The portable party speaker market has become increasingly crowded in recent years, with offerings ranging from compact units to larger, more powerful systems like the SoundBoks Gen4. Among these contenders, the Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER AIR 2, priced at $599 MSRP, aims to carve out its own niche. This review will examine how it stacks up against its competitors and whether it lives up to its promise of versatility.
Multi-purpose audio devices often struggle to balance various features without compromising overall performance. The ROCKSTER AIR 2 attempts to bridge the gap between a portable party speaker and a dedicated PA system. Our testing aimed to determine if it could effectively serve both roles without significant drawbacks.
While Fender is a household name in the music industry, it's the lesser-known Teufel that's responsible for the speaker's audio engineering. Teufel, meaning "devil" in German, has been a prominent player in the European audio market since 1979. The company has built a reputation for producing a wide range of audio equipment, from home theater systems to headphones and portable speakers.
This collaboration marks Teufel's entry into the US market, combining American musical heritage with German audio technology. A cursory look at the German Amazon shows generally positive customer reviews for Teufel products, suggesting a track record of quality and consistency.
The ROCKSTER AIR 2's design draws inspiration from classic guitar amplifiers while incorporating modern elements that distinguish it from typical PA systems. A bent metal grill wraps around the unit, contributing to its visual appeal from all angles. This design choice allows the speaker to blend in various settings, from stage performances to living rooms and outdoor events.
Beyond aesthetics, the speaker incorporates several practical design features. Notably, the unit has a subtle upward angle, which appears to be an intentional choice to direct sound towards listeners when the speaker is placed on the ground. This could potentially improve sound projection in certain scenarios.
In terms of build quality, the ROCKSTER AIR 2 feels solid and well-constructed. The robust build suggests it could withstand the rigors of regular use, including transportation to gigs or use in outdoor settings. However, it's worth noting that while the battery compartment features a rubber seal, the rest of the speaker lacks comprehensive protection against the elements. The rear panel, which houses various inputs, knobs, and switches, is particularly exposed. For users planning frequent outdoor use, especially in inclement weather, this could be a concern. A removable protective cover for these components could have been a useful addition for scenarios where portable speaker functionality is needed.
The ROCKSTER AIR 2's design emphasizes versatility, evidenced by its array of connection options and power solutions. This allows the speaker to adapt to various use cases, from permanent installation in a PA system to portable use for outdoor events. The speaker includes a 35-mm speaker stand socket, compatible with most common speaker stands (though stands are not included).
The ROCKSTER AIR 2 employs a 2-way speaker configuration. It features a 1-inch tweeter for high frequencies and a 10-inch woofer for low-end reproduction. This setup aims to balance power and precision across the frequency spectrum.
Teufel has incorporated several audio technologies in the ROCKSTER AIR 2's design. One notable feature is the Constant Directivity Waveguide. According to Teufel, this technology is designed to help sound waves travel farther horizontally, potentially providing more consistent treble and speech clarity across a wider listening area.
The speaker's electronics include a 32-bit DSP and an 80W RMS Texas Instruments class-D power amplifier. Teufel claims this combination helps deliver natural mid-tones from the woofer and tweeter, aiming for performance similar to a 3-way system. While some competitors in this price range offer higher peak watt ratings, during testing, the amplifier showed no signs of clipping or distortion at high volumes.
Bass response, often a challenge for portable speakers, appears to have been a focus in the ROCKSTER AIR 2's design. The speaker aims to produce clear and deep bass without resorting to artificial enhancement. Large bass reflex ports are positioned high on the unit, which Teufel states helps minimize flow noise and prevent dust ingress.
It's worth noting that the ROCKSTER AIR 2 has a frequency response range of 47 - 22,000 Hz. While this range is typical for speakers in this class, listeners should not expect sub-bass frequencies below 47 Hz to be reproduced. The speaker's maximum volume is rated at 115 dB (measured at 1 meter distance). This volume level should be sufficient for most party and small event scenarios, though it may not match the output of some larger, more powerful PA systems.
One of the most impressive aspects of the Air 2 is how it manages to be incredibly versatile without becoming complicated. Despite the array of inputs and switches, the control layout is intuitive, allowing you to start using the speaker immediately without having to dive into a manual.
