Lack of Bass when Connected to the Ethernet port on router vs Bluetooth

Answered
Paul Roberts

1.  This is a new Blusound Power Node 2i.   I have the CAT 5e cable from the Bluesound Node 2i connected directly  to the router Ethernet port.  I run a Comcast Router supporting a DVR, Roku, and a wireless Channel box on a different TV.  All were off except the DVR which is always on.  The router has gigabit Ethernet ports.

2.  The voices and instruments are crystal clear and accurate. I am using the high Definition Deezer streaming service.  (Best Audiophile Quality Account). 

3. I can connected with Bluetooth and I get acceptable Bass.  I have a Samsung Phone running latest Android OS and using Tube Amp Pro to enhance the sound. (Nice).  The EQ is flat.  The voices have more body, fullness. 

4.  With Ethernet,  all functions work great, the sound is clear and when not playing or between tracks the Node is dead silent.  The Voices have a lack of body, fullness but clear.  Sliding the bass increase in the Blue OS app only makes the bass sound muddy, not clear and not low.  No Punch to it.

6.  With a 45 year old Pre-amp, and Power amp connected to a $15 Chrome cast device running Deezer the same as I am doing with the Bluesound the Bass was much better, deep, low bass, punch, and mid range sound was more full but not as clear as the Bluesound.  The detail is not as good in the mid-range and treble. (Instrument detailing). separation is also not as good.

7.  The Power output of the Power Node is good.  Is very loud, clear and have not got it past half way for Ethernet.  

8. With Bluetooth there is punch to the bass I can feel and hear. Low deep resonating Bass with Bluetooth while not loud, is there. 

9. I have connected a 100w powered Sub woofer to Bluesound Power Node Sub out jack  to see if I can get sufficient bass. It helps but does not get loud enough to matter much.  Playing with the Bluetooth and sub is better but the sub output is not loud.  With the home theater system when this same sub is turned up shakes the room.  

Question - Why am I lacking low end Bass response?    Why is the sub output weak?  Is there something I am missing?  Thanks!

 

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Comments

5 comments

Date Votes
  • Official comment
    Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Paul

    Ethernet has nothing to do with it. 1s and 0s are 1s and 0s. In your Audio Settings of the Powernode, select With Sub-Woofer to divert <80Hz output from the mains then adjust the hardware volume output of your sub-woofer appropriately. Bluesound DACs are designed to be neutral. What you are hearing in other DACs are a tendency or bias towards bass.

  • Paul Roberts

    Wow!  Fast response!  Thank you!  :)  I have tried the "Speakers with sub-woofer setting. That did not help much and not impressive at all.   I did not notice any other adjustment in the Blue OS.  The test for the Sub was with an older Sub that only has a volume adjust, no Bass cut off frequency for it. 

    If the bass cannot get better when on Ethernet then I will be sending it back.  That would be a shame because it is a nice box.  I may need to go with an integrated amp that has tone controls with the Node 2i.  I was expecting better over all performance with this unit.

    Thanks again.

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  • Tony W.
    Product Support Manager

    Hi Paul

    Again, the way a Bluesound Player is connected to your home network does not affect audio decoding. The issue you are encountering has to do with your audio system connections. Adjust the volume settings of your external sub-woofer. Review their documentation and adjust the phase and external volume accordingly.

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  • MaRoTi

    I may be wrong but it sounds like you've got one speaker running in phase and the other one out of phase, check your wiring for polarity.

     

    Kind regards, 

    Robert.

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  • Paul Roberts
    Thank you very much for your concern.  I am slowly carefully replacing all of my older audio electronics. I did have the cables connected correctly unless the internal connections in the Bluesound were reversed.  I suppose anything is possible.    It cost my $65 from Crutchfield to return the  Power Node II.  I really did want it to work out. .  I am a former Electronics Technician of 14 years and do know about phasing.  I was a component level field technician troubleshooter.  
     
    Since the time of having the demo with the Powernode II I have tested and purchased an HD Player from Innuous.  The sound is outstanding from this unit even with the built in DAC.  The support I have received has been good so far but the work around to get Deezer working has not been something I have tackled again.  I am disappointed they do not have their own application like you do.  I am happy with the high quality of the unit and it burns CD's flawlessly, silently and quickly. 
     
     I  borrowed  a Shiit Saga II  plus and a Shiit Bifrost DAC from a friend.  I never heard such great quality come from my system.  The color coding on my cables are connected in the same manner to my power amp.     I did not purchase the Shiit from my friend because I am an older guy and want to push a button for everything to work and don't want to fiddle with getting up to change volume, inputs, Bass Treble,ect...
     
    It could be a fluke that the refurbished unit I received might not have been up to par with the normal Bluesound units?   
     
    There is a disappointment with the Innuous Player is that it does not directly support Deezer for streaming and at this time they do not have their own streaming application like Bluesound has.  The Bluesound application was great, easy to use and supported everything.  I may still want to purchase a Node 2i  Just for the ease of not hassling with the Orange Squeeze player option and having to switch between UPNP and Roon Core.
     
    You have a good product and my expectations are high.  From what I have read in the audio circles I may want to purchase the bifrost DAC from my friend if I get the Node 2i.  The software you have to support the product is the best selling feature that will sell me. 
     
    Thank you for taking the time to touch base.  I am still running the Crown SL-1 and  PL-1 which is still sounding great after 40yrs.  I have been drooling over the Yamaha AS1100 , AS2100 line of integrated amps.  I will need to demo one. 
     
    Thank you for caring and  taking the time to touch base.  It is nice to see a company like Bluesound that cares enough to create a relationship with customers.  
     
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