Today, Samsung launched the Music Frame wireless speaker in India. The speaker was launched alongside the company’s 2024 TV lineup but isn’t available for pre-order or purchase yet. While the speaker’s pricing has been revealed, Samsung is mum about its availability in the Indian market.
Music Frame pricing in India
In India, the Music Frame (HW-LS60D) wireless speaker is priced at INR 29,990 ($358). It has been listed on Samsung India’s website, but the website says it is currently out of stock. Since Samsung hasn’t launched its 2024 soundbar lineup in the country, it is possible that the Music Frame will be launched in a few days alongside the company’s new soundbars.
This speaker is bundled for free with some Neo QLED and OLED TVs from Samsung that were launched today.
Music Frame features
The Music Frame is Samsung’s first wireless speaker with a completely different form factor. It resembles a real photo frame; you can even attach printed photos to it. You can even customize the frame’s bezels to match your interior design preferences. Inside, it features a six-speaker system featuring two tweeters, two mid-range drivers, and two woofers. You can watch how it looks and sounds in our hands-on video below.
It features Active Voice Amplifier, Dolby Atmos (Dolby Atmos Music and Dolby Atmos), Dolby Digital Plus, Night Mode, SpaceFit Sound Pro (for automatic audio tuning as per the room’s dimensions and placement of the speaker), and Voice Enhancer. It even features Wireless Dolby Atmos and Q-Symphony 4.0. It can be connected wirelessly to a Samsung soundbar or TV for a more immersive audio experience.
The speaker features an optical port, Bluetooth 5.2, and Wi-Fi b/g/n. It also features wireless AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Roon Connect, Spotify Connect, and Tap Sound for audio mirroring. It can be controlled using Samsung TV’s or soundbar’s remote controller. It can be controlled using Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. It has a USB port on the rear, which can be used to connect the SmartThings Dongle (VG-STDB10A), making the Music Frame a Smart Home Hub that can control SmartThings and Zigbee devices.
Since it has built-in microphones, it supports Alexa and Bixby voice assistants.
Music Frame is ‘Roon Tested’
It is the first Samsung device with the ‘Roon Tested’ tag, which means it works flawlessly with Roon. If you don’t know what Roon is, it is an audiophile-grade music platform that integrates online and offline music. It supports Hi-Res Lossless music and advanced music routing features. Roon was acquired by Samsung a few months ago.
If you like the idea of turning on a light just by talking, here’s an affordable smart home starter bundle. For those already comfortable with the automated life, this deal will give you one more thing to control and one more receptacle for your demands. Amazon’s smallest smart speaker, the Echo Pop, bundled with a TP-Link Kasa smart bulb is now $23. The speaker goes for as much at $40 at full price, though the lowest we’ve seen it drop is $18 for Black Friday last year. The bulb has a $23 list price, but dropped to $15 a few times before. In all, the bundle marks a $40 discount off the full price and a $22 savings over the two items’ current sale prices. The Kasa bulb made the cut in our guide to smart bulbs.
Amazon
The Echo Pop goes for $40 on its own and the bulb sells for as much as $23 at full price, so this bundle represents a $40 discount off the list prices.
The larger Echo Dot speaker is also on sale, bundled with the same bulb. The set is down to $40, a 45 percent discount over buying the two items separately and at full price. Since they’re both on sale individually right now, getting the set saves you $22 over current sale prices. The Echo Dot is our top pick for a smart speaker under $50 because it puts out big sound for its size, has handy physical controls and grants access to Alexa’s helpfulness — a selling point if you prefer that assistant’s capabilities over another.
When Samsung listed the European prices for its new 2024 range of OLED and QLED TVs, we were a bit disappointed to report that a number of models were getting price hikes. As we wrote last month, there were “major jumps in some cases, well above Eurozone inflation rates”.
We also noted that some of the pressures on prices, such as materials costs, shipping costs and tech costs, were global rather than limited to the EU. So we’re not entirely surprised to see that there are some price rises in the US too to what will be the best Samsung TVs.
The new Samsung S90D costs $100 over the Samsung S90C; the Samsung QN90D is $380 more than the Samsung QN90C; and at the highest end, the 8K QN900D is a whopping $1,000 more than the Samsung QN900C. These are the official prices for the US models in Samsung’s 2024 TV range are as follows:
To sweeten the deal, Samsung is currently offering a deal where if you pre-order a 2024 Samsung TV you can get a 65-inch TU690T for free. And there’s another deal giving you a $50 Samsung.com credit if you pre-order the Music Frame. Both offers are valid through April 11 at Samsung and at participating retailers.
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Think about the last time you saw a person lugging around a Bluetooth speaker and thought to yourself, “Dang, that person looks cool. I want to listen to whatever they’re listening to!” If you have no such memory, you’re not to blame, and you’re certainly not alone. Many portable speakers are dorky hunks of plastic that are aesthetically adjacent to pleather trench coats, mall swords and TJ Maxx hoverboards. And then there are the units that actually sound good, which—with a few exceptions—rank in the looks department between perfunctory and obnoxious.
Iconic guitar amp makers like Fender, Vox, and Marshall have noticed this hole in the market and have plugged it with their own offerings. Marketed as stylish sound cubes bursting with punchy midrange and timeless rocker swag, models like the Fender Indio ($379) and the Marshall Kilburn II ($399) promised to sound just as good as they looked. Now your cool uncle who sleeps on a waterbed can blast Metallica and make jokes about turning up his Marshall to 11 while you knock back a Leinenkugels and help him change the oil in his van! But do these diminutive faux amps have the cojones to make the infamous snares on St. Anger fill the garage with crisp and clangy treble? Can their woofers be trusted to ensure that what little low-end was left in the masters of …And Justice For All is evetrn remotely audible?
