By Bill Palmer, Beatweek

Beatweek Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker for 2013

If you balk at the idea of paying two hundred dollars for a speaker system about the size of a candy bar, that’s only because you haven’t heard the foxl V2. The tiny portable speaker from Soundmatters manages to pack in a pair of tweeters and a small rear subwoofer, creating a level of audio fidelity and stereo separation which seems to defy the laws of physics.

Most portable wireless speakers cost fifty to a hundred dollars and offer audio that’s usually acceptable and occasionally impressive, but the foxl is the only one which qualifies as incredible. It’s also one of the smallest I’ve tested, and in fact it can be reasonably carried in your pocket.

The foxl lineup has been revved this year, adding aptX bluetooth technology which enhances the audio a bit more, and also adds a Platinum version which offers twenty hours of battery life instead of twelve. While most small bluetooth speakers sit either upright or flat or at an angle, the foxl is adjustable thanks to the fact that the speaker grille over the rear subwoofer doubles as a fold out kickstand.

Soundmatters throws in the kitchen sink when it comes to accessories, including a USB charging cable, wall charger with international attachments, a wrist strap, a non-slide mat to set it on, a carrying pouch, and a cable for connecting it directly to your device for those times when bluetooth isn’t an option. The Platinum version comes with even more accessories, including a higher quality audio cable.

Rating: Five stars out of five • Price: $199 and $229 • soundmatters.com




 

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