The Bluetooth gurus at Braven announced today another addition to its already loaded line-up of portable speakers, unveiling the new Braven 710. Boasting an aircraft grade aluminum enclosure crafted in Braven’s signature minimalist style, the 710 bears a striking resemblance to its siblings, appearing to be yet another metallic block of sound to add to the prodigious bloodline. But the latest member of the family hosts a bevy of spoils beneath its mild-mannered exterior, including an IPX5-coated shell for water resistance, and an impressive array of features that make the 710 one of the most alluring of the series we’ve seen yet.
The 710 seems to be the amalgamation of all of Braven’s best features, packed into one handsome portable. While it retains the sleek, bullet-shaped body of the 600 and 650, the addition of IPX5 coating and rubberized protective shells at the sides make it a much better candidate for your rain-soaked outdoor adventures. Like the water resistant Braven BRV-1, the 710’s command center is protected by a removable plate, guarding the speaker’s Aux In and Aux Out ports, a USB port for charging your smartphone, and a
battery indicator with 5-array LED.
Thanks to its ample set of connections and advanced audio resolution with the inclusion of the APTX codec, the 710 should work well as a go-between from your transmission device to a stereo, making any stereo system wireless. A muting feature kills sound on the speaker as well, so you only hear your home theater while using the function.
As for the sound of the speaker itself, Braven promises superior sound reproduction via the speaker’s “HD audio drivers,” which are likely set in the same dual active driver configuration with sympathetic passive radiators as the 710’s predecessors. The speaker also includes the option of pairing two of the units for discrete stereo channels, a welcome feature that’s becoming more prevalent in the portable speaker market these days.
Other features for the new 710 include an estimated 12-hour battery runtime, a built-in speakerphone with noise cancellation, a more sturdy rubber base pad than its siblings, NFC technology, and a trio of color options including blue, silver and graphite.
Keeping in line with the rest of the Braven clan, the 710 is a bit more pricey than most speakers in its class, offered at $170. But with a rugged, water-resistant design, reams of features, and, hopefully, that premium Braven sound, the 710 is poised to become a worthy competitor in the ubiquitous field of entry-level Bluetooth speakers.
We got a pair of Braven 710 for review this morning. Check out our unboxing and hands-on video below.