In the case of the Orange Box, the aptly named entry from the legendary London-based amplifier brand Orange, the answer is a resounding yes. Clocking in at 50 watts and weighing a little over 6 pounds, this workhorse of a speaker packs a massive punch for its size. After spending a month running the Orange Box through its paces in a variety of scenarios where Bluetooth speakers are essential—kitchen prep, yard work, household repairs, bothering fellow hikers with Top 40 music at a National Park—we’ve sussed out the good, the bad, and the bothersome of this impressive little box.
Dial-a-Tone
Photograph: Orange
Stark minimalism has been all the rage since the mid-aughts, but the stripping-away of essential knobs, jacks, and buttons is a sore spot for the aging demographic that know the Orange brand better than most. Thankfully Orange’s mimicry of their beloved amplifiers yields tactile, user-friendly results in the Orange Box. With the exception of a rather standard pairing workflow, the rest of the controls on the device have a satisfying analog feel to them. Turning the volume knob up controls the actual output of the amp rather than that of the paired device. This works wonders when you’re across the room and want to control the unit remotely with a maximum volume ceiling that’s mitigated by the volume controls on your phone.
Dedicated bass and treble knobs felt like nice extras at first but became essentials after daily use. The former can add or subtract a warm thump from the low end—around the 100-Hz mark, based on our tests—while the latter can be used to either add or remove presence that hovers around 8 KHz: the sweet spot for most spoken word and singing. Having a hard time hearing a podcast in the shower? Crank the treble to 10. Guests straining to hear over your music at a dinner party? Cut the treble to create a lane for casual conversation.
One minor flaw of the Orange Box is the way it handles the crowded high end of radio-friendly pop music at high volumes. If modern producers cease to brick-wall their mixes and cram every last sonic crevasse with ear candy, then the Orange Box may eventually be up to the challenge, but until then the last era of radio hits that really shine on this speaker is the post-grunge explosion of the late ’90s. Then again, what zoomer is spending $300 on a Bluetooth speaker that looks like the amp their grandpa used to play proto-metal on during the Carter administration? Master of Puppets sounds absolutely killer on the Orange Box, and (almost) nothing else matters.
Party Time
Photograph: Orange
The Orange Box is sexy as-is, but the included leather strap doesn’t do much in making it easier to carry around town on its own. For an extra $60 you can buy a gig bag made of sturdy gray denier fabric, which results in a potent totable that looks and feels more like a soft-side cooler full of ‘Kuges than a portable amp. The bag fits snugly around the box, and a piece of cream-colored cloth covers the grill of the speaker without muffling any of the output. The top snaps in place tidily via a pair of magnets, and it peels back quickly to offer easy access to the control knobs. Side pockets keep small essentials like aux cables, beef jerky, and weed safe from the elements, but the power supply does not fit conveniently in any of the compartments.
The newly-released Sonos Move 2 speaker is on sale for 20 percent off the regular price. This is the very first discount on the speaker and brings the price down to $360 from $450. This is part of a larger Sonos sale on select products to celebrate the NCAA March Madness tournament.
Nathan Ingraham / Engadget
The Move 2 is considered a massive improvement over the original, with a jump in price to match. We called out the excellent battery life and quick-charging capabilities in our official review. Our reviewer noted that the speaker “seemed to blow past” the advertised 24 hours of battery life. There’s also a nifty charging “ring” contraption. Just plop the speaker in the middle of the ring and it’ll juice up, though USB-C charging is also an option.
Of course, this is a speaker so the sound is a primary consideration. Luckily, the Move 2 offers improved clarity over the original, with a “clear, well-balanced” sound that offers a prominent bass frequency and a detailed high end. It’s also very loud and can easily handle outdoor spaces.
There are only two downsides here. It’s technically a portable speaker, but it’s fairly large and weighs nearly seven pounds. Also, the original asking price is much higher than the first-gen Move, which has been somewhat alleviated by this sale.
The sale also includes the massively popular Beam 2 soundbar. It’s $100 off, bringing the price down to $399. The Beam snagged a place on our list of the best soundbars, due to its easy setup, compact design and fantastic sound. The aforementioned discounts are good until March 25.
I recently attended a screening of the movie Top Gun: Maverick at New York City’s House of Sound, a showcase for state-of-the-art home theater and the best stereo speakers that was constructed from the ground up by the McIntosh Group, owner of luxury audio brands such as McIntosh Labs, Sonus Faber, and Sumiko Phono Cartridges.
Film fans will know that Top Gun: Maverick won an Oscar in 2023 for “Best Sound.” At the event, Mark Weingarten, the production mixer, was on hand to share stories about his experience on the movie. Weingarten touched on topics such as working with Tom Cruise and the rest of the cast to get clean, intelligible dialogue, often as they flew in actual high-speed fighter jets with the cooperation of the U.S. military, which I’ll discuss in more detail below.
But, let’s first back up a second. The McIntosh Group’s previous product showroom and experience center, the World of McIntosh townhouse, was closed several years ago amidst the pandemic. In September of 2023, the group renamed the showroom House of Sound and relaunched it in a gorgeous new location in New York City’s Chelsea district.
The iconic McIntosh blue amplifier VU meter displayed on a TV at the House of Sound (Image credit: Future / Howard Kneller)
In the House
The 11,000 square-foot House of Sound, a “thoughtfully curated multi-sensory townhouse that highlights the group’s brands and premium audio innovations,” is a treat for the eyes and ears. It contains contemporary artwork, Baxter furniture from Italy, USM custom cabinetry from Switzerland, a high-end kitchen with Meile appliances, an elongated modern fireplace, two terraces, a swimming pool, and a finished rooftop area. Audio gear from the McIntosh Group’s brands is spotlighted, and along with the home theater there are two open reference listening areas, two intimate dedicated listening rooms, an extensive vinyl library, and a $50,000 Alpange digital piano.
