Bluesound Flex 2i sound quality improvement coming in future ?
Hello,
I am new to the forum so please excuse me if i am touching upon the already discussed topic. I have recently looked into updating my average age Yamaha RN-602 stereo receiver with something smaller and more user friendly (one remote for TV was mandatory) and have a hi-fi oriented sound quality. I am using Dynaudio Emit M20 speakers.
So I went to a hi-fi dealer and bought 2 amps - the Powernode 2i (basis its excellent reviews) and a SONOS Amp (basis the fact that I already have a SONOS One Gen2 in my kitchen and was planning to get another one for a stereo pair).
I was switching between 2 amps for couple of weeks, and as much as i was trying to convince myself to keep the SONOS Amp, Powernode 2i just was 2 if not 3 steps further in sound reproduction almost at all times - much more separation in instruments, more neutral and accurate sound that SONOS Amp was basically not able to achieve. So I ended up keeping Powernode 2i for my Dynaudios, returning the SONOS and also agreeing on some compromises (i.e. if you want Powernode 2i to play flawlessly, you need to be careful with placement of your router/hotspot to avoid cracks and pops in the sound).
Now, after the pre-history, my current issue arises - since I kept the Powernode 2i, I went and bough the Flex 2i, hoping it will blow out SONOS One as its almost double the price, and also nicely integrate into my new ecosystem. And to my surprise - it did not happen. Flex 2i plays very boxed, with almost no soundstage and it feels like someone just covered it with a piece of cloth, not allowing the sound to open up. Played a bit with tone controls, and increasing the treble helped a bit. Now, when I used Tidal connect and switch between SONOS One and Flex 2i - SONOS, while not able to outperform the FLEX 2i in volume, just outperforms it in the overall roundness and depth, has a bigger image and overall just sounds better to my ears (and to almost everyone I gave a demo to). Not to say that FLEX 2i sounds bad, it just feels like the amp inside it is missing some tuning to open up a sound.
As i am so much tempted to get another FLEX 2i for a stereo in the Kitchen as well as be able to make a surround for movies occasionally in my main system, I am somewhat discouraged by the sound , as I prioritize that.
My question: is there any near future firmware release planned that includes the sound tuning in the FLEX 2i or maybe a new product planned replacing FLEX 2i ? I do think and feel the potential in that speaker.
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