OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
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Scored using Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Soundbars Methodology v2.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Soundbars Methodology v2.0: technical specifications plus grades from 1,310 independent expert reviews and 1,704 video reviews, with 0% commercial bias.
Explore Soundbars Methodology v2.0

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus Review | 109 Data compared

Avg. price:~£970N. of audio channels:2.0Audio output power:120 WHDMI ARC type:eARC

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus Review: Compare 109 technical specifications and 11 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Soundbars category and whether it is worth buying.

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus
6.9/10

Overall score

Score
6.9/ 10
✕
What it is
An overall evaluation of the soundbar's quality, based on technical analyses and grades from independent expert reviews.
When it matters
When you need a quick reference to identify the best soundbars on the market.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 84% of models
Score components

95%

6.8

Technical score

5%

8.7

Reviews score ( 8 · 3)

Reviews score 5% · 8.7 · based on 11 independent reviews
Every model in this category gets the same split: reviews 5%, technical score 95%. This model has enough reviews, so its review score is the weighted average of their grades.
▲Better than 84% of soundbars
6.5

Value for money

Value for money
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

5.4

Price

▼Worse than 81%
6.8

Technical score

Technical score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 84% of models
Score components

25%

5.5

Audio

18%

7.5

Formats

16%

7.5

Connectivity

14%

7.8

Controls

12%

6.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

7.8

Smart features

5%

3.8

Design

▲Better than 84%
8.7

Reviews score

Reviews score
8.7/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves.
Weighting: Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Share: Reviews are 5% of the overall score for every model in this category; each of the 2 needed reviews that is missing counts as 7/10.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
★ Better than 93% of models
Grades by review (11)
8 reviews: 5 with a printed score, 3 estimated from the review. 3 video reviews, each counting half as much as a written test. Share in the overall score: 5%, the same for every model in this category.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
★Better than 93%
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Where to buy
*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of soundbar Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus

Technical score
Technical score
6.8/ 10
✕
What it is
An assessment of the soundbar's technical performance, covering key areas such as audio quality, channel configuration, connectivity, HDMI and wireless features, and design.
When it matters
When you want to compare soundbars based on technical performance and available features.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▲ Better than 84% of models
Score components:

25%

5.5

Audio

18%

7.5

Formats

16%

7.5

Connectivity

14%

7.8

Controls

12%

6.8

HDMI & Gaming

10%

7.8

Smart features

5%

3.8

Design

6.8
Reviews score
8.7
Value for money
Value for money
6.5/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the soundbar's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a soundbar with a good balance between audio quality, features, and price.
Score distribution
▼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
▼ Worse than 81% of models
Score components:

70%

6.9

Overall score

30%

5.4

Price

6.5
Brand name
Bluesound
N. of audio channels
2
This soundbar offers 2 audio channels, fewer than 43.6% of soundbars and equal to 56.4% of soundbars.
Audio output power
120 W
Market range: <10 W – >260 W
This soundbar delivers 120 W of audio output power, more than 70.7% of soundbars and equal to 6.9% of soundbars.
Max SPL
?
Min frequency
55 Hz
Market range: <20 Hz – >120 Hz
This soundbar reaches a minimum frequency of 55 Hz, higher than 54.1% of soundbars and equal to 8.1% of soundbars.
Show more
Dolby Atmos
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos. 79.8% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS:X
no
This soundbar does not support DTS:X. 10.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby TrueHD
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD. 83% of soundbars include this feature.
DTS-HD Master Audio
no
This soundbar does not support DTS-HD Master Audio. 10.1% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Digital Plus
yes
This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus. 75.5% of soundbars include this feature.
Dolby Atmos streaming on this model uses Dolby Digital Plus.
Show more
N. of HDMI inputs
0
Market range: <0 – >5
This soundbar has 0 HDMI inputs, fewer than 32.5% of soundbars and equal to 67.6% of soundbars.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity. 68.6% of soundbars include this feature.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 5
This soundbar uses Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 5, which is newer than that of 78.7% of soundbars and the same as that of 18.1% of soundbars.
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This soundbar supports Bluetooth connectivity. 3.7% of soundbars include this feature.
Bluetooth version
5
This soundbar uses Bluetooth 5, which is newer than that of 38.9% of soundbars and the same as that of 47.6% of soundbars.
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Smartphone app
yes
This soundbar has smartphone app. 65.4% of soundbars offer this feature.
Remote control
no
This soundbar does not have remote control. 73.9% of soundbars offer this feature.
Control panel
yes
This soundbar has control panel. 9.6% of soundbars offer this feature.
Voice assistant compatibility
yes
This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility. 69.2% of soundbars include this feature.
Far-field microphones
no
This soundbar does not have far-field microphones. 12.2% of soundbars offer this feature.
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HDMI version
eARC
This soundbar uses HDMI eARC, which is newer than that of 73.9% of soundbars and the same as that of 17% of soundbars.
HDMI ARC type
eARC
This soundbar has eARC as its HDMI TV-audio return type, which is more advanced than what 78.7% of soundbars and the same as what 21.3% offers.
HDMI-CEC support
yes
This soundbar supports HDMI-CEC. 37.4% support HDMI-CEC.
HDMI pass-through resolution
none
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none, which is lower than that of 21.5% of soundbars and the same as that of 78.5% of soundbars.
HDMI pass-through frame rate
none fps
This soundbar supports HDMI pass-through up to none fps, lower than 18.2% of soundbars and equal to 81.8% of soundbars.
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AirPlay
yes
This soundbar supports AirPlay. 80.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Chromecast built-in
no
This soundbar does not support Chromecast built-in. 12.3% of soundbars include this feature.
Spotify Connect
yes
This soundbar supports Spotify Connect. 77.1% of soundbars include this feature.
TIDAL Connect
yes
This soundbar supports TIDAL Connect. 91% of soundbars include this feature.
Amazon Music native support
yes
This soundbar supports native Amazon Music. 79.3% support native Amazon Music.
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Width
1,073 mm
Market range: <350 mm – >1.1k mm
This soundbar is 1,073 mm wide, wider than 90.4% of soundbars.
Height
140 mm
Market range: <50 mm – >100 mm
This soundbar is 140 mm high, taller than 98.9% of soundbars.
Thickness
70 mm
Market range: <60 mm – >135 mm
This soundbar is 70 mm thick, thinner than 73.3% of soundbars and equal to 3.2% of soundbars.
Weight
6,800 g
Market range: <500 g – >5.5k g
This soundbar weighs 6,800 g, more than 95.7% of soundbars.
Build material
aluminum
This soundbar uses aluminum for the build material, which is different from that of 95.7% of soundbars and the same as that of 3.2% of soundbars.
Show more

Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus vs the average soundbar

246810TotalAudioFormatsConnectivityHDMI & GamingSmart featuresControlsDesign
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby Digital Plus
    This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
    Dolby Atmos streaming on this model uses Dolby Digital Plus.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This soundbar supports AirPlay, the average soundbar does not.
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, MQA, MPEG-4 SLS, OGG, Opus, WAV, WMA-L, WMA vs MP3).
    AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, MQA, MPEG-4 SLS, OGG, Opus, WAV, WMA-L, WMA vs MP3
  • Supports Spotify Connect
    This soundbar supports Spotify Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • 2 more drivers
    This soundbar has more drivers than the average soundbar (6 vs 4). The average soundbar has 4 drivers.
    6 vs 4
  • Supports wireless rear speakers
    This soundbar is compatible with wireless rear speakers, the average soundbar is not.
  • Larger speaker drivers
    This soundbar uses larger speakers than the average soundbar (2x0.98" & 2x1.97" & 2x4.02" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch). The average soundbar uses speakers of 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch.
    2x0.98" & 2x1.97" & 2x4.02" inch vs 2x2.25" & 2x2.5" inch
  • Bass boost
    This soundbar supports bass boost, the average soundbar does not.
  • 71.4% more audio output power
    This soundbar has a higher audio output power than the average soundbar (120 W vs 70 W). The average soundbar delivers 70 W of audio output power.
    120 W vs 70 W
  • Supports Dolby Atmos
    This soundbar supports Dolby Atmos, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby TrueHD
    This soundbar supports Dolby TrueHD, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Dolby Digital Plus
    This soundbar supports Dolby Digital Plus, the average soundbar does not.
    Dolby Atmos streaming on this model uses Dolby Digital Plus.
  • Broader music format support
    This soundbar supports more music formats than the average soundbar (AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, MQA, MPEG-4 SLS, OGG, Opus, WAV, WMA-L, WMA vs MP3).
    AAC, AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, MP3, MQA, MPEG-4 SLS, OGG, Opus, WAV, WMA-L, WMA vs MP3
  • 10 more supported audio formats
    This soundbar supports more audio formats than the average soundbar (12 vs 2). The average soundbar supports 2 audio formats.
    12 vs 2
  • AptX support
    This soundbar supports aptX, the average soundbar does not.
    aptX HD over Bluetooth.
  • 1 more supported Bluetooth codecs
    This soundbar supports more Bluetooth codecs than the average soundbar (2 vs 1). The average soundbar supports 1 Bluetooth codecs.
    sbc, aptx
    2 vs 1
  • AAC support
    This soundbar supports AAC, the average soundbar does not.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity
    This soundbar supports Wi-Fi connectivity, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This soundbar supports AirPlay, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Spotify Connect
    This soundbar supports Spotify Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Multiroom ecosystem support
    This soundbar supports multiroom ecosystem support, the average soundbar does not.
    BluOS multi-room ecosystem.
  • Supports TIDAL Connect
    This soundbar supports tIDAL Connect, the average soundbar does not.
  • Native Amazon Music support
    This soundbar supports native Amazon Music, the average soundbar does not.
  • Supports Deezer
    This soundbar supports Deezer, the average soundbar does not.
    Available via BluOS.
  • Companion smartphone app
    This soundbar supports smartphone app, the average soundbar does not.
  • Auto volume leveling
    This soundbar supports auto volume leveling, the average soundbar does not.
    Volume Leveler.
  • Supports voice assistants
    This soundbar supports voice assistant compatibility, the average soundbar does not.
  • Manual audio delay adjustment
    This soundbar supports manual audio delay adjustment, the average soundbar does not.
    Adjustment available in the brand app.
  • Night mode
    This soundbar supports night mode, the average soundbar does not.
  • Easier firmware updates
    This soundbar uses over-the-air, app-based for firmware update method, while the average soundbar uses app-based, USB.
    over-the-air, app-based vs app-based, USB
  • 16 mm thinner design
    This soundbar is thinner than the average soundbar (70 mm vs 86 mm). The average soundbar is 86 mm thick.
    70 mm vs 86 mm
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • 73 mm higher height
    This soundbar is taller than the average soundbar (140 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    140 mm vs 67 mm
  • 311 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (1,073 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    1,073 mm vs 762 mm
  • 4,800 g heavier weight
    This soundbar is heavier than the average soundbar (6,800 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    6,800 g vs 2,000 g
  • 10.21x more expensive
    Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus is more expensive than the average soundbar (£970 vs £95).
    £970 vs £95
  • Narrower bass adjustment range
    This soundbar has a lower bass adjustment range than the average soundbar (-6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB). The average soundbar offers a bass adjustment range of -100 to 100 dB.
    -6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB
  • Basic build material
    This soundbar uses aluminum for build materials, while the average soundbar uses plastic.
    aluminum vs plastic
  • Narrower lip-sync adjustment range
    This soundbar has a lower lip-sync adjustment range than the average soundbar (50-150 ms vs 0-300 ms). The average soundbar offers a lip-sync adjustment range of 0-300 ms.
    Adjustable in 10 ms steps.
    50-150 ms vs 0-300 ms
  • 10.21x more expensive
    Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus is more expensive than the average soundbar (£970 vs £95).
    £970 vs £95
  • 4.5% worse value for money
    Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus has worse value for money than the average soundbar (6.45 vs 6.7).
    6.45 vs 6.75
  • Narrower bass adjustment range
    This soundbar has a lower bass adjustment range than the average soundbar (-6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB). The average soundbar offers a bass adjustment range of -100 to 100 dB.
    -6 to 6 dB vs -100 to 100 dB
  • No remote control
    This soundbar does not have remote control, the average soundbar does.
  • Narrower lip-sync adjustment range
    This soundbar has a lower lip-sync adjustment range than the average soundbar (50-150 ms vs 0-300 ms). The average soundbar offers a lip-sync adjustment range of 0-300 ms.
    Adjustable in 10 ms steps.
    50-150 ms vs 0-300 ms
  • 73 mm higher height
    This soundbar is taller than the average soundbar (140 mm vs 67 mm). The average soundbar is 67 mm tall.
    140 mm vs 67 mm
  • 311 mm wider width
    This soundbar is wider than the average soundbar (1,073 mm vs 762 mm). The average soundbar is 762 mm wide.
    1,073 mm vs 762 mm
  • 4,800 g heavier weight
    This soundbar is heavier than the average soundbar (6,800 g vs 2000 g). The average soundbar weighs 2000 g.
    6,800 g vs 2,000 g
  • Basic build material
    This soundbar uses aluminum for build materials, while the average soundbar uses plastic.
    aluminum vs plastic

