About The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i Wireless Speaker 2-Pack
Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i Wireless Speaker 2-Pack includes two of the game-changing, ultra-compact Pulse Flex 2i 2-way speakers that are all about high resolution audio - and they really do deliver when it comes to the brief. Additionally they have Apple AirPlay 2, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. Mount a pair in the corner of your room for a full stereo sound field, hide one on a bookshelf, take one out to the patio table or throw one in your bag for a picnic or family get together!
With Bluesound you can enjoy high-end audio in more rooms of your home. While there are many streaming speakers in today's audio landscape, Bluesound's multi-room music system focuses on helping you enjoy the most from not just low level files, but more importantly high-resolution audio files
What's New In Gen 2i?
"Ever since Bluesound's exciting debut (2014), we have listened to the marketplace and worked hard to make significant improvements throughout the line," explained Matt Simmonds, Bluesound's Product Manager. "Gen 2i represents another leap forward with major technological enhancements that make this generation of Bluesound products even more compelling. Best of all, Gen 2i is compatible with existing Bluesound systems."
Apple AirPlay 2 Support: All Bluesound Gen 2i models are designed to support AirPlay2, which will be delivered to Gen 2i owners via an upcoming software update. With AirPlay 2, Gen 2i owners can stream just about any sound from their iPhone, iPad, or Mac to their Bluesound system — all in sync. Customers can stream music, books, and podcasts from their favourite Apps, or watch videos on their Apple device while streaming the audio through to their Gen 2i Player – imagine watching Netflix or YouTube on an iPad while filling the room with premium sound from a Bluesound system.
AirPlay2 also gives users more options for control, including using Siri voice assistance. Once you add your Gen 2i Player to the Apple Home App on your iPhone or iPad, Apple Music subscribers can use their iOS device or HomePod to say things like: "Hey Siri, play smooth jazz in the Living Room" or "Hey Siri, turn it up in the Kitchen."
By grouping a Gen 2i Player with older Bluesound Players in the BluOS App, existing customers can add AirPlay 2 compatibility to their entire BluOS system.
Dual-band Wi-Fi: Bluesound has also upgraded the Wi-Fi chipset technology in its Bluesound Players to the latest and greatest Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) dual-band offering. Best-in-class products deserve best-in-class connection; with the new Wi-Fi chip onboard, Gen 2i owners can take advantage of the less noisy 5 GHz band if needed. This results in faster connection times and fewer interruptions from other network traffic.
Ultra Compact High Performance Speaker: The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i is quite small — and quite powerful. It features a 1" tweeter and a 3-1/2" woofer, each amplified separately to ensure accurate response. You'll enjoy clear, detailed sound that puts most similar-sized speakers to shame.
The Bluesound Pulse Flex 2i is an all-in-one wireless network music system with a built-in 35-bit/844kHz DAC, integrated audiophile-grade speakers designed by PSB and a patented Direct Digital amplifier by NAD Electronics. Direct Digital amplifier technology provides rich, clear, and distortion free sound. Pulse Flex lets you play tunes from the Internet and songs stored on a networked computer or hard drive. This all-in-one speaker's small size belies its high-quality sound performance.
Music Options: Bluesound was designed to play just about any digital music you might have in your collection, including high-resolution files up to 24-bit/192kHz. Access the music stored on your computer or a networked hard drive, or tap into Internet radio stations like Tune in with over 70,000 FREE stations and online streaming services like Rdio, Spotify, Deezer etc (Subscription required) with the Bluesound app. Each Bluesound player also features a USB input for playing files "locally" from a thumb drive or hard drive, so if a friend brings over their favourite album or playlist, you can listen to it through your system.
High Quality Bluetooth: The Pulse Flex 2i features aptX® audio coding, an advanced form of Bluetooth that allows higher-fidelity sound with compatible Bluetooth devices. The system is backwards-compatible with earlier forms of Bluetooth, too. Bluetooth is a convenient way to play the sound from any app you might be using on your mobile device. You can even share that Bluetooth source with other Bluesound music players around your house that are connected to the same network.
USB (Type-A) Input: The Bluesound PULSE FLEX 2i features a USB (type-A) port to directly connect your USB mass storage class (MSC) device; such as a thumb drive, or external hard-drive. The unit's USB port supports music playback from these compatible USB devices formatted in FAT 32. The USB port is not compatible with the direct connection of an Apple iPod/iPhone/iPad or Android devices.
Note: There is also a mini-USB (type-B) port that is used for service purposes only (not for consumer use). Only authorised service personnel can access this USB port.
Create Your High-Resolution Multi-Room Music System: Combine multiple Bluesound players to enjoy high-end sound throughout your home. Controlling the system is easy with the free Bluesound app for your smartphone or tablet. If film is more your thing, you can Group two Pulse Flex 2i's with the Pulse Soundbar 2i and create a wireless surround sound system with dedicated rear channels.
More Fun With Two: Place a Pulse Flex 2i in your kitchen and another in the master bedroom, attach a Bluesound Node 2i to your home audio system and use the Powernode 2i to drive some compatible speakers in the lounge-room.
