Bluesound POWERNODE EDGE

Description

Streaming amplifier, made invisible

The Bluesound Powernode Edge is the compact half-brother of the full Powernode. It packs 40 watts per channel of streaming amplification into a slim half-rack chassis. The aim is simple: a unit you can hide on a shelf or in a cabinet. Designed to drive the kitchen, bedroom, study or garden room. Not the main living room.

Where it fits

The Edge is the answer when the full Powernode is too much (or too tall) for the room. We specify the full Powernode in the main living room and the Edge in secondary zones. The whole house then runs on one BluOS platform. No identical-hardware tax in every room.

Amplification

40W per channel into 8Ω. It steps up to 80W dynamic into 4Ω. That’s enough for a comfortable pair of compact bookshelf speakers in a typical room. Pair with KEF LS50 (passive), B&W 606 S3, Sonus Faber Lumina I or similar.

Streaming and BluOS

The Edge runs the same BluOS platform as every other current Bluesound product. It’s Roon Ready out of the box too. Drop it into an existing Roon Server and it appears as a zone.

TV connectivity

HDMI eARC handles the TV in a small room. CEC volume control via the TV remote on most modern TVs. A clean, single-cable answer to “second-room TV with proper music.”

Edge vs full Powernode

The full Bluesound Powernode doubles the power to 100W per channel. It adds a wired 6.35mm headphone jack and USB-C PC input. It also has a slightly chunkier chassis. Choose Edge for secondary zones. Choose the full Powernode for the listening room.

See the Full specifications list below for the complete spec sheet.

Full specifications

• Model: Bluesound Powernode Edge
• Amplification: HybridDigital · 40W × 2 into 8Ω · 80W dynamic into 4Ω
• Native playback: up to 24-bit/192 kHz · DSD256, MQA, FLAC, WAV, AIFF supported
• HDMI: eARC with CEC
• Other digital inputs: Toslink optical / 3.5mm combo
• Analog input: 3.5mm combo (shared with optical)
• USB: Type-A for FAT32-formatted external storage
• Speaker output: 5-way binding posts
• Subwoofer output: RCA pre-out or wireless to PULSE SUB+
• Headphone: Bluetooth only (no wired jack)
• Roon: Roon Ready
• Streaming services: Tidal Connect, Qobuz, Spotify Connect, Amazon Music HD, AirPlay 2
• Bluetooth: 5.0 with aptX HD
• Network: Gigabit Ethernet, dual-band Wi-Fi 5
• Dimensions: 219 × 44.5 × 193 mm (W × H × D)
• Weight: 1.37 kg
• Finish: matte satin paint, black or white

Order from Hidden Home Technology

Authorised Bluesound dealer in Bath. Free UK delivery. Scoping a whole-house BluOS install? Contact us and we’ll advise on speaker pairing and multi-room layout.

The wider view: Bluesound POWERNODE EDGE reviews in brief

The POWERNODE EDGE is the smaller of the two Bluesound streaming amplifiers we sell. It puts a BluOS streamer and 40 watts a channel in a slim box that hides on a shelf or behind a television, and it takes the television’s sound over HDMI. Two of the three reviewers below singled out how easy the BluOS app is to use.

What Hi-Fi? gave it four stars in May 2023 and called it “competent, compact and versatile”. Maxwell Geiger lived with one for a couple of months for Audiophilia. Even with demanding speakers in his office he found the bass tuneful, the midrange articulate and the treble free of grain. Todd Whitesel reviewed it for SoundStage! Simplifi in July 2023. He enjoyed it so much that it kept him listening and looking for new music, and he recommends it for a small or medium room, a bedroom or an office.

Forty watts does set limits. What Hi-Fi? found the sound short of nuance and punch beside its best rivals, Audiophilia heard the dynamics run out at high volume into 4 ohm speakers, and Todd Whitesel wanted a little more body at low volume. Speakers that are easy to drive suit it best.

It belongs in a kitchen, a bedroom or a study, with a pair of compact speakers such as the Bowers & Wilkins 606 S3. In a main living room we fit the full POWERNODE, and the two run together on BluOS. Call us and we will help you plan the rooms.

What the reviewers say, in a nutshell

• What Hi-Fi?, May 2023. Four stars. Compact, flexible and capable, though the best rivals have more punch and nuance.
• Audiophilia, Maxwell Geiger, October 2023. Neutral and accommodating, with tuneful bass and grain-free treble. Easy to recommend for a small system.
• SoundStage! Simplifi, Todd Whitesel, July 2023. A pleasure to live with and simple to use, best in a small or medium room. A touch more body at low volume would help.

Read what the critics say about more of our integrated amplifiers in The Hi-Fi Review Bible.

Press & reviews

What Hi-Fi? review of the Bluesound POWERNODE EDGE