Sometimes, in the context of technology, it’s the small and simple products that make a big splash, as much as the big and complex. Nothing is more interesting than the impact of portable speakers, with a unique touch of fashion and versatility in usage. The two companies in this review are: MatrixAudio, (www.matrixaudio.com), and Phorus LLC, (www.phorus.com).
For MatrixAudio, they have several types of portable speakers; the Qube; the Bluetooth (Matrix One); and the Mono (Matrix NRG) series; and all are compact. The Qube looks exactly like its name, and clearly a conversational piece. The others are round, but quite potent in kicking out sound. Each one comes with a handy carry pouch, increasing the ease to take with you on a road trip or some daily outing. No doubt, you can use them with your cell phone.
But, let me expand the dialogue to their practicality. In furtherance, they can provide a supplement of volume to an alarm ring on your cell phone; however, I particularly had a fondness for using them with my computer, for the added theatrical like sound, whether playing music, tv shows, or dvds. The Bluetooth version, as the name implies, has Bluetooth capabilities, to which the instructions are easy in following and simple to apply. From this particular unit, you can start playing music on your smartphone, without touching your smartphone; and the same with controlling volume to changing a track. Technology has definitely come of age.
You recharge them thru, say, a laptop or desktop, and they do provide the necessary cable. That’s right, no AC plug with this device. And yes, a full recharge does take at least two hours, for any of them. In a continuous running of a Mono, using the blue one, it was still going strong at the 9 hour mark. They can be connected in a variety of ways, using the underneath coil or the accompanying cable. Overall, to put it in perspective, think of it as the ideal gift for even the pickiest of person; even more so, something kind of neat for anyone who has a device that uses earphones and or enjoys listening to programs by computer or smart device.
Also, I had a chance to review the Play-Fi Speaker, by Phorus, which brought me further into the world of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This particular product, essentially, becomes the speaker for your smartphone. Personally, I would say in a pretty incredible way, as to my perception. One need not be in the same room, and it works best if placed in some central spot of a residence. Whatever is capabile of playing on your smartphone, for example, will come thru the speaker, i.e. your music, a wake-up alarm, or something via an internet site. There’s a volume control on the Play-Fi, but you can also control the volume from your smartdevice. Again, you need not be in the same room.
Accordingly though, there are some points I should note. I did not and still do not have or own a router or receiver; but, that can be important, in really taking advantage of more features associated with the Play-Fi; and given the instructions centered on a reference to them. But in good form, one will find, you do not need that router or receiver. What you have to have is a smartdevice with Bluetooth access; and you’ll need an update file; something the Phorus support unit is more than willing to send to you. In simple form, you’ll merely transfer the file to a thumb drive; plug the thumb drive into the Play-Fi unit; the unit updates itself. In response, it gives you a sound and light display; thereafter, you press the Bluetooth button on the Play-Fi unit; then pair the Play-Fi as a Bluetooth device to your phone. At that point, you’re ready to enjoy. And let me say, fantastically, at least I think. Appropriately, one can give big thumbs up to the support person of Phorus, no pun intended.
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