Guitar maker Fender is making its consumer audio debut with the launch of the ELIE portable speaker series and MIX modular headphones. Announced at CES and available now through platforms like Amazon and Best Buy, the new lineup brings guitar-amp heritage and specialized engineering directly to everyday listeners.
For decades, Fender built its reputation on instruments and amplifiers wielded by legends like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, and Kurt Cobain. While the company has long sold audio gear geared toward professional musicians, its latest venture targets everyday consumers through a new offshoot called Fender Audio. Operated under license by Riffsound Pte. Ltd. and owned by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, the brand officially entered the market with a lineup designed for performance and modern lifestyles.
ELIE Bluetooth Speakers Pack Guitar-Amp Roots and Wave SOC Technology
The ELIE portable Bluetooth speaker series — which stands for Extremely Loud Infinitely Expressive — comes in two models: the smaller ELIE 6 and the larger ELIE 12. Both units integrate built-in subwoofers and a world-first Waves SOC implementation that promises higher efficiency, greater volume, and acoustic clarity compared to rival speakers in the same size category.
The larger ELIE 12 is priced at $399.00 and delivers 120W of claimed power using a pair of full-range drivers, two tweeters, and two woofers. Meanwhile, the $299 ELIE 6 features half the power output at 60W but offers longer battery life, running up to 18 hours compared to the ELIE 12’s 15-hour duration.
“Fender Audio represents our commitment to building products that bring exceptional sound and intelligent design to everyday life. It was built to carry Fender’s sonic legacy into the future of listening.”
Mah Chernwei, CEO of Riffsound
True to Fender’s roots, the speakers are built with a combined XLR and 1/4-inch or 6.35mm input. This allows users to plug in a guitar and use the speaker as a portable speaker. Additionally, the speakers support Auracast Bluetooth technology, allowing users to link up to 100 units together in a multi mode setup or pair two units for dedicated stereo separation.
MIX Modular Headphones Offer Up to 100 Hours of Battery Life
Alongside the speakers, Fender Audio introduced the MIX wireless over-ear headphones. Designed for modern listeners, the headphones feature a fully modular build with user-replaceable components like the headband, earcups, and battery. The modular parts come in different colors, allowing buyers to mix and match parts, though replacement pieces are slated to launch soon.
Underneath the hood, the MIX headphones utilize 40mm Graphene drivers, hybrid active noise cancellation, and support for 360-degree spatial audio. They also ship with an included FWD Tx USB-C transmitter that unlocks lossless, low-latency, and Auracast transmission modes. Battery performance is a standout feature, offering up to 100 hours of playback with ANC turned off, dropping to 52 hours with ANC active.
Availability and Market Positioning
The entire lineup — including both ELIE speaker sizes and the MIX headphones — made its initial debut at CES and is now available for purchase directly from Fender Audio, Best Buy, and Amazon. The debut places Fender directly into the crowded personal audio market alongside established instrument-turned-consumer brands like Marshall.