When I walked into the new digs, I first saw a glass wall with a Jeep Grand Wagoneer containing a McIntosh MX1375 entertainment system behind it. After that, several other journalists and I were brought upstairs for a building tour, though I didn’t realize at the time that I had walked right by a secret passage to the theater, which is located on the ground level.
After enjoying some wine and hors d’oeuvres, I perused the various listening rooms and spaces, which contained everything from Rotel’s RAS-5000 integrated streaming amplifier ($2,999) to McIntosh’s MC2.1KW 2000-watt monoblock amp ($50,000) and Sonus faber’s Suprema speaker pair with external subwoofers and external crossover ($750,000). I soon realized this House was a place where I could spend a lot of time.
One of several McIntosh systems on display in NYC’s House of Sound (Image credit: Future / Howard Kneller)
The theater
We were soon called into the large theater, which was designed to look like one that might be located in a high-end home. The theater’s video system consists of a Sony video projector, a 204-inch Screen Research projector screen, and a Kaleidescape movie player. Audio, unmistakably the star of the show here, is provided by a 29-channel system powered by 14,500 watts that features no less than nineteen McIntosh amplifiers – nine MC611 monoblocks and ten MI502 stereo amps. The amps drive a range of Sonus faber custom installation speakers, including four installed in the ceiling. Also aiding the sonics are sixteen subwoofers, with ten located beneath the screen.
The author (left) with Mark Weingarten (right), Oscar-winning production sound mixer on Top Gun: Maverick(Image credit: Future / Howard Kneller)
Tapping into the aircraft communications systems…
David Mascioni, the McIntosh Group’s Director of Brand Marketing, and Ricky Miranda, the House of Sound’s Audio Experience Manager, welcomed the event’s attendees and introduced Mark Weingarten. As noted, since Weingarten was responsible for capturing Top Gun: Maverick’s dialogue, much of it in flight, his role in the movie was pivotal. Weingarten had done something that had not been done before by tapping into the aircraft communications systems to obtain the sound he needed. Interestingly, and to his surprise, the plane’s cockpits were almost completely quiet save for the actors’ voices, and often exasperated breathing due to intense G-forces. In several instances, Weingarten noted, the actors passed out mid-flight, although he said that Tom Cruise “loved it.”
One scene among several non-dialogue-related ones Weingarten mentioned was where a jet fighter buzzes actor Ed Harris at an extremely low altitude, causing the roof of a small guard tower to separate from the structure and momentarily lift several feet into the air. According to Weingarten, the effect was unintended and the flyover knocked numerous cast members and set workers off their feet!
House of Sound attendees ready for Top Gun: Maverick action (Image credit: Future / Howard Kneller)
Movie time
When it came time to watch Top Gun: Maverick, the experience was otherworldly. The sound field was enormous and contained rock-solid images, clean highs, crystal-clear dialogue (needless to say), and prodigious, linear, non-bloated bass that resonated throughout my body. I left thinking that, by comparison, watching a movie in a commercial theater would now be underwhelming. The McIntosh Group’s House of Sound theater allowed me to hear Oscar-caliber sound as it was intended to be heard.
I left the House of Sound under the impression that I could easily show up every Saturday evening to listen to music and watch action movies in the venue’s ultra-luxurious setting. But as it turned out, that was more than the team had in mind when they extended my invitation. Nevertheless, the McIntosh Group has created a special space where McIntosh Labs, Sonus faber, and its other brands deliver truly great home theater and music experiences. Those who love high-end sound, or even those merely curious about the House of Sound, are encouraged to make an appointment and see and hear it for themselves.
Brane Audio’s Brane X has managed to achieve the unthinkable in the mostly mundane realm of the best wireless speakers, which – to be clear – is full of models that don’t leave much of an impression. Some are good, some are okay, and many are bad. But the Brane X makes an impression.
The main way the Brane X impresses is by delivering bass output extending into the sub-bass range. That’s unheard of for a portable speaker. Still, the Brane X isn’t an ordinary portable speaker, but one with proprietary Repel-Attract-Driver (R.A.D.) technology that uses a magnet array to cancel out air pressure within the speaker’s enclosure. This allows big bass to be generated from a small woofer in a highly compact box, and it needs to be heard to be believed.
Aside from its sub-bass output capability, the Brane X comes off as a normal-looking portable wireless speaker. It has a lunchbox-like form, complete with a carrying handle, and an unassuming design. Its built-in battery carries a charge for up to 12 hours of playback time and requires three hours to fully recharge. The IP57-rated speaker is dust and waterproof, making it ideal for both indoor and outdoor use.
Wireless streaming support includes Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth 5.1. An app lets you configure bass and custom EQ settings, and it can also be used to group multiple Brane X speakers for multi-room playback. Controls to adjust volume and bass level are located on the speaker’s top surface, and there are built-in mics for Alexa voice control.
Sound quality is where the Brane X makes its mark by delivering a notably dynamic and detailed sound for a portable speaker. Hip-hop, techno, rock, and even classical music are equally well served, with the speaker’s deep bass providing a strong foundation for other layers in music mixes. Voices, in particular, sound natural – something that benefits both music and podcasts – and the Brane X also manages to convey a sense of stereo separation and depth.
The catch with the Brane X, and you probably saw this coming, is that its performance comes at a price. At $599 (around £475 / AU$915), it’s more expensive than other premium portable speakers such as the Sonos Move 2 ($449 / £449 / AU$799). That factor makes the Brane X a tough sell if you simply want a portable speaker for casual outdoor and indoor listening, but if you’re looking for one with best-in-class sound quality, the Brane X is it.
