After almost three decades in the audio wilderness, Braun is back with a trio of new wireless speakers, the LE01, LE02 and LE03. I was sent the LE03 ahead of its release and will be publishing a full review in due course, but for the time being, here’s everything you need to know about the speaker, along with my initial impressions.
Braun LE03 hands-on review: What you need to know
Though the new LE speakers bear the Braun brand name, they’re actually made by British manufacturer Pure Audio following a licensing deal struck with Braun’s parent company, Procter & Gamble last year.
All three speakers in the LE range take direct inspiration from the original Braun LE1 created by renowned designer Dieter Rams back in 1959. Technology has come on leaps and bounds since then and the range reflects that, with the majority of the features you’d expect from modern wireless speakers present and correct.
When the LE03 is connected to a WiFi network, you can take advantage of built-in Google Assistant and Chromecast functionality and there’s also support for Apple AirPlay 2. Bluetooth connectivity is also available should you wish to connect that way and a 3.5mm AUX-in port provides the option to hook up another audio device directly to the speaker.
The LE03 is the smallest and most affordable entry in the range and delivers a mono audio experience, though two speakers can be paired together to create a stereo soundscape. Like its larger siblings, the LE03 requires a power source to operate, so can’t be used portably. It can, however, be attached to a floor stand (sold separately here) or generic wall bracket if you want to get creative with your speaker placement.
Braun LE03 hands-on review: Key specifications, price and release date
- Dimensions: 170 x 170 x 84mm (WHD)
- Weight: 1.65kg
- Custom-designed 3.5in woofer
- Full-range 1.5in balanced mode radiator drive unit
- 5 x 3in customised passive radiator
- Available in white or black
- Frequency response: 70 Hz – 21000 Hz
- 96kHz/24-bit HD audio streaming
- Quad-microphone array
- 3.5mm AUX-in port
- Chromecast built-in
- Bluetooth 4.2
- Apple AirPlay 2
- Price: £349
- Release date: 11 November
Preorder now from Braun
Braun LE03 hands-on review: Design, features and first impressions
Of the three products that make up the new LE range, the LE03 most closely resembles the original LE1 speaker owing to its square design; the two larger models are both rectangular. The speaker enclosure is crafted from aluminium and will be available in both black and white finishes, while the grille is covered in a black acoustic cloth. Build quality is top-notch and the minimalist aesthetic means the LE03 will blend in nicely to any room in which you choose to position it.
Though the look of the speaker may hark back to a bygone era, however, the technology on show most certainly does not. Google Assistant is baked-in, meaning you can control the LE03 using voice commands once you’ve uttered the “Hey Google” or “OK Google” wake words.
During my initial testing, the microphone array picked up my voice clearly and accurately, even with music playing at higher volumes. Of course, the louder your music is, the louder you’ll have to speak, but I’ve not had to resort to shouting as yet. In addition to Google Assistant, the LE03 also has Chromecast functionality built-in, providing you with an easy way to stream audio from over 300 online services, and Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity.
If you’re not a fan of voice controls, there are six physical buttons located on the top of the LE03 covering all your basic functions. These include dedicated play/pause and Bluetooth pairing buttons, along with an “action” button that engages the microphone. Last but not least, there are discrete volume up/volume down buttons, and for the times when you don’t want Google listening to your every word, there’s a privacy button that disconnects the LE03’s microphones.
Four LEDs positioned in the top-right corner of the grille clearly display the volume level of the speaker when you adjust it and go out when you’ve settled on your desired volume level. All four lights are illuminated orange when your mic is switched off, which is a nice touch.
Though I’ve not had long enough to make an in-depth judgement on sound quality, my initial impressions are largely positive. There’s ample detail in the mid and upper registers and plenty of punch in the delivery of low-end frequencies. In terms of raw power, Braun hasn’t provided an output rating but the LE03 is capable of filling a small room with ease. I did experience some distortion on a couple of tracks when the volume was maxed, though.
The LE03’s audio can be tweaked via the Braun Audio app, though customisation options are limited to bass and treble sliders on a ten-point scale from -5 to +5. Crucially, though, you can also maximise sound quality by changing what Braun describes as the speaker’s “placement profile” within the companion app. The profile options available vary according to whether the speaker is attached to a floor stand or wall bracket, or simply using its own silicone feet.
With it standing on its feet, there are five positions to choose from: “in a corner”, “on a cabinet against a wall”, “on a cabinet at least 30cm away from a wall”, “on the floor against a wall” and “in a bookshelf/alcove”. I’ve not had the opportunity to thoroughly experiment with all the profiles yet, but having tried a variety of speaker placements briefly, audio quality remained consistently impressive throughout.
Preorder now from Braun
Braun LE03 hands-on review: Early verdict
Braun faces some serious competition in the smart wireless speaker space. In the 29 years since it ceased its audio operations, we’ve seen the meteoric rise of Google and Amazon and been consistently impressed by wireless offerings from Sonos.
Having only spent a couple of days with the LE03, it’s too early to say whether Braun’s return to audio will disrupt the marketplace it helped shape. But if my initial testing is anything to go by, it’s in with a shot.
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