Pure Classic Aura review

Forgive us if this conjures memories of a shameless uncle’s attire at a cowboy-themed family party, but the Pure Classic Aura shares the same surprise reveal as a pair of cheekless jeans.

From the front, its sleek wooden chassis and studded mesh give the impression of smart, minimalist conventionalism, while from the back its strip of disco-style ambient lighting screams “party time” eccentricity.

Living up to both its ‘Classic’ and ‘Aura’ monikers, then, it’s the portable Bluetooth speaker epitome of the strictly professional, straight-laced worker who, to the shock of their colleagues, does nothing but let their hair down on the weekends.

Build & design

This kind of money typically buys you a portable Bluetooth speaker that has been designed to be chucked in a bag or on a backseat to accompany you on your travels, such as the Award-winning JBL Flip 7 and four-star Bose SoundLink Flex.

The Pure Classic Aura, however, has the dimensions and design most deserving of a desk or kitchen worktop, though its lightweight build (just shy of 2kg), removable rubber carry strap and, of course, its built-in battery allow it to be easily moved between rooms or even residences.

An IPX2 rating means it should survive being briefly sprayed with water at an angle, so that should inspire confidence in the product’s durability if your ideal speaker spot just so happens to be near the kitchen sink.

The super-soft, rounded-cornered wooden oak chassis frames a front-dominating white studded mesh grille (a coffee brown/walnut combination is also available). The Pure Classic Aura straddles the retro/modern aesthetic as confidently as Travis Scott-edition Nike high-tops, and we like its smartness and simplicity.

That’s somewhat at odds with the relative density of the top-panel button arrangement, which sports no fewer than 12 buttons. They reflect the speaker’s various features, extending beyond the typical playback and input controls (grouped on the right-hand side) to the less typical EQ and lighting selections (on the left).

Their presence is just as well really, considering this Pure speaker doesn’t offer an alternative means of control. The absence of a companion app is a somewhat refreshing, sensible omission considering the basic product type, although even the smallest of bundled remotes would have been welcome to allow for across-the-room adjustments. At least you have your phone (or other Bluetooth audio source) for basic music playback control.

If we’re being picky, we would’ve also preferred a bigger or more premium-feeling (both might be a stretch at this modest price) volume dial – anything, really, to lessen its resemblance to a painted milk carton lid.

Features

Let’s finally address the lighting. It isn’t the first time we’ve seen AV or hi-fi hardware adopt a disco-light alter ego – Philips has its Ambilight technology for its TVs, while Sony and JBL spring to mind as keen producers of the lit-up ‘party’ speaker.

The Classic Aura’s implementation enables eight small circular LEDs to shine ten colours through a half-ruler-width, rear-facing panel, creating an attractive halo of coloured light behind the speaker that can be most appreciated when the unit is placed near a rear wall.

Its jazzing up of the speaker’s immediate vicinity is slightly at odds with the unit’s minimalist physicality, but the hues are nice and soft.

The colours can be projected singularly and statically, or together and dynamically ‘in time’ with the music playing. The latter has disco vibes and is good fun, although take its designed synchronicity with a pinch of salt. Play The National’s Weird Goodbyes, and for some reason the steady beat opening the track doesn’t inspire a sonically matching, pulsating light output.

Generally, you can detect a visual/sonic synchronicity – just one with the rhythmic precision of an ageing dad who has taken to the dancefloor after two too many beers.

Addressing its more basic function as a Bluetooth portable speaker are a) Bluetooth 5.3 support, which is the only means of connection aside from a 3.5mm auxiliary input, and b) a built-in battery pack, which offers 30 hours of playback on a single charge. Replenishment is via the USB-C port (beneath a rubber flap at the rear) and the supplied double-ended USB-C cable.

We clocked a battery life a few hours shy of that claimed figure during testing, though admittedly dynamic lighting was on for most of that time, and we weren’t afraid to crank the volume either. Both factors would naturally take a toll on the speaker’s juice.

Sound

When we say ‘cranking the volume’, we mean it. For all its milk carton lid-resemblance, that volume dial can be turned to offer an output we can confidently call room-filling. Indeed, its 40-watt output is believable.

Higher volumes are pretty well handled for a speaker of this size, too, the presentation staying composed even when we played heavier, cymbal-thrashing stuff by KISS and Metallica.

Play Alvvays’ Archie, Marry Me, and the opening birdsong immediately shows off the Pure’s impressive projection and wide soundstage for a unit of this size. As the melody-setting guitar, drums and vocals join in, there’s ample space for each to strut its stuff.

That impressive soundstage is pleasingly detailed, particularly through the midrange, and delivered with a clarity and fullness that make it easy to enjoy across genres. Dynamics are handled well, too, with the speaker conveying shifts in intensity and volume when required.

No part of the frequency range feels unduly emphasised: a crisp treble sits alongside lush, forward mids and a satisfyingly prominent bass. The low end isn’t as tightly defined as the rest, however, and can feel a little detached, which affects overall cohesion – especially on bass-driven tracks.

The JBL Flip 7 is somewhat of a different kettle of fish to the Pure, belonging to that more common compact and rugged, throw-it-in-a-bag family of portable Bluetooth speakers. But its similarity in price and baseline functionality, not to mention its class-leading, What Hi-Fi? Award-winning sound, helps us contextualise the Pure’s performance.

The Classic Aura holds up pretty well against the proven rival – it's even slightly clearer and more spacious. But the JBL proves the more dynamic, rhythmically gifted speaker, making more of the Alvvays track’s final chorus drop.

It’s also weightier; move on to the band’s Dreams Tonite, and Molly Rankin’s vocal is more satisfyingly fleshed out, while the tightly integrated bassline better underpins the track’s musicality.

Verdict

While not sonically perfect, Pure’s Classic Aura sounds more sophisticated and enjoyable than most rivals at this size and price, and further distinguishes itself with its fun, flexible design.

If you’re after a smart, minimalist music machine that can easily liven up a room – or even kick-start a Friday night party – this multi-talented portable speaker could be the one for you.

Review published: 31st October 2025

SCORES

• Sound 4
• Build 4
• Features 4

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