Bluesound Introduces New Generation Node and PowerNode Hi-Res Multiroom Streaming DAC and Amplifier

Bluesound has announced a new generation of its best-selling Node Wireless Hi-Res Multi-Room Music Streamer and PowerNode Wireless Hi-Res Multi-Room Streaming Amplifier. The upgrades include new DAC designs, more powerful quad-core processors, and touch panel controls with presets and proximity sensors, while the PowerNode now offers substantially more power. Both feature an easy-to-clean satin finish in either black or white.

Voice Personal Assistants are grabbing the AV industry’s attention for multiple applications. At CEDIA 2016, voice control is one of the hot topics, and Amazon’s Alexa Skills Kit (ASK) and the Alexa Voice Service (AVS) are allowing developers to build new capabilities for Alexa and integrate Alexa into their own products. Lutron announced Alexa integration with its control systems allowing users to adjust the lights, shades and temperature simply using voice commands.

Founded in 2002, Sonos is now present in more than 60 countries, and already supports dozens of streaming music providers. Still, the company’s networked home sound systems have remained a closed-garden concerning software and remote control integration. Now, Sonos wants to change all that and announced new partnerships with Amazon for voice control, a new level of software integration with Spotify, and control integration with AV control manufacturers such as Crestron, Lutron, Savant, Control4, and iPort, among others.

Whole-home audio integration is getting smarter. Lighting management systems specialist Lutron announced a new level of integration with Sonos distributed music systems. Lutron’s new Pico Remote for Audio allows direct control of Sonos’ Home Sound System, which can now be incorporated into any Lutron Residential Lighting Control System. But wireless control is just the start. According to Lutron, “the balance of light and music creates harmony and has the power to transform and transport us.”