Bluetooth speakers are increasingly turning into constant companions rather than the occasional tagalongs they used to be. As a company that knows more than a thing or two about portable speakers, Braven has noticed this, and that knowledge is reflected in the company’s newest addition to its Active Series line of speakers, the 405.
Fitting in somewhere between Braven’s 105 and Balance speakers, the 405 aims to provide a balance between portability and the sound the company’s speakers have become known for. While we haven’t had the chance to hear it yet, the 405 definitely ticks the right boxes for portability, offering up to 24 hours of play time.
“The multipurpose functionality, ease of transportation, quick access to smartphone charging, and unmatched playtime are some of the reasons why our team loves the 405 and the Active Series speakers,” Braven marketing director Kristin Archer said in a statement. “The Active Series line offers the durability of our rugged, outdoor speakers while maintaining a light and sporty look. The 405 is a great addition to the series, as its small enough to fit in your bag but loud enough to make a statement.”
The durability Archer refers to includes the 405’s IPX7 waterproof rating, which makes it an excellent companion for a trip to the beach or pool. The body of the speaker is covered in antislip silicone, and a built-in kickstand allows it to sit upright almost anywhere without the listener needing to worry about knocking it over too easily.
For those looking to use the 405 more for business than for pleasure, it features support for hands-free calling. The same 2,100 mAh battery that powers the 24-hour playback time can also be used to charge a mobile device thanks to the included full-sized USB port.
The Braven 405 series speaker is available now in black, alpine, electric, sunset, raspberry, periwinkle, and energy color choices, and sells for $80. For more information on the speaker or the entire Active Series line, see the Braven website.
Instagram is making its way to yet another screen, and this time, Apple TV is getting a taste of the Reels rabbit hole. The company has launched a dedicated Instagram app for Apple TV, bringing Reels, longer videos, and live shows to the big screen. So, if watching one quick clip on a phone somehow turns into an hour of scrolling, there's now a much larger screen for that.
Instagram brings Reels and more to Apple TV
Audio-Technica, a brand well known for making some of the best studio and professional headphones on the market, has just come out with the ATH-AWX7000, which the company itself claims to be its "finest headphones ever." The new flagship closed-back headphone has debuted at an eye-watering price of $3,799. It combines hand-finished Japanese woodwork with a newly developed 58mm driver.
The earcups are made from Kiso cypress, a prized wood historically used for Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. Each housing is finished by hand with traditional Echizen lacquer, which brings out the grain and is expected to darken over time. The frame and sliders are finished in a deep navy kachi-iro shade traditionally associated with samurai.
This post is brought to you in paid partnership with Best Buy.
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