FoxL v2 Bluetooth Speaker System With OnLive Mobile App

January 17, 2012 - Ed Krassenstein

We recently had the chance to demo a foxL v2 Bluetooth Speaker System from Soundmatters, working on our Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and iPad 2, while running the OnLive app.

Now that OnLive is available on tablets, via their mobile app, we thought it would be interesting to try out the foxL v2 to see if it really made a difference. While sound quality on today’s tablets is already very good, there are a bunch of OnLive gamers out there that would prefer to have a better sound while playing their favorite games.

First, let’s lay out some details of the foxL v2 Bluetooth speakers. Currently there are 3 different models available to purchase. There is the foxL v2, which is currently available at a sale price of $149.00, the foxL v2 Bluetooth (the one we had a chance to review) for $199.00 and the foxL v2 Bluetooth Paltinum Special Edition for $229.00. The chart below shows what each of these devices include.

Before we begin talking about this device in more detail, it is worth noting that Soundmatters lets people know that bluetooth will tend to create some sound lag on most devices. However, this can be resolved simply by plugging it into a tablet directly with the included 3.5 mm audio hookups.

The foxL v2 Bluetooth speaker system that we had a chance to review, throroughly impressed us from speaker to speaker. This device has a multitude of usages, and while it wasn’t designed specifically for OnLive gaming, you may come away thinking that it was.

The foxL v2 can run using Bluetooth or a wired connection. It can also run off of battery power (up to 12 hours of extended battery play before needing to be recharged), or it can be plugged into the wall for endless play. On top of this, it is compatible with just about all smartphones, tablets, laptops, and anything else you can think could possibly imagine.

The battery can be charged via the included wall charger or the USB wire. Better yet, the speaker system also comes with a noise cancelling microphone for speaker phone/conferencing.

Also included with the packaging is a wrist strap, all the needed charging cables/hookups (3.5 mm audio cable, 5Vdc wall charger, USB charging cable), a travel pouch, and a non-slip pad (to prevent the speaker from “walking” on hard surfaces).

The dimensions of this speaker system are quite amazing for the sound quality that it produces. It measures only 5.5 inches in length, 2 inches in height and is only 1 inch deep. It can fit in the palm of your hand, around your neck, in your pocket, or just about anywhere you’d want to put it.

The sound that comes from this little device is amazing, to say the least. It honestly sounds as though you are in front of your TV and home theatre system. When the OnLive tablet app was first released a few weeks ago, the only downfall I could come up with was the lack of real quality sound. Sure, your tablet plays good sound, perhaps great sound. However it isn’t even close to what you can get out of a television with the OnLive game system and your home theatre system. With the foxL speakers, it gets pretty close!

Sure, you won’t have the ability to get a complete surround sound experience, but you will get as close as you possibly can, using a speaker that is smaller than your game controller, and even perhaps your smartphone.

The only negative that I could think of, is the lag experienced when using the speaker system via Bluetooth. The lag is not noticable while using it to play music, or talk on the phone. However, when playing games like Batman Arkham City, or Super Street Fighter IV on OnLive, there is some noticeable sound lag. Fortunately though, there is a quick and easy fix. Simply plug the 3.5 mm stereo cable into the dspeakers and your tablet, and the lag disappears.

Many gamers wish that they could take their home audio system with them when they are on the go. Unfortunately that is not possible. However, the foxL is the closest you can get to doing so. With the sound of a home theater system, and the size of a TV remote, the foxL certainly is something to consider for OnLive gaming, whether on your tablet, laptop, PC or smartphone. It’s your own personal hi-fi speaker system. I was shocked by the amount of bass that this little speaker system could put out.

If you are interested in purchasing a foxL v2 speaker system, we suggest you check out the official Soundmatters website.

Let us know what you think of this review and the foxL v2 speaker system at OnLiveFans.com Forum.