Klipsch Flexus Sound System Review

At the beginning of the year, Klipsch teamed up with Onkyo to unveil a brand new soundbar system dubbed Flexus. This collaboration brings together expertise from both companies to offer a modular approach to soundbars highlighting two models: the Flexus Core100 and its more advanced sibling, the Core 200, which is the focus of our review.

Our initial encounter with the Core 200 at CES left a notable impression but as we all know, the true test for audio equipment lies in its seamless integration and functionality within your personal environment.

The Flexus soundbar is equipped with Dolby Atmos and offers Bluetooth connectivity for easy streaming, but lacks DTS support. It boasts an elegant ebony vinyl finish and delivers a wide frequency response ranging from 43Hz to 50kHz. Designed to function as part of a comprehensive audio system, the Flexus also supports optional accessories including wireless surround speakers and a wireless 10-inch subwoofer.

The surround speakers, rated at 50 watts, feature a frequency response of 235Hz to 20kHz and are equipped with a 3-inch paper cone driver. The subwoofer is designed with a class D amplifier and utilizes a 10-inch paper cone housed in an MDF-sealed enclosure. It offers an output of 80W RMS, with a peak of 160W. It has a frequency response down to 26Hz +/- 3dB. Both the surround speakers and the subwoofer are finished in the same ebony vinyl, ensuring a cohesive look across the entire system.

Design

The Flexus soundbar showcases a sophisticated design, complemented by a black cloth grille that wraps around its body. The top features a metallic grille that shields the drivers and houses touch-sensitive buttons in the top right corner for power, input selection, and volume adjustment. An LED display on the front shows the soundbar's status, including the current input and the volume level. It’s on the bigger side compared to some other soundbars on the market, but it offers better visibility and convenience.

Its design thoughtfully incorporates connections within recessed areas at the bottom rear, making it easy to mount on the wall or place on a table without interference. The central area includes an HDMI 2.1 eARC port, a digital optical port, a USB-C port, an IR port, and an RCA subwoofer output. There's a USB port designated for connecting the wireless transmitter, which links the soundbar to the subwoofer and surround speakers as well as a pair button which I’ll go into a little more detail in the setup section. The bar weighs 18.7 pounds and measures 31.2-inches tall x 44-inches wide x and 4.9-inches deep.

The two rear speakers weigh around 2.5 pounds each and measure 4.13-inches wide, 6.75-inches tall, and 4.13-inches deep. Both speakers are encased in metal grilles with a Klipsch logo on the front. On the bottom of each speaker, there's a power cord connector, a status LED, and a Pair button. On the rear, you'll find a 1/4” x 20 threaded insert for mounting the speakers as well as a USB-C port for service. Each speaker is marked with a label on the back indicating whether it is the left or right speaker, which is important to note when setting them up.

The subwoofer stands out within the system for its design, which combines a metallic grille over the woofer and a vinyl finish on the exterior. There’s also a nice Klipsch logo that lights up at the top. The sub measures 13.1-inches wide, 13.8-inches tall, and 13.7-inches deep, with a weight of approximately 21 pounds. On the back, you’ll find the amplifier surrounded by clips that can neatly hide the excess power chord. There’s also a variety of connections which include an RCA line-in for wired connections, a pair button for wireless pairing, a power cord connector, and a USB-C port for service purposes.

Klipsch Connect Plus App

For those who prefer an alternative to the remote, the Klipsch Connect Plus App offers a convenient solution. You can adjust the volume, switch inputs, and modify tone settings or EQ controls beyond the preset sound profiles available on the soundbar. The app allows for the adjustment of display brightness and also allows firmware updates directly to the system. It also extends its functionality to the subwoofer and surround speakers, enabling users to individually adjust the level of each component. I found myself using the app more than I expected, especially to adjust the levels of different speakers and to experiment with the various sound modes.

Setup

The setup process is as simple as connecting the HDMI cable to the back of the soundbar and turning on the power. For those opting to get the whole setup with the surround speakers and subwoofer, a wireless transmitter is required. Both the surround speakers and the subwoofer include a transmitter, but it's important to note that the soundbar accommodates only one transmitter.

This means that if you're integrating the full system, you only need to use a single transmitter—either one works. I used the subwoofer transmitter so I had to manually press the pair button on each surround speaker to initiate a connection. It only took 2-3 seconds for each speaker to sync, if that. Once paired, the soundbar's display confirms each connected speaker. If you end up plugging in the surround speaker transmitter, you’ll need to pair the subwoofer using the same process.

The performance of the Flexus system offers a wide soundstage that seemingly extends beyond the physical dimensions of the bar itself. This was particularly evident while watching "Batman V Superman," where the expansive audio brought the fight scenes to life, with every punch and explosion. The system's dynamic range encapsulates the Klipsch sound—robust and detailed without veering into overly bright territory. Even without the addition of the surround speakers, the soundbar alone creates an immersive audio environment. Positioned just 7 feet away from the bar was enough to create an immersive sound experience.

While watching the tank battle scene in "Fury" with the Flexus system, the subwoofer played a crucial role. Although it may not be the most detailed subwoofer on the market, its performance is more than sufficient for a soundbar setup—and then some. The subwoofer's capability to deliver the depth and intensity of the scene's explosions and the mechanical roar of the tanks added a tangible layer of realism to the viewing experience. In my 14x12 foot living room, I actually had to turn the subwoofer down a couple of notches, which is unusual compared to other soundbar setups.

The Flexus Core 200 enhances the experience in scenes with a lot of background noise, like the club scene in "The Social Network '' where Sean Parker is talking to Mark Zuckerberg. It balances the deep bass from the bar with clear dialogue. It also has a way of elevating vocals laterally in the sound stage and makes them appear to come from the screen rather than the soundbar itself.

Moving onto music, given this is a Klipsch system, it's almost a ritual to test it with a must-listen album for every Klipsch speaker owner, and that choice here is Tool's "Invincible" from their album "Fear Inoculum." When listening to "Invincible" on the Flexus Core 200, the soundbar played the song like a mini bookshelf speaker. It brought out the detailed layers of the music, from the deep bass to the clear highs of cymbals and snares, in a balanced way. Vocals came through clearly, adding to the live feel of the music.

Conclusion

The Flexus sound system distinguishes itself through a harmonious mix of high-quality sound, performance excellence, and ease of use, living up to its initial promise seen at CES. The ability to tailor sound settings via the Klipsch Connect Plus App, combined with the soundbar's elegant design, enhances the user experience significantly.

At a price point of $499 for the Flexus Core 200 Soundbar, and with other components like the Flexus Surround 100 speakers and Flexus Sub 100 available for $249 and $299 respectively, the cost is competitive with similar market offerings, yet it offers superior performance.