Bluesound B170S – Networked Streaming Stereo Amplifier with BluOS

Product Overview

The Bluesound Professional B170S is a self-contained networked streaming stereo amplifier that combines a BluOS network music player with a versatile power amplifier section in a compact, non-rack form factor designed for commercial installations. The amplifier delivers 2 × 80W into 4/8Ω for low-impedance speaker systems, 2 × 100W at 70V, or 1 × 100W at 100V for constant-voltage distributed audio — making it one of the more flexible single-unit solutions for small to medium commercial spaces. Up to six B170S units can be mounted side-by-side in a single 3U rack space using the optional RM160 rack shelf, creating a compact 12-channel system with six independent or grouped zones. Integrators working across hospitality, retail, corporate, and institutional projects will find the B170S a practical way to distribute BluOS streaming without a separate amplifier.

Product Description

The B170S streams directly from commercial music services — SoundMachine, Custom Channels, QSIC, SiriusXM for Business, and Tunify — as well as Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, and internet radio via wired gigabit ethernet. Hi-res audio up to 192kHz/24-bit and MQA content are supported natively. A balanced mic/line input with phantom power allows a local source or microphone to feed any zone, and a dedicated balanced subwoofer output simplifies pairing with an active subwoofer such as the BSW150. USB input enables playback from locally connected drives.

The HybridDigital amplifier technology is energy efficient with a 6W standby mode, suitable for continuous commercial operation. The form factor allows wall, shelf, under-table, or rack mounting — the B170S has no fixed orientation, giving installers flexibility in constrained spaces. Third-party control integrations include Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, ELAN, and Lutron, and the optional CP100 wall-mount panel provides local staff control of volume and presets without needing a mobile device.

Key Features

• Integrated Streamer and Amplifier — Combines a BluOS network music player with a stereo amplifier, eliminating the need for a separate streamer in each zone of a commercial installation.
• Low-Impedance and Constant-Voltage Outputs — 2 × 80W at 4/8Ω, 2 × 100W at 70V, or 1 × 100W at 100V supports both traditional low-impedance and distributed 70V/100V speaker systems from a single unit.
• Dedicated Subwoofer Output — Balanced line-level subwoofer output allows direct connection to an active subwoofer per zone without additional signal splitting or processing.
• Flexible Mounting — Installs vertically, horizontally, under shelves, or on walls; up to six units rack-mount in 3U with the optional RM160 shelf.
• Commercial Streaming Services — SoundMachine, Custom Channels, QSIC, SiriusXM for Business, and Tunify natively supported alongside Spotify, Tidal, and Qobuz.
• Balanced Mic/Line Input with Phantom Power — Accepts a microphone or line-level source for live announcement or local source injection into the zone.
• Hi-Res Audio to 192kHz/24-bit — Streams FLAC, WAV, AIFF, ALAC, MQA, MP3, AAC, and OGG from local network storage or streaming services.
• 6W Standby Mode — Energy-efficient HybridDigital amplification drops to 6W standby, meeting commercial energy management requirements.
• Third-Party Control Integration — Supports Control4, Crestron, RTI, URC, ELAN, and Lutron for seamless integration into automated commercial AV systems.

Typical Applications

• Single-zone streaming amplifier for restaurants, cafes, and retail environments
• Multi-zone systems when rack-mounted with the RM160 shelf (up to 6 zones per 3U)
• Conference rooms and boardrooms requiring combined streaming and amplification
• Hospitality spaces — hotel lobbies, bar areas, spa rooms
• House of worship distributed audio zones
• Corporate huddle rooms and small meeting spaces

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the B170S drive both low-impedance and 70V/100V speakers?

Yes. The B170S supports 4/8Ω low-impedance loads and constant-voltage 70V or 100V speaker systems. This makes it suitable for both traditional speaker wiring and daisy-chained distributed audio configurations common in commercial builds.

How do multiple B170S units work together in a rack?

Up to six B170S units mount side-by-side in a 3U rack space using the optional RM160 rack shelf. Each unit operates as an independent BluOS zone or can be grouped with any other BluOS device on the network.

Does the B170S work with the CP100 wall controller?

Yes. The optional CP100 wall-mount panel connects via PoE and allows zone staff to adjust volume, pause, and recall up to five presets without needing a mobile device or control system interface.

Is Wi-Fi available on the B170S?

The B170S is designed for wired gigabit ethernet streaming for maximum reliability in commercial environments. Wi-Fi is not included; ethernet infrastructure is recommended for commercial deployments.

What is the warranty on the B170S?

Bluesound Professional products are backed by a manufacturer warranty. Contact Creation Networks at creationnetworks.net for current warranty terms and commercial support options.