I recently purchased and set up the Bluesound Pulse+ Soundbar. I was replacing an older (10+ year) Definitive passive soundbar, and I did a lot of research. I've always really liked the Sonos Arc, but it needs a subwoofer, and that pretty much double the price. I looked at the Sennheiser Ambeo Plus, and I liked the fact you could use an existing/3rd party sub. I stumbled across Bluesound, and after further research, I went with the Bluesound. Setup was a "piece of cake". Plugged it in, connected it to my wireless network, updated the firmware, plugged the HDMI into the eARC on the TV and soundbar, pugged the sub (Yamaha 10") into the RCA port, and boom, I was up and running. A few minor tweaks on the BluOs and the sound is outstanding. Looking at adding a couple of Pulse Flex 2i for surround.
They both offer incredible set up convenience. Sonos, however is mostly limited to their brand of components. I have a simple Bluesound system in my office (Powernode, small bookshelf speakers but my main system is mostly from their sister companies: an NAD integrated M33 amp (BlueOS built in) with PSB speakers and two subwoofers from SVS. NAD and PSB make good to great components and they blend seamlessly with the Bluesound ecosystem.
It's been a month. Some of my most used features are still missing in order to accommodate a half-cooked treblefest of a headphone. I'm really strongly reconsidering my home setup now (it's going to take a bit of time, but I don't see myself buying more sonos speakers for now) @@AudioAdvice
@@AudioAdvice Still not fixed 2 months later. :D Sonos is like you buy a new car, but you can only drive it around the block, once a week, in first gear. Depending on your network, you may need to disable SonosNet, and put it all on wifi or all ethernet, to get a usable system that isn't battling it out with all of your other wifi devices.
nice review, ty. I was turned off by sonos s1 v/s s2 software, stopped purchasing sonos since. bluesound is much easier to use across all blueos devices using only one software.
One of the best things I did this year was to drop Sonos after their chaotic update. Great for my mental heath as their app was impossible to use and creating a lot of stress. It’s summer and couldn’t even use the speakers for a bbq party! Bluesound seems great. I’ll give it a go.
Pretty insightful. I came here looking at Bluesound as my complete sonos setup is broken now that they updated their app... I hope they fix it soon otherwise I need to replace a Sonos surround setup w/ Bluesound.
Glad it was helpful! If you have more questions on if Bluesound is for you, you can always call or chat with our experts at audioadvice.com! Also feel free to subscribe for more reviews and comparisons like this! audioadvice.io/YTsubscribe
Swapping to Bluesound is what I had to do! It'll be annoying to take out all the Sonos products I've bought over the years, but that vs having to wrestle with adding back in my Sonos components every other day, was getting too much.
Such a stream of ideas call for one or two tables that show Bluesound and Sonos as column headers, a list of features, and indicators or comments for each brand to facilitate apples-to-apples comparisons. A somewhat helpful video here that could be better by accommodating us who are visual learners.
I think the real value in bluesound is in the Node and Powernode. Their other speakers are nice but if you care about lossless music, you're definitely not going to notice the outlandishly minor difference on their speakers. You'll need something more high end. For home theatre, I'd go with Sonos- a bit of a no-brainer.
Wanted something for music and movies... The Powernode with 2 B&W 706S2's + SVS Sub was perfect for me. Added 2 BlueSound Flex 2i speakers for rear surround and I can't believe how great it sounds! Best option if you want both in my mind
I own a Node and three Powernodes. It should be noted that when you stream from any service both units play an audible clicks when the tracks change bitrates, such as 44.1/16 to 192/24. I’ve opened multiple tickets on this issue and there is lots of information out in the forums. Perhaps Audio Advice can validate and work with Bluesound to drive a fix.
Thanks for investigating! I’d like to see this issue resolved, I do, however enjoy the product overall. Thank you for all the work you put into educating the community with these videos.
