There are several multi-room wireless audio platforms in use such as Sonos, DTS Play-Fi, Yamaha MusicCast, and Denon HEOS, but one you may not be familiar with is BluOS. Headed up by Lenbrook, BluOS powers a line of Bluesound-enabled products that include network streaming players, AV receivers, wireless speakers, and soundbars. The Bluesound NODE is a highly regarded network streamer that we use in our own systems.
On November 17, 2021, BluOS announced a new firmware update (version 3.16) that enables access to two features: Dolby Atmos and the Tunify Music Service.
Dolby Atmos
The first feature in the firmware update is activating as access to Dolby Atmos on the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar Plus.
The strange thing here is that this soundbar has actually been Dolby Atmos hardware capable since it was introduced earlier in 2021, but the feature has not been accessible until now.
With the Dolby Atmos component included in the latest BluOS firmware update, users can now access the Dolby Atmos features as originally intended. This includes the ability to use four Dolby Atmos virtualization profiles: Movie, Music, Late Night, and On/Off.
Although content specifically encoded with Dolby Atmos provides the best result, the virtualization presets can be used with any content to create a more immersive listening environment.
While the methods used by BluOS to enable Dolby Atmos aren’t as precise and when using a home theater system with separate speakers, the result is a more immersive audio listening experience than a soundbar without Dolby Atmos can provide. The best way to test it is to check out the On/Off setting.
Tunify Music Service
The second feature enabled on via the BluOS firmware update 3.16 is the Tunify Music Service.
Tunify specializes in providing streaming music to business users that are commercially licensed. However, it is going to be accessible to most BluOS supported BlueSound streaming devices, but the key thing to remember is that the service is not free. However, it makes it more convenient for business owners to access such a service using off-the-shelf Bluesound products.
There are three levels of Tunify Service, Green, Blue, and Orange. The plans start at $17.00 per month (Green). Prices vary by country. There is also a 7-day free trial available.
For more details, check out the Tunify Website and BlueSound Professional.