Brane X review: Price and release date
The Brane X has a lunchbox-like design with a carrying strap for toting it around (Image credit: Future)
Released December 2023
Currently available only in US
Priced at $599 (around £475 / AU$915)
The Brane X is currently sold exclusively through Brane Audio and is only available for shipment in the US. International shipments will start in late 2024 according to the company’s website.
At $599 (around £475 / AU$915) the Brane X is very much on the pricey side for a portable wireless speaker, though it has sonic tricks up its sleeve that the competition lacks. To put it in context, you can buy a Sonos Move 2 for $449 / £449 / AU$799, which gets you a portable wireless speaker with a similar feature set plus twice the battery life. You can also spend quite a bit more on the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5 ($1,099 / £899 / AU$1,950), a portable wireless speaker that generally looks similar to the Brane X, but has a more attractive design that’s typical for that brand.
Brane X review: Specs
Capacitive touch controls are located on the speaker’s top surface (Image credit: Future)
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Row 0 – Cell 0
Row 0 – Cell 1
Weight
7.7 lb. (3.5 kg)
Dimensions
6.1 x 9.3 x 7 inches (155 x 237 x 177 mm)
Battery life (quoted)
12 hours
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1
Speaker drivers
2 x 0.75-inch tweeters, 2 x 2-inch midrange drivers, 6.5 x 9-inch woofer
Streaming support
AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect
Aux-in
Yes, 3.5mm
Charger port
Power in
Microphone
Yes
Waterproof rating
IP67
Brane X review: Features
The Sonos Move 2 (at left) was used for a comparison in our Brane X (at right) listening tests (Image credit: Future)
Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and Bluetooth support
Voice control using Amazon Alexa
Built-in battery provides 12 hours playback time
Brane Audio’s Brane X streams music wirelessly via Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, and also supports Bluetooth 5.1. A Brane app is available and can be used to select low, medium, and high Bass presets for best sound (most likely dependent on where the speaker is located), create a custom 5-band EQ setting, and store speaker groups for multi-room playback on multiple Brane X speakers. There are four built-in microphones for voice control, which is carried out using the Alexa voice assistant.
The driver array of the Brane X consists of two 0.75-inch tweeters, two 2-inch mid-range drivers, and a 6.5 by 9-inch (165 x 229mm) woofer. Four class-D amplifiers are packed into the compact speaker, for a total of 200 watts of power. A built-in battery allows 12 hours of playback at a reasonable volume level, and it can be fully recharged in 3 hours.
I would be amiss to describe the bass driver in the Brane X simply as a “woofer,” since the company applies unique technology to it to achieve extended bass. Woofers in conventional speakers generate bass by moving forward and back in an enclosure. That movement is driven by the passage of magnets on the woofer’s voice coil through a magnetic field, and it affects the air pressure within the speaker.
Brane Audio’s Repel-Attract-Driver operates similarly to a regular woofer, but in this instance, additional magnets are used to cancel out air pressure within the speaker. The cancellation effect allows for the use of a smaller woofer, along with a smaller enclosure, enabling Brane Audio to generate powerful sub-bass from a lunchbox-size speaker.
Brane X review: Sound quality
The speaker’s rear panel features a power on/off button and 3.5mm audio input (Image credit: Future)
Excellent bass extension and substantial output
Well-balanced sound with natural voice reproduction
Can play cleanly at party-like volume levels
The Brane X may be compact, but there’s nothing small about its sound. After reading about this portable speaker that’s capable of not just substantial bass extension, but also substantial sub-bass output, I was ready for something different and upon first listen I got that.
Getting straight down to business, I streamed Boom by Tiësto, Sevenn, and Gucci Mane to the speaker from Tidal HiFi via AirPlay. This is a track with bass to spare, and if the Brane X could handle that, it would pass the test. I’m not exaggerating when I say that my mouth flapped open when I heard the deep, pounding bass put out by the Brane X, which wasn’t far off from what I expect to hear from a hi-fi system with a capable subwoofer. The speaker’s extended dynamic range also allowed other elements in the mix to come through clearly, especially vocals, which had a natural, unstrained quality. Pushing up the volume to, naturally, satisfy my curiosity about how loud the Brane X could play, it went up to party-like levels without distorting or sounding congested.
Radiohead’s Desert Island Disks features a spare acoustic guitar that’s played over a low, pulsing beat. On my regular portable speaker, the Sonos Move 2, that beat comes across as more of a tap. When I played the song on the Brane X, however, it had a surprising low and full quality that dynamically anchored the sound and allowed for details in vocals along with the song’s more subtle ambient elements to come across clearly.
Even classical symphonic music fared well on the Brane X. When I streamed Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition – The Great Gate of Kiev, as played by the Cleveland Orchestra, on Tidal HiFi, the tympani rolls were conveyed in an appropriately thunderous manner and the volume sweeps of strings sounded smooth and convincing. Comparing the Brane X’s performance here again to my reference Sonos speaker, the Sonos came across as comparatively flat-sounding, with no sense of low-end muscle in the percussion and double basses.
Given the Brane X’s hi-fi prowess, it seemed almost weird to set it up in my kitchen in the spot normally occupied by my Sonos Move, where it is used mainly for listening to news and podcasts. When I did, I found I needed to dial down the bass in the app for best sound in the new spot. That done, the Brane X made voices sound completely natural, with none of the strained quality that can typically be heard when listening with low-cost Bluetooth speakers. Brane Audio’s portable may have been overkill in this setting, but I certainly wasn’t eager to swap it out.
The only sonic quirk I encountered when using the Brane X was a faint level of noise when the speaker was turned on but not being used for playback. This didn’t exactly bother me, and in most cases when I had the speaker turned on it was streaming audio, which fully masked the noise, but it was there nonetheless.
