Amazing sound in a tiny package. Finally you can take near home theatre quality audio with you wherever you go.
Those people who believe that you need a big speaker to enjoy good quality sound will be in for a very pleasant surprise. Weighing in at only 269gm, the FoxL speakers pack an incredible punch in an enclosure that is small enough to take home theatre sound with you wherever you go.
Whilst there are many portable devices that allow you to watch widescreen and even high definition video, the built in speakers in these devices (and most small screen televisions) are generally low quality.
The speakers are small enough to easily fit in your notebook bag or briefcase and can be powered by their in-built Lithium Ion battery, a USB connector or the supplied mains adaptor. The internal battery gives up to 5 hours of music although this varies significantly depending upon the volume and type of music you are listening to with pounding bass tracks drawing more power than dialogue or quiet pieces.
Even though the speakers only output 4W per channel when on mains (2W when on battery or USB power), the design of the speakers is such that they still output enough sound to fill a small to medium room, making them ideal for use in a hotel room or with a second television in the bedroom.
Using patented Linear Magnetic Drive 2.5cm Twoofers, the speakers claim to have a frequency response of 80Hz to 20kHz which is on par with most mid-range full size speakers. Bass performance is adequate although dance and rock can sound a bit thin particularly if you are used to a home theatre system with a proper subwoofer. Midrange performance is very good with voices sounding very clear and natural. There is very little sibilance (distorted s, t and p’s) which makes it very easy to hear movie dialogue. Treble performance is also very good without being artificially bright or enhanced. The speakers are able to handle a reasonable dynamic range although any pounding bass tends to get diminished simply because the speakers cannot output enough power. Unlike most cheaper speakers, we found that the sound remained clear even at near full volume although if you crank them right up you will get unpleasant distortion.
For speakers which are only 143mm apart, the stereo field is amazingly wide with distinct separation between channels allowing you to track sound as it moves across the field. Although it depends on individual perception, we felt the stereo field was wide enough for comfortable use with small screen televisions up to about 40 inches but would be too small for larger screen sizes.
The standard model comes with a single 3.5mm line level input which allows you to easily connect it to a headphone socket, iPod or notebook computer. There is also a subwoofer output (again 3.5mm) if you really want to improve bass performance and are willing to sacrifice portability.
The rear of the unit has the on/off switch, volume control buttons and a fold out grille which protects the FlatMagic bass panel and also doubles as a speaker stand. The side has the SUB power socket and an LED indicator which lets you know whether the unit is on, fully charged or requiring recharge.
For an extra $50, you can purchase the Bluetooth model which as well as providing excellent sound on the go, can also act as a very much upmarket wireless phone adaptor with its built in microphone and ability to pair with Bluetooth devices such as PDAs and smartphones.
Whilst not cheap, the sound quality is very good given the tiny size of the unit. Our only gripes are that the unit can rattle itself off the table and the power output is limiting particularly if using the unit off battery or USB power. Nevertheless if you are looking for a close approximation of a home theatre experience when away from home or a good small set of speakers to replace the cheapie units that are supplied with small screen televisions, the FoxL speakers will amaze.