The Bluesound PULSE 2i is the manufacturer's flagship speaker designed for home use. It's designed with connectivity in mind, so you can connect it with other Bluesound speakers to spread audio throughout multiple rooms in your home. Through its companion app, you can link up with music streaming services like Deezer and Tidal to listen to your favorite tunes through the speaker. It's on the pricier side, though, and the lack of native voice assistant support may not be ideal for everyone.
Our Verdict
The Bluesound 2i is decent for music. Its default sound is heavy on the bass, so you feel the extra warmth and punch in the mix. Vocals and lead instruments are slightly muddied, though they remain clear in the mix. Its companion app also offers lots of sound customization tools, and it gets really loud. It can't bring the deep rumble in the low-bass like some larger home speakers.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- Some compression at max volume.
- No full graphic EQ.
The Bluesound PULSE 2i is fair for videos and movies. It isn't quite meant to be an addition to your home theater setup, but if you want to use it to stream videos from a paired device, it's more than suitable. Dialogue is clear in the mix, and there are lots of customization tools to make the most of its sound. However, without an extended low-bass, you don't get the deep thump and rumble like in the movie theater.
- Bass and treble adjustments.
- Gets loud.
- Some compression at max volume.
- Middling directivity.
The Bluesound 2i is fair for podcasts. Voices are slightly muddied in the mix, though you can still easily follow along with the conversation. There's even a preset designed to enhance dialogue in the mix, which is a nice touch. That said, this wired-only speaker isn't meant to move from room to room with you during longer episodes, which can be inconvenient.
- Gets loud.
- No full graphic EQ.
This speaker doesn't have built-in voice assistant support. For voice control, you can connect it with third-party Alexa or Siri devices, like an Amazon Echo. However, you'll have to purchase these devices separately and set them up through their respective apps.
This wired-only speaker isn't meant to be used outside.
Changelog
- Updated Nov 27, 2023: Added market comparison for the JBL Authentics 500 in the Voice Assistant box.
- Updated Nov 13, 2023: Retested the sound with the Deep Bass feature turned on. Frequency response accuracy score improves from 6.7 to 7.0 and soundstage from 6.7 to 6.8. Dynamics score decreases from 8.9 to 8.5.
- Updated Oct 16, 2023: Review published.
- Updated Oct 12, 2023: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Bluesound PULSE 2i is available in Black Matte and White color variants. We tested the Black Matte version; you can see the label here.
If you encounter another version of this speaker, let us know in the forums.
Popular Speaker Comparisons
The Bluesound PULSE 2i is a high-end home speaker with lots of features. It's easy to connect the speaker to your devices or make the most of your music streaming services through its companion app. It comes with a decent selection of sound enhancement tools, too. That said, its price isn't for everyone, especially since you need a third-party device to get access to voice assistants.
See also our recommendations for the best home speakers, the best Bluetooth speakers, and the best Bluetooth speakers for bass.
The Denon Home 350 is a bit better than the Bluesound PULSE 2i. They're both premium home speakers, but only the Denon has built-in voice assistant support. You'll need a third-party device to use voice assistants with the Bluesound. The Denon brings more bass, too. However, it doesn't get quite as loud as the Bluesound.
The Bluesound PULSE 2i is better for most uses when compared with the Klipsch The Three II. The Bluesound offers Wi-Fi connectivity, unlike the Klipsch, and its companion app gives you access to lots of extra features. For example, you're able to customize its sound and connect it with other devices to spread audio throughout your home. Some may prefer the Klipsch's retro design, though.
The Bowers & Wilkins Formation Wedge and the Bluesound PULSE 2i are two premium speakers with different strengths. They're both wired-only devices with different designs, and you may prefer one over the other based on your tastes. As for the sound, the Bluesound is a bit louder, while the Bowers & Wilkins brings a touch more bass.
The Bluesound PULSE 2i and the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin 2021 are both high-end home speakers. Depending on your style preferences, you may like one look more than the other. The Bowers & Wilkins brings a little more low-bass, though, and since its voice assistant support is built in, you don't need to connect it to a third-party device like with the Bluesound. That said, the Bluesound does get a touch louder.
Test Results
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