Brane X review: Design
The Brane X’s bottom-mounted woofer (Image credit: Future)
Basic, unassuming design
Carrying strap for portable use
1P57-rated dust and waterproof
There’s nothing particularly fancy about the Brane X’s design. As noted in the Features section of this review, it’s about the size and shape of a lunchbox. A rubber carrying strap is attached for toting the speaker around, and the black plastic top surface contains capacitive touch controls to adjust volume and bass level, as well as toggle the microphones on and off and set up Bluetooth and Wi-Fi pairing mode. A black mesh grille covers the speaker’s full front surface and sturdy rubber feet are provided to secure the speaker and allow clearance for the bottom-mounted Repel-Attract-Driver.
The Brane X’s back panel features a power on/off button and a 3.5mm aux input for connecting sources like a disc player or turntable. You’ll also find an input here for the speaker’s large, bulky external power supply and a QR code to access the Brane Audio website. With an IP57 rating, the Brane X is both dust and waterproof, making it a solid option for a workshop and a pool party.
Brane X review: Value
(Image credit: Future)
Expensive compared to the competition
Unique among portable wireless speakers
Has sound quality to back up the high price
With a $599 (around £475 / AU$915) price tag, the Brane X is undoubtedly expensive, making other premium portable wireless speakers such as the Sonos Move 2 look like a bargain in comparison. But the Brane X sounds better and certainly delivers better bass than the Sonos Move 2, which is its top competition. There is nothing quite like it on the market, a factor that enhances its value.
Suppose you’re looking for a compact portable wireless speaker that doesn’t sound like a compact portable wireless speaker, but a regular stereo system with a subwoofer instead. In that case, the Brane X is your only option. Yes, it’s expensive, but it has the sound quality to back up the high price.
Should you buy the Brane X?
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Features
Wi-Fi, Airplay 2, and Bluetooth streaming plus built-in battery and Alexa voice control
4.5/5
Sound quality
Exceptional sound quality and strikingly deep bass for a portable speaker
5/5
Design
Basic, unassuming design, but with carrying strap for portablility
4/5
Value
Pricey for a portable speaker, but it’s no ordinary portable
3.5/5
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Brane X review: Also consider
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Brane X smart speaker competitors
Brane X
Sonos Move 2
Sonos Roam
Bang & Olufsen Beosound A5
Price
$599 (around £475 / AU$915)
$449 / £449 / AU$799
$179 / £179 / AU$299
$1,099 / £899 / AU$1,950
Weight
7.7lbs. / 3.5kg
6.6 lbs / 3kg
0.95lbs / 0.43kg
8.4lbs / 3.8kg
Dimensions
6.1 x 9.3 x 7 inches (155 x 237 x
160 x 241 x 127mm / 6.3 x 9.5 x 5 inches
2.5 x 6.5 x 2.5 inches
187 x 285 x 130 mm (h,w,d)
Battery life (quoted):
12 hours
24 hours
10 hours
12 hours
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth 5.1, Spotify Connect
Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi, USB-C
Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Chromecast
Speaker drivers
2 x 0.75-inch tweeters, 2 x 2-inch midrange drivers, 6.5 x 9-inch woofer
2x angled tweeters, 1x midwoofer
N/A
1 x woofer; 2 x midrange ; 1 x tweeter
Aux-in
Yes, 3.5mm line-in
Yes (via USB-C adapter)
No
No
Charger port
Power in
Sonos charging base or USB-C
USB-C or optional Sonos Charger
USB-C, Qi wireless
Microphone
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Waterproof rating
IP57
IP56
IP67
IP65
Brane X smart speaker review: How I tested
(Image credit: Future)
Tested with music streamed from Tidal HiFi and Apple Music via AirPlay
Used Sonos Move 2 for comparison during listening tests
Tested over several weeks of both casual and critical listening
I tested the Brane X using a range of different music genres from hip-hop to classical and also used it for everyday listening to news internet radio stations and podcasts. During my testing, which lasted for several weeks, I moved it around to different rooms in my home and also gave it a listen outdoors.
I used a Bluetooth wireless connection from my iPhone for casual listening but switched to AirPlay 2 for critical listening during my review. Most music tracks played during my test were sourced from Tidal HiFi, with some played from Apple Music. For a direct comparison with a competitive speaker, I used a Sonos Move 2, switching between both speakers using the same music tracks to make a subjective listening comparison.
My audio reviewing experience extends back over two decades, and during that time I have tested everything from full surround sound speaker systems to subwoofers and soundbars.
The Audio Pro C20 has a lot of connectivity options. As anyone familiar with the category of best wireless speakers knows, a box of drivers that’s able to harness your home’s Wi-Fi network can offer superior sound to that afforded by a Bluetooth connection, whether music is accessed via Google Cast, Apple’s AirPlay, ‘connected’ services such as Tidal Connect (which actually lets you stream losslessly in 24-bit hi-res, where AirPlay taps out at 16-bit CD quality) or a dedicated multi-room app such as the Audio Pro Control app. And the Audio Pro C20 offers all of this.
But just quickly, let’s explain why Audio Pro’s latest wireless speaker is worth your time from a technical perspective. First off, pinging music over Bluetooth from phone to speaker incurs compression. Wi-Fi’s higher bandwidth means you can listen in (very) high resolution, up to 24-bit/192kHz. Now, a Wi-Fi enabled speaker accesses your chosen tunes from the internet (or local drive connected to it) rather than from your phone itself – and if you walk into another room or take a call, as long as you stay within range of your Wi-Fi router, the music keeps playing.
