Skip to main content

Soundfreaq’s Sound Platform 2 adds real stereo separation to docks

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Check out our full review of the Soundfreaq Sound Platform 2 bluetooth speakers.

Soundfreaq is a relatively new audio company with a refreshingly consumer-minded approach to it’s products. At CES, we got a chance to listen to the company’s new Sound Platform 2, a redesigned version of the original Sound Platform speaker dock that helped put Soundfreaq on the map.

Recommended Videos

The Sound Platform 2 (available in February for around $150) has many similarities to the original Sound Platform like Bluetooth, aux input, and FM radio, but adds some cool new features that could give it some legs in the already oversaturated speaker dock market. The new dock has larger, 3-inch drivers, a simpler EQ structure for flat, warm, or bright listening, and also a “device-agnostic” charging system. It uses a tray that lets you run two USB cables from the ports in the back of the unit to the front phone stand, which is pretty handy if your music is spread across a growing pile of multiple versions of the iPhone, like us.

If you want to go mobile with the Sound Platform 2, you’ll have to buy the $50 add-on battery, but the cool part is, we were assured there is no sound quality or volume loss while using the device on the go – a common problem with many of the docks we’ve tested. But perhaps the most interesting new feature of the Sound Platform 2 is the ability to pair two of the units together and spread them into separate stereo monitors, both controlled via Bluetooth from your mobile device. This is an ambitious new venture, and Soundfreaq will be pushing it by offering the bundled pair at a discount through its partner, Target.

As much as we could tell through the barrage of noise at CES, the sound quality of the Sound Platform 2 is pretty decent, though the 3-inch drivers lack presence in the low end, and were a bit tinny in the upper treble. We also think there was a tendency for the small drivers to distort at high volume, but we were pretty impressed with the clear center image produced by the two units together as they belted out detailed stereo produced tracks from artists like Led Zeppelin and the Beatles.

Aside from the Sound Platform 2, Soundfreaq will be introducing Lightning-ready versions of it’s Sound Step ($129.99), and the surprisingly clean-toned Sound Rise iPhone dock/radio alarm clock ($99) – available this spring and summer respectively in a variety of rainbow colors. For now, we like the attention Soundfreaq is paying to affordability and real stereo separation, and we’re interested to see where its ambition will take it in the coming years.

Ryan Waniata
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…
The best Bluetooth speakers for under $100
Soundcore Motion 300 hanging from a towel rod.

You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on a Bluetooth speaker to get top-shelf sound quality. In fact, there are plenty of Bluetooth speakers that cost less than $100, and from respected brands like Soundcore, Tribit, and JBL. While these speakers are of the compact, portable variety and don't feature tech such as Wi-Fi network connectivity, they're all excellent for their size and price and have varying levels of water and dust resistance.

We think you’ll be surprised at how much power and performance you’ll get from a Bluetooth speaker that costs less than $100. There are options on our list for most wants, needs, and budgets, and be sure to check back often to see what new models we’ve added.

Read more
Early Black Friday Google Pixel deals: Pixel 9, Pixel Watch 2, and more
The Google Pixel 8's screen.

We’ve still got some time until Black Friday deals officially arrive, but now is a good time to start your shopping, as there are a lot of early Black Friday deals worth grabbing. Among them are devices from Google’s Pixel lineup, which is great news of you’ve got your eye on Black Friday phone deals, Black Friday smartwatch deals, Black Friday tablet deals, or Black Friday headphone deals. We’ve tracked down all of the best early Black Friday Google Pixel deals available in the lead-up to the sales event, so read onward for all of the details on how to land some savings right now.
Google Pixel Buds Pro — $136 $200 32% off

If you’re looking for some of the best headphone deals during these early Black Friday offerings, you definitely want to pounce on this deal. The Google Pixel Buds Pro are seeing a $64 price drop and a Black Friday price of $136. The newer Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are also on the market, but they aren’t seeing any Black Friday deals, and this first generation model of the popular earbuds will provide plenty of audio quality for most people.

Read more
Amazon to phase out Freevee, but there’s still a way to watch for free
Freevee on a TV.

Amazon is closing down Freevee, the ad-supported video streaming service that launched in 2019 as IMDb Freedive before rebranding as IMDb TV and, finally, as Amazon Freevee in 2022.

Freevee has been available as an app for mobile and TV, and its free movies and TV shows can also be accessed via Amazon's Prime Video platform. But some things are about to change.

Read more