Bluesound just dropped the latest version of its Powernode streaming amp—a sleek little box that handles wireless music streaming, powers your speakers, and can even step in as part of a home theater setup. On the outside, it looks pretty much the same as the last one, but inside, there’s a lot that’s new. 

This update also comes right on the heels of Bluesound’s refresh of its Node lineup last summer, when they launched three new streamers: the compact Node Nano, an upgraded Node, and the top-tier Node Icon. With the Powernode now getting its own refresh, Bluesound’s whole streaming ecosystem is getting a modern upgrade.

“The POWERNODE has always stood at the intersection of performance and simplicity,” said Morten Nielsen, Associate Product Manager, Bluesound. “This evolution expands its capabilities while staying true to our vision of delivering HiFi quality sound without compromise.”

Bluesound isn’t messing with the formula too much. It’s still called the Powernode, and it’s still that all-in-one box that lets you stream music and power a pair of passive speakers. But there are meaningful changes here.

The biggest update? More power. The new Powernode now delivers 100 watts per channel in stereo, up from 80 watts on the previous version. If you're setting it up for a small home theater system, you can use it in a 3.1-channel configuration (left, right, and center speakers), where it’ll push 80 watts to each channel. That extra muscle should come in handy whether you’re listening to music or watching movies.

Behind the scenes, Bluesound swapped out the old amp design for its updated DirectDigital platform, along with gallium nitride (GaN) transistors. Without getting overly technical, these changes aim to improve efficiency and reduce distortion. Translation: cleaner sound with less electronic noise, especially at higher volumes.

At its core, the Powernode is both a wireless music streamer and an amplifier. It supports high-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz, along with formats like MQA and DSD256. That means you can stream lossless tracks from services like TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify, Amazon Music, and more. Everything runs on BluOS, Bluesound’s multi-room streaming platform, which also lets you sync music across other rooms using compatible speakers or components.

But Bluesound didn’t stop with music. This Powernode also has HDMI eARC support, so you can hook it up to your TV. Add a center channel speaker (there’s a new set of speaker terminals just for that), and you’ve got yourself a tidy 3.1 setup. Want to go further? You can pair it with Bluesound’s PULSE wireless speakers and sub to build a full 5.1 surround system—no receiver or speaker wire required.

Bluesound updated the connectivity options, too. Here’s what you can plug in or pair:

• USB-C audio input
• Optical and analog inputs
• aptX Adaptive Bluetooth for high-quality wireless streaming
• A 6.3mm headphone jack—powered by a THX AAA headphone amp

That headphone amp is worth pointing out. It’s not something you usually find in gear like this, and it makes the Powernode a solid pick for personal listening setups as well.

The new model is also Dirac Live Ready, meaning you can activate advanced room correction to fine-tune the sound for your space. Just note that using Dirac may require some extra steps or gear.

“With the new POWERNODE, we’re not just delivering hi-res audio,” said Matt Simmonds, Product Manager, Bluesound. “We’re delivering a new way to experience music and home entertainment, one that’s powerful, flexible, and designed around how people actually live.”

The Powernode’s design hasn’t changed much, and that’s probably a good thing. It’s still compact, with a smooth matte finish (available in black or white), and it fits easily on a shelf, desk, or TV stand. The touch panel on top includes five quick-access presets you can program for your favorite playlists or inputs. There’s even a proximity sensor that lights up the controls when you approach—handy if you don’t want to fumble for your phone.

The idea here is to offer modern features without clutter. No stacks of components. No mess of wires. Just a single, smart amp that can do a little bit of everything.

The new Bluesound Powernode will be available for pre-order starting August 12, 2025, with shipping expected to begin September 10. It’s priced at $1,199 USD / £899 GBP / €1,099 EUR / $1,399 CAD, which is a step up from the previous model.