Why explain this in the intro to a product review? Because Audio Pro gets it. The Swedish company’s been in the game for 40 years and the firm gets that we want more than one open gate leading to our music. Also, we now have plenty of kit we’d like to physically connect our shiny new speaker to, if possible (and thank you very much in advance). So, on top of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth streaming, Audio Pro has added to the sizeable C20 a compelling array of ports on the back: an RCA in (for turntables with an RIAA amp), a phono MM in (for moving-magnet cartridge decks without a phono stage), an RCA sub out (if you wanted to connect a dedicated subwoofer to it), a Toslink Optical in (for CD players or budget soundbars, say) and the arguably the biggest draw of the lot – an HDMI ARC in, so it can go straight into your TV and challenge some of the best soundbars. So long as it’ll fit beneath it without obscuring the screen, that is.
The grille attaches easily with magnets and offers clean lines, if you want those… (Image credit: Future)
What you need to know is this: this thing sounds fantastic, offering clarity, depth, excitement and finesse, even at higher volumes. The control app is easy to navigate and corrals all of your chosen music streaming services – but of course, you could go into each app on your phone and click the little Google cast or AirPlay icon to see the C20 ready to connect.
Audio Pro calls the C20 the complete solution for music and TV and it’s hard to argue. It’s also hard to imagine a home interior, color scheme or decor style that the Audio Pro C20 couldn’t be friends with – and the grille can remain on or easily be whipped off, if you prefer to see its three talented drivers.
The metal top plate adds an extra touch of class and the buttons click nicely, in a build that feels both reverent to traditional techniques and yet strikingly modern.
The fact that it comes from a long line of hits means it doesn’t come cheap though. I’ve written odes to Audio Pro’s beautiful speakers and I helped review the slightly smaller Audio Pro Addon C10 MkII for TechRadar’s sister site, What Hi-Fi?, so I can personally vouch the five-star rating there (and the multiple awards it subsequently gained), although I fear those likely didn’t do much to keep prices low.
In summary, it’s chic, it’s unique and it’s (virtually) the complete package. Why virtually? If you wanted a 3.5mm in for your headphones (or 4.4mm, 6.35mm, or XLR), you won’t find it – you’d have to go the the FiiO R9 for that. The C20 is for the enjoyment of shared music. And what an experience that is.
Audio Pro C20 review: Price and release date
Unveiled January 8, 2024, shipping from March 2024
$550 / £450 / €550 (around AU$820)
The Audio Pro C20 is available for pre-order now, and ships from March 2024. In the US, it costs $550 and in the UK, it’ll set you back £450, hardly a trifling sum, whatever whistles and bells it sports.
That said, the competition here isn’t much more affordable. Yes, the Q Acoustics M40 HD is (excellent and) a music system squirrelled into a set of speakers, but as far as wireless connectivity goes, it’s a Bluetooth only one. Then, there’s the fantastic FiiO R9, with all of the connectivity and hi-res wireless streaming smarts you could wish for, as long as you’ll provide your own speakers or headphones.
Sonus Faber and Naim also offer similar solutions – see the Naim Mu-so Qb, a 2019 release which doesn’t boast an HDMI ARC input, support, or the Sonus Faber Omnia, which does – but while the former is now available for similar money to the C20, the latter is a lot more expensive…
Audio Pro sports so many connections, it advises you on which to use for different kinds of turntable… (Image credit: Future)
Audio Pro C20 review: Specs
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Drivers
2x 1-inch tweeters, 1x 6.5-inch woofer
Weight
6.2kg
Connectivity (wireless)
Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz, Bluetooth 5.0, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Audio Pro multi-room
Connectivity (wired)
HDMI ARC, Toslink, RCA, Phone, Line, Sub Out
Power
190W (2x 30W and 1x130W Calss D amps)
Audio Pro C20 review: Features
Built in RIAA amplifier
Google Cast, Apple AirPlay and Audio Pro’s own multi-room audio option
HDMI ARC
By adding a phono stage to its latest masterwork, Audio Pro C20 can be plugged straight into your devoid-of-phono turntable (as long as it sports a moving magnet cartridge), allowing you to simply power it on, select ‘phono’ on the Audio Pro’s top plate, lower that needle and get into the groove. Got one of the best turntables with an RIAA amp inbuilt? That’s OK too, there’s a separate RCA line in for you too.
Of course, this is Audio Pro, so the new C20 also features the winning multi-room option triumvirate that the company introduced with the 2021-release Addon C10 MkII: AirPlay 2, Google Cast, plus its own multi-room audio capability. You also get Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth (v5.0) and HDMI ARC – so you can hook it straight up to your TV.
Thanks to a combination of these these things, you can also re-stream music (including vinyl from your turntable) to other Audio Pro speakers you may have collected from its A, C, or D-series, in a wireless multi-room system around your home (and you don’t even have to start making holes in your walls).
The C20 also offers the option of connecting an external subwoofer via its sub-out (the company would direct you to its own Audio Pro SW-5 or SW10) enabling you to enhance the C20’s bass performance even further, should you wish – although I didn’t find this necessary.
Finally, two C20’s can be set-up as a stereo pair using the Audio Pro app, or even via Apple Airplay 2. I think you’ll agree, that’s a lot of options. If you want a 3.5mm headphone jack, you won’t find it… but do you really?
Features score: 5/5
That’s a lot of options – and six presets (Image credit: Future)
Audio Pro C20 review: Sound quality
Clarity, neutrality and detail in spades
Ample bass clout without muddying the soundstage
Not an omnidirectional solution
Simply put, the Audio Pro C20 sounds very good indeed, whether physically hooked up to your TV or turntable, or when commanded to play music by your phone. You might anticipate having to make a compromise when buying a jack-of-all-trades box – a minor hit on sound in return for something that works with everything – but not so here.
Coheed and Cambria’s In Keeping Secrets of the Silent Earth: 3 accessed on Tidal Connectis a raucous proggy album and the C20 never shies away from any of it, serving indomitable energy across the frequencies in a cohesive but rigorously regimented mix.
