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Cambridge Audio’s Evo One is the closest complete-system alternative to the PSB iQ2. It combines amplification, a multi-driver speaker array, streaming, HDMI eARC and a moving-magnet phono stage in one cabinet. The PSB iQ2 instead uses two separate powered speakers, so it provides conventional left-right placement without an external amplifier.
If you want to choose your own passive speakers, look at the Naim Uniti Nova or Bluesound POWERNODE. Those are premium streaming amplifiers, not complete speaker systems: the speakers are a separate purchase. No available source establishes a controlled sound-quality winner, so the practical choice comes down to cabinet format, inputs, streaming platform, room layout and vinyl priorities.
What the PSB iQ2 actually includes
The iQ2 is a powered stereo pair. Each cabinet contributes to a left-right soundstage, while the electronics, DAC, amplification and network playback are built in. The speakers communicate with each other over a low-latency wireless link, so you do not need a speaker cable between them.
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PSB lists 270 W of total system power, a 64 Hz–20 kHz on-axis response at ±3 dB and a 35 Hz -10 dB low-frequency cutoff. Inputs and playback paths include moving-magnet phono, HDMI eARC, optical, BluOS and Bluetooth aptX Adaptive. PSB says the BluOS app can reach more than 20 services and control playback in one room or across multiple rooms.
#1 Best Overall
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- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
The iQ series was announced on June 23, 2026. Its compact dimensions and rear-facing bass port are important practical details: placement close to a wall can affect bass, and the two-cabinet layout needs shelf or stand space on both sides of a television or listening position.
Alternatives at a glance
| System | Physical format | Amplification or power figure | Speakers included? | Inputs and streaming highlights | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSB iQ2 | Two powered stereo speakers | 270 W total system power | Yes | MM phono, HDMI eARC, optical, BluOS, Bluetooth aptX Adaptive; more than 20 services through BluOS | Someone wanting a compact stereo pair with BluOS and no separate amplifier |
| Cambridge Audio Evo One | Single-cabinet all-in-one system | 700 W Class-D amplification | Yes | 14 drivers, 32-bit/192 kHz DAC, MM phono, HDMI eARC, optical, local USB, Wi-Fi and Ethernet; TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music through Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Roon Ready | The strongest one-box replacement for a system of separates |
| Naim Uniti Nova | Streaming amplifier for passive speakers | 80 W per channel into 8 ohms | No | Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Qobuz, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL and UPnP; HDMI plus analog and digital inputs | A premium control and amplification hub for a separately chosen speaker pair |
| Bluesound POWERNODE | BluOS streaming amplifier | 80 W per channel in the cited generation announcement | No | BluOS multiroom and HDMI eARC | A modular “just add speakers” system for buyers committed to BluOS |
These power ratings come from manufacturers and are not directly comparable measures of loudness or sound quality. Speaker sensitivity, room size, listening distance and the exact generation of a product also matter.
Cambridge Audio Evo One: the closest complete-system substitute
The Evo One is the most direct alternative when “all-in-one” means one enclosure containing the electronics and speakers. Its 14-driver array is powered by 700 W of Class-D amplification, and Cambridge specifies an integrated 32-bit/192 kHz DAC. A moving-magnet phono stage, HDMI eARC and optical input cover the sources most often used in a living room. Local USB media, Wi-Fi and Ethernet add options for files and network reliability.
Streaming support is broad rather than tied to a single service: Cambridge lists TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Qobuz, Deezer, Amazon Music via Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Google Cast and Roon Ready status. Multiroom playback can use Google Cast, AirPlay or Roon.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Where it differs from the iQ2
- One cabinet versus two: the Evo One concentrates its drivers in one enclosure. The iQ2 lets you position separate left and right speakers, which can produce a more conventional stereo geometry when the room allows it.
- Placement: the Evo One is naturally suited to a television console, shelf or cabinet with a single footprint. The iQ2 needs two stable positions and a clear wireless path between them.
- Streaming architecture: the iQ2 and POWERNODE use BluOS, while the Evo One combines Cambridge’s platform with Cast, AirPlay and Roon options. Check that your preferred service and control method are supported before buying.
- Vinyl: both systems specify an integrated MM phono stage, but no controlled comparison establishes that one is better.
Who should choose it
Choose the Evo One if you want the fewest boxes, need TV connectivity and phono in the same unit, and do not want to select passive speakers. It is a different acoustic format from the iQ2, so do not treat its larger amplifier rating or driver count as proof of superior sound.
