You know you want better music at home, with all your streaming services, playlists, and radio stations at your fingertips. Then you start shopping and run into three different kinds of products: music streamers, streaming amplifiers, and wireless speakers. They all stream music, so which one do you actually need?
The answer depends on what you already own. Here's how each one works, who it's for, and how to choose.
The Quick Answer
- You already have an amplifier or powered speakers: choose a music streamer.
- You have passive speakers but no amplifier: choose a streaming amplifier.
- You're starting from scratch, or want music in a new room: choose a wireless speaker.
Not sure which kind of speakers you have? Passive speakers connect with bare speaker wire and have no power cord. Powered (or active) speakers plug into the wall and have their own amplifier built in.
Option 1: A Music Streamer
Best for: anyone who owns a hi-fi system or powered speakers they love.
A music streamer adds streaming to the system you already have. It connects to your home network, plays music from your favorite services, and sends it to your amplifier or powered speakers. Your speakers and amplifier stay exactly as they are. You're simply giving them a modern music library.
Bluesound's music streamers are the NODE family. The compact NODE NANO is the simplest way to add high-resolution streaming to a stereo. The NODE adds an HDMI eARC input, so your TV can play through your hi-fi speakers too. The NODE ICON is our reference streamer, with a dual-mono DAC design and balanced XLR outputs for high-end systems.
New to streamers? Our guide to what a music streamer is covers how they work and what to look for.
Option 2: A Streaming Amplifier
Best for: anyone with passive speakers, or anyone who wants a full hi-fi system without a stack of separate components.
A streaming amplifier combines a music streamer and an amplifier in one box. Connect a pair of passive speakers, and you have a complete system. It's a great way to bring life back to a favorite pair of speakers that's been sitting unused, or to build a new system with less clutter.
Bluesound's streaming amplifiers are the POWERNODE family:
- POWERNODE: 100 watts per channel for bookshelf or floorstanding speakers. Connect your TV through HDMI eARC and enjoy better sound from your favorite shows and movies, and add a subwoofer when you want deeper bass.
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POWERNODE EDGE: About the size of a hardcover book, with 40 watts per channel. It's ideal for a home office, bedroom, or second room, and it also has an HDMI eARC input and a subwoofer output.
Option 3: A Wireless Speaker
Best for: starting fresh, adding music to a new room, or anyone who wants the simplest possible setup.
A wireless speaker has the streamer, amplifier, and speaker drivers all built in. Plug it in, connect it to your network, and start listening. There's nothing else to buy or wire up, which makes it a natural fit for kitchens, bedrooms, and offices.
Bluesound's wireless speakers are the PULSE family:
- PULSE FLEX: A compact speaker with clear, detailed sound that fits easily on a counter or shelf. Pair two for stereo, or use them as wireless surrounds with a Bluesound soundbar.
- PULSE MINI: A compact multi-room speaker for bedrooms, offices, and smaller living spaces.
- PULSE M: Spreads room-filling sound in every direction, so open-concept spaces sound great wherever you stand.
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PULSE: Our premium wireless multi-room speaker.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Music Streamer | Streaming Amplifier | Wireless Speaker | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it includes | Streamer and DAC | Streamer, DAC, and amplifier | Streamer, amplifier, and speaker |
| You'll also need | An amplifier and speakers, or powered speakers | Passive speakers | Nothing else |
| Best for | Upgrading an existing hi-fi | A complete system with your choice of speakers | Simple setup in any room |
| Bluesound family | NODE NANO, NODE, NODE ICON | POWERNODE, POWERNODE EDGE | PULSE FLEX, PULSE MINI, PULSE M, PULSE |
You Don't Have to Choose Just One
Here's the best part: every Bluesound streamer, streaming amplifier, and wireless speaker runs on BluOS. That means you can choose the right product for each room and control them all from the BluOS Controller App. Put a NODE on the living room hi-fi, a POWERNODE in the den, and a PULSE FLEX in the kitchen, then play the same music everywhere or something different in each room.
Learn more about how whole-home listening works in our guide to multi-room streamers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a streaming amplifier with powered speakers?
A streaming amplifier is designed for passive speakers. If your speakers are powered, they already have an amplifier built in, so a music streamer like the NODE NANO or NODE is the better match.
Which option lets me connect my TV?
The NODE, NODE ICON, POWERNODE, and POWERNODE EDGE all have an HDMI eARC input, so TV sound can play through your speakers. For a dedicated TV setup, Bluesound's PULSE CINEMA and PULSE CINEMA MINI soundbars are another option.
Is a wireless speaker good enough for serious listening?
It depends on the room and how you listen. A wireless speaker is a great fit for everyday listening in kitchens, bedrooms, and offices. For a dedicated listening room, a music streamer or streaming amplifier lets you choose the speakers, which gives you more control over the sound.
Can I start with one and add the others later?
Yes. Because every Bluesound player runs on BluOS, you can start with whichever fits your first room and add others whenever you're ready. They all join the same system and the same app.