The Party Mode feature, which allows you to wirelessly pair two Air 2 units for stereo sound, is particularly user-friendly. I was able to set it up without any instructions, the first time. It's a shame that the wireless pairing doesn't remain selected and configured the next time you power up, and is limited to just two units. At least it can also be combined with wired connections, enabling complex multi-speaker setups.
Where the Air 2 really shines is in its wired capabilities. The range of inputs on offer is truly impressive:
Each of these inputs has its own volume control, allowing you to mix different audio sources on the fly. You could, for instance, have background music playing via Bluetooth, while simultaneously using the microphone input for announcements, and even layering a live guitar performance on top.
For those who prefer to go wireless, the Air 2 has you covered. In addition to wireless Party Mode, it features Bluetooth 5.0 with support for both AAC and aptX HD codecs. This ensures that whether you're an iPhone user (AAC) or on Android (aptX HD), you're getting the best possible wireless audio quality.
The ROCKSTER AIR 2's audio performance was tested across a range of music genres to assess its versatility and sound quality. Unlike some PA speakers that can struggle with balanced audio reproduction, this speaker demonstrated consistent performance across various styles of music.
For bass response testing, we played The White Stripes' "Seven Nation Army." The speaker's 10-inch woofer delivered the bass line with notable punch and depth. Even at higher volumes, the bass remained controlled with no apparent distortion or muddiness.
To evaluate midrange and treble performance, we used Morgan Wallen's "Cowgirls." The speaker reproduced the twang of guitars and vocals with clarity. Individual instruments were discernible in the mix, suggesting good separation. High frequencies were clear without becoming harsh, allowing finer production details to be heard.
Further testing with Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" provided insights into the speaker's ability to handle complex vocal and instrumental arrangements. The ROCKSTER AIR 2 reproduced Winehouse's emotive vocals with apparent fidelity, while maintaining clarity in the instrumental backing. Background vocals were well-balanced within the mix, contributing to the overall rhythmic feel of the track. This performance suggests that the speaker can handle the nuances of soul and R&B genres effectively.
But the real test came when we pushed the volume to party levels. Many speakers start to lose their composure at high volumes, with the sound becoming harsh or distorted. The Air 2, however, maintained its poise. Even at volumes loud enough to fill a large backyard, the sound remained clear and balanced. It's a testament to their design choices that the speaker can handle high-SPL output without compromising on sound quality.
If there's one area where the Air 2 shows its limitations, it's in the very deepest bass frequencies. While the bass response is very impressive for a portable speaker, when you start listening at high SPL, you start wanting to feel that deep party bass that you might be used to at concerts. This is an inherent limitation of high-output woofers in PA systems which trade off midrange clarity and output volume in exchange for the deep bass of a true subwoofer. Thankfully, the inclusion of a line-out means you can always add a separate subwoofer if you really need that extra low-end punch.
Battery and power connections are a strong point, with a 99 watt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, external battery support, and even auto-power on. The capacity matches competitors like SOUNDBOKS, but with features like ECO mode and an efficient amplifier, the rated battery life is borderline absurd. Teufel rates the battery life at up to 58 hours at half volume, or 31 hours at full volume with ECO mode enabled (which reduces bass output). The battery is user-replaceable, a feature not commonly found in this product category. While the battery compartment isn't designed for frequent swapping, this design choice could potentially extend the speaker's lifespan.
Also avoiding another common annoyance, the ROCKSTER AIR 2 doesn't require a separate power brick for charging, instead featuring an integrated power supply and uses a standard IEC power cable. This design choice simplifies the charging process and reduces the number of components to manage. Additionally, the speaker includes a 12V external battery connection, offering flexibility for powering the unit from alternative sources such as car batteries or portable power stations.
The Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER AIR 2 sets itself apart in the competitive party speaker market through thoughtful design and superior sound quality compared to many high-SPL competitors. With stunning audio performance, it offers impressive midrange clarity and a well-balanced profile that remains consistent across various music genres and volume levels.
Build quality is another strong suit, with a design that suggests durability for frequent transportation and outdoor use without sacrificing aesthetics. The speaker's high-quality construction, combined with its versatile connection options, allows it to adapt to diverse scenarios, from casual backyard gatherings to professional events.
While no product is without trade-offs, the ROCKSTER AIR 2 makes very few compromises in its core functionalities. Its combination of sound quality, design, versatility, and battery life positions it as a top contender in its price range. For these reasons, the Fender x Teufel ROCKSTER AIR 2 easily earns our Editors' Choice award in the high-end portable speaker category.