Given delicate string progressions such as Joni Mitchell’s A Case of You, Mitchell’s textured vocal soars above her dynamically agile and three-dimensional Appalachian dulcimer (and James Taylor’s emotive acoustic guitar) where each musical passage is given enough space to have the necessary impact the track.
When handling TV content, the C20 is an easy (easy!) step up from anything my Sony TV’s speakers can do, opening out the sound and offering that extra ounce of detail through intakes of breath and clacks of high-heeled shoes on cobbles in Shetland.
It’s not a Dolby Atmos solution, of course, and the sound isn’t particularly omnidirectional (owing to the C20’s design), but there’s a wide soundstage here nonetheless.
However I listened to it across the course of my testing, the C20 continued to delight and entertain with its myriad connectivity perks, ease of use and gifted audio chops.
Sound quality score: 5/5
The remote certainly adds value – although volume adjustment is a slightly blunt affair (Image credit: Future)
Audio Pro C20: Design
2x 30W and 1x 130W digital class D amplifiers
Removable grille
Choice of three finishes
The Audio Pro C20 is available in Soft Satin White, Stylish Grey or Classic Black. The woven fabric front is fixed to the C20 by magnets and can be easily removed, giving the option of two very different looks, depending on your favored aesthetic.
I like to take off the grille off to better hear (and observe) Audio Pro’s iconic eyes-and-nose style driver configuration, as seen in the brand’s beloved T3+, C5 MkII and C10 MkII, for starters. Here, you get two 30W and one 130W Digital Class D amplifiers, powering the C20’s dual 1-inch tweeters and a 6.5-inch woofer.
At 41cm across,19.6cm high and 22cm deep (and weighing in at 6.2kg, which roughly the same as a gallon of paint), the C20 is a substantial thing and while it fits under my wall-mounted TV just fine, those thinking of using it as a soundbar will need to think about that height.
My ‘Stylish Grey’ sample is just that. The gold-tone top plate (with solo LEDs to denote which source you’re using as well as lights around the six preset buttons) also helps and while the gold accent on the grille is gone (as seen on the C10 MkII) I don’t miss it. Do I miss Audio Pro’s glorious rock ‘n’ roll leather handle? A little, but I also concede that this isn’t proposition is not meant to be especially portable.
It’s always been hard to find fault with Audio Pro’s build quality, and the C20 is no exception.
Design score: 4.5/5
You need a bit of clearance, but it works with my TV (Image credit: Future)
Audio Pro C20 review: Usability and setup
Simple, app-guided setup
App can handle your music –or not
No supplied remote
After powering the speaker on (in case it needs to be mentioned, the C20 needs to be plugged in to power at all times), you’re quickly guided to the Audio Pro companion app, which will add the C20 to your Wi-FI network and generally do the rest. During my time with it, it neither crashed nor tripped up even momentarily.
On the app, the ‘Browse’ tab (which seeks to keep your music all in one place) will open Apple Music natively through ‘open on Apple Music’ if using an iOS device, but third-party streaming services (such as Tidal) will require you to login again if going this route. You can also select the C20’s source here, whether that’s Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, phono, line in (I hooked it up to the FiiO R9 before setting it up and it did a fantastic job), optical or TV.
The central ‘Device’ tab in the app is meant to organise your speakers rather than your music, so here you can name your speaker, (either the model, or its placement in your home, such as ‘kitchen’) and with the C20 there’s a three-band EQ tab for bass, treble and subwoofer out.
The third and final ‘Settings’ tab basically lets you choose which services are displayed on ‘Browse’, as well as an FAQ section and details on the app version you’re running.
Audio Pro hasn’t supplied a dedicated remote control in the box (although if you’re using the HDMI ARC to your TV, you can just use your TV’s remote for volume) and honestly, I don’t miss it, because the app does the heavy lifting – or of course, you can use the premium top plate.
Usability and setup score: 5/5
Audio Pro’s companion app makes it really easy to group your music and your wireless speakers for multi-room audio (Image credit: Future)
Audio Pro C20: Value
Obviously, if you don’t have the expendable income to afford such a speaker, it doesn’t matter how good it is – you won’t be buying it.
That said, Sonus Faber will offer you something with a similar spec sheet that’s double the price, while Naim has an older option that offers less in terms of connectivity, but sounds excellent, for similar money (see below for a comparison of these products).
My advice? You will not be disappointed with the sound-per-pound value here.
Value score: 4.5/5
Audio Pro C20 review: Should you buy it?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Audio Pro C20: Also consider
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Audio Pro C20
Naim Mu-so Qb (2019)
Sonus Faber Omnia
Price
$550 / £450 (around AU$820)
$899 / £749 (around AU£1300) but can be found for less
$2,000 / £1,600 / AU$3,500
Drivers
2x 1-inch tweeters, 1x 6.5-inch woofer
7-driver array
7-driver array powered by a 490W amplifier
Connectivity (wireless)
2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay 2, Audio Pro app for multi-room connectivity
Ethernet (10/100Mbps), Wi-Fi (802.11a/b/g/n/ac), BLE v4.2,Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast Built-in, UPnPTM, Spotify Connect, TIDAL, Roon Ready, Bluetooth, Internet Radio
2.4GHz/5GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX HD), AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect
Weight
6.2kg
5.6kg
7.6kg
Connectivity (wired)
HDMI ARC in, Phono, RCA line in, Optical Toslink in, Sub out
Optical S/PDIF, USB 2 (type A), 3.5mm jack
Switchable phono/line in (for turntable analog devices), HDMI Arc in, Ethernet port
Audio Pro C20 review: How I tested
Tested across seven days
Used as a TV soundbar, wireless speaker, wired to the FiiO R9, wired to a turntable and as a Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speaker
Listened to a variety of music; watched three episodes of an action-packed TV show
When testing the Audio Pro C20, the only connection I didn’t use was the subwoofer out – because honestly, I really like Audio Pro’s tuning within its speakers and never felt the need to try to augment the low end.
