For quite a while the FoxL from Soundmatters was the gold standard of pocket-size speakers for its unusual quality-to-size ratio. It pumped out mighty good sound for a speaker so small.
But the continued growth of pods, pads and phones brought new competitors, many of them proving to be worthy rivals to the FoxL.
The foxL Dash 7 speaker and foxLO subwoofer produce a lot of sound for a mini-system.Soundmatters has not been sitting still, though. It has introduced a limmer and sleeker version of its amp and speaker, which can be augmented with a palm size subwoofer, the FoxLO.
The new speaker is called the Dash 7. It retains the sound quality of the FoxL, packing two speakers into a slim package about the size of an iPhone stretched to one and a half times its normal length. The cover for the speaker, reminiscent of Apple’s iPad covers, can be folded into a stand.
The Dash 7, which lists for $250, can be connected to an audio source with a cable or through Bluetooth. It claims a battery life of up to 12 hours. There is also a mic, so the device can be used as a speaker phone.
To give the Dash 7 a bit more kick, you can add the FoxLO, which lists for $180. According to the spec sheet, the FoxLO sends 30 watts of power to a nearly two and a half-inch speaker. It attaches to the smaller sound bar with a cable, extending the low range o! f the minisystem. The combination is a worthy update to the FoxL, with sound that is more clear and detailed than a two-pound stereo has any right to produce.
The FoxLO is about the size of a typical paperback dictionary. It weighs almost a pound and a half, about three times the weight of the Dash 7. You might want to take it traveling, but probably in your suitcase rather than your carry-on bag.
