Fender Elie review: Handsome speaker/amp hybrids with excellent clarity

Key Points:

• Fender Audio, a new brand operated by Riffsound under Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, launched two portable Bluetooth speakers, the Elie 6 ($300) and Elie 12 ($400), featuring sophisticated retro designs and unique ¼-inch/XLR combo inputs that allow them to double as amplifiers.
• Both speakers offer clear, crisp sound quality with a wider soundstage than many competitors, handling diverse music genres well; the Elie 12 provides more volume, bass, and instrumental separation due to its additional speakers and higher power output.
• The speakers include physical controls and a three-way mode switch for single, stereo, and multi-speaker setups, simplifying connectivity without relying on apps, although current playback controls are limited and only the Elie 12 has bass and treble adjustments.
• Drawbacks include delayed volume response, limited playback controls, no companion app yet for customization or input management, and relatively heavy weights (5 lbs for Elie 6, 8.8 lbs for Elie 12), making them less ideal for grab-and-go portability.
• Battery life is shorter than some competitors, with 15 hours for the Elie 6 and 18 hours for the Elie 12, and while both speakers have IP54 ratings, their wooden panels reduce water resistance, requiring careful handling outdoors.