The folks at Native Union have been known most recently for a wide selection of high-end charging gear for Apple and Android devices. We’ve loved a number of their recent releases as a nice break from the usual offerings on Amazon.
Now, Native Union has departed from its bread and butter for a new collaboration with the French audio brand La Boite Concept. This new, and rather unique speaker, combines a sleek design with high-end brass and walnut materials. Taking it even further is the inclusion of a hidden storage box that keeps your cable and other gear out of sight. Oh, and it has an optional Qi charger too. Whew. More details below.
The new PR/01 speaker from Native Union has that bespoke look about it, setting itself apart from the flood of plastic and bright colors that is seemingly dominating the market at this time. Native Union has been making unique accessories for a while now, but you can see the influence from La Boite Concept really shine through on the materials selected. We’re talking hand-picked walnut sourced from “the finest locales” along with solid brass accents that are a welcome addition versus the usual plastic knobs we’re used to.
Native Union goes all in on the marketing speak here, claiming that its new audio device isn’t just filled with good looks but also packs sound that’s “close to that of a real orchestra.” Whether true or not is yet to be seen, but kudos have to be given here on breaking away from the traditional recycling done by audiomakers in recent years.
More than a simple speaker, PR/01 provides multiple options for audio-in and is compatible with existing and future technology. Its concealed drawer houses charging ports, wireless charging compatibility, and cables that can be fully customized to build your own personal solution.
Opening the hidden drawer reveals various inputs and USB charging ports. That’s two USB-A and one USB-C, to be exact. There’s also audio inputs available as well, in case the wireless game isn’t your preference.
Back to that Qi charger. Native Union’s Drop Wireless Charger, a $60 add-on, can be integrated with the PR/01 speaker for wireless charging on top if needed. It’s an extra purchase but a pretty sleek feature if you’re making this device a cornerstone of your setup. There’s no word if a lower-priced alternative from Amazon will work as a replacement for Native Union’s own.
Those interested in the new Native Union PR/01 speaker will have to venture to the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It’s currently selling there as a United States exclusive with a $799 price tag.
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