bluesound powernode 2i review

The Spendor A1 undoubtedly helps here, but the Powernode 2i demonstrates that it is extremely capable of making sense of any recording and even the challenging Dionysus by Dead Can Dance is delivered in a remarkably engaging manner. Hardcore smart-home dwellers, meanwhile, will appreciate the system integrations the Powernode 2i offers, including Control4, Crestron, Elan, and Lutron. This is my Review of the Bluesound Node 2i which is the top drawer Hi-Res streamer of the moment. Go into your router’s user interface (or ask Bluesound’s tech-support team to do it for you) and reserve the IP address assigned to the Powernode 2i. Bluesound suite can be considered as an audiophile grade or Hi-Res supporting Sonos. Outwardly identical and using the same 32-bit/192kHz DAC and 60W HybridDigital amplification system, it is difficult to understand how the sonic differences can be so pronounced. Wireless aptX HD Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay 2. The arrival of Arcam’s rPlay streamer last year was a spanner in the works. Norah Jones’ classic “Come Away With Me” was full of Technicolor, 3D moments in the 24-bit, 192kHz treatment from Qobuz. In deze Bluesound Powernode 2i review leest u alles over de bouwkwaliteit, geluidskwaliteit, kenmerken, specificaties, voor-en nadelen en nog veel meer. So, while it no longer comes as a surprise to be washed in such warmth, it remains a consistently impressive performance nonetheless. The Bluesound Powernode 2i is an 80W per channel streaming amplifier with full digital support and plenty of analogue options should they be needed. It even has touch-sensitive controls on its top surface (play/pause, volume up/down, previous/next track), or you can manage it with your mobile device (Android or iOS), voice commands (Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant), or Bluesound’s RC1 Remote Controller (a $59 add-on). Handling of vocals often highlights that kind of dynamic aptitude, so the personality present in the Powernode 2i is hugely to its credit. I used a pair of Q Acoustics’ 3020i bookshelf speakers (deliciously affordable at $329) and a vintage MB Quart subwoofer to round out the bottom. My sample is encased in a pristine white plastic shell, exuding an air of unassuming sophistication. As a discerning (okay, obsessive) listener, I can’t tell you how comforting it is to finally hear streaming music that’s uncompromised. The new Bluesound Node 2i is a clear step up from its previous generation, offering loads of features and an improved sound quality, touching the levels of network players nearly twice its price, add in the extremely user-friendly interface and we can undoubtedly recommend this to anyone looking for a network player within the $500, – range. It takes way too many taps, for example, just to set up a station list or playlist as one the 40 available presets. England and Wales company registration number 2008885. One of the first I downloaded was Antonio Carlos Jobim’s The Composer of Desefinado, Plays. You can’t just say “Play Beyoncé,” for instance, you need to say “Alexa, ask Blue Voice to play preset four on Living Room” (or whatever name you’ve assigned the Powernode 2i). And I gladly took a deep gut punch from Public Enemy’s slamming Fight the Power: Remix 2020. That makes this multiroom-compatible amplifier with HDMI input even more interesting to use in combination with a TV. Bluesound packs a lot of value into this device, but if you already have an amplifier you like, it also offers the passive Bluesound Node 2i at $549. Prefer old-school wired headphones? It can be said to be particularly exciting for listening to jazz and pop music. This is a review and detailed measurements of the Bluesound Node 2i Streamer. What impresses us most in both these units, though, is their tight grasp of timing and dynamics. Sonos delivers an unparalleled user experience, and it supports almost every streaming service under the sun, but even its latest-generation S2 components are limited to sampling rates up to 48kHz (albeit with 24-bit resolution), and that’s only with FLAC and Apple Lossless tracks. I selected tracks recorded by well-known studio perfectionists: Dire Straits, Jackson Browne, Norah Jones, Donald Fagen, and Stevie Wonder. Don’t let the petite dimensions and minimalist design of the $899 Bluesound Powernode 2i deceive you. I never heard those tape reels spinning on the original vinyl pressing. Their versatility as extra channels in a home theater or media room is something I haven’t seen from other wireless audio products. Bluesound supports just about every other service, too, including Spotify, Deezer, iHeartRadio, Neil Young Archives, Nugs.net, TuneIn, and more. No competitor delivers better performance at this price, Supports every high-resolution music-streaming service, Doesn't gracefully recover from network outages, Must use stilted language to control with a digital assistant. © And it does that perfectly fine. Weiterhin können die Sicherheits-, Datenschutz- und Vertriebsrichtlinien von den auf der brexiten Bluesound Seite angegebenen abweichen. I