One of the most frequently asked questions that I receive involves my opinion on the best affordable wireless loudspeakers. Most people don’t know that they’re being slightly annoying when they ask it — because they already know what the answer is in their head and I’m apparently just there for validation. Everyone assumes that I going to say something like the Sonos One SL. Much to their dismay this Chanukah, I’m going to suggest the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i or Pulse Mini 2i instead.
Sorry Sonos.
My Sonos One SL review is pretty clear about the fact that I rather liked it, and that the Sonos S2 app is a fantastic experience. If you’re not using that as your benchmark for a wireless speaker — you probably deserve a Crosley turntable under the tree or Menorah this year. I’m looking at you HuffPost.
While I’m still firmly in the passive loudspeaker camp, the reality is that KEF, Bluesound, DALI, Elac, and Audioengine are delivering very compelling wireless products right now.
Wireless and Bluetooth loudspeakers have made enormous strides in the past few years and there is not shortage of high-end products to meet the budgetary needs of every music listener. Sonos have a commanding slice of the pie in this category and with the S2 app — it’s not hard to understand why. Consumers want usability and the best possible sound quality at a price that they can afford.
Consumers want the ability to stream Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz from their smartphones and tablets, and the process needs to be simple. Don’t tell people to pay $2,500 for your wireless loudspeakers if they need to use two apps to make it work. That doesn’t fly with consumers anymore.
Audiophiles are reluctant to go wireless unless the speakers can support Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Chromecast, or are Roon-Ready like the KEF LS50 Wireless II loudspeakers.
So where does that leave the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i and Pulse Mini 2i?
The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i is a more natural rival to the Sonos One SL and you definitely require a stereo pair to really experience what it can do.
One area where Bluesound has invested a lot of time and money is the BluOS app and as someone who has used it for the past few years, it’s quite clear that the user experience keeps getting better.
Bluesound offers access to 23 different music streaming platforms via the app and unless you really need something outside of Qobuz, TIDAL, Spotify, Deezer, and Amazon Music — you’re good to go.
The system supports Alexa, Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and it’s very easy to group a number of speakers together in a multi-room scenario and control the volume of each speaker independently.
The Sonos S2 app on my iPhone is still superior but I’ve fallen for the OS version of BluOS on my MacBook Pro which makes more sense for me as I’m working in front of my laptop all day long.
I’ll have a more detailed review of both the Pulse Flex 2i and Pulse Mini 2i in about 10 days but I’m already trying to figure out a permanent spot for each in our home.
The Pulse Mini 2i is better than my stereo pair of Sonos One SL speakers for a myriad of reasons; transparency, detail retrieval, mid bass punch, and its warmer tonal balance that gives music much more presence in our kitchen.
Bluesound did its homework kids. Stay tuned as we’re going to try these in a few configurations.
Continue reading our in-depth review →
Where to buy:
- Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i – $299 at Amazon | Crutchfield
- Bluesound Pulse Mini 2i – $499 at Amazon | Crutchfield
Darwin
November 18, 2021 at 4:55 pm
When will we see the full review?
Ian White
November 18, 2021 at 6:32 pm
Darwin,
Goes live next week before Thanksgiving.
Ian White
Darwin
November 24, 2021 at 5:04 pm
OK, thanks, I’m thinking about a Pulse Mini 2i.
Wesley
November 30, 2021 at 2:45 pm
Has the full review been published? I’m torn between a pulse mini & 2 flexes. Hoping to read your full review before I pull the trigger one either.
Ian White
November 30, 2021 at 3:04 pm
Wesley,
Full review goes live tomorrow.
They are very different sounding products. I am investing in 2 Flex 2i speakers for my kitchen — not to give too much away.
Ian
Wesley
November 30, 2021 at 8:43 pm
Look forward to reading it as this is exactly what I’m looking for. I purchased a node for my main stereo and like it so much I want either a pulse mini or 2 flexes for my kitchen!