Are you looking for the ultimate audio system to upgrade your home? It’s time to compare Sonos vs. Bluesound! With both brands offering top-of-the-line sound systems and products, it can take time to decide which fits your needs best. In this blog post, we’ll break down the differences between the two brands and their products so you can make an informed decision about your audio setup. Read on to learn more about Sonos vs. Bluesound!
Sonos And Bluesound Overview
Sonos and Bluesound are two of the leading wireless home audio system providers. Sonos has dominated the market for many years, but Bluesound has recently made a name for itself as a strong competitor. Sonos has earned a reputation for providing an excellent whole-home audio experience with great sound quality. In contrast, Bluesound has several inputs, IR remote compatibility, and many more features that have made Bluesound a formidable competitor in recent years. Although Sonos may have a better sound quality, Bluesound is slightly more expensive due to its additional features. Both brands offer a great selection of products depending on your needs to help you get the best sound system for your home.
This article compares several Sonos and Bluesound products and delves deeper into subcategories to compare them more thoroughly.
Sonos vs. Bluesound: Features Comparison
Sonos has been setting the standards for a while now with its advanced features and innovation in its speaker systems. However, in recent years Bluesound has been catching up with Sonos, and Bluesound itself offers some great features that make its audio products well worth the purchase. This section will compare Sonos vs. Bluesound and examine their fundamental differences.
Sonos vs. Bluesound: Design
Regarding design, Sonos products offer a more modern and sleek look with their fabric and matt black or white plastic finishes. Sonos tends to focus on minimalistic looks with a focus on simplicity and functionality. Additionally, they have sensitive controls for touch and motion, and their power inputs are hidden. On the other hand, Bluesound products have a more attractive look and come with both physical buttons and touch controls. In addition to this, The Bluesound Pulse soundbar doesn’t come with a remote control at all. Additionally, they feature a 90-degree angle design for the power cord to minimize protrusion.
Sonos vs. Bluesound: Setup
When it comes to setup, it is challenging to compare Bluesound and Sonos products perfectly due to differences in pricing and features. However, Sonos has a much better app for setup, making it more straightforward. Additionally, the Sonos app has a search bar for comparing similar topics, while BluOS integrates far better on Bluesound. On the other hand, Bluesound is said to have a better-than-Sonos feature set and solid audio engineering. It’s claimed to have gotten the closest to replicating Sonos devices because of its affordable costs and superb control app. Ultimately, the decision between the two comes down to personal preference.
Sonos vs. Bluesound: Input And Connectivity
When it comes to inputs and connectivity, Sonos and Bluesound products offer consumers a range of options. Sonos is a step behind Bluesound in terms of connectivity, but it does hide its power inputs better. Bluesound products provide much better connectivity and input options on their audio products.
This again comes down to the question of style. Sonos products are designed to be minimalistic and have a clean look with minimal ports and input options. In general, the Sonos products look better but do you prefer the clean look, or do you want more input options? Ultimately, it is up to the user to decide which product best meets their needs regarding inputs and connectivity.
Sonos vs. Bluesound: Wi-Fi Functionality
When comparing Sonos and Bluesound in terms of Wi-Fi connectivity, both offer a simple Wi-Fi connection for setup and control. Sonos is known as the ‘king’ of Wi-Fi, and its speakers are known for their tight control of its ecosystem. However, Bluesound offers wireless streaming speakers capable of playing songs with an app similar to Sonos. Both systems work using your home Wi-Fi which is a great advantage. In conclusion, both Sonos and Bluesound offer great Wi-Fi connectivity options that make streaming music easy and efficient.
Sonos offers a wireless mesh network that allows users to create a robust wireless connection to stream music and other audio throughout their homes. This network, which utilizes Wi-Fi, ensures that the audio is transferred with minimal interference. The setup for this network is relatively easy and is done through the mobile application. Bluesound Wi-Fi offers a more straightforward setup but tends to have more interference. It is also less reliable than the Sonos mesh network and may require more frequent troubleshooting. Ultimately both options provide reliable audio streaming. However, Sonos’ mesh network offers a more robust connection and requires less maintenance than Bluesound’s Wi-Fi setup.
Sonos vs. Bluesound: Music Streaming Options
Comparing Sonos and Bluesound in terms of music streaming options, Sonos clearly comes out on top in terms of choice, with built-in support for over 60 subscription services. In contrast, Bluesound only offers support for 16 services currently.