found the audio quality superb, but I did have a few glitches during the setup, and … The Bluesound Powernode 2i is a small digital amplifier, meaning it has a built in DAC (Digital Analogue Conversion) chip. The amp reinvented. TechHive helps you find your tech sweet spot. is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. It is well built, connectivity in my experience is excellent and in the light of the above, I think I may be in the market for one of these, particularly in matt… Its high frequency is bright, the middle frequency is soft, and the low frequency is solid and flexible. If you don’t have a sub, you’ll need to make sure that the “With Subwoofer” icon is glowing. Russound offers Hi-Res-certified audio streamers, but neither the MBX-PRE I reviewed in July nor its amplified sibling, the MBX-AMP, can handle 24-bit FLAC files. Unique in this product category, the Powernode 2i can also stream music to your favorite Bluetooth headphones—with support for the aptX HD codec and remote transport control (pause/play, volume up/down) if your cans also have those features. De Bluesound PowerNode 2i levert een goede aansturing, met hoorbare controle over de Oberon. And sometimes the latter won the race. On the other hand, I have a major gripe with the way Bluesound expects you to navigate its BluOS Controller app. The Bluesound user experienceDon’t let my warning about the Powernode 2i’s learning curve scare you away from considering this device. Please deactivate your ad blocker in order to see our subscription offer, We check over 130 million products every day for the best prices, Daytona 500 live stream: how to watch the 2021 NASCAR race, start time, line-up, Ireland vs France live stream: how to watch the 2021 Six Nations rugby for free in HD, West Brom vs Man United live stream: how to watch in 4K, Usman vs Burns free live stream: UFC 258 start time, main event, pay-per-view, Scotland vs Wales live stream: how to watch the 2021 Six Nations rugby for free in HD. When discussing the sonic merits of this Bluesound suite, we often begin our reviews by talking about the open soundstage and full-bodied presentation. Diving into the core music-streaming services is easy enough, but performing some other tasks can be confusing and tedious. The Node 2i is a very close relation to the self-powered (60-watts per side) Bluesound PowerNode 2i that I reviewed in September with similar delight. Bluesound’s Powernode 2i is a 21st-century mini system that will deliver high-resolution audio from any source you connect to it, ranging from a NAS box to your mobile device; the best music-streaming services to disc players. Effortlessly driving your choice of speakers with audiophile grade amplification Bluesound that has become known for, the POWERNODE 2i becomes the core of a high-res streaming sound system. Having connected to our network via ethernet, we plug the Powernode 2i into our reference ATC SCM50 speakers, as well as something more price compatible in the form of Mission’s QX-2s and Monitor Audio Bronze 2s. The Bluesound Powernode 2i Wireless Streaming Amplifier and Flex 2i Wireless Streaming Speakers are more than just music players. Russound supports Tidal, but not Tidal HiFi, Qobuz, or Amazon HD. What a great review of the Bluesound Node 2i. 85% and growing. It is on kind loan from a member and costs $499. Audio settings are another head scratcher. There was a problem. Powernode 2i leverer en musikalsk gengivelse, der tåler sammenligning med fuldvoksne stereoforstærkere, og klarer samtidig alle de HD-formater, du måtte ønske at afspille. Its pluses far outweigh its negatives, just like that abiding love of your life whose eccentricities you learn to ignore. The POWERNODE 2i is the streaming amplifier that merges several traditional components into one and unlocks a world of hifi streaming. The Powernode 2i is for music lovers who care deeply about audio quality and are willing to suffer with a few quirks and a less-than-stellar user interface to get it. This is one of the greatest compliment in wireless multiroom speaker world. Most of its shortcomings are software related and therefore fixable. With a recent software update, the possibilities of the 899 euro Powernode 2i of Bluesound were broadened. Bluesound Powernode 2i Review Conclusion. Other than my comments about the Vault 2i’s abilities to rip and store, most of what I say about it here also applies to the Node 2i and PowerNode 2i. We’ll have a review of that model soon. BA1 1UA. BluOS has evolved over the years and continues to improve. I’d much prefer a simple “tap the heart symbol to save your favorite.”. Node 2i and Acoustic Energy AE1 Actives or Powernode 2i and … Even short breaks caused it to lose its connection to my Xfinity XB7 gateway, which meant I could no longer control the player via Android, iOS, or Windows until I rebooted everything. Thank you for signing up to What Hi-Fi?. For hard-wired Harrys, there’s Ethernet. Don’t let my warning about the Powernode 2i’s learning curve scare you away from considering this device. Introduction Bluesound Powernode 2i. 最後に「powernode 2i」について触れておこう。 本機はNODE 2i同様のネットワークプレーヤー機能にプリメインアンプを合体させたモデル。 The Bluesound Powernode 2i, supports all the usual interfaces you can think of including things like Alexa, AirPlay 2 and Roon. Pro tip: You can avoid these “lost connection” error messages by reserving the IP address your router assigns it, so the app doesn’t lose track of it in the event of a network outage. After receiving the Bluesound PowerNode 2 Wi-Fi music player for review, I took the plunge and started buying albums in the venerated 192 kHz FLAC format. Copyright © 2021 IDG Communications, Inc. Hi-Fi. In case you were curious why so many people are interested in products like the Bluesound PowerNode 2i powered network streamer. Annother odd but telling treat was hearing cricket-like tape-recorder sounds chirping in the background on Jackson Browne’s mixed hotel-room/concert-stage recording of “The Road,” from his musical verité-styled Running on Empty. If the Award-winning Naim Uniti Atom is out of reach, Bluesound has come to the rescue with another one-box product that refuses to compromise in any single area, representing another superb all-rounder on a smaller budget. I am joining the request for HDMI arc in Node 2i. For this review, I’ve tested the Bluesound Wireless Stereo Components. Just add your own loudspeakers. I am assuming their target market is where SONOS dominates if you are familiar with that brand. Older Sonos components are limited to 16-bit/48kHz. The Powernode 2i’s detailed, airy, and full bodied sound will impress even sonic snobs who limit their listening to pristine 18-gram vinyl pressings, SACDs, Blu-Ray Audio, and DVD-Audio discs. The improvements made to the Powernode 2i are similar to that of the Node 2i. The Bluesound Powernode 2i isn’t much higher than a stack of discs. I had difficulty discerning which was the “hard copy” and which the stream. So, while it no longer comes as a surprise to be washed in such warmth, it remains a consistently impressive performance nonetheless. ... Before signing on to a music subscription or cloud service we suggest that you review your Internet service plan ... 2i and the other end to the corresponding analog output of other compatible devices. What Hi-Fi? Immediate impressions playing a MQA feed (24 bit rate) were impressive and a clear improvement. Just plug them into the 3.5mm jack on the front of the unit. Here are ten post-review thoughts: 1. Read our, [ Further reading: The best surge protectors for your costly electronics ], Andover Audio PM-50 planar magnetic headphone. The Powernode 2i doesn’t only sound better than pairing the Node 2i with a typical £300 amplifier, but it betters its stable mate’s five-star performance for what is effectively the finest just-add-speakers hi-fi system for less than a grand. I am waiting with buying, but if competing device appears with HDMI arc, I would consider longer waiting. You can use a turntable, too, but you’ll need to plug it into a preamp, first. This self-amplified, multi-room streaming music player is packed with audio goodness and will deliver blissful sonic experiences from nearly any source: Local or network storage, a disc player, your mobile device, or your streaming service of choice—including their high-res tiers. Once there, you’ll tap a button labeled “No Subwoofer.” This activates a crossover to route frequencies below 80Hz from the stereo speakers to the subwoofer out. Bluesound’s Powernode 2i has touch-senstive transport controls on top of its chassis. Regardless of its setting within the context of Bluesound’s multi-room family, you’d need a four-figure budget for a streamer and amp combination before it could come close to bettering the performance of the Powernode 2i. Welcome to Bluesound, Hi-Fi for the Wi-Fi generation. I had hoped that the Powernode 2i would use HDMI to display album art on my TV, but it doesn’t. I was sent a Vault 2i, a Node 2i, and a Pulse Mini 2i, a wireless standalone streaming speaker. The Powernode 2i is tight and rhythmic, picking out patterns and using the space in its presentation to let them breathe without becoming untethered in the overall composition. Note: When you purchase something after clicking links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. Just be prepared for a user experience that’s, shall we say, a wee bit rough around the edges. Wir bitten um Verständnis. … Bluesound launches seven generation 2i multi-room products, Multi-room audio: everything you need to know, Best B&O speakers 2021: portable, hi-fi and wireless, Best wireless speakers 2021: wonderful wi-fi speakers for all budgets, Best Bose speakers 2021: portable, multi-room, wireless. I’m still encountering the occasional app lockup on my iPhone X, but Bluesound told me “we’re looking into it. Bluesound Powernode 2i Review. In my book, the Powernode 2i’s features, capabilities, and performance are worth dealing with a few operational quirks that must be mastered, tolerated, or fixed (more on that in a bit). We’re never finished tweaking this product.”