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At first glance, the spec sheets look similar – Bluesound’s commitment tohi-res audio, including losslessMQA, is still a major selling point – but the company has upgraded components across the board in an attempt to design the ultimate hi-fi-ready multi-room speaker. Other features include support for music streaming services Spotify Connect, Tidal and Roon, in addition to Google Cast and Apple AirPlay 2. Digital amplifier and custom-tuned drivers energize your music with deep, detailed bass and no distortion.
Two passive 10-inch speakers deliver full range frequency response for accurate vocal and music reproduction The PULSE FLEX 2i is a versatile, high-res Bluetooth speaker that delivers true wireless portability and the best in audio performance. Place two in any room, pair them together for stereo sound, or even take one with you to the park. It’s our smallest speaker that lets you enjoy streaming great-sounding music in every corner of your home. You’ll make your own mind up about the merits (or otherwise) of the Bluesound Pulse M where aesthetics are concerned, as well as its physical suitability for the purpose you have in mind for your nice new wireless speaker. But you can be assured right here and now that this is a high-achieving, high-performance speaker that sounds its money’s worth in virtually every respect. The Pulse 2i is built around the same BluOS operating system as the Node 2i so to save needless repetition, you can read about some of the basics in that review. It’s worth reiterating a few details though. BluOS is a closed system. If you have a third party UPnP app (bar one), the Pulse 2i will not appear on it. In this regard, it is more Sonos than Yamaha’s MusicCast for example. With an effects loop, you can choose to connect your effect pedals and processors for a more professional and full band setup. The effect dial allows you to select which channel you want these effects to be present on.
Specification and Design
The same thing applies to streaming standards. The best wireless speakers will support a range of these so you can send audio directly from your phone, tablet or laptop over your home Wi-Fi network to your wireless speaker. The big three standards are Spotify Connect, Google Cast, and Apple AirPlay but others such as DTS Play-Fi and, for audiophiles, Roon Ready support are worth looking out for as well. The key is to look for one that fits with the devices you already own. Although some support multiple digital assistants, the vast majority support one or another so be careful which you buy if this is a priority. The Gen 2 model listed here added increased memory and updated the speaker’s processor but it’s otherwise identical to the original, which sounds great wherever you position it thanks to Sonos’ TruePlay feature, which tunes the EQ automatically according to the resonances of your room. The effects aren’t always dramatic but Trueplay always manages to improve the Sonos One’s already impressive audio output. That said, the Soundbar+ has depth and openness with vocals that is a real rarity for a soundbar. Whether it’s Perry Farrell's demented wailing on Ted..., or when swapping to the more sparse Tom’s Diner by Suzanne Vega, the Pulse Soundbar+ projects voices nicely and without any harshness. There's nice overall tonal balance, too, with well-judged, never-brash treble and naturally deep bass blending seamlessly with that textured midrange.
Arcam’s rPlaystreamer, in particular, offered improved sound in a compact unit at a substantially lower price. Consequently, the Node 2 dropped from five stars to three. The Pulse M is compatible with every worthwhile digital audio file type (MP3, WAV, FLAC, MQA and so on) as well as quite a few less worthy alternatives. The crucial digital-to-analogue conversion process is handled by a DAC chipset with 24bit/192kHz native resolution. Internet radio, podcast player, TV soundbar and smart technology control hub are just some of the roles the best wireless speakers can play. All-in-one wireless speaker systems capable of all of that aren’t as cheap as a regular Bluetooth speaker but there are plenty of reasonably-priced, feature-rich options for those on a budget. In terms of the sheer spread of product though, BluOS is more like the MusicCast system. As well as the Bluesound range of products - itself considerable - it is fitted to a very wide spread of NAD products including the AV receivers and the Masters Series high end models. This means that you can technically start with an all in one speaker like this and end up with a whole house of heavy duty NAD goodness. It might even include other brands too going forward as the software is now being licensed out.Key specs – Drivers: 2; Wireless: Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Bluetooth; Voice Assistant: Google Assistant; Remote: No; Companion App: No; Dimensions: 140 x 140 x 193mm; Weight: 1.43kg Setting the Pulse up for the first time is an object lesson in how this process should be done. You actually get excellent literature to help you but the process is so effortlessly straightforward, I would be amazed if anyone has ever had to read it. The apps are easy to find and both Android and iOS are excellent examples of the breed. It really is one of the very best operating systems going at the moment and it makes many rivals seem fiddly and unreliable by comparison. No less importantly is that it scales effortlessly as you add more devices. Unsurprisingly, pretty much every soundbar is marketed as if it's equally well-equipped for music and movies. Of course, that's rarely, if ever, the case, and our expectations were that the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar+ might, thanks to its large, forward-firing drivers, lose some ground to the best in class on movie sound but beat them with music. The most complete powered streaming speaker available, combining Bluetooth, and multi room capabilities the PULSE 2i fills large spaces with rich, clear high-res audio. When it comes to your music, don’t settle for anything less than high-fidelity. DSP smart amplifier and Omni-Hybrid™ driver arrangement are meticulously engineered to deliver clear, lush audio at nearly every listening angle
Top-performing drivers deliver a powerful listening experience greater than other all-in-one speakers. For a product of this type, the all-in-one speakers ultimately carry most of the weight when it comes to performance. The fact that we would award none of the three Pulse speakers five stars means that overall, it cannot really be a five-star system. Playing George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, we try out the upmixing modes and, as with 5.1, they seem to have little effect individually. They make a much bigger difference when activated together, though, most noticeably by dramatically increasing volume but also adding a reverb effect that, while delivering a sense of greater spaciousness, also muddies the instrumentation.
Group two PULSE Ms with the PULSE SOUNDBAR+ or POWERNODE and create a wireless surround sound system with dedicated rear channels.
Combining portability and multi-purpose functionality, this complete PA system for singers can be used for both practice sessions and live performances. Its easy and instant setup makes it perfect for permanent use in your studio or for concerts in small venues, such as pubs. First thing's first: this ‘omni-hybrid’ driver layout Bluesound is so pleased with works very well indeed. The Pulse M is not a big speaker in absolute terms, but it creates an open, wide-ranging sound that’s far larger than the cabinet from which it originates. There’s no particular sensation of a ‘sweet spot’, either, so you can be sure of getting a full account of what’s going on in sonic terms from pretty much anywhere in the room where the Pulse M is playing.Unlike its predecessor, the 2nd Gen comes with a handy remote, although you can also control the speaker via the Naim Audio app on your smartphone. With connection flexibility, sensational sound and a compact, cuboid design, the Mu-so Qb 2nd Generation cements its position as one of the best wireless speakers around. Group two PULSE FLEX 2i’s with the PULSE SOUNDBAR + or POWERNODE and create a wireless surround sound system with dedicated rear channels. Effects loop to use your pedals and processors to apply reverb, delay or echo to your vocals and instruments, effects control dials to select which channel uses the effects Key specs – Drivers: 2; Wireless: Wi-Fi, Apple AirPlay 2; Voice Assistant: No; Remote: No; Companion App: Yes; Dimensions: 406 x 60 x 559mm; Weight: 4kg
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