Sonos is well known for its audio streaming capabilities and support for many music streaming services, including Apple Music and Google Play. This makes it incredibly versatile for users who want to access their favorite music from various sources. However, Bluesound doesn’t provide support for these more prominent streaming service companies. However, this may not be an issue for users who use Apple Airplay or Airplay 2.
Sonos vs. Bluesound: Sound Quality
When it comes to sound quality, Sonos and Bluesound both provide excellent audio experiences. Sonos is known for its superior sound quality and use of digital signal processing to tweak frequencies. Bluesound also produces high-resolution audio with clean and precise sound and is capable of reproducing high-frequency sounds.
Sonos offers superior sound quality to Bluesound due to its innovative approach to producing sound. Sonos uses digital signal processing (DSP) to tweak the frequencies, as well as Trueplay tuning that allows users to customize the sound of their speakers for the best possible acoustic performance in their environment. This will enable Sonos to produce detailed and accurate audio tailored to the user’s specific environment. These features combine to create a superior listening experience that is hard for any other brand to match. However, this is not to say that Bluesound products have lousy quality sound, as they are also really good. Still, Sonos’ products have advanced audio technologies that make their sound quality excellent.
Sonos vs. Bluesound: Pricing
When it comes to pricing, Sonos and Bluesound offer different options. Sonos is generally considered the more affordable option. However, Bluesound has extra features you won’t find in Sonos products, making it worth the additional cost. Ultimately, both brands have something to offer, and it’s up to the individual to decide what best fits their needs and budget.
In the next section, we will compare some of the most popular Sonos and Bluesound products and briefly overview their features and price.
Sonos One vs. Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i
Smart Features
The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i and the Sonos One are very smart devices that provide users with excellent control options. Both models feature support for Amazon Alexa and Google Play and are easy to use. Sonos still has the added advantage of having an inbuilt voice assistant. In contrast, the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i relies on Alexa and Google Play and doesn’t have a native inbuilt voice assistant feature. An inbuilt voice assistant can be had on the Pulse Flex but at an additional cost.
Connectivity Options
The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i offers additional inputs such as Bluetooth 4.1 and Ethernet support, RJ45, and 100BaseT network. In addition to these connectivity options, the Bluesound also comes with USB ports Type A and B and a 3.5mm Aux input. On the other hand, the Sonos One only has a basic Ethernet port and a join button at the back.
Design
Comparing the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i and the Sonos One in design, weight, and compactness, it is clear that the Pulse Flex 2i is the winner. The Pulse Flex 2i has a stylish control panel and is lighter than the Sonos One, making it more convenient to carry around. Additionally, the design of the Pulse Flex 2i is more consistent with the look and feel of other Bluesound products. In contrast, the Sonos One is twice as heavy and offers less variation when it comes to its controls. In terms of compactness, the Pulse Flex 2i offers a more audiophile resolution that can provide wide staging and deep bass from a compact design icon. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking for a powerful and reliable sound system without sacrificing portability and convenience.
Multi-Room Experience
The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i and Sonos One offer a great multi-room experience. The Sonos One is the clear winner in this category, as it provides an easy multiroom experience as all the grouped speakers can be controlled with one connection. In contrast, the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i requires each grouped speaker to have its own connection to the router.
Pricing
The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i is priced at $100 more than the Sonos One but has more advanced connectivity options. The Bluesound sells for around $300 on Amazon, whereas the Sonos one is usually about $200.
Sonos Arc vs Bluesound Pulse Soundbar 2i
Sound Quality
The Sonos Arc offers superior sound quality to the Bluesound Pulse Soundbar 2i due to its support of Dolby Atmos, which creates a more immersive, room-filling sound. The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar 2i doesn’t come with Dolby Atmos.
The Sonos Arc has 8 digital amplifiers, 8 elliptical woofers, 3 silk dome tweeters, Trueplay sound enhancement, and Dolby Atmos support, all of which provide an immersive sound experience. The Pulse Soundbar 2i, on the other hand, only has 2 tweeters, 2 woofers, 2 passive radiators, and 2 mid-range drivers. Comparing them both, it’s easy to call a winner here, and that’s clearly the Sonos Arc.
Connectivity
The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar 2i offers more ports than the Sonos Arc, making it an excellent option for increased connectivity. With Bluetooth audio playback, the Pulse Soundbar 2i allows users to easily stream audio from any compatible device. The Sonos Arc doesn’t have Bluetooth functionality and only supports Wi-Fi connectivity.
The Pulse Soundbar 2i features 3.5mm stereo analog input, USB A-type input, built-in 5.0 Bluetooth, and a remote, while the Sonos Arc has only a single HDMI and ethernet port. The Sonos Arc also comes with an optical adapter which can be helpful if you have an older tv. Both soundbars also support HDMI ARC and eARC. In addition, both soundbars have apps compatible with Android and IOS and integrated voice functionalities for voice commands.
The additional ports on the Pulse Soundbar 2i make it an excellent choice for those who want to expand their audio setup.
Pricing
The Pulse Soundbar 2i is priced at $899, while the Sonos Arc is priced at $1039. Both soundbars are top-of-the-line and offer excellent sound quality, but if you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, the Pulse Soundbar 2i should be your go-to. With a great range of features and a more affordable price tag, it’s the ideal choice for anyone looking to get the most bang for their buck.
Sonos Amp vs. Bluesound Powernode 2i
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Sonos Amp and Bluesound Powernode 2i are both high-quality due to their class D amplifiers, which generate rail-to-rail digital output signals using pulse width modeling. The power output for the Sonos Amp is 125 watts, and 120 watts for the Bluesound Powernode 2i. Additionally, the Sonos Amp is capable of driving any speakers with 8, 6, and 4-ohm models. Ultimately, both amplifiers provide excellent sound quality and are reliable audio equipment, but the Sonos Amp has the upper hand in sound quality.
Connectivity Options
The Sonos Amp and the Bluesound Powernode 2i have various connectivity options. The Sonos Amp has two Ethernet ports, 100 streaming channels, subwoofer RCA type, speaker output connections, join buttons, HDMI Arc input, Airplay 2, and more.
On the other hand, the Bluesound Powernode 2i has a single Ethernet port, two 3.5mm stereo output, 4 speaker terminals, two-way Bluetooth, a USB-type port, HDMI eARC input, Wi-Fi, and more. Both amplifiers also feature control panels and support for different file formats.
Pricing
Comparing these devices in terms of pricing, the Sonos Amp is usually the more affordable option and sells for around $700. The Bluesound Powernode 2i can be more costly at about $900.
Sonos Move vs. Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i
The Sonos Move is an incredible Bluetooth speaker with fantastic sound quality. It plays extremely loud, and the sound is crystal clear and crisp. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by how well it performs – the sound quality remains consistent, even when playing slower and more acoustic music. With the advanced Wi-Fi connection, you can enjoy your music from almost anywhere in your home.
Connectivity Options
The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i is a step ahead of Sonos Move in terms of connectivity. It has a Type A and Type B USB port at the back, 3.5mm aux output for headphones, digital input for optical cable, a power bi-pin port, Bluetooth 4.1, and an Ethernet port that supports RJ45 and 100BaseT networks. In comparison, Sonos Move has a power button, join button, and USB C port for the power supply, along with an indoor charging base. It supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi but lacks an Ethernet port.
Design And Weight
The Sonos move weighs around 4 lbs heavier than the Bluesound Pulse 2i. The Sonos weighs 6.61 lbs, while the Bluesound weighs only 2.71 lbs. So if compactness and lightness are your number one priority, then the Bluesound is the better option.
Price
The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i is priced at $100 more than the Sonos One, while the Sonos Move is priced at $100 more than the Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i. The Pulse Flex 2i is excellent value for money, offering more features and connectivity options than the Sonos One. On the other hand, the Sonos Move provides a powerful and enriching sound quality, making it a great outdoor speaker, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, a charging base, and longer battery life than the Pulse Flex 2i.
Sonos Play 5 vs. Bluesound Pulse Mini 2i
The Bluesound Pulse Mini 2 and Sonos Play 5 look similar; the most significant difference comes with their control panels at the top.
Sound Quality
The Bluesound Pulse Mini 2i and the Sonos Play 5 are both great options for audio quality. The Pulse Mini 2i is fitted with 2 woofers, 2 tweeters, and a sophisticated DSP engine, while the Play 5 is equipped with 3 tweeters, 3 mid-woofers, and six class D amplifiers. Both offer great sound, with the Play 5 having more clarity, accurately hitting both high and low frequencies, and having a neutral tone. The Pulse Mini 2i has a more powerful sound that can fill any room with its warm tones, but the Play 5 is better suited for those who want more accurate audio. The decision between the two ultimately boils down to personal preference.
Connectivity Options
The Bluesound Pulse Mini 2i has more connectivity options than the Sonos Play 5. The Pulse Mini 2i has two USB ports, an Ethernet port, two-way Bluetooth, a 3.5mm audio input, and an optical input. The Play 5 has an Ethernet port, a Join button, a power supply port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
So in terms of the variety of connection options, the Bluesound Pulse Mini 2 wins comfortably, which is to be expected as Sonos is notoriously stingy with the number of input ports they put on their products as they want their products to look and feel minimalistic.
