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Soundmatters today announced an improved version of its FoxL Bluetooth-compatible pocket speaker system, as well as a price reduction on both the Bluetooth model and the standard FoxL.

Price of the new V2 Bluetooth model is $199, $50 less than the earlier model. The new standard V2 costs $169, down $30 from the original price of $199.

When I reviewed the original FoxL last year, I thought it was easily the best pocket audio system I'd ever heard, and many others agreed. However, I was underwhelmed when I got a chance to try a friend's Bluetooth version; the sound quality was considerably less than that of a wired connection.

A few weeks ago, Soundmatters VP Lee Adams stopped by to give me a quick demo of the first engineering sample of the new V2 Bluetooth FoxL. As you can see in the photo above, the form factor hasn't changed. (That "one & only" sticker isn't a product feature, it's a reminder from the engineers that this was the sole extant V2 Bluetooth sample.)

The performance of the V2 Bluetooth was obviously better than that of the first Bluetooth model. The sound I heard playing tunes from Adams' iPhone through the Bluetooth connection was nearly as good as what you'd get with a wired connection. 

The V2 Bluetooth also offers easier operation. It automatically connects with nearby Bluetooth products (such as cell phones and computers), and you can now answer and terminate a call from the FoxL.

Adams said that both FoxLs benefit from some engineering improvements that allow them to play 3 dB louder, and that the unit's dual "Twoofer" 1-inch drivers have been tweaked a bit for a more open, airy sound. Unfortunately, I didn't have a chance to stage a "shoot-out" between the new sample and an older FoxL.

—Brent Butterworth