GoKawiilA new company needs to make a strong first impression. For Fender Audio, a new outfit owned by the legendary Fender Musical Instruments Corporation but operated by Riffsound, that introduction comes in the form of two speakers and a set of headphones. The Elie 6 ($300) and Elie 12 ($400) are portable Bluetooth speakers with sophisticated designs and unique features, offering similar functionality in two different sizes. These devices are essentially speaker/amplifier hybrids, since they both have ¼-inch/XLR combo inputs among their connections. Despite the unique mix of connectivity, the speakers still need to sound good and work well to compete with the many excellent portable options available today.
Fender Audio/Engadget 82 100 Expert Score Fender Audio Elie 12 The Elie 12 is a large, powerful portable speaker with plenty of inputs, but weight and battery life could be deal breakers for some. Pros Excellent audio clarity
Four inputs
Refined design Cons IP rated but there’s exposed wood
Big and heavy
No app for customization
Battery life lags behind top competition $399 at Fender Audio
Fender Audio 78 100 Expert Score Fender Audio Elie 6 The Elie 6 punches above its size in audio clarity and connectivity, but it’s heavy for such a small speaker and some competitors offer better battery life. Pros Excellent audio clarity
Four inputs
Refined design Cons IP rated but there’s exposed wood
... continue reading