The Frankenspiel FS-X gives great sound from a small speaker

When you want to really crank out the tunes from your iPhone or iPad, you need a speaker that can perform well with both volume and quality. Frankenspiel has designed a portable Bluetooth speaker that fits in the palm of your hand, but shells out 100 dB of sound. How well does the speaker perform, though? Let’s take a look.

The Facts

• Company Name: Frankenspiel
• Product Name: Frankenspiel FS-X
• Price: £59.99, or approximately $92
• Compatibility: iOS, Android, PC, Mac
• Website: Frankenspiel FS-X Web page
• Date Reviewed: Oct. 26, 2015

The Basics

The FS-X is a portable Bluetooth speaker/audio monitor providing 100 dB of sound. You can use it by itself as a standalone speaker or audio monitor, but it also has a stereo chip embedded. This means you can pair two of them together, and they’ll provide you with true stereo sound. It features a 63mm driver and a built-in lithium ion battery.

Let’s talk about the 63mm driver. Yes, the Frankenspiel only has a single driver, and not a woofer or subwoofer and tweeter like most conventional speakers. The single driver is a full range BMR, which has less depth but delivers superior performance across all ranges, but especially the midrange. The sound quality from this tiny little speaker is nothing short of amazing.

The Frankenspiel FS-X connects using Bluetooth, but the speaker also includes a 3.5 mm audio jack for devices without the wireless technology. On the back of the device, you’ll also find the micro USB charging port and a combination power button and LED to display the status of the speaker.

Integration With iOS Devices

Pairing a single FS-X with your iOS device is quite simple. If you want to pair two of them in stereo, though, you have to power each speaker on simultaneously, and look for the FS-X Dual entry in your Bluetooth settings. Once you’ve done this once, however, the two speakers will automatically use dual mode when both are powered on.

Use and Feel

This Bluetooth speaker is very easy to use. The controls, located on the back, are recessed so you can lay the speaker on its back for 360-degree sound. The battery will last for up to 50 hours after a brief five-hour charge. The sound quality is amazing, and the amount of volume the tiny speaker can dish out could rival some of the larger speakers on the market, without any distortion.

The speaker looks sleek and svelte, with its subdued aluminum exterior. It’s available in black, gray, white, or a special edition champagne gold color.

What’s Hot

• Amazing sound
• Small form factor
• Great battery life

What’s Not

• Difficult to pair in dual mode at first
• Price is a bit high for a single speaker

How Does It Stack Up?

When it comes to a loud speaker, you can’t find much louder for the size than the Frankenspiel FS-X. The quality is also there, leaving you with a clean, crisp sound that will please your ears no matter how loud you crank up the volume.

Where Can You Get It, and How Much Does It Cost?

Frankenspiel FS-X is available only from the manufacturer’s Web page for £59.99. That works out to about $92.

Our Advice

If you’re an audiophile and want great sound from a small form factor, the Frankenspiel FS-X is for you. The sound improves dramatically when you pair two of them together, so budget accordingly.

The Frankenspiel FS-X’s Overall Scores:

• Aesthetic Appeal: ★★★★★
• Wow Factor: ★★★★★
• Sound: ★★★★★
• Value: ★★★★☆

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