The analogue inputs accommodated both pre-amplified and non-amplified turntables, the digital optical was used for a CD player, the line in for FiiO R9 (as a source device), my TV was hooked up to it… and, of course, Bluetooth and my home Wi-Fi network were handy for using it with my iPhone.
And then it’s the usual: listening to lots of familiar music from my reference playlist, (as well as three episodes of Shetland on TV, which I’m really into and highly recommend – yes, I know I’m late to that particular party) at a variety of volume levels, for the duration of my testing.
As a brief aside, I removed the grilles for the duration of my testing – it’s what I always do whenever possible. Why? The fewer physical obstructions between you and your music, the better…
Have you ever found yourself frustrated by the constant connection issues of Wi-Fi speakers? Or maybe tired of the never-ending cycle of app updates? We’ve uncovered the latest 2024 gadget, the Petastream S20 App-free Wireless Multiroom Speaker, which addresses these concerns. Ditch the hassle of sign-ups and passwords; this speaker offers straightforward Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to link up to five speakers simultaneously for unmatched sound quality.
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Elevating Spaces with Petastream S20: innovative tech for entertainment & communication.
The Petastream S20 speaker, with its user-friendly tech, is ideal for parties, pleasing both hosts and guests. It offers an extensive wireless range—up to 180 m/590 ft outdoors and 20-30 meters (65-98 feet) indoors, with performance depending on the environment. Its straightforward interface allows guests to easily play their favorite songs without complex setups. Party attendees won’t need to join a ‘Family group’ to use the speakers; just a simple Bluetooth connection enables music playback throughout the house, adding to the convenience and party atmosphere.
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Uncover the Features That Distinguish Petastream S20 Speaker
The S20 speaker delivers a smooth and seamless audio experience, not only by eliminating the need for complicated apps but also by featuring an intuitive one-touch panel that’s practical and user-friendly for people of all ages. This panel facilitates easy switching between transmitter and receiver modes, allowing access to all functions. With versatile connectivity options like Bluetooth 5.0, AUX-in, and compatibility with the SKAA audio transmission protocol, the S20 makes setting up your music network quick and effortless to get started.
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Source Indigogo
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The CREN MC01 is a remarkable device that has been designed to serve multiple functions, notably as a lantern and a Bluetooth speaker. This multifunctional device is not just an ordinary camping light; it encompasses eight functions and 25 lighting modes, promising a versatile and immersive experience for outdoor enthusiasts.
One of the standout features of the CREN MC01 is its ability to synchronize light shows with music. This unique feature transforms the device from a simple utility to an entertainment hub, creating a lively and dynamic atmosphere during outdoor activities. The device can produce 360° stereo sound, further enhancing the outdoor experience with high-quality audio that complements the light show.
Early bird pricing are now available for the ground-breaking project from roughly $69 or £55 (depending on current exchange rates), offering a considerable discount of approximately 30% off the typical retail price, while the Kickstarter crowd funding is under way.
In terms of lighting, the CREN MC01 boasts impressive specifications. It has a maximum brightness of 1000 lumens, a measure of light output that surpasses many conventional camping lights. Furthermore, it has a beam reach of up to 240 meters, ensuring a broad coverage area. This feature is particularly useful during night-time activities such as camping or hiking, where adequate lighting is crucial for safety and navigation.
Multifunctional camping light
The CREN MC01 also offers flexibility in terms of light exposure. Users can adjust the focus of the beam range, with options for a focused 180° exposure or a 360° light spread. This adjustability makes the device adaptable for various situations, from lighting up a specific area to illuminating an entire campsite.
The versatility of the CREN MC01 extends beyond its lighting and sound capabilities. The device comes with various mounting accessories, making it adaptable for a wide range of outdoor activities. Whether it’s setting up a light source at a campsite or mounting it on a bicycle for a night ride, the MC01 proves to be a practical companion.
If the CREN campaign successfully raises its required pledge goal and the project progresses smoothly, worldwide shipping is expected to take place sometime around March 2024. To learn more about the CREN multifunctional camping light project examine the promotional video below.
For an even more immersive experience, two MC01 units can be paired for synchronized lighting and sound. This feature enhances the overall impact of the light and sound show, creating a more dramatic and engaging atmosphere during outdoor gatherings or events.
In addition to its entertainment features, the CREN MC01 also has provisions for emergencies. It includes a powerful strobe function, which can be used to attract attention in emergency situations. Moreover, the device can emit an SOS pattern with sound, providing an additional means of signaling for help.
The device also features a colored breathing light setting, which can be used to create a serene and calming atmosphere. This feature can be particularly useful during quiet evenings outdoors, providing a soothing ambiance that complements the natural surroundings.
The CREN MC01 is a multifunctional device that offers a unique blend of utility, entertainment, and safety features. Its range of functions, from lighting modes to sound synchronization, makes it a versatile companion for various outdoor activities. With its impressive light output, adjustable focus, and emergency features, the MC01 is more than just a camping light—it’s a comprehensive outdoor solution.
For a complete list of all available special pledges, stretch goals, extra media and product specifications for the multifunctional camping light, jump over to the official CREN crowd funding campaign page by checking out the link below.
Source : Kickstarter
Disclaimer: Participating in Kickstarter campaigns involves inherent risks. While many projects successfully meet their goals, others may fail to deliver due to numerous challenges. Always conduct thorough research and exercise caution when pledging your hard-earned money.
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