Home / Audio / Home Hi-Fi

A Sonos Rival Gives Its Signature Amplifier a Powerful Upgrade

The popular hi-fi manufacturer is upgrading its standout streaming amplifier for the first time in years.

Bluesound Powernode (2025)Bluesound

By Tucker Bowe

Published

·

Every product is carefully selected by our editors. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Learn more

You can think of Bluesound as a high-end rival to Sonos.

The Canadian hi-fi company is well known for its lines of Node wireless streamers and Powernode streaming amplifiers, as well as its BluOS multi-room streaming platform.

Many hi-fi manufacturers — including NAD, PSB Speakers, Peachtree and DALI — make streaming components that work in its audio ecosystem.

Bluesound Powernode (2025)
The new Powernode looks similar to but is more powerful and capable than its 2021-released predecessor.
Bluesound

Last summer, Bluesound overhauled its Node line of wireless streamers, releasing three new models: the entry-level Node Nano, an updated Node and a new flagship model, the Node Icon.

Now, it is introducing a new-and-improved version of its Powernode streaming amplifier, which was released in 2021.

A familiar streamer

Bluesound isn’t messing too much with its signature streaming amplifier. The 2025 version of the Powernode carries a similar design (and name) and works basically the same, too.

Like before, the Powernode is a wireless streamer and amplifier. It drives passive loudspeakers and allows you to stream high-resolution audio (up to 24-bit/192Hz) over Wi-Fi to them.

It runs on the BluOS multi-room audio platform, but supports other streaming services including Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz, as well as AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth (aptX Adaptive) streaming.

Bluesound Powernode (2025)
The new Powernode has a third set of binding posts, allowing it to support a center channel speaker and create a 3.1-channel home theater system.
Bluesound

A superior home theater hub

Like the 2021-released model, the new Powernode has a diverse array of inputs and outputs so that you can connect your turntable, CD player or even your TV (thanks to an HDMI eARC input).

However, Bluesound has upgraded the new Powernode into a superior home theater hub that allows you to build out a bigger home theater system. Like before, it has a subwoofer output, but it now features a third pair of binding posts to support a center channel speaker.

This means the new Powernode can support a 3.1-channel home theater setup. If you want to build it even further into a 5.1-channel system, you can add wireless rear-channel speakers, such as Bluesound’s Pulse Flex ($299), using BluOS Bonded Speaker Link.

Bluesound Powernode (2025)
Like before, the Powernode has a touchscreen display that lights up (thanks to a proximity sensor), which gives you quick access to preset playlists.
Bluesound

A more powerful Powernode

The other key upgrade with the new Powernode is, it’s more powerful.

According to the brand, it has an updated circuitry design with signal path improvements, integrated with its latest DirectDigital amplification and gallium nitride (GaN) transistor technology.

These upgrades allow the 2025 Powernode to deliver 100 watts per channel when in stereo mode, a sizeable upgrade over its predecessor’s 80 watts per channel.

When used in a 3.1 configuration, which the previous model wasn’t capable of, the 2025 Powernode delivers up to 80 watts per channel. According to Bluesound, the result is “pristine, dynamic sound with virtually no distortion.”

Bluesound Powernode (2025)
The Powernode has a wide array of digital and analog inputs and outputs.
Bluesound

Price and availability

The new Powernode is pricier, which Bluesound attributes to tariffs. It will cost $1,199, a substantial increase over its predecessor, which was priced at $899 when it was released in June 2021.

The new Powernode will be available for pre-order starting August 12 and will start shipping on September 10th.

As before, Bluesound’s Powernode will be available in two finishes: black and white.

About the Author:

Tucker Bowe has been on Gear Patrol’s editorial team since 2014. As a Tech Staff Writer, he tracks everything in the consumer tech space, from headphones to smartphones, wearables to home theater systems. If it lights up or makes noise, he probably covers it.

Read More