Bluesound support is nothing short of amazing! The app and getting things rolling can be a little complicated but Bluesound is there to help you, and once you are up and going it just works! It is a big bar so you might have to raise your tv some. I'm glad i made this purchase. The other contender was Paradigm Soundscape but i selected this soundbar for system compatibility.
Pros: Excellent sound from Nad & PSB
Cons: None
| General | ||
|---|---|---|
| Enclosure | Passive Radiator | |
| Design | Bar | |
| Pieces in System | 1 | |
| Color | Black | |
| Tweeter | 1" Dome (2) | |
| Midrange | 2" Cone (2) | |
| Woofer | 4" Cone (2) | |
| Separate Subwoofer | Optional | |
| Subwoofer Driver | None | |
| Features | ||
| Surround Sound Decoding | 5.1-channel | |
| Dolby Atmos | No | |
| Dialogue Enhancement | Yes | |
| Auto Volume | Night Mode | |
| 4K Video Compatible | No | |
| HDR Video Compatible | No | |
| Audio Return Channel | No | |
| Remote IR Passthrough | No | |
| Works with TV Remote (IR) | Yes | |
| Control by App | iOS,Android,PC,Mac | |
| Bluetooth Connectivity | Built-in | |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | |
| Wall-mountable | Yes | |
| Mounting Bracket Included | Yes | |
| Surface Mount Stand Included | Yes | |
| Speaker Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Speaker Labor Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Amplifier Parts Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Amplifier Labor Warranty | 1 Year | |
| Specifications | ||
| System Frequency Response | 70-20k Hz | |
| Powered System | Yes | |
| Sound Bar RMS Power | 120 | |
| Subwoofer RMS Power | N/A | |
| Inputs and Outputs | ||
| Mini Stereo Audio Inputs | None | |
| RCA Stereo Audio Inputs | 1 | |
| Optical Digital Audio Inputs | 1 | |
| Coaxial Digital Audio Inputs | None | |
| HDMI Inputs | None | |
| HDMI Outputs | None | |
| USB Port | Yes | |
| Subwoofer Output | 1 | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Sound Bar (inches) | 5-5/8H x42-1/4W x 2-3/4D | |
| Sound Bar Weight | 15 lbs | |
| Subwoofer (inches) | No Subwoofer | |
| Subwoofer Weight | N/A | |
Home Theater Features
Wireless Audio Feature
True 3-Way Speaker Configuration: The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar uses many high-end hi-fi techniques to achieve its unparalleled performance, including true 3-way speaker configuration with direct digital tri-amplification. This means that each driver has its own dedicated amplifier channel with a powerful DSP for the crossover filters. Each driver is custom developed for this application and includes individually optimized chambers for ideal speaker operation and isolation.
Dual Passive Radiators: The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar speaker utilizes dual passive radiators for extended bass response that is rich, detailed, and full sounding.
Extruded Aluminum Enclosure: The Pulse Soundbar's stylish black cabinet is constructed from extruded aluminum which is known for its unyielding rigidity and strength, while allowing the largest possible interior volume due to thin wall construction.
Analog & Digital Audio Inputs (Dolby Digital Compatible): The Pulse Soundbar is outfitted with both analog and digital audio inputs. There is one optical (toslink) digital input to connect to your TV's optical output. The unit supports 2ch PCM & 5.1ch Dolby Digital audio (Dolby Digital will be down-mixed to 2ch). There is also a stereo RCA analog input for connecting an analog audio source.
Note: The digital optical output terminals of many flat-panel TVs only send an audio signal in 5.1ch when receiving Dolby Digital/DTS surround sound from the TV's built-in tuner, network connection, or connected USB device; and will output only 2ch stereo from sources connected to the TV via HDMI, or RCA (like your Blue-ray/DVD player or satellite/cable box).
Audio Settings: The Pulse Soundbar offers a Dialogue Enhancement mode for clear movie dialogue, a Late Night Listening Mode for compressing the soundbar's dynamic range while watching movies late at night, plus Bass & Treble adjustment to fine tune the soundbar speaker's sound.
