Astell&Kern’s junior brand, Activo , has launched a new, pocket-sized Bluetooth remote that brings physical controls back to digital audio listening, as well as to computers and other gadgets.

Designed primarily for Astell&Kern and Activo audio players, the BR01 is also suitable for use with smartphones, tablets, and laptops. It puts the media controls people need at their fingertips, eliminating the need to reach for the host device or navigate on-screen menus.

Whether it’s paired with docked music players, phones, tablets or laptops, the BR01 provides physical control over streaming services, podcasts, audiobooks and video playback. It essentially works with any media that’s routed through a connected device’s standard controls.

Streamlined Control Layout

The BR01 has a streamlined control layout designed for intuitive, thumb-based navigation. A knurled aluminum wheel manages volume levels, allowing fine-scale adjustments by feel alone. There is a four-way pad beneath it that covers play/pause, next track, previous track, and mute, while three additional buttons handle screen on/off, home and back functions. A power switch and a dedicated Bluetooth pairing button sit on the side, safely out of the way during daily use.

The BR01 is most at home when used alongside the players it was specifically designed to control. An Astell&Kern or Activo digital audio player resting in its docking cradle is a fixed object: positioned for the best connection and cabled directly to an amplifier or a pair of headphones. In that setup, the digital player is meant to stay put throughout an evening of music listening. The BR01 provides full control from the comfort of the sofa, a desk chair or across the room, leaving the player in its cradle where it belongs.

With multi-pairing support for up to three devices, the BR01 can seamlessly switch between a docked player at home, a phone on a commute, and a laptop at a desk without needing to be re-paired each time. Wireless connectivity is powered by Bluetooth 5.3.

An internal, rechargeable 210mAh battery delivers over 90 hours of continuous use and recharges via USB-C in around two hours. An auto-sleep mode powers the remote down after 30 minutes of inactivity to conserve power.

The Activo BR01 is available from the Activo website and Amazon for $50 / £49.

  • Wireless: Bluetooth 5.3, multi-pairing up to 3 devices.
  • Battery: 210mAh, over 90 hours of continuous use.
  • Charging: USB Type-C, approximately 2 hours.
  • Dimensions (W × H × D): 36.7 × 102.7 × 17.9mm.
  • Weight: 44.5g.
  • Material: Aluminum (wheel), ABS (body).
  • Finish: Anthracite Black.