A Blast from the Past, Back in the Audio Game
Braun, a name commonly associated with electric shavers, is making a triumphant return to the world of audio. Although many people might not know this, the company’s roots lie in manufacturing radio components and audio equipment. After a hiatus since the early nineties, Braun is back with the LE series. Today, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at the LE-02, the mid-range speaker in this new lineup, and exploring its design, build quality, features, and sound performance in greater detail.
Design and Assembly
The LE-02 boasts a sleek, minimalist design that would complement any modern living space. It’s evident that Braun put a great deal of thought into crafting a visually appealing product that doesn’t sacrifice functionality. The speaker’s assembly is refreshingly simple: just snap the two stainless steel legs into the back, and you’re good to go. These legs provide a stable and stylish base for the speaker, ensuring it stays in place even during high-volume playback.
For those seeking an alternative, Braun offers a floor stand at a cool £219, but the included metal legs should suffice for most users. The floor stand offers added flexibility in terms of placement, allowing you to find the perfect spot for your speaker without any hassle.
Materials and Build Quality
The LE-02’s front grille is covered in an acoustically treated speaker cloth, which not only enhances the overall aesthetic but also ensures optimal sound dispersion. A white aluminum chassis encases the internals, adding durability and sturdiness to the speaker’s design.
Four circular lights located behind the cloth in the top right corner serve as indicators for volume level, software updates, and more, with different colors representing different functions. This intuitive system provides users with essential information without cluttering the speaker’s minimalist design.
The LE-02 is available in White or Black, with the White version offering a cleaner, more elegant finish. Both color options are versatile enough to blend seamlessly with a wide range of interior design styles.
One of the first things you’ll notice when handling the speaker is its premium build quality. The LE-02 has a satisfying weight to it, which is always a plus when investing in high-end tech. This heftiness instills confidence in the product’s longevity and performance.
Features and Connectivity
The LE series comes with built-in Chromecast, supporting over 300 streaming services, multi-room functionality, AirPlay, and Google Assistant. This extensive compatibility ensures that users can effortlessly access their favorite music, podcasts, and more. Regular software updates keep the system up-to-date and relevant, maximizing the speaker’s longevity and value.
Chromecast stereo pairing also allows you to connect two speakers for a true stereo experience, which would set you back £1890 for the complete package. This option is perfect for audiophiles looking to create a more immersive audio setup in their home.
The mobile app offers Placement EQ settings, enabling you to tailor the playback based on the speaker’s position in the room, optimizing sound for your specific environment. This feature allows you to fine-tune the audio output to account for factors like room size, furniture arrangement, and more. Additionally, the app provides manual fine-tuning options for bass and treble, allowing you to tweak the sound to your liking.
Sound Quality
The LE-02 delivers impressive audio performance across a wide range of genres. One common issue with modern speakers is an overwhelming emphasis on bass, often resulting in muddy sound. The LE-02, however, strikes a perfect balance between the lows, mids, and highs, offering a clear separation between instruments and sounds.
Our go-to playlist for testing audio equipment includes a variety of tracks, starting with “Bridge Burning” by Foo Fighters, which demonstrates how the LE-02 handles multiple layers working in harmony. This track showcases the speaker’s ability to accurately reproduce intricate details and maintain a well-balanced sound signature across the entire frequency range.
The speaker is bold and punchy without being overly loud. At full volume, the sound remains clean and undistorted, a testament to its superior quality. This level of performance is particularly impressive considering the compact size of the LE-02, which is often a limiting factor in achieving high-quality sound reproduction.
With adjustable EQ settings, the LE-02 easily adapts to various genres, from hip-hop to 80’s synth-wave, rock, metal, and even Disney songs for the kids. No matter your taste in music, the LE-02 is sure to deliver an enjoyable listening experience.
Moreover, the speaker performs admirably with other forms of media, such as movies, TV shows, and video games. The clear dialogue reproduction and immersive sound effects create an engaging home theater experience that elevates your entertainment setup.
Battery Life and Portability
Although the LE-02 is not explicitly designed as a portable speaker, it does offer a degree of flexibility in terms of placement. With its minimalist design and stable base, you can easily move the speaker around your home to suit your needs, be it in the living room, bedroom, or home office.
While the LE-02 does require a power source to function, its efficient power consumption ensures that it won’t put a significant dent in your energy bill. This energy efficiency is yet another example of Braun’s commitment to producing high-quality products that offer value to their users.
Conclusion
Braun has made a successful comeback into the audio world with the LE-02 speaker. Its minimalist design, premium build quality, impressive connectivity options, and excellent sound performance make it a worthy investment for those seeking a high-end speaker.
The LE-02’s extensive compatibility with streaming services and its ability to adapt to various genres ensure that it will meet the needs of even the most discerning audiophile. If you’re in the market for a new audio setup, Braun’s LE-02 is definitely worth considering.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Braun’s audio products or just discovering the brand for the first time, the LE-02 is sure to impress. Combining top-notch sound quality with an eye-catching design and a user-friendly interface, this speaker is a testament to Braun’s expertise in the world of audio. Don’t let its compact size and minimalist aesthetic fool you – the LE-02 packs a serious punch, making it a powerful addition to any home audio setup.
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