If you’re an aspiring audiophile or someone who’s looking to add another Roon Zone, these are a great choice. I must confess that I don’t love wireless speakers. I draw the line at powered speakers like the Acoustic Energy AE1 that definitely come with a distinct sound which is a combination of the speakers, crossover, and class A/B amplifiers inside each enclosure. One of the things that I learned during my review of those loudspeakers, is that I had more flexibility than I thought.

Now there are a range of impressively loud standalone speakers which barely take up more room than a large lunchbox. In fact, it’s an incredibly competitive industry and now we have another option trying to grab everyone’s attention. Bluesound have launched their new Pulse Mini 2i and are hoping they’ve come up with something that really stands out. Let’s jump into it and find out more… Arcam’s rPlaystreamer, in particular, offered improved sound in a compact unit at a substantially lower price. Consequently, the Node 2 dropped from five stars to three. Typically two-channel soundbars do not vary a lot from the stereo and surround, but the introduction of innovations like Dolby Virtual:X and wall bouncing speakers have increased the immersion you get from single bars really. Add optional surrounds will lead to improved surroundings for most bars. Bluesound’s light touch when it comes to re-engineering these speakers has paid dividends. They retain the character from previous incarnations, so we get treated to that same confident, full-bodied presentation, only more detailed and spacious.Multi-language support on the front panel display of NAD C 700, M10, M10 V2, M33, M50.2, T 758 V3i, T 777 V3i, and T 778. AirPlay 2 support allows Apple users to stream directly from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to a veritable orchard of connected sound systems, and utilise Siri voice assistance. Not all soundbars are similar, though and some provide a greater listening experience than others. You would want one that looks decent and is similar to your current gadgets whether you watch a lot of TVs or always hear music at home, whether you want to connect it to your mobile television or choose to listen directly from your mobile. Size

Bluetooth wireless audio streaming with aptX support for better sound with compatible devicesBluetooth streaming to paired headphones or speakers The brand puts it this way: “The Pulse Mini 2i powered speaker takes decades of hifi audio legacy and squeezes it into a single box. Delivering rich and detailed sound, the Pulse Mini 2i can easily fit into small living spaces, all the while providing an outstanding high-res music streaming experience.” Fantastic sound. Simple yet stylish form factor. This is by far the best wireless Bluetooth speaker in the market right now, and no kidding about this. It took me a while and a fair bit of research to make a decision between the Sonos Play 5, Bluesound Pulse Mini 2 and the Pluse Mini 2i, having sold my Denon Heos 7 HS2 due to their buggy app, and looking to replace/upgrade it.

Sound Quality

The rear panel is quite busy for such a small wireless speaker; I really like the ability to connect an external phono preamp using a 3.5mm to RCA cable and the ability to go hardwired if you have an Ethernet cable connection in the same location. The new Pulse range also supports Alexa Voice Control and Apple AirPlay 2– in line with all new 2i products on the new Bluesound 3.0 software – alongside two-way Bluetooth that offers the option of using it with wireless headphones as well as through that all-new driver array. What’s more, this single Pulse Mini 2i can extend AirPlay 2 compatibility across an entire existing BluOS ecosystem at a stroke. What’s most striking is the improvement in this streamer’s organisation, timing and dynamic expression. There is greater life to the performance as well; the Node 2i shows not only an increased level of expression but also enthusiasm.