I enjoyed this video a year ago and decided to do a whole home Sonos system so my wife can use the app easily. Was happy with it until the May ‘24 update came out and now I wish I went with Bluesound. 😂 and 😢
I've been looking around for a replacement for my smart speaker system, being able to play music through the whole house, or on just a couple speakers from different sources (my wife's and my music taste are NOT compatible 😅). Would the Sonos system be what I've been looking for?
@@AudioAdvice it works 'okay' with Amazon music, but connectivity with qbouz and specially tidal (despite having MQA included) poor. 50 percent chance the right music will play I agree it been better recently but I have this setup since 2021 and most days I default to Sonos!
![[#2024MAMA] ROSÉ (로제), Bruno Mars - APT. | Mnet 241122 방송](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/dgGqD28J6aQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I recently purchased and set up the Bluesound Pulse+ Soundbar. I was replacing an older (10+ year) Definitive passive soundbar, and I did a lot of research. I've always really liked the Sonos Arc, but it needs a subwoofer, and that pretty much double the price. I looked at the Sennheiser Ambeo Plus, and I liked the fact you could use an existing/3rd party sub. I stumbled across Bluesound, and after further research, I went with the Bluesound. Setup was a "piece of cake". Plugged it in, connected it to my wireless network, updated the firmware, plugged the HDMI into the eARC on the TV and soundbar, pugged the sub (Yamaha 10") into the RCA port, and boom, I was up and running. A few minor tweaks on the BluOs and the sound is outstanding. Looking at adding a couple of Pulse Flex 2i for surround.
Very cool, thanks for sharing! Glad you are enjoying that setup!
It's humorous listening to this review, which was before the Sonos May 2024 debacle, which made me swap from Sonos to Bluesound. :D
Haha yes it was before that. How have you liked the Bluesound so far compared to Sonos?
They both offer incredible set up convenience. Sonos, however is mostly limited to their brand of components. I have a simple Bluesound system in my office (Powernode, small bookshelf speakers but my main system is mostly from their sister companies: an NAD integrated M33 amp (BlueOS built in) with PSB speakers and two subwoofers from SVS. NAD and PSB make good to great components and they blend seamlessly with the Bluesound ecosystem.
Thanks for sharing your system. Sounds like you have a great set up!
Sonos blew it with their new app update
They told us they are working hard to make all the fixes soon 🤞
It's been a month. Some of my most used features are still missing in order to accommodate a half-cooked treblefest of a headphone. I'm really strongly reconsidering my home setup now (it's going to take a bit of time, but I don't see myself buying more sonos speakers for now) @@AudioAdvice
I am selling my entire SONOS set up and moving to this system
@@AudioAdvice Still not fixed 2 months later. :D Sonos is like you buy a new car, but you can only drive it around the block, once a week, in first gear. Depending on your network, you may need to disable SonosNet, and put it all on wifi or all ethernet, to get a usable system that isn't battling it out with all of your other wifi devices.
@@AudioAdvicelol… it’s been months. They’re burning the brand to the ground
nice review, ty. I was turned off by sonos s1 v/s s2 software, stopped purchasing sonos since. bluesound is much easier to use across all blueos devices using only one software.
Thanks very much and thank you for sharing your personal experiences
I love my high-res Node in my dedicated stereo system. Hard to beat the Node's value.
Thanks Marty! The Node is hard to beat
One of the best things I did this year was to drop Sonos after their chaotic update. Great for my mental heath as their app was impossible to use and creating a lot of stress. It’s summer and couldn’t even use the speakers for a bbq party!
Bluesound seems great. I’ll give it a go.
Please reach out to our team at www.audioadvice.com to discuss your best options. Thanks for watching
I got the BlueSound Node X from you all and its terrific. I would highly recommend.
Thanks for sharing, we are happy you are having fun with it
Pretty insightful. I came here looking at Bluesound as my complete sonos setup is broken now that they updated their app... I hope they fix it soon otherwise I need to replace a Sonos surround setup w/ Bluesound.
Glad it was helpful! If you have more questions on if Bluesound is for you, you can always call or chat with our experts at audioadvice.com!
