Fender’s new ELIE speakers let you blend audio from four sources at once — Bluetooth, an instrument or mic via XLR/1/4-inch, and two proprietary wireless accessories — in two portable sizes priced at $299.99 and $399.99.

Fender’s first consumer portable speakers under the Fender Audio name, the ELIE 06 and ELIE 12, are built around a simple but unusual premise: you shouldn’t have to choose which device gets to play. Instead, the ELIE system mixes up to four simultaneous inputs — a Bluetooth phone, an instrument or microphone through an XLR/1/4‑inch combo jack, and two additional accessories that connect via Fender’s proprietary wireless link — and gives you per‑input volume control so each source can be heard in the final mix.

The two models differ in scale and power. The ELIE 06 is the compact option with a built‑in subwoofer, a full‑range driver and a tweeter delivering up to 60W and about 18 hours of battery life; a 15‑minute quick charge yields roughly 90 minutes of playback. The larger ELIE 12 doubles the drivers for up to 120W, trims battery life to around 15 hours, and adds dedicated bass and treble controls for more tonal shaping — both can pair for stereo or link up to 100 units for larger spaces.

Fender is leaning into its heritage as a musical‑instrument company rather than a typical consumer speaker maker. The inclusion of an XLR/1/4‑inch combo jack and the ability to mix an instrument or mic alongside a phone is a nod to buskers, small‑venue performers, and creators who want a single, portable rig that handles both playback and live input without a separate mixer. That blend of live and streamed audio is ELIE’s defining feature.

Who should care

• Musicians and buskers who want a compact PA that accepts instruments and phones simultaneously.
• Content creators who need to combine live voice or instrument with backing tracks.
• Party hosts who like the idea of multiple guests feeding audio into one speaker.
• Key considerations: portability vs. power (ELIE 06 vs ELIE 12), battery life, and whether you’ll rely on Fender’s proprietary wireless accessories for the full four‑source experience.

Limitations and trade‑offs

• Proprietary accessories: Two of the four inputs require Fender’s wireless add‑ons, which could add cost and lock you into Fender’s ecosystem.
• Battery vs. output: The louder, more driver‑dense ELIE 12 sacrifices runtime for power — 15 hours vs 18 hours on the smaller model.
• Mixing complexity: On‑device mixing is convenient, but it’s not a full mixer; users wanting advanced routing or effects will still need separate gear.

Fender’s ELIE speakers are a pragmatic experiment: they translate the company’s stage‑ready DNA into a portable, consumer‑friendly package that lets multiple people and instruments share the spotlight at once. For anyone who’s ever wanted to plug a guitar into a party speaker without muting the playlist, the ELIE is a rare, practical answer — provided you’re comfortable with Fender’s accessory ecosystem and the trade‑offs between size, power, and battery life.