The 600, 625s and 650 is the complete line up in the BRAVEN SIX series line up. All three are built with the same specs, (i.e. speakers and technology), but each comes with its own unique features that make each one very different from one another. We will go a little more into details later on. The good people at BRAVEN were so kind as to send us a BRAVEN 625s, the middle child of the line up that’s said to be “a shock resistant high fidelity audio speaker, speakerphone & mobile phone charger built for the outdoors”. Let’s get started then.
 Whats In The Box
- BRAVEN 625s wireless speaker
- 40†USB to micro USB cable
- 24†3.5mm audio cable
- UL approved wall power adapter
- Quickstart card
- Water resistant dry bag
- USB Flashlight
- Lanyard
DESIGN
The BRAVEN 625s speakers are built unlike any other unit and designed to stand out. The exterior case is built of a black rubber-like material that makes the unit shock absorbing and perfect for outdoor activities. This 6.3 in x 2.5 in x 1.8 in speaker can truly take a beating. We dropped the unit from 6 ft off the ground hitting a hard floor surface that did absolutely nothing to the unit. On the front and rear of the speaker, is the grill that protects the 6w speakers and comes in ether a Gray or Summit Green color. The grill allows just the right amount of sound and is engineered to perfect acoustic dynamic. The unit is lightweight but packs a sound-quality punch.
Inside this housing, you will find two 3w speakers facing the front of the unit and passive sub-woofers facing the rear.
 
The sides where all your controls are, are black with black buttons. The only lights you will see are when you’re checking the battery level, and a flashing or solid light when you slide the power button on.
FUNCTIONALITY
The BRAVEN SIX series is more than just a portable Bluetooth speaker with the ability to charge your phone. It has a built-in speaker phone functionality and add-on LED Flash Light.  The 1,700 mAh rechargeable battery inside the 625s unit gives you enough juice for approximately 16 hours of playback time via Bluetooth at medium volume. If you plan to charge your device, the charge amount can vary, mostly due to level of charge in the BRAVEN and the type of device you are charging. On a fully charged 625s, you should be able to achieve anywhere from 70% to 90% charge. With its line out feature, you can not only daisy-chain BRAVEN speakers together but give any sound system with audio in function a Bluetooth Function (i.e. car stereo).
SOUND QUALITY
Being not only a tech geek but a music major, sound quality is something I look for. Most low end speaker units are set with a flat equalized sound quality; the BRAVEN SIX line, from my personal observations, is set with a bass kick equalization with a rich sound. Inside the unit, you will find a pair of 3w speakers to deliver 6w of total power (unlike other units we have reviewed with 2w power behind it). The speaker phone left much to be desired, though. However, overall sound quality far exceeded what I expected. The sound can fill any room, car or tent.
EASE OF USE
There is nothing complicated about the BRAVEN SIX line of speakers. Both buttons and USB ports are split in functionality. On the left, are your “IN” connections and features. On the right, are all the “OUT” features that allow you to charge a phone or connect the LED flashlight and connect another device directly with a 3.5mm cable (that is included). The “ON” function is a switch rather than a button, as with most Bluetooth units, making it easy to know when the unit is on or off. Pairing the unit is also very easy; Holding down the call button for 3 seconds allows any Bluetooth-enabled device to pair with it in a matter of seconds.
WHAT WE LIKED
The BRAVEN 625s is sleek and rugged-looking and turns heads everywhere. Its shock-proof  tag lived up to its statement and is also very pleasing for outdoor adventurers and parents of small kids who think everything is a toy. It’s easy-to-use features make it great for any kind of end user. The size and weight of the unit makes this a true portable unit and packs a rich sound quality punch that most Bluetooth speaker units fall short of. Also, there is no need to memorize a series of different flashing lights or complicated multi-button commands; Hold the volume up key for 3 seconds to change your track forward, volume down key for 3 seconds to go back. Easy. It’s simple to use and lives up to its expectations.
WHAT COULD BE WORKED ON
No matter how great any device or unit is, there is always something that end users would like to change. This unit, like with every Bluetooth unit I’ve tested, lacks in its phone call capabilities. Most people I’ve talked with over the unit stated that I sounded like I was “far away” and sometimes it was hard to hear my voice at all. This may be due to the lack of noise cancelling technology, as far as I could tell, or maybe mic placement. I searched and was unable to locate the mic. Knowing where it’s located could help fix this issue so users know where to direct their voice to.
OVERALL
The BRAVEN 625s is sure to turn heads where ever you put it. The slick design and sound quality is something that anyone can enjoy with multiple devices, whether they are Bluetooth enabled or not. With a price tag of $179.99, it may not be in everyone’s price range but worth every last cent.
BRAVEN has two other versions of the SIX series also available. The BRAVEN 600, which we have reviewed, has all the same functions as the 625s, but is not shock proof. It does not come with the LED Flashlight, lanyard or water proof bag. It also comes with a smaller battery only packing 1400 mAh and a smaller price of $149.99.
The Final of the three, is the BRAVEN 650. This is the top of the line model and looks similar to the 600. It comes in a more stylish and professional silver color. This model includes enhanced APTX wireless audio, and while we at AndroisSPIN haven’t heard it ourselves, we can image it sounds a little bit better than the 600. The 650 also gets another battery boost with a 2,000 mAh battery inside that offers up to 20 hours of playback time. You can snag the 650 for $189.99.
Feel free to place your order for the one that suits your needs and lifestyle below. For more information about each version, head over to Braven.com.