Also feel free to subscribe for more reviews and comparisons like this! audioadvice.io/YTsubscribe
Swapping to Bluesound is what I had to do! It'll be annoying to take out all the Sonos products I've bought over the years, but that vs having to wrestle with adding back in my Sonos components every other day, was getting too much.
Such a stream of ideas call for one or two tables that show Bluesound and Sonos as column headers, a list of features, and indicators or comments for each brand to facilitate apples-to-apples comparisons. A somewhat helpful video here that could be better by accommodating us who are visual learners.
Thank you very much for the feedback. We will consider this for future videos!
I think Sonos is great for the mass market, but if you are really into high performance audio BlueSound is the better options IMO
Thanks for your thoughts. We appreciate you sharing
This is a great comparison between these two product lines. They each have their own advantages. The new Bluesound Node X is very tempting.
Glad you liked it! Thank you
I think the real value in bluesound is in the Node and Powernode.
Their other speakers are nice but if you care about lossless music, you're definitely not going to notice the outlandishly minor difference on their speakers. You'll need something more high end.
For home theatre, I'd go with Sonos- a bit of a no-brainer.
Thanks for sharing!
Really impressed with the specs on the Bluesound line. I would not mind adding those into my home!
Thank you, we will be happy to help you out when you are ready!
Great review, I do love my Bluesound products.
Thank you and we appreciate you sharing your experiences.
I added a PulseM and a Node 2i to my Naim and Marantz systems. Works for me
Nice! Thanks for sharing!
Wanted something for music and movies... The Powernode with 2 B&W 706S2's + SVS Sub was perfect for me. Added 2 BlueSound Flex 2i speakers for rear surround and I can't believe how great it sounds! Best option if you want both in my mind
Wow sounds like an awesome setup! Thanks for sharing 😁
I own a Node and three Powernodes. It should be noted that when you stream from any service both units play an audible clicks when the tracks change bitrates, such as 44.1/16 to 192/24. I’ve opened multiple tickets on this issue and there is lots of information out in the forums. Perhaps Audio Advice can validate and work with Bluesound to drive a fix.
That is interesting, we will have to test that, several of us own Nodes. Thanks for watching
Thanks for investigating!
I’d like to see this issue resolved, I do, however enjoy the product overall. Thank you for all the work you put into educating the community with these videos.
I enjoyed this video a year ago and decided to do a whole home Sonos system so my wife can use the app easily. Was happy with it until the May ‘24 update came out and now I wish I went with Bluesound. 😂 and 😢
Sorry to hear that. Sonos has told us multiple times that they are working hard to get to be just as good as before 🤞
Super insightful! Thanks for the breakdown
Thank you! We appreciate the feedback!
I've been looking around for a replacement for my smart speaker system, being able to play music through the whole house, or on just a couple speakers from different sources (my wife's and my music taste are NOT compatible 😅). Would the Sonos system be what I've been looking for?
It is a very good choice with a great eco system for multiple rooms.
devialet is also an option right? though i don't think they're available in the usa?
Yes, it is a much higher end and higher performance option. We are a dealer for them and it is a great product.
Much needed comparison; awesome job!
Glad you think so!
A lot of bang for your buck!
Thanks!
Missing the part where Sonos doesn't support Chromecast
Good point. Thanks for sharing
After an update about a year ago, Sonos does not allow people to play their personal music library.
Thanks for letting us know
I have blu os on my NAD t773 and it never works
My home Sonos system (6 amps ) work flawlessly year round
Really? What seems to not work about BluOS? Is everything up to date? They've made some major improvements lately
@@AudioAdvice it works 'okay' with Amazon music, but connectivity with qbouz and specially tidal (despite having MQA included) poor. 50 percent chance the right music will play I agree it been better recently but I have this setup since 2021 and most days I default to Sonos!
Interesting. Thanks for sharing!!
Bluesound supports their older hardware. Sonos does not.
Thanks for sharing.
Unfortunately Sonos is now terrible
Yes, they need to fix the new app, its been 3 months.