The Fender Speaker Is Ideal for Buskers and Musicians, but That’s About It

When I first purchased the Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2 , I wasn’t quite sure how it stacked up against other party speakers on the market. It’s not the loudest, it doesn’t have any special features, it’s not waterproof or dustproof, it doesn’t have an app, and it doesn’t have full EQ settings. And the most mysterious thing is that it costs $600.

But the more time I spent with him, the more I realized who this column was for. Musicians who like to have a portable speaker that gives them the ability to play along with Bluetooth media, add a microphone, or daisy chain it to a larger amplifier will get the most out of this speaker. It’s basically a street musician’s dream. But for those looking for a party speaker system, the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 is undoubtedly the best choice, and for the best portable outdoor speaker system, look no further than the Soundboks Go .

Fender sent me the Rockster Air 2 speaker to review, made in collaboration with Teufel, a German audio products company. This collaboration is mainly due to Fender putting their branding on the Rockster Air 2 , which was released a couple of months before the collaboration.

Pros and cons of the Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2

Pros

• Can play Bluetooth, AUX, Mic and Guitar simultaneously when daisy chained to other speakers/amps, all with individual physical volume control.

• Impressive 58 hour battery life at medium volume

• Physical bass and treble controls with equalizer on speaker

• Replaceable battery and the ability to install an additional external battery.

• Can play music and charge the battery at the same time without volume restrictions (can also play using only the power cord and no battery)

Cons

• Expensive

• Mono audio only (can get stereo sound if you connect more than one Rockster Air 2 speaker)

• No app or remote control.

• There is no full EQ customization or presets.

• No protection from the elements (water or dust)

Characteristics

• Battery life : up to 58 hours at medium volume; It takes 3 hours to fully charge. A removable 7.8 Ah battery and the ability to connect an external 12V battery are available.

• Connectivity : Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX HD and AAC codecs. Stereo Party Link allows you to connect another Rockster Air 2 speaker for stereo sound.

• Application : No.

• Inputs : Features a 3.5mm auxiliary input, an XLR daisy-chain output, a 6.3mm stereo jack/guitar input, an XLR microphone input, and a USB-C port for charging external devices.

• Speakers : One 10″ woofer, one 1″ tweeter with a frequency response of 47Hz-22kHz.

• Output power : one class D amplifier, power up to 115 dB. Total output power 80 WRMS.

• Water resistance : no.

• Size : 12.7 x 23.2 x 13.5 inches (H x W x D).

• Weight : 31.2 lbs.

First impressions of the Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2

Like all the portable party speakers I review, I took them with me to the local soccer rink when I hosted a Street FC soccer match. I turned the speaker up to full volume and it didn’t reach the sound level of the Soundboks Go , which was disappointing, but perhaps I’m spoiled by the 121dB level it achieves. The Rockster’s 115dB volume level is normal and will suit most people. It can fill a 1,200 square foot home with sound loud enough to throw a party. The sound maintained quality even at maximum volume.

The speaker is very capable of withstanding a drop. While on the court, one of the players crashed into the speaker at full speed, and both were knocked down. However, neither the speaker nor the player seemed phased: both continued to perform their duties as if nothing had happened. But if it rained while we were out, the speaker would be gone because it’s not resistant to water (or dust, so be careful taking it out into dusty fields).

A standout feature that I haven’t seen on other models is the rotary bass and treble knobs on the top of the speaker. It makes adjusting the Rockster Air 2’s EQ a breeze and makes me wonder why other speakers don’t do this. Since this is a speaker intended for musicians who want to connect microphones or instruments, it makes sense to have physical treble and bass controls. However, the biggest downside of this speaker is that it doesn’t have an app and therefore doesn’t have the ability to fully customize the EQ. Treble and bass controls are not a replacement for a full-fledged equalizer, and a speaker in this price range should definitely have one (especially one aimed at musicians).

The back of the Rockster Air 2 speaker is where it shines. It has a 3.5mm auxiliary input with its own rotary volume knob, an XLR output for connecting to another amplifier, a 6.3mm stereo jack/guitar input and an XLR microphone input, each with its own volume knobs, and a USB port. C. for charging external devices such as a phone.

Features of the Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2

Since there is no app, there aren’t many special features. All you get is what’s directly on the speaker. But the rear panel has a lot to offer if you’re looking for flexibility in how you connect your speaker. I took the Rockster Air 2 to my friend’s house and connected his electric guitar, microphone and speaker to the amp. I was able to connect Spotify to the Rockster Air 2 and play music while my friend played guitar and I used the microphone. The ability to do all this and connect it to an external amplifier is impressive. If I had a second Rockster Air 2, I could also use the Party-link feature and get them to play stereo sound.

The flexibility this speaker offers for connecting instruments and the ability to individually control the volume of each input makes it a musician’s or busker’s dream. Someone with a guitar or microphone, and maybe a friend with an electric keyboard, can easily take this 31.2-pound speaker to Main Street and put on a show. Another pleasant surprise was the ability to play music simultaneously via AUX and Bluetooth (I never imagined hearing Doja Cat and The Strokes collab).

Battery life is impressive, with up to 58 hours of battery life at medium volume, the best of any party speaker I’ve tested. In eco mode at maximum volume (which reduces bass), you can listen to up to 31 hours of music. I really like that I can play the speaker without a battery by simply plugging the power cord directly into the speaker. Since there is a USB-C input, the busker will be able to charge his phone while performing. Nice touch.

Bottom line

The Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2 is a niche party speaker system, great for the musician or busker looking for a reliable portable speaker system for connecting multiple inputs such as microphone, guitar and AUX while playing Bluetooth media through it or connecting to another. speaker (all at the same time, if you want). Flexibility in inputs and outputs is a strong point of the Rockster Air 2, as well as a long battery life (58 hours). But if you’re not a musician or someone who will use all of these features, you might want to look elsewhere. This $600 speaker should have an app with full EQ adjustments and some protection against water or dust. The physical treble and bass controls on the speaker are a nice touch, but they don’t make up for the lack of full control over the EQ. There are cheaper and better party speaker options like the JBL PartyBox Stage 320 with more party features, or more durable outdoor speakers like the Soundboks Go with more powerful sound and weatherproofing. But if you’re a musician or looking for flexibility in inputs and outputs, the Rockster Air 2 is a good choice.

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