Braven 805
Braven’s outdoor speakers decide to come in out of the rain
Braven’s outdoor speakers have proven very popular, thanks to their sound quality and sturdy metal casing. The Braven 805 is a slight change of tack, as it’s primarily designed for indoor use.
Available in several colours, the 805 looks almost identical to the 850 model, but it swaps aluminium for a more conventional plastic casing. That’s obviously less sturdy, but it allows Braven to shave almost £80 off to reach a more affordable £180.
You can connect your devices to the Braven 805 using Bluetooth or a 3.5mm audio jack. The initial sound quality is good, although hardly exceptional for a speaker in this price range. However, the Braven 805 also includes a feature called ‘SRS WOW HD’ that you can use to enhance the sound. The most notable effect of this is a stronger bass that works well for dance tracks. It also creates a more expansive sound that adds a nice ‘live’ feel to acoustic tracks.
Other features include a built-in microphone and a speakerphone, and a rechargeable battery that lasts for up to 18 hours. You can use the speaker’s battery to top up your iPhone or iPad in an emergency.
There are less expensive speakers that provide similar sound quality, but the long battery life and other features help the Braven 805 to earn its keep. These attributes make the 805 a good option if you want a speaker that you can take on holiday or take outside for a BBQ when summer comes round again. Cliff Joseph
Long battery life and attractive sound make this a good choice around the house or in the garden.