USB Port: The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar features a USB (type-A) port to directly connect a USB mass storage class (MSC) device; such as a thumbdrive or external hard-drive. The unit's USB port supports music playback from these compatible USB devices formatted in FAT 32 or NTFS. Not only can USB audio be played back on the Pulse Soundbar, but can also be wirelessly distributed to the rest of your Bluesound components throughout your home for multiroom playback.
Notes:
- USB mass storage devices that require more than 0.5A of power will require a separate power supply.
- The USB port is not compatible with the direct connection of an Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad or Android devices.
Optional Powered Subwoofer: The Pulse Soundbar can be paired wirelessly to up to two optional powered subwoofers for greater bass extension. Thanks to the Pulse Soundbar's built-in wireless transmitter, you can wirelessly connect the Bluesound Pulse Sub (813BPSUB, sold separately) for bigger bass performance. In addition, Bluesound's RT100 Wireless Speaker Link (813RT100, sold separately) can be used to wirelessly connect almost any powered subwoofer with a line-level input to the Pulse Soundbar. The Pulse Soundbar also features a mono-RCA subwoofer output for adding practically any powered sub (sold separately) with a line-level input and built-in low-pass crossover.
Optional Wireless Rear Speakers: Along with an optional powered subwoofer, you can use the Bluesound Pulse Flex, Pulse Mini, or Pulse 2 (all sold separately) as wireless surround speakers to create a 4.1ch home theater system. While the Pulse Soundbar will support Dolby Digital 5.1ch decoding, the audio is dowmixed to 4.1ch with the center channel information fed into both the front left and right channels.
IR Sensor: The Bluesound Pulse does not come with a remote, but does offer a built-in IR sensor, so you can program your TV's remote control to operate volume up/down of the soundbar speaker. Many newer TVs are coming with RF remotes and don't offer IR functionality. In this case, you would not be able to program the speaker and TV remote to work together.
Mounting Options: Intended for use with flat-panel TV's 42" or greater, the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar can be simply placed on a shelf that is below or above your television. It can also be wall-mount below or above your TV using the included wall-mount bracket. Also available is the Bluesound TS100 tabletop stand (813TS100, sold separately) that lets you mount up to a 65" TV along with the Bluesound Pulse soundbar on top of your piece of AV furniture.
Bluesound Wireless High-Resolution Audio Eco-System: The Pulse Soundbar speaker is part of Bluesound's wireless high-resolution audio eco-system. The Bluesound wireless high-resolution audio eco-system consists of music players, amplifiers, hard-drives, and wireless speakers to playback your high-res and low-res music files, along with your favorite online music services throughout your home using your home's WiFi network. With an advanced WiFi antenna design and blazing ARM Cortex9 Processors, Bluesound ensures a solid connection in every corner of your home. Play your music in perfect sync or play different music simultaneously to any Bluesound device in any room.
Note: Up to 16 Bluesound devices can be connected in a strictly wireless environment. If you want to connect more than 16 Bluesound devices, you will need to connect the Bluesound devices to your network using a wired connection. Bluesound can then control up to 64 devices in a strictly wired environment.
Wired or Wireless Network Connection: The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar can be connected to your home network and Internet provider via a hardwired Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45) jack connector or wireless WiFi (802.11 b/g/n) connection. Either network/internet connection allows you to stream music from your Windows or Mac computer and NAS drive (such as the Bluesound Vault, sold separately); as well as stream select online music services.
Note: Bluesound operates only on 2.4GHz WiFi (not 5GHz).
Bluesound Controller App: The free Bluesound Controller App turns your Apple iOS (7.0+) iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android (OS 4.0+) smartphone/tablet, Windows (Vista or higher) PC or Mac (O X 10.7+) computer into a full-featured remote control for the Bluesound wireless music system. The Bluesound Controller App on your compatible device uses your home's WiFi network to connect with Bluesound devices, so you can play all the music you love anywhere in your home for a wireless multiroom music experience. Get on-demand access to your music libraries on your home network, stream live Internet radio from almost any place in the world, or listen to one of the many music services available on Bluesound, all from the palm of your hand with the easy-to-use Bluesound Controller App.