. The PowerNode 2i streaming amplifier ($799), specified to output 60Wpc, has similar connectivity to the Node 2i and Vault 2i, but substitutes speaker terminals for line-level analog output. Benefitting from initial research ploughed, by mutual owner Lenbrook, into the NAD M50.2, the Node 2i is the recipient of thought and time taken. Norah Jones’ classic “Come Away With Me” was full of Technicolor, 3D moments in … Took me a while. Fortunately, Bluesound’s BluOS is a sophisticated, highly functional piece of code that makes using the Powernode 2i a treat. From the outside, this is one looking and feeling unit! You are saying "tschüss" to the official Bluesound website and going to a website operated by an authorized Bluesound distributor. I mean, what’s not to love here? Its sole purpose is to play audio coming in from your TV. On the whole, Bluesound Powernode 2i is dynamic, which is very suitable for music fans who like to listen to lively music. Having connected to our network via ethernet, we plug the Powernode 2i into our reference ATC SCM50 speakers, as well as something more price compatible in the form of Mission’s QX-2s and Monitor Audio Bronze 2s. Bluesound touts Alexa and Google Assistant compatibility, but you’ll need to memorize highly specific phrases to call up one of the 40 presets you programmed. You will receive a verification email shortly. I looked at this product to hook up to a NAD 320Bee 50 watt integrated amp a while ago. Heavy in my hands, it gives the impression of a solid piece of machinery. It doesn’t sip much juice, either: 2.3 watts in standby and hovering around 13 watts during operation, according to my Belkin energy monitor. You can also use the Powernode 2i with what just might be the world’s best music-listening software: Roon—if you don’t mind paying $120 a year or $700 for a lifetime license. Often a little tinkering pays greater dividends than a whole raft of changes, but we doubt even Bluesound could have foreseen just how successful its comparably minor alterations to the Powernode 2i would be. Dynamics are equally bold, contouring swells and stabbing at those more immediate shifts for levels of expression we didn’t think were possible from a system at this level. TechHive |. The Powernode 2i combines that familiar presentation with the added detail we heard in the Node 2i to offer a bold yet insightful performance – ripe for analysis but willing also just to be enjoyed unthinkingly – without you even going to the bother of system matching. Bluesound Powernode 2i er en solid og vellykket videreudvikling af Powernode og Powernode 2. What is really needed on the market is simple device combining just streamer, HDMI arc and pre-amp to variable pre-out. Bluesound’s Powernode 2i has all the digital and analog connectivity you could ask for, including HDMI with ARC. BluOS has evolved over the … In addition, Bluesound have included their talented BluOS streaming software, giving users access to the vast majority of streaming services and multiroom audio. There is added punch and authority too, tempered well when extra subtlety is required, which makes for an even more confident and entertaining performance. The specification below says it all with a huge array of functionality. Although its talents were taken into consideration when awarding the second-generation Bluesound suite three consecutive Product of the Year titles, we didn’t actually write a stand-alone review of the Powernode 2. The Bluesound Powernode 2i isn’t much higher than a stack of discs. It is easily a five-star product, and with quite a bit of room to spare. In fact, the gains appear to be based around trickle-down high-end circuit board design from the NAD Masters M50.2 BluOS network streamer and a smaller wi-fi chipset, with Bluesound’s engineers optimising the layout and isolation from there. Otherwise it looks more or less identical, and the design, despite being four years old, still looks effortlessly fresh. When discussing the sonic merits of this Bluesound suite, we often begin our reviews by talking about the open soundstage and full-bodied presentation. Bluesound’s BluOS Controller (left) has its quirks, but when it comes to displaying album art, it’s vastly superior to the Sonos app. A bunch intended for EQ are basically useless, and another one is entirely counterintuitive: Plug in a powered subwoofer, as I did, and you’ll need to navigate to “Select Attached Speakers” in the app. The reviews over the past several years were great for the hardware, but the app usually got bad reviews as it was described as clunky and difficult to work with. You get whistle-clean amplification (60 watts per channel), high-resolution audio support (up to 24-bit resolution with sampling rates as high as 192kHz), support for every important file format (including FLAC, Apple Lossless, and MQA), robust connectivity options (USB, gigabit ethernet, dual-band 802.11ac, Airplay 2, two-way Bluetooth 5.0), diverse inputs and outputs (Toslink, combo Toslink/3.5mm in; 3.5mm headphone, subwoofer out), and even HDMI ARC support. The Powernode 2i also reacts poorly to network outages. Sign up below to get the latest from What Hi-Fi?, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox! On the fresh-baked music