FEBRUARY 2020 MACWORLD 103The cabinet port on the back is joined by
the AC power receptacle, a USB port that
provides power for portable devices, and
a 3.5mm analog-audio input. The connections
can be covered with a small door when not
in use.reviewed Urbanears’ Baggen and
Stammen Wi-Fi speakers in May 2018 [go.
macworld.com/bagn].)
FE ATU R E S E T
The Rålis is quite substantial, measuring 7.7
x 7.2 x 5.4 inches (H x W x D) and weighing
in at a hefty 6.2 pounds. A thick canvas
carrying handle lets you schlep it
anywhere, though it’s fairly bulky and
heavy, making it somewhat less
convenient than other models. Its simple,
streamlined visage epitomizes classic
Scandinavian design, and its IPX2 water-
resistance rating means it will survive a bit
of splashing.
Behind metal grilles within a rear-
ported cabinet, two 2.0-inch mid/tweeters
are powered by 5 watts each, and one
4-inch woofer gets its own 10W amp. One
mid/tweeter faces forward, while the other
one faces rearward; the woofer faces
forward with a port on the back. The
frequency response is specified from
50Hz to 20kHz (no tolerance given).
The Rålis uses what Urbanears calls a
“Blumlein technique,” which is based on
the work of audio pioneer Alan Blumlein.
The onboard DSP compares the left and
right channels of the incoming stereo
signal and identifies similarities and
differences between them. It optimizes the
common and difference signals separately
before mixing them together.
Interestingly, the front and rear mid/
tweeters emit different sounds, but they
aren’t simply the left and right channels of
the original stereo signal. According to
Urbanears, “The two signals coming out in
the front and back differ from each other in
a much more complex way.” As a result,
“The sound is not only different and
bigger, it is also more versatile for outdoor
usage and life on the road. There are no
sweet spots here; this product gives you a
true 360° sound experience where any
angle is the best angle.”
As a portable speaker, the Rålis battery
provides more than 20 hours of play time
on a full charge. Even better, charging