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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
JOIN IN THE DISCUSSION
Want to share your opinion or get advice from other enthusiasts? Then head into the Message
Forums where thousands of other enthusiasts are communicating on a daily basis.
CLICK HERE FOR FREE MEMBERSHIP
Trending
applause awards
Each time StereoNET reviews a product, it is considered for an Applause Award. Winning one marks it out as a design of great quality and distinction – a special product in its class, on the grounds of either performance, value for money, or usually both.
Applause Awards are personally issued by StereoNET’s global Editor-in-Chief, David Price – who has over three decades of experience reviewing hi-fi products at the highest level – after consulting with our senior editorial team. They are not automatically given with all reviews, nor can manufacturers purchase them.
The StereoNET editorial team includes some of the world’s most experienced and respected hi-fi journalists with a vast wealth of knowledge. Some have edited popular English language hi-fi magazines, and others have been senior contributors to famous audio journals stretching back to the late 1970s. And we also employ professional IT and home theatre specialists who work at the cutting edge of today’s technology.
We believe that no other online hi-fi and home cinema resource offers such expert knowledge, so when StereoNET gives an Applause Award, it is a trustworthy hallmark of quality. Receiving such an award is the prerequisite to becoming eligible for our annual Product of the Year awards, awarded only to the finest designs in their respective categories. Buyers of hi-fi, home cinema, and headphones can be sure that a StereoNET Applause Award winner is worthy of your most serious attention.