CES 2015

The BRV-PRO is: rugged, manly, ready for adventure, and has solar charging. Interestingly, most of those attributes also apply to me. But I digress. The new BRV-PRO is one of many portable Bluetooth speakers. But it is differentiated by its family of modular attachments that add to its utility and fun.

The BRV-PRO certainly looks the rugged part, with aluminum top and bottom, and beefy industrial design throughout. It also claims 20 hours of battery life from its internal 2,200 mAh battery, which supports its beyond-the-AC-outlet look. It is also IPX7 waterproof/drop-/dust-resistant rated. Most interesting is its ability to stack accessories using connectors on top. There is a 2,800 mAh battery pack, a LED “glow plate” lantern, GoPro mount, stacking plate, wireless charging pad, and a folding solar panel.

Using the stacking plate, multiple BRVs can be stacked on top of each other; a Braven rep said he had done four high, and more should be possible. As with many speakers, you can use it to charge your mobile device while out in the wild. It is impossible to evaluate sound quality on the show floor; I'll let you know if the BRV-PRO's sound quality merits a more in-depth review.

MSRP for a basic BRV-PRO is $150, and the accessories will cost between $30 and $50 each. The kit and kaboodle will be available in Q2.