Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module

In order to expand the Dali Sound Hub as the central component of the Dali EQUI Wireless Platform with audio streaming based on BluOS, the corresponding streaming module is now available in a new generation as the Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module.

The Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module provides the latest generation of the expansion module that adds BluOS-based audio streaming to the Dali Sound Hub. This transforms the solutions of the Dali EQUI Wireless platform into extremely flexible hi-res audio streaming systems.

Not only can music from various sources be played directly via the active speaker systems from Dali Speaker A/S, they can also be used in combination with other BluOS-based systems and conveniently controlled centrally.

BluOS one of the most flexible streaming platforms

BluOS is currently considered one of the most exciting streaming platforms on the market. Responsible for this platform is the technology company of the same name, which is a subsidiary of the Lenbrook Group. The Lenbrook Group also includes renowned hi-fi companies such as the Canadian company NAD Electronics, where BluOS was first developed and used in corresponding streaming solutions. As a result, another subsidiary of the Lenbrook Group was founded, Bluesound International, a company that is primarily dedicated to the development of streaming solutions in the high-end consumer segment. The company Bluesound Professional, as the newest division, also belongs to this group, whereby, as the name suggests, streaming systems based on BluOS are developed for the custom installation sector.

Dali Speaker A/S as the first BluOS partner

The spin-off of BluOS into a separate developer forge was to be seen in the sign of the optimal marketing of the platform, the aim was to win new partners for it. One of the first partners was the Danish loudspeaker specialist Dali Speaker A/S, which designed its first Wireless Active Speaker, the Dali CALLISTO C Series, based on BluOS.

Dali Sound Hub as the central component

From the very beginning, the basis of the Dali CALLISTO C Series was the Dali Sound Hub, a central interface for the Wireless Active Speaker System, which on the one hand established the connection via radio to the active speakers themselves, but also has connections for source devices and an integrated Bluetooth module.

In addition, there is the option to expand the functionality of the Dali Sound Hub by means of expansion modules, first and foremost a module based on BluOS was available for this purpose.

In one fell swoop, the Dali CALLISTO C Series was transformed into an active loudspeaker system that was completely “wireless”. The signal transmission between the hub and the speaker is done via radio, the music playback via network, in the simplest case via WiFi, whereby one can not only directly access one’s own content up to Hi-res audio, but also countless streaming services.

Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module

With the now available Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module, the latest generation of this streaming module is available as an extension for the Dali Sound Hub, although it has to be said that this is not a revolutionary new version, but rather an update in details.

To put it simply, the latest generation of this interface has now been brought up to the level of the latest generation of Bluesound Wireles Multi-room Music Systems.

As before, the Dali Sound Hub can be integrated into the network via WiFi and network interface using the Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module, and two USB ports are available for the direct connection of corresponding storage media. If you connect a USB stick or a hard disk here, you can also play content directly.

Via the network, you can first access the contents of a central network storage solution, a so-called NAS (Network Attached Storage), whereby this does not work via UPnP, but quite simply via SAMBA.

The system supports audio streaming up to 24 bit and 192 kHz and all relevant data formats are supported. The playback of content encoded in lossy MQA is also possible.

Control is via the BlueOS Controller App, which is available for Apple iOS and Google Android, as well as for Apple macOS and Microsoft Windows. This app is clearly one of the best on the market when it comes to overview, ease of use and, last but not least, performance.

With the help of the app, an entire multi-room audio streaming system can be controlled on BluOS-compatible solutions, whereby up to 64 zones are supported. Individual components can also be grouped, and the spectrum ranges from small all-in-one speakers to soundbars, streaming clients, stereo integrated amplifiers, AV receivers and solutions for professional installation environments.

A great strength of BluOS is that it supports all relevant streaming services, as well as Internet radio and podcasts.

Apple AirPlay 2, TIDAL Connect and Spotify Connect

The new Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module is now equipped for Apple AirPlay 2 and also supports TIDAL Connect as well as Spotify Connect.

This ensures that Apple Music can be used directly and that neither TIDAL nor Spotify have to be accessed via the BluOS App, but that the active speaker systems from Dali Speaker A/S can be selected for playback directly from the corresponding App.

Dali EQUI Wireless Platform

As already mentioned, the Dali Sound Hub is the basis for the new Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module. The smaller version, the Dali Sound Hub Compact cannot be upgraded as it does not have any slots for optional modules.

The Dali Sound Hub is the central interface for the entire Dali EQUI Wireless Platform and can therefore be used as the basis for the solutions of the Dali CALLISTO C Series, Dali RUBICON C Series and Dali OBERON C Series.

The new Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module is expected to be available in specialist shops later this year. The recommended retail price is € 499,-.

Getting to the point

The new Dali BluOS NPM-2i Expansion Module is the latest generation of the expansion module with BluOS for the Dali Sound Hub and thus the central interface of the Dali EQUI Wireless Platform. With this new generation, Dali Speaker A/S brings the module up to date with the latest BluOS, making the solution just as ready for Apple Ai,-rPlay 2 as it is for Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect.