Fingers-on with Fender Audio’s headphones and audio system at CES 2026

Fender Audio might have introduced its new headphones and speakers proper earlier than CES, however Las Vegas afforded us the primary alternative to see the model’s new lineup in particular person. Fender Audio is a Fender-owned model from Riffsound that’s designing and making new gadgets after licensing the identify. It’s been some time for the reason that guitar and amplifier firm made any general-use audio system of its personal, and this new association is just like what Zound was doing with Marshall for a spell.

Logistics out of the best way, let’s get right down to what the Combine and Ellie are like within the flesh. First, the Combine headphones provide a modular building that lets you substitute practically each piece as wanted. The ear cups detach from the headscarf and the ear pads are replaceable. It’s also possible to swap out the battery, because of an easy-to-access slot behind one ear pad. And on the opposite facet, a USB-C dongle for wi-fi lossless audio is stowed for protected retaining (wired lossless audio over USB-C can also be accessible).

Fender Audio stored the controls easy on the Combine, choosing a single joystick for quantity and playback modifications. The joystick additionally serves as the ability and pairing management as the one different button cycles by way of energetic noise cancellation (ANC) modes. By way of sound, the Combine will fulfill listeners who crave deep bass, and vocals reduce by way of clearly. In my transient demo, I might’ve favored extra mid-range, however I’ll wait till I get a assessment unit for a full evaluation there. I ought to point out the opposite standout characteristic is battery life: the Combine will provide as much as 52 hours of use with ANC enabled (as much as 100 hours with it off).

Then there are the Elie audio system. Each provide the same set of options, which incorporates two wi-fi inputs for microphones (the corporate is working by itself mannequin) and a mixture XLR and 1/4-inch enter for devices. The Elie 06 is the smaller unit, housing a tweeter, full-range driver and subwoofer with 60 watts of output. The bigger Elie 12 doubles all of that, serving as a extra sturdy however nonetheless very moveable choice.

Each Elie items can be utilized in a single configuration or as a stereo pair. It’s also possible to join as much as 100 of the audio system by way of a Multi mode. Fender Audio has executed a pleasant job right here of checking all the ordinary Bluetooth speaker bins whereas providing one thing distinctive in phrases all of these inputs. It’s like the corporate mixed “common” moveable audio system with bigger celebration bins, providing one thing for patrons who don’t desire a huge system or any of the flashing lights.

In fact, none of those specs matter if the corporate didn’t ace the sound high quality. Whereas I’ll wait till I can spend a number of hours with some assessment items earlier than I make any last judgement on these, I can inform you that each Elie audio system made a fantastic first impression. There’s ample bass within the tuning for each, however clearly the bigger Elie 12 provides extra thump. Each items additionally present wonderful vocal readability and good particulars within the highs, as I made positive to pick check tracks with plenty of refined sounds — like Bela Fleck’s banjo tunes.

Fender Audio says the arrival of the whole new lineup is imminent. Each the headphones and the Elie 6 will value $299 and the Elie 12 is $399.