Supported Music Formats: The Bluesound wireless audio system supports both low-res and high-res audio files; including MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, FLAC, ALAC, WMA Lossless, MQA, WAV, and AIFF. Bluesound has been designed to work with today's larger music collections, and has indexed libraries up to 100,000 songs in demonstrated practice (this will depend on the music's metadata & artwork). Bluesound also offers gapless playback by default for all supported file music types.
| Compression | File Type | Sampling Frequency | Bit Rate or Bit Depth | |
| Compressed | Lossy | MP3 | 16-48kHz | 192-320 kbps |
| WMA | ||||
| AAC | ||||
| OGG | ||||
| Lossless | WMA-Lossless | up to 96 kHz | up to 24-bit | |
| FLAC | 192 kHz | up to 24-bit | ||
| ALAC | ||||
| MQA | ||||
| Uncompressed | AIFF | up 192 kHz | up to 24-bit | |
| WAV | ||||
Notes: Bluesound cannot index or play AAC files with the extension ".m4p". These files were purchased in iTunes prior to 2009 and are subject to copy protection. Apple Consumers with an iTunes Match subscription can delete and re-download these files free of charge from their iTunes Cloud
MQA (Master Quality Authenticated): Bluesound is the first wireless multiroom audio system to support MQA (Master Quality Authenticated). MQA is a revolutionary end-to-end technology that captures and delivers master quality audio in a file that's small enough to stream or download. Bluesound worked closely with MQA to implement technology inside each Bluesound component to ensure the listener will hear MQA encoded music and streams exactly like the source and the way the artist intended you to hear it when it was approved in the studio.
Note: MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) support will require a firmware update.
Online Music Services: With a network and internet connection, the Pulse Soundbar lets you access select online music services & internet radio. The Bluesound Controller app on your Apple iOS or Android device will serve as the controller for these apps and provide song/artist information with Album Art.
Note: Availability of online music services may vary by region. Not all services may be available at time of purchase. Some services may be added or discontinued from time to time based on decisions of the music service providers or others.
Mobile Device Music Library: From the Bluesound Controller App, you can stream music directly over WiFi from your Apple iOS or Android device to the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar and the rest of your Bluesound components around your home. The app gives you complete control of your compatible mobile device's music library with song/artist information and album art.
Computer Audio: The Bluesound wireless music system will pull music from an existing digital music library across the network on your Windows PC or Mac computer using Windows or SMB File Sharing (SAMBA) and the Bluesound Controller App for Windows & Mac.
Bluetooth w/ aptX: The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar features built-in Bluetooth 4.0 with support for wireless music streaming from your Bluetooth-enabled Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad, Android smartphone/tablet, Windows PC/Phone, Mac computer/laptop, and more. You'll be able to stream stored music and music apps on your Bluetooth-enabled device to the Pulse Soundbar. In addition, the Pulse Soundbar offers aptX for CD-quality sound from Android (OS 4.0+) devices. You can even distribute Bluetooth audio to the rest of your Bluesound wireless audio system throughout your home or office over WiFi.
At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team. They verify what’s in the box, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.
Bluesound is known for multi-room music gear that sounds top-class. Does their first TV speaker make the grade? Our expert took it home to find out.
Research suggests Bluesound soundbar offers a superior sound quality over sonos and other wireless multi room audio systems. I wanted a soundbar that would improve the sound of my television and also play music with outstanding sound quality. [ David Nov 28, 2017 ]
It was mentioned in the Absolute Sound of one of the reviewers & saw an Ad [ George Sep 06, 2017 ]
Ryan helped. [ Andy Jun 11, 2017 ]
Quality Available wireless sub [ alan Nov 10, 2016 ]
Streaming sound bar with Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth®
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