Bluesound Powernode N331 (2025) Review

The latest Powernode – dubbed as both Powernode 2025 and Powernode N331 – is a compact integrated amplifier and part of Bluesound's comprehensive range of Node streaming devices.

Being a Powernode means the Canadian brand has paired its Node streaming tech with an amplifier to create a one-box solution that can access networked content and other connected sources, and then power sound through a set of passive loudspeakers. This is something Bluesound has been doing for a decade or more, and presents an attractive segue from streaming speakers. It keeps the form factor compact and the interaction familiar, while offering the opportunity to add a turntable, etc. The Powernode is also so desktop-friendly that owners of a Node BluOS streamer plumbed into a more traditional hi-fi system could add it in another room – such as the office or lounge – to create an extra zone in a multiroom system.

Unlike the more audiophile-focused Node ICON, the Powernode relies on 24-bit/192kHz as its playback resolution of choice, with DSD256 files converted to PCM internally before digital-to-analogue conversion. While this might make some wrinkle their noses in disgust, it should still satisfy most listeners. Dirac Live room correction is scheduled to be available soon via an update and an additional subscription service. However, the Powernode 2025 is Roon Ready and so offers subscribers more EQ options than the BluOS app while playing via Roon.

Roon has been my choice for some time now, but that being said, BluOS is intuitive, stable and offers comprehensive multiroom and multi-device support. While I still prefer Roon, BluOS is much nicer to use than others, such as HEOS, in my opinion.

The Powernode N331 sports a Class D power amp that boasts Bluesound's updated DirectDigital amplifier stage and gallium nitride (GaN) transistor technology. It’s said to improve upon the 80 watts of the 2021 third-gen version, delivering a claimed 100W into 8 ohms with up to three channels driven. The speaker terminals on its rear panel let you run left, right, and centre channels from your telly, via its HDMI eARC input port. Furthermore, that multichannel signal can also be wirelessly transmitted to a pair of Bluesound speakers, such as the Pulse Flex, for the rear channels and a Pulse Sub Plus subwoofer. Alternatively, there's a subwoofer wired output.

The wireless rears operate on a direct connection with the Powernode via Bluesound Bonded Speaker Link. The system uses its own point-to-point Wi-Fi LAN from the Powernode, keeping the sync tight and taking the load off your already busy home network. This method should also be more stable than Bluetooth and offer greater positional flexibility in terms of range. If you already own a previous-generation Powernode, you could use it to power a pair of passive speakers for the rear channels, as another option.

Further connectivity is provided by a combined optical and analogue 3.5mm input and USB-C port, while two-way Bluetooth 5.2 is onboard, supporting aptX HD for headphones and streaming from your phone. The front of the unit offers wired headphone connectivity via a dedicated THX AAA-capable headphone amp.

All of this is wrapped up inside a smart yet understated Bluesound casement measuring 220x70x190mm, available in both black and white finishes. While it lacks a display, the little haptic glass-like acrylic control panel atop the unit, which comes to life via a proximity sensor and fades its lights once its duties are fulfilled, provides shortcuts and basic playback options. As part of its custom-install-friendliness, you can assign unused IR codes on a remote to control the Powernode, and it is spec'd to integrate with a Creston, Control4, RTI, Nice, URC, and Lutron environment. This also makes more sense of its potential multichannel chops, which some readers may have already raised an eyebrow at.

This comprehensive skill set makes the Powernode N331 an expandable hub that could start out as a way to stream stereo from all the expected services, and perhaps become part of a multiroom system. Then later, it could work as an integrated amplifier connected to a CD player or transport via the optical input, and to a turntable via the analogue RCA ins. Or it could grow as part of a multichannel AV system, which is definitely something it has over the Marantz M1 and many other similar propositions.

I have been running the Bluesound Powernode 2025 using both BluOS and Roon, plugged into a pair of Audiovector R 3 Arrete loudspeakers. Additional sources include a Philips 806 OLED TV for multichannel audio and an Elipson Omega RIAA BT turntable. A Marten Duke 2 was used for centre-channel speaker duties, where appropriate.

The Listening

Despite its lifestyle orientation, the Powernode turns out to be a most capable integrated amplifier for music listening. Being part of the Lenbrook Group alongside NAD, Bluesound has plenty of Class D amplification experience to hand, and this shows. It has, for example, far more sonic presence and refinement than the – admittedly much less expensive – WiiM Amp Ultra, for example. Indeed, this little unit isn't shamed by my Naim Nait X3 Class AB integrated, which is a proper specialist audiophile product. In absolute terms, it doesn’t show this a clean pair of heels sonically, yet still proves more than capable of holding its own in a pleasantly musical way. No small feat, for this sort of product.

Compared to the similarly screenless Marantz M1, it’s easy to hear the different house sound, and which is better comes down to personal taste. I should add that BluOS seems a friendlier environment to me than HEOS, and the Powernode has the L/R/C output up its sleeve. Playing stereo music, there is an enjoyably engaging quality from the Powernode that’s all about fun, and this makes for much head nodding and toe tapping.

Listening to Metallica's Sad But True, the unit demonstrates its ability to really rock out. This midtempo track soon has me grooving in my chair, enjoying the moment. There’s plenty of weight to the presentation, with clear delineation of the instruments and vocals. On Joni Mitchell’s Cotton Avenue, her distinctive vocal phrasing and lovely acoustic guitar work is well delivered. Not only does the guitar sound lively with harmonic content, but the deft, unmistakable bass work of Jaco Pastorius is rich, textural, and expressive. It offers an alchemical counterpoint to Joni's storytelling, which remains as enchanting as ever.

Dynamics in orchestral pieces, such as George Szell and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra's rendition of Sibelius's 2nd Symphony, show the Bluesound's capabilities extend well beyond pop and rock. However, it arguably lacks some of the aforementioned Marantz’s and Naim's overall insight. All the same, the weight that it gives to percussion and brass stabs means that it’s still an alluring listen. It also remains clearer and more balanced at lower levels than the Marantz, whilst punching harder at party volumes. Both compact boxes are capable when turned up, but the M1 favours clarity and poise over the Powernode’s confidence and swagger.

Movies through the eARC connection sound impressive, with excellent placement of both effects and dialogue. Adding a centre speaker shows how good an extra dedicated channel can be. Additionally, I can definitely see the attraction of wireless rears and a subwoofer. This becomes even more apparent when you go back to stereo – and even more so if you decide to rely on your television's in-built speaker array.

The Verdict

At first, the Bluesound Powernode 2025 might appear to have lost its identity by trying to please both the hi-fi stereo crowd and those looking to join the multichannel melee. As a stereo streaming amplifier, it loses out in price to the WiiM Amp Ultra and in connectivity to the Marantz M1 on paper. However, it offers great sound and flexibility for a compact package and, of course, is supported by BluOS's slick user interface.

It also provides more scope for painless expansion for those using it in a living room system, thanks to innovative AV options. The wired centre channel is a brilliant feature for anyone looking to utilise the eARC port, while the option to add wireless rear-channel speakers and a wired/wireless subwoofer will certainly bring movie nights to life without trailing cables everywhere. As such, this new Bluesound deserves your attention for being the highly capable streaming integrated amp that it is.

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