Pricing
The Bluesound Pulse Mini 2i is priced at $499, while the Sonos Play 5 is priced at $579, making the Sonos Play 5 slightly more expensive. Despite the price gap, both models offer high-quality sound with impressive features. However, in terms of budget, the Bluesound is a more cost-effective option.
Sonos Arc vs Bluesound Pulse Soundbar
The Sonos Arc is your best option if you’re looking for a soundbar with superior sound quality. This soundbar offers crisp sonics, precise tuning software, Dolby Atmos support, and a subwoofer for deep bass. Whether you’re listening to music, movies, or gaming, you’ll be impressed by the Arc’s crisp highs and deep bass. When it comes to sound quality in soundbars, only a few come close to the Sonos Arc.
Connectivity Options
The Bluesound Pulse soundbar offers more comprehensive connectivity options than the Sonos Arc. It has an HDMI cable, optical cable, and stereo RCA to RCA cable, allowing the user to connect to an old TV easily. It also has two USB ports, an Ethernet port, an output port for subwoofers, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. In comparison, the Sonos Arc only has an HDMI (Arc and eArc), optical audio port, Ethernet, Wi-Fi (no Bluetooth), and no RCA cable or port. However, the Sonos Arc has an IR receiver sensor to sync it with the TV remote and supports HDMI CEC.
The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar, however, still offers a broader variety regarding connectivity.
Sound Quality
When it comes to sound, the Bluesound Pulse soundbar and the Sonos Arc are both powerful and provide excellent sound quality. The Pulse soundbar is fitted with two tweeters, two woofers, two passive radiators, and two midrange drivers for a full and rich sound. On the other hand, the Sonos Arc is fitted with 8 digital amplifiers, 8 elliptical woofers, 3 silk dome tweeters, Trueplay, and Sound Enhancement for a more refined and immersive experience. The Sonos Arc also supports Dolby Atmos, while the Pulse soundbar does not. Comparing them both in sound quality, the Bluesound Pulse Sound soundbar does provide excellent sound quality; however, the advanced audio technologies of the Sonos Arc make it simply spectacular.
Pricing
The Bluesound Pulse soundbar is much more affordable than the Sonos Arc. The Pulse soundbar is priced at $899, whereas the Arc is priced at $1039.
Sonos Beam vs Bluesound Pulse Soundbar
Sound Quality
In terms of sound quality, the Bluesound Pulse soundbar is fitted with 2 tweeters, 2 woofers, 2 passive radiators, and 2 midrange drivers, providing a full-range sound. In contrast, the Sonos Beam is equipped with 4 woofers, one tweeter, 3 passive radiators, 5 digital amplifiers, and a far-field microphone, as well as Trueplay, which is an excellent bit of technology. With Trueplay, your Beam is automatically tuned to your specific space, giving you the best sound possible. The Sonos app for iOS makes it easy to set up Trueplay and adjust your speaker to the perfect level.
Sonos Beam also supports Dolby Atmos, which gives it an edge over the Pulse soundbar in terms of sound quality. However, the Bluesound Pulse soundbar still holds its own, providing a crisp and clear sound.
Connectivity
Regarding connectivity, the Bluesound Pulse soundbar is a step ahead of the Sonos Beam. The Pulse soundbar comes with an HDMI, optical, and stereo RCA to RCA cable, allowing it to connect to older TVs easily. Additionally, the Pulse soundbar has two USB ports, an Ethernet port, an output port for subwoofers, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. On the other hand, the Sonos Beam has an HDMI port (ARC and eARC), optical audio port, Ethernet port, Wi-Fi (no Bluetooth), and a join button at the back.
The Bluesound is fitted with almost any input needed to connect any device, and with the Sonos Beam, you’re rather limited in this area.
Pricing
The Sonos Beam is the considerably cheaper option of these two soundbars and is also more compact, making it suitable for fitting in almost any living room. The Bluesound Pulse Soundbar costs $899, while the Sonos Beam only costs $449. This is a good deal considering the quality of the soundbar itself, along with Sonos’ advanced features that provide an enhanced listening experience.
Sonos Port vs. Bluesound Node
Sound Quality
The Bluesound Node and Sonos Port offer high-quality sound, but the Node has a better DAC (Digital to Analog Converter), giving it a slight edge in sound clarity and depth. The Node also supports Bluetooth, while the port does not. The port is a better choice if you want an easy-to-use streaming solution within the Sonos ecosystem.