Naim Uniti Nova: a premium hub for your own speakers
The Uniti Nova is an amplifier and network player rather than a powered-speaker system. Naim rates it at 80 W per channel into 8 ohms and lists HDMI connectivity alongside analog and digital inputs. Its network options include Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Qobuz, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, TIDAL and UPnP.
Because the Nova does not contain speakers, you must budget for a passive pair, speaker cable and suitable placement. That separation is its main advantage: you can choose speakers for the room, appearance, sensitivity and tonal balance, then replace those speakers later without replacing the streaming amplifier.
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- You already own passive speakers you like.
- You want to audition several speaker designs before committing.
- You expect to upgrade speakers independently from the electronics.
- You prefer a traditional component arrangement rather than a single integrated cabinet.
The Nova is not a drop-in replacement if your requirement is “open the box and have a complete stereo pair.” Its value is flexibility, not a reduced component count.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Bluesound POWERNODE: the modular BluOS route
The POWERNODE is a BluOS streaming amplifier designed as a “just add speakers” system. The cited generation announcement specifies 80 W per channel, BluOS multiroom and HDMI eARC. Like the Nova, it requires a separate passive speaker pair.
For an iQ2 owner, the appeal is ecosystem continuity: BluOS can remain the central control and multiroom platform while you select speakers that suit your room. You should confirm the exact POWERNODE generation before relying on the power figure or assuming a particular input set, because the announcement covers a specific generation rather than every product sold under the name.
Trade-offs versus the iQ2
| Consideration | iQ2 | POWERNODE system |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker purchase | Included powered stereo pair | Passive speakers required |
| Room flexibility | Two cabinets can be separated | Depends on the passive speakers selected |
| Streaming platform | BluOS | BluOS |
| TV connection | HDMI eARC listed | HDMI eARC listed for the cited generation |
| Upgrade path | Limited to the integrated speaker system | Speaker upgrades do not require replacing the amplifier |
Choose by the problem you are trying to solve
“I want one box and no separate speaker purchase”
Start with the Evo One. It is the only alternative in this comparison that combines a complete speaker system, amplification, streaming and the listed physical inputs in one cabinet. The iQ2 also arrives as a complete system, but its two-cabinet stereo arrangement is the defining difference.
“I want real left-right separation in a compact system”
The iQ2 is the natural format match because its left and right cabinets can be placed apart. The Evo One can simplify furniture placement, but one enclosure cannot be positioned like two independent speakers. The sources do not establish a universal room-size recommendation, so measure your available width and listening position instead of assuming one format is always better.
Rank #4
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“I already own, or want to choose, passive speakers”
Compare the Nova and POWERNODE. Select the Nova if its listed protocol mix and inputs suit your devices and you want a premium amplifier with broad network support. Select the POWERNODE if BluOS multiroom is central to your household and you are comfortable verifying the exact generation and adding speakers separately.
“My television is the main source”
All four paths address TV use differently. The iQ2 and Evo One list HDMI eARC directly. The cited POWERNODE generation also lists eARC. The Nova lists HDMI connectivity, but the exact HDMI feature set should be checked for the model and region you are buying. Use the television’s eARC-capable HDMI port and confirm that the cable and TV settings support audio return before diagnosing a product as faulty.
“Vinyl is more important than streaming”
The iQ2 and Evo One both specify MM phono inputs. A TechRadar review published July 10, 2026 described the iQ2 as energetic and engaging through most inputs but found its phono presentation less lively than its other inputs. That is one reviewer’s observation, not a controlled comparison. If vinyl is your priority, audition the built-in stage with your cartridge or plan for an external phono stage after verifying that the connection level and cartridge type are compatible.
Streaming and multiroom compatibility
Streaming support is not interchangeable across ecosystems. The iQ2 and POWERNODE are BluOS products, while the Evo One lists several independent connection methods and the Nova lists a different set of protocols.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
| Platform or protocol | iQ2 | Evo One | Uniti Nova | POWERNODE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BluOS | Yes | Not stated | Not stated | Yes |
| AirPlay 2 | Not stated | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| Spotify Connect | Not stated in the supplied specifications | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| Qobuz | Not stated in the supplied specifications | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| Roon Ready | Not stated in the supplied specifications | Yes | Yes | Not stated |
| Multiroom method | BluOS | Google Cast, AirPlay 2 or Roon | Protocol support listed, but a multiroom method is not specified here | BluOS |
“Not stated” means the supplied specifications do not establish support; it does not prove that a function is absent. Check the exact firmware, service region and app requirements before purchase, especially if several household members use different streaming services.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to plan placement and connections
For the iQ2
- Measure two stable positions with a clear path between the cabinets and enough clearance for the rear-facing bass ports.
