Table of Contents:
- 1.1 What is the difference between Bluetooth and Airplay
- 1.2 What are the advantages of Airplay?
- 2.1 How to use wireless devices to play lossless music
- 2.2 Features of Bluesound
- 3.1 Bluesound NODE basic specifications
- 3.2 Differences between Bluesound NODE N130 & NODE 2i
Still using Bluetooth to play music? Here are the advantages of Airplay!
When it comes to wireless music connection, many people only think of Bluetooth transmission, because as long as you turn on the Bluetooth function on your phone/computer and connect to a Bluetooth device, your phone/computer can immediately perform wireless transmission, such as with a Bluetooth mouse or Bluetooth speaker. However, "convenience is often not free." Below, we list the differences between Bluetooth and Airplay:
Bluetooth is convenient and easy to use, but sacrifices sound quality
The biggest drawback of Bluetooth is the loss of sound quality. Because Bluetooth uses a compressed codec, even though apt-X claims to have near-CD quality, apt-X HD has near-Hi-Res quality, and Sony even claims to have high-quality Bluetooth technology (LDAC), the process inevitably results in loss due to bandwidth and encoding limitations. Sound quality and resolution are never as outstanding as Wi-Fi streaming methods like AirPlay or Google Cast. (Refer to the image below)
Airplay supports high-quality connection, reaching CD quality
AirPlay is a wireless streaming mode developed by Apple. One of its big selling points is that the sound quality is relatively much better. It can stream 16bit/48kHz or even higher quality 24bit/192kHz (requires a supporting streaming device, such as the Bluesound NODE N130), achieving sound quality effects comparable to CD. With Hi-Res music becoming popular in recent years, using Airplay can provide higher quality in wireless streaming, greatly enhancing the enjoyment of high-end audio effects.
Airplay Wi-Fi transmission, enjoy music without interruption during calls
Unlike Bluetooth connection methods, Airplay transmits data via Wi-Fi and is not monopolized by a single device. Therefore, even during a call, users can still use background apps to play music. Furthermore, AirPlay 2 has been improved so that it can control two or more connected devices simultaneously. Users can directly control the volume and power of different devices using the simple interface of AirPlay 2, which is more convenient to control than Bluetooth connections.
How to use wireless devices to play lossless music
The rise of online lossless music makes wireless connectivity indispensable
With the progress of digital streaming systems and 5G technology, music streaming platforms such as Spotify, KKBOX, and MOOV have all launched lossless music (FLAC 24 bit 192kHz) formats to provide listeners with higher quality music enjoyment. This is definitely a blessing for listeners who have requirements for music quality. However, even if you have a lossless music source, without wireless streaming playback devices and Hi-Fi speakers, sound quality loss will still occur during the process. Therefore, we will teach you how to set up methods and equipment for playing high-quality music wirelessly.
After having a lossless music source, users can receive the audio source through wireless streaming devices and, using unique digital encoding methods, transfer the music losslessly to home Hi-Fi equipment. In this process, the Bluesound NODE model can definitely come in handy.
From wireless to wired Hi-Fi, the Bluesound NODE handles it all
The Bluesound NODE supports online music streaming services, iOS, and Android systems. It can be easily connected to any existing audio system to open and explore the realm of audio streaming. It is equipped with sufficient analog and digital input or output functions, connecting audio systems to various types of music to satisfy users with various needs. Whether it is online streaming services, internet radio, or even personal music libraries on computers, smartphones, or external devices, NODE can provide unlimited playback options, helping users achieve their own exclusive high-fidelity audio realm.
Bluesound Features:
- Connect to any stereo amplifier, AV receiver, or audio system
- Multiple input and output options
- Stream music seamlessly from a CD player to a Bluesound player
- Exclusive BluOS Controller APP for simple setup
- Stream music to multiple Bluesound players from online streaming services, internet radio, or personal music libraries on computers, smartphones, or external devices
- Wireless music playback control with the BluOS Controller APP
- Supports Amazon Alexa voice control
- Built-in AirPlay 2 system
Bluesound NODE N130 & NODE 2i Specification Comparison (Video Included)
Basic Specifications:
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Supported File Formats |
MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, WMA-L, ALAC, OPUS |
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High-Resolution Formats |
|
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FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS |
|
|
Native Sampling Rate |
192 kHz and above |
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Bit Depth |
16 – 24 |
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Performance |
45Hz – 20kHz |
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Signal-to-Noise Ratio |
SNR - 110dBA |
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Distortion |
THD + N – 0.030% |
|
Supported Operating Systems |
Play music from network shares on the following desktop operating systems: |
|
Free Internet Radio |
TuneIn Radio, iHeartRadio, Calm Radio, Radio Paradise, LiveXLive, Radio.com |
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Supported Services |
Spotify, Amazon Music HD, TIDAL, Deezer, Qobuz, HighResAudio (VAULT Required), Murfie, Napster, KKBox, Bugs, Taihe Music ZONE, SoundMachine, IDAGIO |
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Integration Partners |
Control4, RTI, Crestron, URC, push, iPort, ELAN, Lutron, roon, Airplay 2 |
|
Voice Control |
Amazon Alexa Skills; Actions on Google |
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Networking |
Gigabit Ethernet RJ45 |
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USB |
1 x Type-A port for connection to USB memory sticks (FAT32 or NTFS formatted) and supported peripherals |
|
Processor |
ARM ® CORTEX A9™, 1 GHz |
|
Unit Weight |
1.12 kg / 2.45 lbs |
|
Dimensions |
220 x 46 x 146 mm |
Bluesound NODE N130 and NODE 2i comparison
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|
Bluesound NODE N130 |
Bluesound NODE 2i |
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CPU Processor: |
Quad-core 1.8GHz ARM® CORTEX™ A53 processor |
1 GHz ARM® CORTEX™ A9, |
|
DAC Decoding Performance: |
32-Bit, up to 384kHz, Differential output design |
32-Bit, 192kHz |
|
Audio Input: |
Combo – TOSLINK / 3.5MM, HDMI eARC |
Combo – TOSLINK / 3.5MM |
|
Buttons: |
Simple touch panel, volume control side bar |
Simple touch panel |
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Controls: |
Built-in IR sensor – front panel, full-size glass panel |
Built-in IR sensor – front panel |
|
Audio Output: |
Analog Stereo RCA (Fixed or Variable) |
Analog RCA Stereo with FIXED option |
|
USB Port Format: |
Type-A Port for external drive connection (Fat32 or NTFS formatted) |
1 x Type-A port for connection to USB memory sticks (Fat32 or NTFS formatted) and supported peripherals |
FAQ
What is the difference between Bluetooth and AirPlay for playing music?
Bluetooth uses a compressed codec and is limited by bandwidth and encoding, so there is inevitably some loss in sound quality during the process; AirPlay streams via Wi-Fi and can stream 16bit/48kHz or even 24bit/192kHz (requires a supporting streaming device), achieving sound quality comparable to CD.
Will music cut out if I receive a phone call while using AirPlay?
No. AirPlay uses Wi-Fi to transmit data and is not monopolized by a single device; you can continue to play music using background apps during a call; AirPlay 2 also allows you to control two or more connected devices simultaneously, managing the volume and power of different devices.
What are the differences between Bluesound NODE N130 and NODE 2i?
The N130 uses a quad-core 1.8GHz ARM CORTEX A53 processor, the DAC supports 32-Bit up to 384kHz, and it adds an HDMI eARC input and a side volume control bar; the NODE 2i features a 1GHz processor and 32-Bit/192kHz support. LINKO Shop (linko.shop) has stock available, and all are Hong Kong official products.
