BRAUN AUDIO LE RANGE - IFA 2019

Posted on 6th September, 2019
BRAUN AUDIO LE RANGE - IFA 2019

Back in July, we broke the news that Braun Audio was to make a stellar return with the reimagining of its iconic LE speakers. Now, we can bring you more details fresh from IFA 2019.  

Braun Audio is back after 28 years away from the scene and is returning with a timeless reinvention of its classic LE speakers from 1959.

The LE range comprises of three speakers, the LE01, LE02 and LE03, and will be available to purchase in black or white from October.

Braun Audio LE 

Braun Audio LE IFA 2019

Typically minimalist, the range is eye-catching without being intrusive while offering impressive performance and showcasing the rigour of German craftsmanship.

Of course, tech has moved on after almost 30 years. So, the new Braun Audio LE speakers are bang up-to-date and sport a bespoke developed DSP (Digital Signal Processing) pipeline in conjunction with high power ARM computing cores. It is then hand-tuned in Germany by a world-class audio engineering team.

Drivers

As the LE 1 of 1959 utilised audio technologies widely upheld to be the best available of the time, the reimagined LE series leverages the cutting-edge of today’s advanced audio technologies.

Balanced Mode Radiators (BMRs) used in the new LE speakers are crucial to delivering their exceptional audio reproduction.

BMRs uniquely combine wide vertical and horizontal dispersion to deliver a near 180-degree soundstage. The upshot of this is that the units are always easy to position without worrying about a sweet spot.

Braun Audio LE IFA 2019

Custom designed ultra-low-profile woofers, with powerful neodymium motors and rigid, lightweight aluminium cones, promise a highly detailed and transient bass performance aligned with bespoke passive bass radiators.

Additionally, instead of using off the shelf, motor-less, passive bass radiators, Braun’s engineering team has developed bespoke, high-mass and high-excursion items with a dual progressive linear-suspension construction for increased control and reduced distortion. Braun says all of that delivers intense and punchy bass within the LE range’s slim cabinet design.

In conjunction with the LE range’s high excursion aluminium woofers and passive radiators, the use of BMRs enables truly room-filling performance for each model of the new LE speakers.

Amps and Tech

Braun Audio LE IFA 2019

When all of those parts are put together along with the latest Class D amps, the Braun LE range is all set to deliver 21st-century audio clarity, sound dispersion and bandwidth commensurate with the timeless, slim-form LE loudspeaker design.

Oh, as these are modern speakers, the LE have multi-room functionality, as well as the ability to be wirelessly stereo paired.

Individually, when positioned in landscape mode, LE01 and LE02 will perform as perfect integrated stereo speakers. When in portrait orientation, using floor stands or wall mounts, they can be configured into a stereo pair with each speaker assuming single audio channel duties (left or right).

App

Placement EQ settings in the mobile app tailors the playback dependent on where the speaker is in the room to achieve the authentic Braun sound. The Braun Audio app also allows for additional manual fine-tuning to deliver preferred levels of bass and treble.

Braun Audio LE IFA 2019

Voice

Hang on. There's more as the LE series also offers Google Assistant built-in so you can play music, find answers on Google Search, manage everyday tasks and easily control smart devices around your home - just by using your voice.

The range features TalkTo that utilises Multichannel Acoustic Echo Canceller software so the microphones can accurately hear the your voice even with music playing.

While voice assistants offer many modern conveniences, there are times when privacy is required. So, each speaker has a dedicated privacy button that physically disconnects the microphones.

Chromecast

Finally, there's Chromecast built-in handing you over 300 streaming services.

Classic design

Each speaker’s premium machined aluminium casing is beautiful to the touch while being highly durable.

Braun Audio LE IFA 2019

Their simple, minimalist button configuration and LED sequences are intuitive and embody the perfect blend of aesthetics and utility. This considered design extends to accessories like wall mounts and floor stands, which elegantly resolve cable management and offer the flexibility of placement around the home.

Prices

LE01 - MSRP £1099/€1,0199/$1,199

LE02 - MSRP £749/€799/$799

LE03 - MSRP £349/€379/$379

Product details

LE01

Design

Dimensions Speaker: 700 (W) x 271 (H) x 99 (D)
Speaker with table-top stand: 700 (W) x 323 (H) x 159 (D)

Sound

Operating modes Single LE01 unit – Integrated stereo speaker (landscape orientation), Mono (portrait orientation)

2 x LE01 units stereo paired – Left/right channel stereo 

2 x Custom 5.25” aluminium cone high-excursion fast-transient woofers
3 x Full-range 2.5” Balanced Mode Radiator drive units
2 x Quadratic 8” x 4.5” passive bass radiators
3 x Monolithic HD class-D power amplifiers
32-bit ARM multi-core digital signal processor for high accuracy and low noise

Frequency response: 62 Hz - 21500 Hz (-6dB)

96kHz/24-bit HD audio streaming

LE02

Design

Dimensions Speaker: 480 (W) x 171 (H) x 84.5 (D)
Speaker with table-top stand: 480 (W) x 210 (H) x 131.5 (D)

Sound

Operating modes Single LE02 unit – Integrated stereo speaker (landscape orientation), Mono (portrait orientation)
2 x LE02 units stereo paired – Left/right channel stereo

Audio technology

1 x Custom 5.5” aluminium cone high-excursion fast-transient woofer

2 x Full-range 2.25“ Balanced Mode Radiator drive units

2 x Quadratic 6” x 3.5” passive bass radiators
2 x Monolithic HD class-D power amplifiers

32-bit ARM multi-core digital signal processor for high accuracy and low noise

Frequency response: 67 Hz - 20500 Hz (-6dB)

96kHz/24-bit HD audio streaming

LE03

Design

Dimensions 170 (W) x 170 (H) x 84 (D)

Sound

Operating modes Single LE03 unit – Mono
2 x LE03 units stereo paired – Left/right channel stereo

Audio technology

1 x Custom 3.5” aluminium cone high-excursion fast-transient woofer
1 x Full-range 1.5“ Balanced Mode Radiator drive unit
1 x Race-track 5” x 3” custom passive bass radiator
1 x Monolithic class-D power amplifier
Frequency response: 70 Hz - 21000 Hz (-6dB)
32-bit ARM multi-core digital signal processor for high accuracy & low noise

96kHz/24-bit HD audio streaming

Jay Garrett's avatar
Jay Garrett

StereoNET’s resident rock star, bass player, and gadget junkie. Jay heads up StereoNET as Editor for the United Kingdom and Europe regions. His passion for gadgets and Hi-Fi is second only to being a touring musician.

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