Matt Simmonds, Bluesound’s product manager, talks about the company’s latest release, the POWERNODE EDGE amplifier.
Launched in September, Bluesound’s latest wireless music streaming amplifier, the POWERNODE EDGE, was on show at this year’s CEDIA Expo, where product manager, Matt Simmonds gave us a run down of the product.
The POWERNODE EDGE is a two-channel streaming stereo amplifier and is a smaller, less powerful version of the current POWERNODE that Bluesound is well-known for. “We’re basically taking the 80 Watts that’s in the current POWERNODE and bringing it down into a very small form factor into 40 Watts per channel,” Simmonds explained. “We see this as such a versatile, compact POWERNODE product streaming amplifier.”
Using a new amplifier platform, the POWERNODE EDGE can handle hi-res 24 bit/192 kHz files and MQA-encoded tracks with ease. Simmonds added: “One of the key technologies in this product is the amplifier technology. It’s called DirectDigital and it’s a new [amplifier] platform for us. It’s based on direct digital feedback loop amplifier technology, so the good kind of feedback of course. What that is going to entail is very clean, pristine sound.
“This [amp] technology runs very cool and doesn’t get hot, which was one of the keys to [using] this technology. Not only does it sound amazing, but it allows us to get all that goodness packed into such a small form factor.”
Combining streaming sources, control and amplification in one sleek and affordable player, the POWERNODE EDGE is designed to be a ‘just add speakers’ product. Simmonds said: “Just add speakers is our tagline for these types of products. You can put this with anything – in-ceiling, architectural, in-wall, or just a plain good old pair of bookshelf loudspeakers, it’s going to drive them really well.”
Users can connect a TV or preamp’d turntable to the POWERNODE EDGE thanks to the HDMI eARC or the combo analogue/digital input. The PULSE SUB+ wireless subwoofer can be added for a powerful but compact 2.1 stereo system. POWERNODE EDGE can also be used to power the rear channels of a wireless Bluesound surround sound setup.
The POWERNODE EDGE can be controlled via the intuitive BluOS Controller app for iOS, Android, Mac, or PC, or using the elegant capacitive touch panel for quick-access controls like Play, Pause, and Volume Up/Down. The device is connected to the home network via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, allowing it to integrate seamlessly with popular smart home control systems such as Crestron, Control4, URC, RTI, ELAN, and other. Hands-free control is possible with voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Voice.
Music can be played from a personal music library or directly from an external USB drive.
Its compact 1U form factor is a big selling point of the POWERNODE EDGE, allowing it to fit in with any décor and can be easily hidden thanks to its multi-orientation wall mounting bracket.
“The form factor is a huge part of the story for this product,” said Simmonds. “The wall mounting bracket allows it to be hidden in closets or behind sofas and ships in the box with the product. It’s super simple; the bracket is mounted on the wall and then the POWERNODE EDGE just slides on. We see a lot of use cases for it behind TVs or on a panel box for example.”
Its 1U rack height and half-rack width makes it very attractive to smart home installers as it is easy to spec and simple to stack. An easy-access touch control panel is also appreciated for everyday playback functions and configuration.
Available in a black or white finish, the POWERNODE EDGE is a less expensive and less powerful option than the POWERNODE, making it a great solution for those breaking into hi-res music streaming.
www.bluesound.com/products/powernode-edge