Does the world need another iPod dock? Probably not. Still, the Soundfreaq's inaugural SFQ-01 "sound platform" (hint: it streams music too) is not only nice to ogle, it also delivers surprisingly good sound at super reasonable price.
The entire front side of the Soundfreaq – or 'the Freaq' as I've grown fond of calling it – is dominated by one grill. Tucked behind this sonic drapery are two balanced, Kevlar-reinforced drivers that provide ample oomph for a small-to-medium sized space – think bedroom or office, not living room. That space will also look a hell of a lot better thanks to the unit's glossy sharp lines, sleek orange backlighting and retro-futuristic styling.
A slight lip protrudes from the bottom of the Freaq, and here you'll find bass, treble and UQ3 knobs on the left (more on the latter in a sec), the standard 30-pin iPod connector in the center, and all the media-control buttons on the right. There's also a small door on the side that pops open, revealing a place to stash the included remote. You can leave it stashed if you'd like and just use the Soundfreaq Remote iOS app to control it.
While the sound system is small (6 x 12 x 6 inches) and relatively easy to move around (4.4 lbs), it ain't no ghetto blaster. There are no battery options and you'll have to plug the unit directly into an outlet for power. The Freaq just wants to sit on your desk and look good.
But enough about appearances and specs. A sound dock should be judged on its, you know, sound quality. And unfortunately, it's here that the system loses some of its luster. The inherent limitations of those two closely spaced 2.75-inch drivers are all too apparent when you move out of the dock's direct sound field. I found the overall sound quality to be fine when it was parked on my desk — clear soundstage and punchy, but not overwhelming bass. The dock is far less ideal for parties, however, and had some serious trouble filling up larger rooms with sound.