![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.tedpublications.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/09\/soundmaster_09_2011.jpg\" "\\"soundmaster_09_2011\\"")
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Back in February 2011<\/strong> – I received a press release from Soundmatters regarding their FOXLV2 portable speakers which they dubbed as the \u201cULTIMATE PORTABLE SPEAKER\u201d.<\/em> With their claim of having the best sounding pocket-sized stereo speaker in the world, I\u2019m intrigued because from the size of the product, it defies the physics of sonic properties.\u00a0 However, at the same time their claim of frequency range is quite an oxymoron.\u00a0 They claim their use of\u00a0 \u201cPatented \u201cTwoofer\/BassBattery\u201d Technology\u201d results in \u201cUltra-wide 80 Hz \u2013 20 kHz Audio Range\u201d.\u00a0 80 Hz to 20 kHz is \u201cUltra-wide Audio Range\u201d?<\/em> When a speaker that can do 35 Hz to 40 kHz is not even considered as \u201cultra wide audio range\u201d, how an 80 Hz to 20 kHz range can be considered as \u201cUltra-wide\u201d?<\/em> Also how can any company defy the law of physics in terms of producing 80 Hz from a couple of tiny 1\u201d drivers?\u00a0 Usually it requires a woofer of at least 6\u201d in order to create a true flat 80 Hz tone.\u00a0 Maybe the astronomical US$199 price can create some magic.\u00a0 Interestingly enough, the PR company that handles this product seem to be curiously reluctant in sending a review sample.<\/p>\n In the end I got tired of jumping through hoops in getting the review sample and I went to a local mobile-phone accessories shop at First Markham Place to buy the product.\u00a0 Heck, if the product is good enough, I can just replace my $79 Altec Lansing mini PC speakers which from the use of Real Time Analyzer, it shows to have 80 Hz to 20 kHz.<\/p>\n So after connecting the speakers to my Pioneer PD-D9 reference-class CD player with my beloved built-in WM8740 dual-differential Wolfson DACs with a Y connector (one to the $79 Altec, another to the $199 Soundmatters FOXL V2).\u00a0 Using Emilie-Claire Barlow\u2019s \u201cThe Beat Goes On\u201d CD, I started my comparison… and oh my goodness, what a revelation!\u00a0 The audio CD sounds like a completely new CD to me.\u00a0 No longer can I recognize Ms. Barlow\u2019s voice.\u00a0 Her vocal timbre and sonic signature completely changed for the worse.\u00a0 The double bass sounds like the huffing and puffing of an oversized muffler usually installed on a modified Honda CR-X of the 80\u2019s.\u00a0 Now it\u2019s clear why it\u2019s like pulling teeth when I asked for a review sample.\u00a0 The company don\u2019t want this unit to be reviewed.<\/p>\n Using a sweep-tone CD, it is true that the speaker can produce 80 Hz, so there is no lie there.\u00a0 However, instead of just hearing the pure 80 Hz tone, the speakers also produces harmonics that are not there in the recording.\u00a0 To my surprise, the higher the frequency goes, the louder it becomes.\u00a0 Based on my SPL reading, the loudness gap between 80 Hz to 120 Hz is at approximately 7 dB.\u00a0 That\u2019s quite an unwanted frequency roll-off!!\u00a0 From 120 Hz and up, however, the response is within +\/- 2 dB which actually quite commendable for a tiny speaker unit like this.<\/p>\n All in all, especially for the CDN$199 street price, I can\u2019t recommend this speaker unit to anyone.\u00a0 I can\u2019t even recommend this speaker unit at $79 since my 14 years old $79 Altec Lansing PC speakers sound more accurate than this.\u00a0 My recommendation?\u00a0 If you\u2019re into style, and this unit is somewhat stylish, and you have money to burn, buy it.\u00a0 If you\u2019re into quality, with $150 you can find a THX certified PC speakers.\u00a0 If you\u2019re into portability, with $10 you can get a retractable speaker that can be daisy chained to even more $10 speakers to fill your room if you\u2019re inclined to.<\/p>\n