front, I felt like I was sitting in the front row listening to Chick Corea’s new Plays solo concert mash-up of famous jazz and classical airs; likewise with the sunny, spirit-lifting, gospel/soul/jazz fusion of Gregory Porter’s All Rise. I performed a series of A/B comparisons of high-res tracks streamed from Qobuz and Tidal HiFi with the same tracks played from CDs on Oppo and Pioneer universal players connected to the Powernode 2i. Setting up the Powernode 2i, like the Node 2i, is a 5-minute, Dad-proof procedure: power on and have the BluOS app (Android, iOS, MacOS, Windows) locate it in order to inject our wifi networks credentials. Curiously, however, Apple Music, Pandora, and Sirius/XM are not currently supported (unless you stream them from your mobile device over Bluetooth). With the latest BluOS firmware update, Bluesound extends the functionality of the Pulse Soundbar 2i and the Powernode 2i integrated streaming amplifier by adding an optional surround mode especially for stereo sources. It’s hard to believe the amount of tech packed into this 3.8-pound chunk of a thing measuring just 8.7 x 7.5 x 2.75 inches (WxDxH). Check out Sonos’ offerings, instead, just know that you won’t get high-res audio that way. Bath Recordings that replicate the original masters, rather than seeming one step removed from reality; that sound veiled—not quite as sharp-edged and focused, with a tad less forcefulness and curve in the bass notes, less bite in the brass. The reason for this omission was that we believed it shared its skillset with the Node 2, but with the bonus of on-board amplification. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Along with the necessary power cables, the Bluesound Powernode 2i comes with an ethernet cable and two mini-jack to Toslink adapters. Happily, there is an easy fix for this. I got my groove on with Andover Audio’s PM-50 planar magnetics (newly updated with the larger-cavity ear cups I’d been asking for). That change made a world of difference for me, changing my outlook from “Enough already!” to “I could happily live with this.” The apps on my Lenovo laptop, iMac desktop, Samsung Galaxy Note 8, and iPad now all run smooth and super quick. Freelance contributor, Een opmerkelijke prestatie, voor 60 Watt rms vermogen per kanaal. Kicks aren’t merely forceful, but struck through with the laces, making most of Bluesound’s trademark low-end generosity to drive a track and set an unwavering tempo. I have 2 options for my money (approx £1500). Got it? The PowerNode 2i offers almost seamless integration of streaming services in a beautiful sounding amplifier that has no competition at its price. Man kan dog godt mærke, at Sonos også er ankommet. 02/24/2020 Technics SL-G 700 Review Please refresh the page and try again. We steer you to products you'll love and show you how to get the most out of them. Of course, when you review a streaming amplifier like the Powernode 2i, the software at the heart of the system is a massive part of the equation. Its current menu structure, with its large album art, is best in class. All rights reserved. It has all the same features less the amplifier and HDMI. We worden aangenaam verrast door de helderheid en zuiverheid van de muziek. Older Sonos components are limited to 16-bit/48kHz. … The source will show as an Analog Bluesound’s competition doesn’t measure up in terms of support for high-resolution audio. Bose isn’t nearly as open to streaming services—it doesn’t offer Tidal or Qobuz—and CD resolution is as good as it gets from any source with its two lines of networked audio gear, Smart Speakers and SoundTouch. Hiernaast bieden wij zoals u gewend bent de scherpste prijzen via onze externe partners. Having said that, the larger scale of this album does reveal the Powernode’s limitations and it begins to sound a little strained as the volume level … Not only a multi-room component, the Powernode 2i is the best just-add-speakers system you can get for this kind of money. The WhatHiFi review for Bluesound convinced me to buy a powernode 2i and node 2i to compare with my legacy Sonos kit. The Powernode 2i is the first (and still only) integrated streaming tuner/amp combo I’ve encountered in this price range that can deliver the high-resolution tiers of Qobuz, Tidal HiFi (including MQA), and Amazon Music HD. The fact you’re reading this review of its successor, the Powernode 2i, suggests that the differences between the 2i models are more marked. What looking at its chassis doesn’t reveal is the inclusion of Apple AirPlay 2 and Alexa Voice Control support as well as two-way aptX HD Bluetooth for streaming and facilitating the Powernode 2i’s use with a pair of wireless headphones. I’ve read your review and many others and have decided that a Bluesound front end will give me all the functionality I need for a very reasonable outlay. The Powernode 2i also adds a second Toslink 3.5mm optical/analogue input to its USB, stereo speaker and subwoofer outs. There’s no guarantee that will ever happen, though, so don’t buy one if usability trumps musicality in your book. 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