Bluesound PULSE FLEX
The compact mono design delivers a surprisingly full-bodied, room-filling sound, with rich vocals, taut bass, and more scale than its size suggests. What Hi-Fi? praises its detail and feature set, while Hi-Fi Choice notes its engaging bass and spaciousness, especially as a stereo pair.
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Nicely Roasted
Sound Quality
87/100
Build Quality
88/100
Value for Money
82/100
Pros
Surprisingly large, full-bodied sound for a compact speaker, with rich vocals and strong bass weight.
Excellent streaming flexibility with BluOS, including AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Roon Ready support.
Well-made, compact chassis with useful physical controls and flexible placement options.
Stereo pairing unlocks a much more convincing hi-fi soundstage.
Cons
Timing and dynamics are good, but not class-leading.
Bass can become boomy if the speaker is placed on a hollow surface or too close to a wall.
Single-speaker stereo imaging is limited compared with a true pair.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 87/100
Reviewers consistently describe the Pulse Flex as bigger and more assured than its compact size suggests, with a full-bodied, engaging presentation that still keeps its composure. The main caveat is that its timing and rhythmic snap are good rather than outstanding, and some listeners will notice a bit of boom if it is placed carelessly.
Bass
88/100
For a small 4-inch, mono wireless speaker, the low end draws a lot of praise for its reach, weight, and control. Reviewers call it decent in extension, pleasantly quick, and capable of surprising clout, though they also note it can get boomy on a hard surface or close to a wall.
Mid
88/100
The midrange is described as rich, full-bodied, and well organised, with vocals given real presence without sounding pushed forward. Reviewers also note that the bass support helps voices sound bigger and more satisfying than many speakers of this size.
Treble
86/100
High frequencies are portrayed as even and more open than before, with better freedom to reach into the treble without sounding rough. The comments are positive overall, but the reviews stop short of portraying it as especially airy or sparkling.
Soundstage Imaging
88/100
For a single compact speaker, it projects a surprisingly large and spacious presentation, with reviewers repeatedly saying it sounds bigger than expected. It is not the same as a true stereo pair, but the image is described as wide, convincing, and well sorted for the format.
Dynamics
83/100
The Flex has good drive and enough energy to stay engaging, with reviewers noting impressive clout and the ability to sound lively and room-filling. Even so, some found that timing and dynamics could be bettered, so it sounds capable rather than especially explosive.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
88/100
Reviewers describe it as well made, with a high-quality chassis, soft-touch finish, and a sealed enclosure that helps keep cabinet colouration low. There is praise for the overall fit, finish, and practical controls, though the reviews focus more on the speaker’s compact design than on long-term durability or premium internal parts.
Value for Money
82/100
The reviews respect the feature set and sound quality, but they also make clear that the asking price puts it in a crowded field with strong alternatives. One review says the price tag leaves it with ground to make up on emerging competitors, while another notes that there is no shortage of competition at the price.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
Online Reviews & Mentions
YouTube Reviews
Forum Mentions
No forum mentions found yet
Specifications
- Supported Audio File Formats
- MP3, AAC, WMA, WMA-L, OGG, OPUS
- Supported High-Quality Audio File Formats
- FLAC, MQA, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS
- DSD Support
- DSD256
- Native Sampling Rates
- up to 192 KHz
- Bit Depth
- 16-24
- Audio Controls & EQ
- BluOS Controller App
- Amplification
- Smart DSP Amplifier
- Rated Power Output
- 50W total system power10W x 1 Tweeter; 40W x 1 Woofer
- Speakers
- 0.75" (21mm) Tweeter x 1; 4" (102mm) Woofer x 1
- Speaker Configuration
- Mono
- Operating System
- BluOS
- App Controller Operating System
- iOS, Android, Windows, macOS
- Processor
- ARM® Cortex™ -A53, Quad-Core, 1.8GHz per core
- Supported Network File Sharing
- Server Messsage Block (SMB) up to 200,000 files
- Album Art Supported
- JPG, PNG
- Music Services & Internet Radio
- 23+
- 3rd-Party Integrations
- AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Roon Ready
- Control System Integrations
- Creston, Control4, RTI, Nice, URC, Lutron
- Voice Control Integrations
- Amazon Alexa Skills
- Power Supply
- Universal 2-pin AC cord input (100-240AC)
- Ethernet/LAN
- Ethernet RJ45, Gigabit 1000Mbps
- Wi-Fi Built In
- WiFi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
- Bluetooth Quality
- Bluetooth 5.3 aptX HD
- Bluetooth Connectivity
- Receive
- IR Remote
- IR Sensor Built in with IR learning
- Optical/Analog Input
- 3.5mm Optical/Analog Combo
- USB In
- Type A (Fat32, NTFS Formatted) - External Storage OnlyLocal Server Mode
- USB (other)
- USB Type C (PC input)
- Subwoofer Output
- Wireless withPULSE SUB+
- Mounting
- Wall Mount withWM100; Floor Stand Mount withFS230
- Status Indicator
- LED
- Play/Pause Button
- Center Push Button
- Volume Control Buttons
- Volume Up/Down Push Buttons
- Previous/Next Track Buttons
- Previous/Next Track Push Buttons
- Preset Buttons
- Push Buttons x 3
- Finish
- Black/Charcoal; White/Pebble Grey; White/Tan
- Network Standby
- 0.5W
- Storage Environment
- -10°C to 50°C, 20% to 80% relative humidity
- Operating Environment
- 0°C to 40°C
- SKU/Version
- P130
- Product Dimensions
- 131 x 196 x 111 mm (W x H x D)5.15 x 7.73 x 4.37 in (W x H x D)Weight:1.61kg / 3.55lbs
Manufacturer's Description — Bluesound
The Bluesound PULSE FLEX is a compact all-in-one wireless streaming speaker that brings clear, detailed sound to any room in your home. Easy to place and simple to use, it lets you stream your favorite music and discover new playlists with the BluOS Controller app. Use the PULSE FLEX on its own, pair two for stereo, or add them as surround speakers to a Bluesound soundbar for an immersive home theater experience. The choice is yours.
Feature Highlights
- Modern compact speaker that blends easily into any room or décor
- Digital amplifier and custom-tuned drivers deliver deep bass and crystal-clear sound
- Stream hi-res music from over 20 services with the BluOS Controller app
- AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, and aptX HD Bluetooth
- Three quick-access presets and simple top-panel controls
- Versatile connectivity with USB-C, Optical, and Analog inputs
- Three stylish finishes: Black/Charcoal, White/Pebble Grey, or White/Tan
- Pair two PULSE FLEX speakers for stereo listening
- Use as surround speakers with PULSE CINEMA, PULSE CINEMA MINI, POWERNODE or POWERNODE EDGE
- Optional wall-mount and stand accessories for flexible placement
Verified Dealers
Online Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Bluesound PULSE FLEX
- Holt Hill — online and in-store — Andover, Massachusetts, United States (website)
- In Living Stereo — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- Resolution A/V — in-store — New York City, New York, United States (website)
- The Music Room — online and in-store — Erie, Colorado, United States (website)
- Aalen Hifi — in-store — Schwäbisch Gmünd, Baden-Wurtemberg, Germany (website)
- Absolute Audio - Canada — in-store — Calgary, Alberta, Canada (website)
- Abt Electronics — online and in-store — Glenview, Illinois, United States (website)
- Acoustic Technologies — online and in-store — Montréal, Québec, Canada (website)
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- ALAIN CHOUKROUN — online and in-store — Paris, Île-de-France, France (website)
and 346 more verified dealers