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

8.0
LVLONE Tech
≈ estimated
30/03/2023
Long-term test · six months of use
Verdict
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ is a good choice, though the price is high and the soundbar is very tall.
9.0
Bhujekotecho
≈ estimated
25/09/2025
Hands-on review · sound, build, setup and subwoofer pairing
Verdict
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ handles most media very well and is more than enough for most users, with some limits for high-end audio.
9.0
MediaHead
≈ estimated
17/10/2023
Unboxing and comparison · blind listening test against Sonos Arc
Verdict
Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ sounds better than the Sonos Arc without a subwoofer, though the Arc with a subwoofer wins.
Shop video
Brand video
Shop video
Overview video
Overview video

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus

  • Exceptional high-fidelity sound quality with rich detail and warm mids
  • Excellent stereo imaging and wide soundstage for an all-in-one unit
  • Sleek, premium build quality with a minimalist aluminum chassis
  • Seamless integration with the BluOS multi-room ecosystem and high-res audio support (MQA, 24-bit/192kHz)
  • Versatile connectivity options including HDMI eARC, AirPlay 2, and Roon Readiness
  • Impressive dialogue clarity even during complex movie scenes

What customers don't like about Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus

  • Unusually tall physical profile (approx. 5.5 inches) that may block TV screens or IR sensors
  • Atmos effects can feel subtle or less immersive compared to competitors with dedicated upfiring drivers
  • BluOS app interface can be unintuitive or 'meandering' for some users
  • Bass may feel insufficient for large rooms without adding a separate subwoofer
  • Usability issues such as slow audio kick-in after pausing and lack of automatic eARC signal detection
  • Premium price point compared to other soundbars in its class

Verdict

The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ is a high-resolution 120W audio system powered by a quad-core ARM Cortex A53 processor and an eight-driver array comprising two 1" tweeters, two 2" mid-range drivers, two 4" woofers, and two 4" passive radiators. Main characteristics include support for Dolby Atmos 3D sound, MQA, and 24-bit/192kHz hi-res audio, alongside extensive connectivity via HDMI eARC, Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, and two-way aptX HD Bluetooth. Key pros are its exceptional audiophile-grade sound quality, deep bass response that often eliminates the need for a separate subwoofer, and seamless integration into the BluOS multi-room ecosystem. However, its substantial 14cm height can block the IR sensors or screens of some TVs when placed on a stand, and its virtualized surround performance may feel less immersive or cluttered compared to dedicated multi-speaker systems.

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