Fender Audio, the legendary guitar and amplifier brand, is making a bold move into the consumer audio market with its new ELIE Bluetooth speakers and MIX wireless headphones. This announcement marks a significant shift for the company, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary, as it ventures into the highly competitive personal audio space.
The ELIE series is a game-changer, offering two portable speaker models: the compact ELIE E6 and the larger ELIE E12. Both speakers boast impressive features, including built-in subwoofers and a unique Waves system-on-a-chip design, which combines DSP and amplification for enhanced sound quality and higher volume output with reduced distortion. The ELIE E6 delivers up to 60W of power and an impressive 18 hours of battery life, while the ELIE E12 doubles the power to 120W with a slightly shorter battery life of 15 hours.
What sets Fender's ELIE speakers apart is their versatility. Each speaker can handle up to four audio sources simultaneously, seamlessly blending Bluetooth audio with wired inputs via XLR or ¼-inch connections. Additionally, Fender accessories enable wireless channel expansion. The speakers can be paired in stereo or synchronized for larger spaces, making them ideal for various environments.
The MIX wireless headphones are another standout product. Equipped with 40mm graphene drivers, hybrid active noise cancellation, and spatial audio, they compete with premium brands at a price point of US$299. The MIX headphones also feature a USB-C wireless transmitter, supporting lossless, low-latency, and Auracast audio modes, with an impressive 100-hour battery life when active noise cancellation is disabled.
Fender's commitment to sustainability is evident in the MIX headphones' modular design, allowing for easy part replacement instead of discarding the entire headset. This approach ensures longevity and reduces electronic waste.
As Fender Audio steps into the consumer market, it brings its iconic brand identity and innovative audio technology to a wider audience. The ELIE speakers and MIX headphones showcase the company's ability to create high-quality, versatile audio products, challenging established lifestyle brands in the process.
