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Review: Klipsch RSB-6

Does not follow up

A masculine expression and rugged sound does not have the power to follow up, and Klipsch lands at the bottom.

Karakter
Klipsch RSB-6
forfatter
Published 2018-08-19 - 10:56 am
Our opinion
If you like the PA sound you know from concert halls and nightlife venues, you'll nod approvingly.
The soundbar does not have the power to keep up with the “tough” soundscape. It all sounds fairly flat, and Bluetooth sounds discouragingly bad.
Specifications

Matches screen size: 46” and up
HDMI: 1 in, 1 out (ARC)
Digital in: Optical
Wireless: Bluetooth
Analogue in: 3.5 mm AUX
Website: mono.no

The look is rough and masculine, with a length that best matches TVs at 46 inches and up. The soundbar has an HDMI input that supports HDCP 2.2 and hence all the latest video resolutions. However, it lacks a display, so you need to get close in order to see the input and sound modes. The small and disappointing remote control doesn’t help.

Sound quality

The dialogue on movies is not as clear as with Samsung and LG, and the RSB-6 is not as good at simulating surround sound. The actual timbre in the soundscape reminds you a lot of what we are used to from the cinema. Rough and tough, with a hint of brutality. Therefore, it is somewhat disappointing to note that the soundbar is unable to keep up when the sound is cranked up. It sounds fairly flat, and explosions and gunfire in the otherwise intriguing Alien: Covenant do not burst out from the soundscape. Nevertheless, we think it is still acceptable. Barely.

Music via wireless Bluetooth is another story. As with the Panasonic SC-HTB250, it sounds totally lifeless and unengaging, where there should be transients pumping against a roof. None of the other soundbars in the test have this problem.
It sounds far better with CD. The music sounds rhythmic enough, and works fine. But Klipsch does not threaten the best. The bass sounds coloured and everything gets a very PA sound, but it is not followed by dynamics and force. Klipsch are miles away from JBL Bar 3.1 in this respect.

Conclusion

With such a tough exterior and a sound character reminiscent of PA sound, it’s a bit disappointing to note that Klipsch RSB-6 is a rather disappointing story. It sounds fairly flat, action scenes are rendered without any major contrast, and we are never fooled into believing that there is surround sound here. The sound from Bluetooth is the worst, which is virtually useless. Flat as the pulse of a stuffed sloth.
It also lacks a display, and the remote control is of poor quality.

Foto: Klipsch

Also in this test

JBL Bar 3.1

Powerhouse

No one in the class provide this sense of home cinema. JBL crushes everyone on sheer force, and the sound quality is good enough for it to take the lead.

No one in this class come close to this level of power. The subwoofer at 10 inches is especially impressive. In addition, it sounds good, and the soundbar is user-friendly.
There are those with higher resolution and even better cohesion in the tones. Does not support DTS

LG SJ8

Let the sound flow

The soundbar from LG is one of the most affordable with built-in network features and streaming of music services. It also sounds good.

The sound is crisp, with a clear dialogue on movies. The soundscape is huge, and we give a thumbs up for the network and streaming services.
It lacks power, and it can sound a little slim.

Samsung HW-N660

Perfect balance

The soundbar from Samsung has a beautiful coherence in the tones, which makes both movies and music a pleasant experience.

The soundscape is great, and it works extraordinarily well on film and games. The soundbar has a very well adjusted timbre balance.
We would like more power, and the narrow display can hold way too little text, which is why it appears in a rolling manner.

Panasonic SC-HTB250

Small and half-hearted

The small soundbar from Panasonic sounds bigger and more powerful than you might think. But it has a few issues.

The sound is powerful, with more oomph than we had anticipated. Quite a huge soundscape on film.
Bluetooth sounds miserable, and with the absent analogue input, you can therefore not enjoy music from a mobile phone.

Creative Sound BlasterX Katana

For gamers

Creative’s soundbar is for gamers and the only one in the test with USB inputs that replaces the sound card in PCs and Macs.

The soundscape gets an okay feel of surround on film and games, and the subwoofer hangs well together with the sound from the soundbar. A straightforward display simplifies its use.
The overtones are rather taciturn, the dialogues in film sound somewhat woolly, and the music lacks a little spark. The subwoofer is not wireless, HDMI is missing as is support for DTS.

Yamaha YAS-207

Surprisingly huge sound

Yamaha was first on the market with active soundbars. This is their first with DTS Virtual:X surround sound.

The soundscape is folded outward and upward. This soundbar does an excellent job in simulating true surround sound.
We miss a display, since LEDs provide limited visibility from a distance. The overtone area could be more airy.

Philips Fidelio B1/12

Better on TV than music

This is one of the smallest soundbars on the market. It sounds bigger than it looks, but has its shortcomings.

Very compact dimensions makes for a discreet soundbar, and it is also very easy to use. The sound is more powerful than you might think.
Does not sound as good on music as film, the bass is somewhat uncontrolled and the midrange could have had more energy. HDMI does not support HDCP 2.2 and thereby does not support 4K Blu-ray.

Sony HT-XF9000

Extra dimension in height

Sony’s soundbar simulates both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X in height, thus giving an extra dimension to the soundscape. Yes, it works.

The soundscape is huge on film, and the dialogue is crystal clear. The subwoofer has also tolerable power.
It can sometimes sound a little crass in the overtones, and the subwoofer has a lot of energy in its upper range and less in the deep bass. Music in stereo is not great.
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