Bluesound Powernode N331 + Argon Forus 55 Set, Black (Set)

The Hi-Fi set made of the Bluesound Powernode N331 and the Argon Audio Forus 55 is a complete streaming stereo system: an all-in-one streaming integrated amplifier with BluOS and a pair of 2.5-way floorstanding speakers, matched to each other in black.

Two deliveries, one evening – that's all it takes. Connect the speaker cable, put the BluOS app on your phone, done. If you've been listening through the TV or a single smart speaker so far, you'll probably sit in silence for a moment at the first track. That's exactly what sets are for: so the parts complement each other instead of holding each other back.

Why this Hi-Fi set?

Because the math works out. The third-generation Powernode N331 delivers 2 × 100 watts at 8 ohms from a DirectDigital power stage with gallium nitride transistors – Argon recommends amplifiers between 50 and 120 watts for the Forus 55, and the 4-ohm impedance likes an amplifier accustomed to low-impedance loads. The Forus 55 is no inflated bookshelf speaker in disguise: both 5.25-inch paper cones work together in the bass, but only one runs all the way up to the 3000 Hz crossover point. That brings extra cone area in the low end without two drivers getting in each other's way in the midrange – and a lower cutoff frequency of 45 Hz.

What you hear

A wide, stable stereo image with foundation, rather than sound from a single box. Vocals sit center, bass comes from the room, not from the furniture. BluOS serves as the source with over 20 music services, internet radio and your own files on the network; plus AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready and Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX HD. The TV connects to the Powernode via HDMI eARC, and for quiet evenings there's a 6.35 mm headphone output up front with THX-AAA amplification. And when a second room joins in, you simply expand the system with more BluOS players.

Who is this set for – and who isn't it for?

Ideal if you want a fully grown, streaming-capable stereo system with one order and have no interest in hunting down components individually. Straight talk: the Forus 55 has its bass reflex port at the back and needs 20 to 30 centimeters of clearance to the wall – in a very small room or pushed right up against the wall, that won't work. There's no phono input, so a turntable needs a separate phono preamp. And if you're after multichannel home cinema, this is deliberately the wrong place: this is honest stereo, expandable at most with a subwoofer.

Our verdict

A set with no showing off: powerful enough for larger rooms, tidy enough for the sideboard, and in five years you'll at most swap the amplifier – the speakers stay. Which layout your room allows and how long the cables need to be is something we're happy to work out with you at HD Zürisee in Wädenswil, by phone, WhatsApp or email: +41 44 680 22 00, 076 534 22 00 (text only, no calls), shop@hdzuerisee.ch.

Technical data

Bluesound Powernode N331

• Type: streaming integrated amplifier with BluOS
• Power stage: DirectDigital (Class D) with gallium nitride transistors
• Output power: 2 × 100 W at 8 Ω; 3 × 80 W at 8 Ω in three-channel mode
• Dynamic power (IHF): 265 W at 4 Ω, 140 W at 8 Ω (peak power, not continuous)
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 102 dBA
• Total harmonic distortion (THD+N): 0.005%
• Resolution: 16–24 bit, up to 192 kHz, DSD256
• Formats: FLAC, MQA, WAV, AIFF, MPEG-4 SLS, MP3, AAC, WMA, OGG, ALAC, OPUS
• Network: Gigabit Ethernet (RJ45), Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), dual-band
• Bluetooth: 5.2 with aptX HD, bidirectional
• Services: AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready, BluOS with over 20 music services
• HDMI: 1 × eARC
• Analog and digital inputs: 1 × RCA analog, 1 × Toslink optical, 1 × 3.5 mm combo
• USB: 1 × Type A for storage, 1 × Type C as PC input
• Subwoofer output: 1 × RCA, alternatively wireless to the Pulse Sub+
• Output level: adjustable, volume is controlled on the device; no separate line or preamp output is available
• Headphone output: yes, 6.35 mm stereo with THX-AAA amplification
• Phono input: not available
• Room correction: Dirac Live Ready, software license and measurement kit optional
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 220 × 70 × 190 mm
• Weight: 1.9 kg
• Finish: black, matte

Argon Audio Forus 55 (pair)

• Design: passive 2.5-way floorstanding speaker, bass reflex with rear port
• Tweeter: 1″ soft dome with neodymium magnet
• Woofer/midrange: 2 × 5.25″ paper cone
• Frequency range: 45–20,000 Hz (± 3 dB)
• Crossover frequencies: 1500 Hz / 3000 Hz
• Impedance: 4 Ω
• Sensitivity: 88 dB
• Recommended amplifier power: 50–120 W (manufacturer specification)
• Connection: single-wire, gold-plated terminals
• Enclosure: MDF, magnetic front baffle
• Finish: Black
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 17 × 86 × 26.6 cm
• Weight: 12.2 kg per speaker
• Included: Bluesound Powernode N331, 2 × Argon Audio Forus 55, power cable, Ethernet cable, Toslink adapter, magnetic front covers, documentation; speaker cable not included

Frequently asked questions

Which Powernode is included in this Hi-Fi set?

The Powernode N331, the third generation. It delivers 2 × 100 watts at 8 ohms and brings HDMI eARC, an RCA input, Toslink, USB-C and a 6.35 mm headphone output. The smaller Powernode EDGE is not part of this set – it has less power and fewer connections.

Is 2 × 100 watts enough for the Forus 55?

Yes, with headroom to spare. The Forus 55 runs at 4 ohms and reaches 88 dB sensitivity; Argon recommends amplifiers in the range of 50 to 120 watts. The N331 sits right in that range and stays composed even at higher levels, because its power stage is used to low-impedance loads.

Can I connect the TV to the set?

Yes. The Powernode N331 has an HDMI eARC input. You connect it to the matching port on the TV, keep controlling volume via the TV remote as before, and listen to movies, series and sport through the Forus 55 – a clear step up from the TV's built-in speakers.

Do I need a streaming subscription for this set?

No. Internet radio, music files from NAS or USB stick, Bluetooth and TV sound all work without a paid service. A subscription with Qobuz or Tidal is an option if you want to stream in high resolution – it isn't a requirement for operating the set.

Why buy this Hi-Fi set from HD Zürisee?

Because with a set, how the pieces work together matters, not the sum of two spec sheets. Our experienced team tells you honestly whether room, wall distance and seating position fit, sets up BluOS and multiroom, and stays reachable afterward – with Mauri as our own technician for setup and service.

Goes well with

For the final stretch of signal path you'll find matching cable, for movie nights a subwoofer, and for late hours a pair of headphones. Small parts for setup sit under Accessories, more combinations are shown under Hi-Fi Sets, and the whole brand under the Bluesound collection.