Connectivity Options
The Bluesound Node and Sonos Port offer different connectivity options. The Bluesound Node has a range of ports, including an Ethernet port, USB port, HDMI eARC port, 2x RCA audio out ports, 1 x Subwoofer out port, 1 coaxial cable out port, optical in/out port, IR in port, and power in port. In addition, it supports Bluetooth.
On the other hand, the Sonos Port has two Ethernet ports, an optical digital out port, a Join button, an audio line-in port for CD players and record players, an audio line-out port for RCA and coaxial cables, and a 12V trigger. The Sonos Port also doesn’t support Bluetooth connectivity, as mentioned above. The Bluesound Node has more ports than the Sonos Port and also comes with more accessories, making it a better choice for those who need more connections.
Pricing
The pricing difference between the Bluesound Node and Sonos Port is quite significant. The Bluesound Node is priced at $549, while the Sonos Port is priced at $449. The port is a more affordable option and is perfect for those looking for a reliable and powerful streaming device.
Sonos Connect vs. Bluesound Node 2i
The Bluesound Node 2i and Sonos Connect are high-end audio streaming solutions providing users with various features and options. The Node 2i is a successor of the Bluesound Node wireless, featuring two-way Bluetooth, Wi-Fi functionality, Alexa, Google Assistant, and Airplay 2, allowing users to stream from any compatible device. Another critical difference between the Node 2i and the Node wireless streamer is that the Node has a USB port instead of an HDMI eARC.
On the other hand, Sonos Connect has been discontinued but is similar to the Sonos Port in its purpose and features.
Sonos Sub vs. Bluesound Pulse Sub
The Bluesound Pulse Sub and Sonos Sub are both high-quality subwoofers that provide powerful bass to your home audio setup. The Bluesound Pulse Sub is a powerful 8″ subwoofer with a frequency response of 22Hz and an adjustable crossover to customize your audio experience. The Sonos Sub is a 6″ subwoofer that offers a frequency response of 25Hz and is powered by two Class-D digital amplifiers. Both subwoofers are sleek and can be paired easily with other audio components.
Sound Quality
The Bluesound Pulse Sub and the Sonos Sub offer high-quality sound for music and home theatre systems. The Bluesound Pulse Sub has a powerful amplifier and an 8″ subwoofer that provide a deep, rich bass sound. It also has two built-in Class D amplifiers and two 6-inch drivers that create a powerful, deep sound. Both subwoofers provide a wide soundstage with great clarity, making them ideal for enjoying movies and music. The Sonos Sub has a slightly louder sound output than the Bluesound Pulse Sub, but both offer excellent sound quality that can fill any room with dynamic bass.
Another thing to note is that the Bluesound Pulse sub offers wired and wireless capabilities, whereas the Sonos Sub only offers wireless functionality. The Bluesound Pulse Sub can also work with other speakers and soundbars.
Sonos vs. Bluesound: Final Verdict
The verdict on the Bluesound vs. Sonos debate is that both offer excellent sound quality and features. Still, Sonos has the advantage of having a more established network and more streaming services available. However, Bluesound offers higher-resolution audio and more inputs, making it a better choice for those who want a more sophisticated sound experience. Ultimately, it depends on the individual’s preferences, budget, and needs.
When it comes to choosing between Bluesound and Sonos, it really depends on the user’s preference. Both brands offer great features, with Sonos offering a more well-rounded experience with its wide range of streaming services, simpler setup, and outstanding audio experience. However, Bluesound provides more in terms of inputs and connectivity. Ultimately, it comes down to the user’s budget and needs when deciding.
If we were to pick a winner, we would pick Sonos as their products are more polished overall. Ultimately, Both brands offer outstanding products, and we doubt you would be disappointed with either.
FAQ’s
Can Bluesound And Sonos Work Together?
No, Bluesound does not work with Sonos wirelessly. They can work together with a workaround, but for the most part, since they are each other’s rivals, it is unlikely that Bluesound will work with Sonos.
Can I Stream From My Bluesound Device To A Sonos?
Yes, you can. You can connect wirelessly using a Bluesound streaming device and connecting it to a Sonos speaker.
Is Sonos Or Bluesound Better?
This can be a touchy subject, but if we break this down into two key areas, you will know which choice is the better for you. In terms of overall sound quality, there are very few devices on the market that can rival Sonos. However, in terms of connectivity, the Bluesound beats the Sonos quite comprehensively.
Can I Add Bluesound Speakers To A Sonos Ecosystem?
At this moment, it isn’t possible as Sonos Speakers only work with other Sonos products.