After using the Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2, I realized I’ve reviewed a Goldilocks array of Fender x Teufel speakers: the Rockster Go 2, Rockster Cross, and now the Rockster Air 2. Using this analogy, we’ll call the Air 2 the Papa Bear. He’s big, heavy, and loud. But how does he sound?
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $449.99
Where to buy: Amazon
What is it?
The Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2 is a large “portable” Bluetooth speaker from Fender’s Rockster line, in partnership with the German audio company Teufel. It weighs a whopping 31.2 lbs. The Air 2 fits the same design motif as the other Rockster speakers.
What’s included?
- Rockster Air 2 battery
- Power cable
- Guitar pick
Tech specs
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Codecs: aptX, aptX-HD, AAC
- Dimensions: 23.2 x 12.7 x 13.5 in. (HxWxD)
- 1 in. Polypropylene Tweeter
- 10 in. Paper woofer
- Bass reflex enclosure
- Frequency range: 47 Hz – 22 kHz
- Lithium iron phosphate battery
- Battery life: 58 hours (medium volume)
- Class D amplifier
- AUX
- XLR mic input
- XLR output
- Guitar input
- Powerbank
- Standby-Function
Design and features
The Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2 speaker is part of a collaboration between the iconic Fender guitar/amp maker and the equally iconic (in Germany, anyway) Teufel. Their Raumfeld speakers were introduced in America back in 2016, but never took off. They had a proprietary streaming protocol that didn’t support Bluetooth, which led to its failure in the States. Teufel returned in the early 2020s by smartly teaming with Fender, which wanted to compete with amp maker Marshall, which had a successful line of their own Bluetooth speakers. Enter Rockster.
The Rockster Air 2 speaker is a monster that performs equally well indoors or outdoors. An interesting point about the Air 2 is how clean it sounds at all volumes. Many extra-large Bluetooth speakers can achieve massive volume, but they can sound a bit muddy in the process. Not this one.
Note that Teufel makes even larger Bluetooth speakers, but not with Fender for the US market.
The Air 2 stands about thigh-high at 23.2 inches. It has built-in carrying handles on the top and sides, so yeah, it’s portable, but not for long distances. Fender offers an optional Neo backpack, but it costs $100. It’s cheaper and easier to find help from a friend.
The shell for the Air 2 is a tough, hard plastic. It can withstand bumps and scrapes, but I don’t recommend dropping it. Unlike the SOUNDBOKS 4 Speaker, the Air 2 doesn’t have built-in protective rubber bumpers. The base has a built-in 35-mm speaker stand socket that should fit most speaker stands. A stand is not included.
The front of the speaker features a large, gray plastic grill, emblazoned with the Fender logo. The sides have built-in carrying handles.
The top features a few functional buttons. The top row has the On/off button followed by Bluetooth pairing and play/pause/skip buttons. Below sit separate Bass and Treble knobs. This is as close as you’ll get to any EQ you might want to do. There is no app for proper equalizer functions. Below the “EQ” knobs is a large master volume button. No, it doesn’t go to 11 like the SOUNDBOKS speaker.
There’s a lot more going on with the rear panel. The top row features a battery status button that tells how much internal battery life remains. Next is an ECO button that trades longer battery life for reduced power consumption, lower LED brightness, lower overall volume, and reduced bass.
Next is the Party Link section, which allows wireless stereo on two Air 2 speakers. Up to 10 Air 2 speakers can be connected for a wall of sound, but not wirelessly. Connecting more than two speakers requires XLR cables (not included). Party Link uses Fender x Teufel terminology: Master and Companion configurations and Mono, Left, or Right settings. This review won’t address this because I have a single speaker, so unless you have two or more, this section isn’t important.
Below the top row are many wired inputs, such as AUX (great if you have an old iPod or other source with audio output), Instrument In, Companion In and Out, charging, Auto Power, and 12V DC input.
Instrument In is for plugging in a guitar. My son does live one-man gigs and is anxious to try the Instrument In setting. Currently, he uses the SoundBoks 4, but isn’t thrilled with the size. The Pockster Air 2 may better suit his needs. I will update this review as needed.
Right above the Companion In sits a Mic-Line In switch. I have a mic that plugs into the Companion in port and works well—if a bit bass-heavy. If the Companion In port is used for connecting multiple speakers, the Mic-Line In switch must be set to Line In. Next to the Companion In port is Companion Out, which is used for Party Link.
To help save battery life, an Auto Power switch can be activated to turn the speaker off when no signal is detected or turn the Air 2 back on when a signal is sent.
Two small but nice power ports are available. USB Out can charge a smart device, but at a weak 5V. And a DC in port allows charging via a 12V external source. Note that an optional connection cable is required to connect an external battery.
AUX is excellent if you have an old iPod or other source with audio output. On paper, a wired AUX connection should sound better than (wireless) Bluetooth. However, the Air 2 speaker is better suited for outdoor or party use, not for critical personal listening. Any audio improvement would be negligible vs. wireless. Fender also includes aptX and aptX HD for “CD quality” Bluetooth sound. Again, any difference will be negligible, because Bluetooth has improved so much that the Air 2 will sound good whether it’s aptX or regular ole’ AAC.
Playing the Rockster Air 2 speaker is simple. Whether the source is AUX or Bluetooth, the listener is guaranteed good-sounding audio. This speaker is made for outdoor listening at a volume that carries over distance. There is clarity and decent bass to get any party going. Yeah, it may lack audio finesse, but that’s not the purpose of the Air 2. This is a fun speaker for fun times.
Final thoughts
The bottom line on the Fender x Teufel Rockster Air 2 Bluetooth speaker is that while it sounds terrific indoors, it’s better suited for larger gatherings, preferably outdoors. Plus, the Air 2 is too powerful for a smaller room or near-field listening. If that’s what you want, save some money and go for the Rockster Cross. It’s almost perfect for personal listening and can get plenty loud enough for a small party. But if you want to party hard and get those looks from your neighbors, then the Air 2 can make you the decibel monster you’ve always wanted to be.
What I like about X
- Great audio for outdoor listening
- Easy controls
- Good for Karaoke
- Guitar input
- Large portable battery
What needs to be improved?
- Expensive
- Not for near-field listening
Price: $449.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Fender x Teufel. Fender x Teufel did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
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