Sound Bar Controller vs Klipsch Connect
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sound Bar Controller
Control select Yamaha sound bars remotely from your iOS device. Manage volume, input selection, and set up Alexa voice control. Stream audio from your phone or NAS drive over Wi-Fi.
- Alexa voice control setup
- Volume and input control
- Wi-Fi audio streaming
- Wireless surround speaker control
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The Sound Bar Controller app provides easy operation for select Yamaha Sound Bars using your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad. Key Features: - Initial setup of built-in Alexa voice control settings - Basic control functions such as volume up/down and input selection - Play audio files stored on your phone or NAS drive through Wi-Fi - Volume control for wireless surround speakers and wireless subwoofer (Only SR-X40A, SR-X50A, ATS-X500) [Supported Models] YAS-109, YAS-209 ATS-1090, ATS-2090 SR-X40A, SR-X50A, ATS-X500 [iOS Version Requirement] * This application supports iOS version 10 or above. - A wireless Local Area Network (LAN) and a compatible Yamaha Network product(s)* residing within the same LAN.
Klipsch Connect
Control and customize your Klipsch audio devices with this app. Adjust EQ settings, manage ANC, access virtual remotes, and get product support. Keep your speakers and soundbars updated with the latest features.
- Virtual Remote Control
- Customizable EQ settings
- ANC and Transparency Mode control
- Firmware and feature updates
- Product support and troubleshooting
- Quick-start guides and manuals
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Need support or have a feature suggestion? Please reach out to our Product Support team: • Live Chat in the App or • https://support.klipsch.com or • +1-800-KLIPSCH Klipsch Connect™ works with: • The One Plus and The Three Plus tabletop speakers • The Fives, The Sevens, The Nines, and The Nines McLaren powered monitors • Cinema 700, 800 and 1200 Series soundbars • Cinema 600 Series soundbar • T5 Series True Wireless earphones • T5 II series True Wireless earphones • T5 II ANC series True Wireless earphones You can easily personalize your experience by adjusting EQ, transparency, and ANC settings. Soundbar and Powered Monitor products all support Virtual Remote Control. You can install feature updates, troubleshoot common issues, contact product support - including in-app Live Chat, and much more. Features (availability varies by product): • Virtual Remote Control • EQ Presets • Custom EQ Adjustments • ANC Level Control • Transparency Mode & Level • Dirac HD Sound • Dynamic Bass Control - a.k.a. "Loudness" • Room Placement Control - a.k.a. "Bass Cut Mode" • Dolby Atmos (tm) Sound Mode Control • Night Mode and Dialog Mode Control • Channel-Specific Volume Control • Subwoofer Volume Control • Bragi AI, Moves & Sidekicks • Battery Level & Status • Live Chat with Support (during business hours) • Quick-Start Guides & Product Manuals • How-To Videos and FAQs • Product Firmware and Feature Updates • Product Registration • Easy Access to Product Support IMPORTANT FIVES UPDATE: If you cannot connect after you run the Fives Updater app, that means Step 1 did not complete successfully. Make sure to run the USB update. If you need help, we're here for you - please reach out to Product Support (link below) and we'll help you complete the update. How to Access Cinema Soundbar and Fives, Sevens, and Nines Virtual Remote Capabilities: Cinema 1200, 800, and 700 Virtual Remote Control and EQ features require the soundbar be running the latest update. This normally happens automatically when the soundbar has been connected to the Internet, either via Klipsch Connect or Google Home. If your device has not been connected to the Internet, please contact our Product Support Team for assistance. See details below. The Fives, The Sevens, and The Nines, including McLaren Editions Virtual Remote Control and EQ features require the powered monitors be running the latest update. If you have not updated your Fives already, please download the free "Klipsch The Fives Updater" app. This will walk you through the update process. After the update is complete, all future updates will come through Klipsch Connect. Our Product Support team can walk you through the entire process. Simply reach out to us at: • Live Chat in the App! or • https://support.klipsch.com or • +1-800-KLIPSCH
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Sound Bar Controller at 4.4 against Klipsch Connect's 3.8. Sound Bar Controller also leads on ratings volume (6.8K vs 992) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 12.4). Klipsch Connect's advantage is review sentiment (41% vs 22%) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 5 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sound Bar Controller holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sound Bar Controller has 6.8K ratings behind it against 992, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 22% of Sound Bar Controller's written reviews are positive against 41% of Klipsch Connect's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Sound Bar Controller ships an update every 5 months, Klipsch Connect every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sound Bar Controller | Klipsch Connect |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (6.8K ratings) — better | 3.8 (992 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 21.7% of reviews | 41.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6.8K — better | 992 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 12.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 153 MB | 255 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yamaha Corporation | Klipsch Group, Inc. |
Customer experience
Sound Bar Controller
Klipsch Connect
Bugs and requests
Sound Bar Controller
Reported bugs
4 issues- App unable to connect to sound bar
- Sound bar randomly disconnects
- Firmware updates cause issues
- Bluetooth connectivity problems
Requested features
4 requests- Equalizer for more sound customization
- Better volume control options
- Improved Alexa integration
- Simplified app navigation
Klipsch Connect
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Sound Bar Controller
No in-app purchases
Klipsch Connect
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sound Bar Controller free?
Is Klipsch Connect free?
Which has better reviews, Sound Bar Controller or Klipsch Connect?
Do Sound Bar Controller or Klipsch Connect have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sound Bar Controller or Klipsch Connect?
Other comparisons
