I think the days of huge boomboxes are over. But never mind what I think because Sony is still at it with its X series range, and now Fender too. More specifically, Fender x Teufel. Not to be outdone by fellow guitar amp maker, Fender has teamed up with German audio brand Teufel to co-develop the ROCKSTER Series, a trio of Bluetooth speakers with Fender’s iconic guitar aesthetics and German-engineered audio tech.
The latest and final member of the lineup is the Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER AIR 2, a Sony X-esque boombox. But it is not just a centerpiece that pumps out ridiculously loud and clear music for your breakdance routines; it is a high-end Bluetooth event speaker you can drag to the stage, to tailgates, parties, DJ gigs, or even public speaking sessions if you enjoy torturing an audience.
The AIR 2 packs Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD and AAC for lossless wireless streaming, plus the ability to pair two units wirelessly or chain up to ten with XLR cables. It has mic and instrument inputs, so you can flip from karaoke to jam session without missing a beat. Power is delivered by a Class D amp with 80 W RMS, running a 10-inch (25 cm) woofer and 1-inch (2.5 cm) tweeter in a 2-way bass reflex setup. Frequency response is 47–22,000 Hz, enough to satisfy bass heads and treble freaks alike.
And did we mention that you can keep rocking on/annoying your neighbors for a very time time? Yes, you can, thanks to the staggering 58 hours of battery life. The AIR 2 measures 23.2 x 12.7 x 13.5 inches (59 x 32 x 34 cm) and weighs 31.2 lb (14.1 kg). A backpack accessory is available if you want to cosplay as a very loud turtle.
The Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER AIR 2 is available now for US$479.99 (U.P. US$599.99). Oh, this is not Fender’s foray into Bluetooth speakers. It has had its own line of Bluetooth speakers since 2017. So, the guitar maker isn’t exactly a greenhorn when it comes to wireless speakers. The difference now is that it has German-engineered audio to back it up.
Images: Teufel Audio [US].