- Place the speakers symmetrically around the listening position where possible, keeping the tweeters at a similar height.
- Connect the television to the listed HDMI eARC input, or use optical if eARC is unavailable.
- For a turntable, use the MM phono input only when the turntable’s output and cartridge are compatible with an MM stage.
- Join the speakers to your network, open the BluOS app and confirm that both channels appear before adding rooms or services.
For the Evo One
- Choose a single shelf or console that can support the cabinet without blocking the television’s remote sensor or ventilation.
- Use HDMI eARC for a compatible TV; reserve optical for a television or source that does not provide eARC.
- Connect a turntable to the integrated MM phono input, or use the appropriate line-level connection when the turntable has its own phono preamp.
- Use Wi-Fi for convenience or Ethernet when a wired network is preferable for the installation.
- Select the streaming method that matches your household—native service connection, Cast, AirPlay or Roon—and verify multiroom behavior before permanently routing cables.
For the Nova or POWERNODE
- Choose passive speakers whose impedance, sensitivity and power handling suit the amplifier and room; those details are not interchangeable between speaker models.
- Connect the speakers with the correct polarity and leave enough ventilation around the amplifier.
- Attach the TV through the supported HDMI connection, then configure the television’s audio output for external speakers.
- Install the relevant control app, connect the amplifier to the network and test playback before hiding cables.
- For the POWERNODE, verify the exact generation’s inputs and output behavior; for the Nova, confirm that your preferred service and control protocol are supported.
What the published specifications can and cannot tell you
Power figures describe amplifier output under stated conditions, not how loud a system will play in your room. The iQ2’s total-system rating cannot be compared directly with the Evo One’s amplifier figure because the products use different cabinet counts, driver layouts and rating conventions. Likewise, the Nova and POWERNODE figures describe amplifier channels without including speakers.
The iQ2’s frequency-response figures are useful as a stated specification, but they do not reveal dispersion, distortion, bass behavior near walls or maximum clean output. The Evo One’s driver count does not predict stereo imaging by itself. A meaningful choice therefore combines the published connections with physical layout and an audition when possible.
Independent listening evidence and its limits
The available independent review is of the iQ2, not a head-to-head test. TechRadar’s July 10, 2026 review characterizes the system as energetic and engaging through most inputs, while noting a less lively phono result and drawing attention to the compact enclosure and rear bass port. Those are listening impressions from one review, not laboratory measurements or proof that the alternatives sound better or worse.
There is no cited controlled comparison of the iQ2, Evo One, Uniti Nova and POWERNODE. Treat claims of a definitive sonic winner with caution unless a source provides matched-room measurements or a properly controlled listening test.
Buying checklist
- Format: decide between two powered speakers, one cabinet or an amplifier plus passive speakers.
- Speaker inclusion: remember that the Nova and POWERNODE require a separate speaker purchase.
- TV connection: confirm HDMI eARC, optical or the exact HDMI capability you need.
- Vinyl: verify MM cartridge compatibility and decide whether the built-in phono stage is sufficient.
- Streaming: match every important service and control protocol to the product’s stated support.
- Multiroom: keep rooms on the same ecosystem when synchronized playback matters.
- Placement: measure cabinet width, speaker spacing, wall clearance and network access before ordering.
- Generation: check the exact POWERNODE version and current firmware documentation.
- Evidence: use specifications for compatibility, not as a substitute for a controlled sound comparison.
- Availability: current prices, stock, territory and retailer terms were not established here; check local listings at the time of purchase.
Manufacturer intent
At the iQ series launch on June 23, 2026, PSB product manager Mack Tommy said: “There is a growing segment of customers that want true high-fidelity sound without the complexity of traditional separates, and iQ is our answer to that shift.” The statement explains the product’s target audience and design rationale; it is not independent performance evidence.
Verdict
For a premium, complete system that replaces most separates while retaining phono and TV connectivity, the Cambridge Audio Evo One is the clearest alternative to the PSB iQ2. Pick the iQ2 instead when a separated stereo pair and BluOS are more important than a single cabinet. Choose the Naim Uniti Nova or Bluesound POWERNODE only when you deliberately want a streaming amplifier and are prepared to select passive speakers separately. The right decision is therefore a format and compatibility decision, not a claimed sound-quality ranking.
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