NAD C316BEE V2 vs NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Detailed Comparison

NAD C316BEE V2 vs NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

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NAD C316BEE V2

Integrated Amplifier | 40 watts RMS into 8-ohms

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NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

Integrated Amplifier | 150 watts RMS into 8-ohms

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NAD C316BEE V2

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NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

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NAD C316BEE V2

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NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

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NAD C316BEE V2 vs NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Integrated Amplifier Comparison

In this review, we will be comparing two different types of amplifiers by NAD. NAD C316BEE V2 is a Integrated Amplifier speaker whereas the C 388 BluOS-2i is a Streaming Integrated Amplifier speaker.

Let's have a brief look at the main features of NAD C316BEE V2 and NAD C 388 BluOS-2i first before getting into our more detailed comparison.

Key Specs	NAD C316BEE V2	NAD C 388 BluOS-2i
Power	40 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 40 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms	150 watts x 2 channels into 8 ohms and 150 watts x 2 channels into 4 ohms
Amplifier class	Class A/B	Class D
Damping factor	200	—
Built-in DAC	No	Yes
Phono input	Yes	Yes
Headphone output	1/4	1/4
Bluetooth	No	Yes
Weight	5.50kg / 12.1lbs	11.25kg / 24.8lbs
Dimensions (H x W x D)	3-1/4" x 17-1/8" x 11-5/16" 83.0mm x 435.0mm x 288.0mm	4-3/4" x 17-1/8" x 16-5/8" 121.0mm x 435.0mm x 423.0mm

What size room are the NAD C316BEE V2 and NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Amplifiers good for?

The size of the room in which you are planning to use these amplifiers is an important decision factor. Here we have compared their suitability to various sizes of environments considering their max power parameters:

Listening Environment	NAD C316BEE V2	NAD C 388 BluOS-2i
Near-field	Good	Are you nuts?
Small Room	Good	Bad
Mid-size Room	Average	Poor
Large Room	Poor	Good
Very Large Room	No way	Good

C316BEE V2 and C 388 BluOS-2i are members of NAD's Classic series of speakers. Below you can find the loudspeakers from this series.

NAD Classic Series History

Model	Watts RMS (8-ohms)	Minimum Impedance	Built-in DAC
NAD C316BEE V2	40 watts	4-ohms	No
NAD C 389	130 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 399	180 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 388	150 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 368	80 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 328	40 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 368 BluOS-2i	80 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 700	80 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 338	50 watts	4-ohms	Yes
NAD C 3050	100 watts	4-ohms	Yes

The sections below take each area in turn: power output, inputs and outputs, features and physical size.

**This post contains affiliate links, and we will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking through our links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Reasons to choose NAD C316BEE V2 over NAD C 388 BluOS-2i

MSRP Price(*)	499USD vs 2,049USD	costs less (*prices may change depending on the seller, location and time)
Total Analog Inputs	5 vs 2	More options for connecting Analog sources
Base Surface Area	1252.8cm²/ 194.2inch² vs 1840.1cm²/ 285.2inch²	takes less space in your room
Height	83mm vs 121mm	Easier to fit in smaller spaces

Reasons to choose NAD C 388 BluOS-2i over NAD C316BEE V2

Watts into 8-ohms	150 watts vs 40 watts	Delivers higher power into 8-ohms speakers
Watts into 4-ohms	150 watts vs 40 watts	Delivers higher power into 4-ohms speakers
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD)	0.009% vs 0.03%	Less Harmonic Distortion
Buil-in DAC	Yes vs No	Connect digital sources without an external DAC
Bluetooth	Yes vs No	Stream music via Bluetooth devices
Optical Digital Inputs	2 vs No	More options for connecting Digital sources
Coaxial Digital Inputs	2 vs No	More options for connecting Digital sources
Preamp Outputs	Stereo RCA vs No	Connect a powered subwoofer or second amplifier.
Apple AirPlay	Yes vs No	Compatible with Apple Devices with AirPlay
Apple AirPlay 2	Yes vs No	Compatible with Apple Devices with AirPlay 2
Roon	Ready vs No	Roon Compatibility
BluOS	Yes vs No	Compatible with BluOS Wireless Ecosystem

Inputs and Outputs

The input and output selections that are offered is an important factor when comparing two amplifiers. Here you can find how the I/O selections of the NAD C316BEE V2 and NAD C 388 BluOS-2i differs from each other.

NAD C316BEE V2 Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 5
Phono Input

NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Inputs

Total Number of Analog Inputs: 2
Phono Input
2 Optical Digital Input
2 Coaxial Digital Input
Ethernet Port

NAD C316BEE V2 Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

Outputs

1/4 Headphone Output

Outputs

Stereo RCA Preamp Outputs
1/4 Headphone Output

NAD C 388 BluOS-2i Back View (Click the image for the larger version)

What's in the Box of NAD C316BEE V2?

Here are the items that are included inside the box of C316BEE V2:

Integrated amplifier
Remote control (AMP 4)
CR2025 3V battery
Owners manual
Warranty information

What's in the Box of NAD C 388 BluOS-2i?

Here are the items that come with the C 388 BluOS-2i:

Hybrid Digital DAC Amplifier
6-feet AC power cord
MDC BluOS 2i module (pre-installed)
2 Antennas
Remote control (SR 9)
2 AA batteries
USB/WiFi dongle
Antenna
41-inch USB extension cable
Quick Setup Guide
Mounting Instructions
Warranty Information