Klipsch Flexus CORE 200 5.1.2 system review
Hands on with a new wireless surround sound system from Klipsch
I have been a fan of Klipsch's classic sound for years — we made frequent use of one of their tabletop speakers back when I was a trainer in our call center. So I was excited to snag a sample of the Flexus CORE 200 5.1.2 System and "test-drive" it before its release.
I got to spend some quality time with the full system and tested each component in sequence. Read on for my firsthand impressions.
A quick overview
This Flexus system consists of the CORE 200 sound bar, SUB 100 subwoofer, and SURR 100 rear surround speakers. This potent combination fills your living room with high-energy Klipsch sound. And all the components were rigorously reviewed by Klipsch's sister-company Onkyo with over 1,000 different tests to ensure both pristine audio performance and seamless wireless connectivity.
Full-range Atmos sound from a streamlined system
The CORE 200 sound bar and SURR 100 rear speakers work together to deliver enveloping Dolby Atmos surround sound, including overhead effects from the bar's up-firing drivers. And the SUB 100 adds low-frequency rumble to help you feel your favorite movies, games, and music.
The bar is slim enough to fit under most TVs and both the surrounds and the compact sub are easy to tuck out of the way. Klipsch's Transport technology ensures fast, reliable wireless connection between each of the components via the included plug-in USB wireless transmitter.
The included SURR 100 rear speakers deliver immersive wraparound sound and connect wirelessly to the sound bar for a clean setup. (AC power required.)
Simple setup
One of the coolest parts of this system is that it can be set up in just a few minutes. Plug the included wireless USB transmitter into the back the sound bar, press a couple buttons to pair the components together, and it's go time. And the wireless connection gives you placement flexibility for both the sub and surrounds. (You'll just need to plug all the components into an AC outlet.)
Add even more bass
The system comes with a powerful subwoofer, but if you're looking for even more of that sweet bass, you can wirelessly add a second SUB 100 to this system (sold separately). This allows you to fill your room from end to end with deep bass impact.
The 5.1.2 system includes a wireless subwoofer for deep low-end impact, but you can fill your room with even more sweet bass by adding another SUB 100. (AC power required; second sub sold separately.)
The CORE 200 sound bar is also equipped with a subwoofer output. This gives you the flexibility to add a wired powered sub of your choice, which is a great option if you've already got another sub in mind (or have one on hand) and are purchasing the sound bar by itself.
My listening impressions
I performed my review by progressively adding more components from the system as I went. That way, I could get a strong impression of how each piece of the puzzle impacted the overall experience. Perhaps not surprisingly, my favorite experience was the full system — bar, sub, and surrounds — playing together. But the CORE 200 rocked hard all by itself, offering expansive sound, clear detail, and solid bass for such a slim bar.
Delicious dungeon sounds and '90s nostalgia
I started my test with the CORE 200 sound bar playing solo and jumped into my current binge-watching favorite: contemporary Japanese anime series Delicious in Dungeon. I found I could track all the dialogue with ease, even without activating the bar's voice enhancement feature. That clarity persisted even as the episode got chaotic and the show's misfit heroes battled for survival against a mad mage. The bar perfectly captured the sizzle of spells and monster food cooking on a pan.
For the next phase, I hooked up the SUB 100 subwoofer by plugging its included USB transmitter into the back of the sound bar. Then I switched over to X-Men '97, an update to an old favorite from my childhood. The subwoofer's extra bass added tactile vibrations to the action, thumping with each impact as my favorite mutants smashed into sentinels left and right. The bar's bass was good, but nothing beats the rumble of a dedicated subwoofer.
Swords, spears, and legendary heroes
For my final test, I hooked up the SURR 100 rear speakers and fired up my PS5. I jumped into Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, a dark fantasy game version of the Chinese literary classic Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Where else could I hear the singing steel of twin blades carving through demon shrimp pirates?
As I charged through a level of burning ships lashed together, I could track the sounds of battle in the distance, hear the creak of wood under strain all around me, and follow the dialogue of my allied NPCs as they trailed behind in my wake. Each well-timed sword parry offered up a satisfying clang before the thunder of my cinematic finishing moves. The combination of bar + sub + surrounds filled my room with crisp, detailed sound and made me feel like I was being transported right into the action.
System Details
- 5.1.2-channel sound bar and subwoofer system
- Dolby Atmos processing for engaging home theater sound
- built-in Bluetooth lets you stream music directly from your phone
- sub and surrounds connect wirelessly to sound bar using included Flexus Transport USB transmitter
- includes remote
- warranty: 2 years
CORE 200 sound bar:
- nine drivers powered by a built-in 185-watt RMS amplifier
- wall-mountable (brackets included)
- 1 HDMI port (cable included)
- 43-15/16"W x 3-1/16"H x 4-15/16"D
- weight: 18.7 lbs.
SUB 100 subwoofer:
- 10" long-throw paper cone woofer
- built-in 80-watt RMS Class D amplifier
- 13-3/16"W x 13-5/16"H x 13-7/8"D
- weight: 20.7 lbs.
SURR 100 rear speakers:
- adds true wraparound sound effects
- 3" paper cone driver in each speaker
- built-in 25-watt RMS amplifier (each)
- 1/4"-20 threaded insert for optional stand- or wall-mounting
- 4-3/16"W x 6-13/16"H x 4-3/8"D
- weight: 2.5 lbs. (each)
Contact us!
Still have a few lingering questions about the Klipsch Flexus system? Or wanna know how they stack up to our other sound bar or wireless surround sound systems? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly Advisors. They'll make sure to point you in the right direction.
Free lifetime tech support is included with your Crutchfield purchase.
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