WiiM Sound vs. Bluesound Pulse Flex: the $350 smart speaker face-off | Darko.Audio

WiiM Sound vs. Bluesound Pulse Flex: The $350 Smart Speaker Comparison

Two new smart speakers appeared on the market simultaneously in October: the WiiM Sound from China (via California) and the redesigned Bluesound Pulse Flex from China (via Toronto). Both aim at the compact streaming speaker space, catering to casual listening, multi-room setups, stereo pairing, and home theater surround sound.

Design and Controls

WiiM Sound features a touchscreen on the front and additional touch controls on top, with a squarish design measuring 146mm per side. Bluesound Pulse Flex opts for a minimalist look with tactile click controls on the top surface and a rounded, rectangular form.

Streaming Platforms and Ecosystems

Bluesound operates on BluOS, a proprietary streaming platform refined over many years and integrated into various products like Node streamers and Powernode amplifiers. Its ecosystem supports Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, and Roon Ready. The company claims to support over 20 music services within BluOS.

WiiM Sound, known for budget-friendly streaming DACs and amplifiers, takes a different approach but does not specify its streaming platform integrations in detail.

Both speakers target compact, streaming devices suitable for casual listening and multi-room use.

While Bluesound boasts a decade of product evolution, WiiM Sound is a newer entrant to the market, offering fresh design choices and touchscreen controls.

Author’s summary: The WiiM Sound and Bluesound Pulse Flex deliver distinct designs and streaming experiences, balancing established ecosystems with innovative interfaces for versatile home listening.

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Darko.Audio Darko.Audio — 2025-11-06

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