Control In The Palm Of Your Hand: In addition to creating high-end music players, Bluesound also developed free apps for Apple and Android so you can control the system easily with your portable device. You can download the free Bluesound Remote App from iTunes or Google Play in order to use your Apple iOS (5.0+) or Android (2.1+) device to control Pulse. You are able to browse your local music library from a NAS or Windows/Mac computer on your network. You can also search for and listen to online music from TuneIn, Rdio and more. In addition, you can create, edit and retrieve your favourite music playlists.
The Bluesound Remote App even provides artist/song/album information and Album Art. The remote app can be used in portrait or landscape mode. If you have multiple Bluesound devices on the same network, you can use the Bluesound Remote App to control each of them separately. Play music in one room, all rooms, or different tracks in different spaces around your home.
Quality Sound Wherever You Go: Attach the optional rechargeable FLEX battery pack and take your music wherever you go with Bluetooth.
More About Bluesound: Bluesound is an alliance of audiophiles dedicated to delivering on the promise of wireless, digitally-perfect high-fidelity audio. They are not just another computer company! Their goal is one many aspire to but few have currently reached. So, who is Bluesound? Easy! The same people who pioneered world-famous NAD Hi-Fi in the 1970's and even now still set the bar high in audio components, relentlessly pursuing innovative technologies and faithful music reproduction. Having been associated with the team for over 35 years, we can testify that they're all about the sound. They have built on their decades of audio experience to create the Bluesound line of multi-room audio gear for the discerning listener. No, that doesn't mean expensive but rather cutting-edge when it comes to performance.
In The News
"The designers at NAD and PSB have come up with a brilliant solution to the problem of high-res, whole-house audio that combines superb sound reproduction with twenty-first-century connectivity." The Absolute Sound
Our Take
The Pulse Flex 2i is a versatile, full-range speaker that delivers true wireless portability and the best in audio performance. Place a pair in any room, pair them together for stereo sound, or even take one with you to the park. Yes, it's their smallest speakerbut still lets you enjoy great-sounding music in any and every corner of your home. However, what makes Bluesound so special is that it's all about "high-resolution" audio. Sonos, Heos and others currently don't handle high-res music. This is a great starter or additional component for a multi-room Bluesound set up and especially if you demand high fidelity streaming content via something like TIDAL. It is not a big, full bass sound due to physical limitations but it is precise and detailed. It is a breeze to set up and a dream to operate and is solidly built. A battery pack (sold separately) delivers up to 8 hours of high-res streaming autonomy. For the first time ever, you can enjoy the Hi-Fi performance of Bluesound virtually anywhere your music takes you.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Wireless Network Music Player with built-in amplifier and speakers x 2
- Direct Digital Amplifier: Renders digital music sources with fine detail, even at low volumes
- Frequency Response: 45Hz - 20kHz
- THD: 0.030%
- Speakers: 1 x 89mm, 1 x 25mm
- Optional Battery Pack: An optional battery pack delivers up to 8 hours of high-res streaming autonomy. For the first time ever, you can enjoy the Hi-Fi performance of Bluesound virtually anywhere your music takes you
- Compatibility: Communicates with other Bluesound players via your home network (wired or wireless)
- Free App: Control the system with a free app for your smartphone, tablet, or computer (Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, Windows and Mac)
- Files: Plays MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, FLAC, ALAC, WAV, MQA, and AIFF files
- Sample Rates: Supported sample rates: From 32kHz to 192kHz
- Bit Rates: 16-bit & 24-bit
- Amazon Alexa & Google Assistant voice control compatibility (external Amazon or Google device required)
- Internet Radio: Plays Internet radio stations from TuneIn Radio
- Spotify Connect: Lets you play Spotify's streaming music library through your Bluesound system via your smartphone or tablet (requires Spotify app and a premium subscription; firmware and app version 1.10.0 or higher)
- Apple AirPlay 2: Play music from you IOS devices
- Cloud Services: Plays streaming music from WiMP, Rdio, Slacker Radio, Qobuz, HighResAudio, JUKE, Deezer, Murfie, HDTracks, Spotify and TIDAL depending on your location
- Album Art: JPG
- Multi-Room: Play music in multiple rooms when you add other Bluesound players
- Controls: Top-mounted controls for volume, play/pause, skip forwards or backwards & 5 presets
- Bluetooth: High quality 5.0 aptX HD Bluetooth capability built-in
- Headphone Output: 3.5mm front mounted
- USB Port: Connect a thumb drive with music files
- Analogue Input: Rear 3.5mm stereo jack
- Optical Input: Rear 3.5mm jack - adaptor for optical cable provided
- Ethernet Port: This is for a wired connection to a home network
- Supplied Accessories: AC Power Cord, Ethernet Cable & Toslink Optical to 3.5mm Mini Adaptor
- Windows: Compatible with Windows (XP or higher operating system)
- Mac: Compatible with Macintosh products
- Power: 230 Volt/50Hz input
- Power Consumption: 14 Watts
- Detachable Power Cord: Allows for upgrade to something better
- Available Finishes: Black or White
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 125 x 183 x 100mm
- Nett Weight: 1.23 Kg Each
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE