Sound QualityThe Braven VALE has fair overall sound quality. What little bass there is has little impact is subdued and deep bass is lacking. Midrange is thin, somewhat hazy, grainy and a bit metallic sounding. Treble is subdued, smeared and upper treble is muted. Doesn't do a good job of recovering room ambience and is somewhat congested. Provide adequate listening volume for a small room but best for near field listening.
Versatility
Versatility is fair. It's a monophonic speaker, which lacks multi-room support and lacks stereo pairing support with another Braven Vale. Wireless: WiFi supports only 2.4Ghz band and unlike most models in our ratings this unit lacks Bluetooth. Communications: Lacks support for calling, texting and messaging. Digital Assistant Muting: Has a dedicated button to disable the digital assistant by muting its microphones. Audio Connections: Lacks analog audio inputs or output. Audio Tailoring: Lacks user Bass and Treble tone controls. OS Support: Android and iOS. Other connections and features: None. Display: None. Streaming by voice command: Supports voice command of many common streaming services such as Amazon Music, Pandora, Spotify, Tune-In and iHeart Radio. Voice ID: Lacks support to setup voice identity using this speaker, although it can use a voice print stored in a user's Amazon account trained from an Amazon speaker. This feature allows the account holder to access personal information with their "voice print".
Ease of Use
Overall ease of use of the Braven Vale is very good. Wireless setup: Setup requires an app downloaded to a device, easy but not intuitive - need instructions may be included in app, may or may not involve inputting Wi-Fi network password, and account setups. Bluetooth: Lacks Bluetooth. Console controls: Volume controls are prominent and well labeled with a non persistent numerical display of volume level which is easily repeatable via verbal commands and easy to actuate. Audio mute: Lacks audio mute controls. Microphone mute: Well marked, well placed, with clear indication when it is engaged. Source selections: App can switch between wireless sources. App remote: The volume control is prominent as a volume slider which lacks index markings so not easily repeatable, but easy to actuate. Mute: Well marked, but not prominent. Voice transport controls: Natural language control of transport (Play/Pause/Skip/Mute), volume controls and source selection was easy and intuitive.
